The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-14

|
river looking as quiet and peaceful and sound as svc
the only smoke gong up from being that OF factory
chimney The fact Ia. that We had been waiting SO
long Tor something happen here tina, WHOM, at last
| lew rounds fred, moro by way OF testing
ranges than anything else, the temptation 10 MAKE
terrific ade" out Of the affair was, for some
easily impressed minds, too great The HERALD has
received detailed account of cannonadc which
| has yet taken place in this ncighborhood, and II
have been unable to speak OF battered houses, aud
rooness dwellings, aud smoking runs, II has been
owing 10 the nonexseucc OF such painfully Interesting
objects within radius OF ten miles IRON Rustcnuk.
! In default OF sucn exciting themes will proceed to
give your readers simple record OF the one. sided
cannonade Lieu appeared IN some papers as great
bombardnlent partial destruction Of Giurgcvo by
the Turks"
ATTEMPTED SEIZURE GIuRoy ISLAM
For some time past We bad noticed that the Wal
lachians had been collecting a number OF schlepps,
sailing barges, in front of the landing stage OF Cur
gcvo, but uudcr Of the large island behind which
the town lies Tho purpose Tor which these boats
were being gathered together was evident, but the
Turkish authorities received actual Information that
under cover OF the island the enemy wns pusiiy en-.
gagged in accommodating the materials necessary TO
throw bridge across the branch OF the river which
divides the island from tho main land his object,
doubt being TO establish batteries the island
which could lire with effect Rustchuk. Some
even thought that q passage OF the river
to be attempted under tho guns OF the fortress
Being satisfied that the seizure OF the island was nc
tually contemplated the military Governor OF Rust
chuk EshreG Pacna, Issued orders during the night
that early morning the guns OF the Hadar battery
which faces Giurgevo, open are upon tho
boats.
COMMANDMENT or THE PoSrooy BoArs.
A few privileged persons who we're forcwarned Of
the affair rendezvoused at the house OF the railroad
director the battery which had told Off do the
work being situated just beneath the building. rho
party sat up all night expecting the Turks 10
begin after midnight, but, after watching
until nearly three O'Clock, by they
dropped of to sleep, leaving the of
tho guns to awake them. Their siumbers werc not
prolonged, Cor exactly at Eve A. a. the first shot was
fred AT intervals Of i've minutes steady cannonade
was directed upon the boats Until eight o'clock, with
out single return shot from the other side The
Turkish battery then ceased firing having discharged
altogether about thirty five rounds The result
not all that could be- desired although somc damage
been done beyond The destruction OF three
boats which now lie useless al tho rivers edge. The
not!la Of boats was anchored about twenty PAGES
IN front OF a large church, ana tho command
ant of Rusichuk had sent word TO the
officer in charge OF the battery that II the
building struck he would be held personally re-
sponsble. Thus icttered, the officer had no choice
but 10 tire short or TO aim AT tho boats which werc
of ire. The practice made by the battery was very
good, and too much praise cannot be bestowed ON the
gunners ior their careful obedience to orders Had
the order respect the church been given u
single boat would have remained floating One oil the
shells fell into the cavalry barracks and set Gre to
OF the buildings II Is Impossible to say whether any
lives lost; but as the shells were bursting III
every direction right and lett OF the church tis prob
able that some CASUALTIES occurred
GIuRGEvo SILENT.
During the whole canuOnade tho Russians did not
answer single shot, apparently not having any guns
fire upon The railroad depot from some Of their out
lying batteries. The excitement this ALTAR was
very great and she whole neehborhood OF the Turkish
battery was crowded with mon and women watching
the effect OF tho bursting shells The little twogun
monitor ''scodran which was stationed here had or.
night to be ready next morning 10 lire the
break, and she lett Immediately or NicopoIis.
NEW MILITARY RAILROAD.
The railroad company have set 10 work In earnest
upon their temporary branch line, which will leave
the road at short distance and behind the
hills The back Of tho town. The Governor has
order calling out all men under military protection
10 JOIN work The first enrolment took place on
the 7ti inst, when about tbrac thousand men, Bull
garians and Turks starred. OIL Tor thor work
Each obliged 10 furnish some tool for Dig
ging and they rudged along carrying their spades
their iauk, tney presented most striking aud
picturesque appearance The rendezvous at
hours distance iron tho town, and, as the weather
line ana the country beautiful, the crowd In
good temper and seemed 10 enjoy the prospect Of
good days outing he new line Is bong laid by a
young English engineer, son oil the director OF the rail
road.
THE TROOPS AT TIE FRONT.
AT present tie nun Der oil troops at Rustchuk Is |
considerably reduced several battaons with the usual
complement oil field artillery having left Tor Sistova
ana Nkopoli The rcinlorccments sent 10 The former
place just tine to take part IN engagement.
TIE Russians attempted crossing 'nere in rather
larger numbers than Oh The previous &C.
Several boats filled with soldiers put OF I
from The Roumanian shore III the early morning. On
nearing the Turkish bank tho batteries Immediately
opened fire upon them. and, the challenge being taken
up by tho Russian batteries on the opposite side,
sharp artillery duel cusued during which boats
ana soldiers gradually approached tho Bulgarian sh
Tnc Turkish infantry were waiting for the enemy
der cover OF some earshworks, ana allowed them TO
come within easy range, when they opened such
gaining fire that boats heat hasiy retreat, carry
ing back large number OF dead anu wounded. The |
same day smilar affair occurred at ruroka and an
attempted landing oi rossacks was rcpulsed The OBJ
jcct Of these attempts is no doubt, to 'iecl' tho
Turkish line and ascertain the disposition ana number
OF the troops.
OF THE RIVER.
Every one nov seems 10 be OF opinion that tho |
Russians VIII cross simultaneously ut these two points
Slstova aud lurioEa-which are about cqudlstlnt
from Ruslchug Sstova beng about thirly-hye miles
up the river aud Turtokai The same dislance down
stream. The Turks are daily sending off all avaabe |
troops TO the points which Is Inc bes, they can
do for The plan oi collecting So COO men IN Rus,chuk
Tor no active purpose and allowing the passage o. the
river 10 be made without right Tor II would be an
incxcusable error. shcuu say garrison OF TO- QUO
is more than enough 10 hold this against a
force OF Tour times that number II the balance OF The
troops despatched TO those pouts where tho Rus
slams arc known TO be accumuiit,ng their forces the
passage OF the Danube Viii be effected only at an !
immense sacrince OF life.
The waters OF the Danube are rapidly falling and
islands are emerging every whero from lts bed. In
day the river eil eighteen inches. and the next uny
still greater nll was apparent. However much the
d!minuon Of the stream may assist the Russians in .
passing 1t one thing Is CERTAIN that they ina ~ now
another enemy To hce--tnc subtle, malarious poison
which eman ties from the marshy auds lett bare by
the reccdng waiers. The malarious fever is now
commenting, ana N short time the hospitals, both
military ana CIVIL will be hlcd with patients.
BrLGAniAN LEGION
J The BuglrilnS mere tilking forming n legion