The Portland daily press., 1877-06-30
ON THE DANUBE.
The Turks Reinforced Before Sistr

Inc TURKS helnIOfced Before SlstOva.
NEW YORK, June 3O.-Cable specials state
that troops from Rustchuk have fastened to
support the Turks. who retreated from Sistova
and attachments from Shuma and Bolgrad
are making forced marches to the scene of con-
flict below Sistova near the river Jantra.
1t is stated that the Turkish gunboats broke
the Russian pontoon bridge during the crossing
at Matchin, and for time 5000 Russians who
had crossed were isolated, and if the Turks
had had sufficient force they could have saugh-
tered them all.
Kiernan's despatch says corps of Russian
have joined the Grand Duke at Sstova, below
which place fierce battle is progressing.
The Cars Movements.
BUCHAREST July There is no further
information here about the fighting opposite
Sin.nitza. Tne Gar witnessed the lombard.
ment OF Nicopolis, which was reduced to ashes.
After the fight at Sistova he assisted the
wounded at Simnitza and decorated several
who had especially distinguished themselves.
He afterwards crossed the Danube and was joy.
july welcomed by the Bulgarians.
A Great Battle at SisiOva-The Result
Unknown-The Russian Strength.
LONDON, July IA great battle has occurred
at Sistova and Nicopolis. The Turkish official
accounts represent that the Ottoman troops
successfully resisted the Russian attack and
repulsed them with great slaughter. Every
available man is hurried to resist the Russian
advance. 1t is reported the struggle is pro-
crossing along the whole line of the Danube.
Latest reports Saturday state that the result
of the battle is unknown. No crossing has
taken place at Turnu Magurelli, but demon
stration there was made in such force and
with such preparation as regards boats and
material for pontoon bridges that it would have
turned into an actual attack had a fair chance
Gar there induced the concentration of the
Turkish forces and the Russians accordingly
made real attack at Simnitza. The Russian
forces were massed at Draga, 10 miles back
from the Danube, and the neighboriDg villages
about an equal distance from Tunu Magureli
upon whichever point proved. weakest
The great camp of the Russians is now situat-
ed on the plateau beyond the skyline of the
heights
forces: Their infantry divisions the Sth, 18th
and 18th: two divisions of artillery, one brigade
of rif1emeD, two regiments of Cossacks and
several miscellaneous detachments.
The town of Sstova was occupied by the
Russian forces without serious opposition on
the approach of a Turkish monitor suddenly
raised an alarm and it stoppedithe construction
of the bridge The monitor, however, retired
without firing. On Friday the Gar and Caro-
witch visited the wounded. They then crossed
the river and amid deafening- cheers from the
soldiery, the Gar embraced Gen. Dragniroff
hailing him as "The hero of the crossng.''
The Observer has the following special de-
spatch from Constantinople dated Saturday
evening:
A terrible battle is progressing near Sistova.
Reinforcements are being hastily forwarded
from Rustchuk, Shumla and Nkopolis. The
Turks are still holding their ground and their
artillery is intiicting great loss upon the Rus
sians-
A Reuter- despatch from Constantnope a
hours later date says Abdul Kerim replying to
q telegram sent him today Sunday by council
of Ministers, reports that up to the present
$4,000 Russians have crossed the Danube a
battle is imminent at Bjela, which is expected
to last for several days.
Various. Rumors.
A special to the Standard from Shumla
July 1, reports large force of Russians ad
vancng inland have been defeated at Bjla with
considerable loss.
The Daily News special says murderous
emeute has broken out at R1stchuk against the
Christians.
The Daily News despatch dated Friday mid
night says report has just arrived here
(Smintza) that Turkish army left Rustchuk
and is on the march towards Sistova Prince
Mirsky's division which is on the flank next to
Rustchak, is entrenching itself as precaution-
airy measure, but it is the purpose and policy of
the Russiapa ta3toka tho offapaiva