The New York herald., 1877-07-04
FORTRESS OF WIDDIN.
A Herald Correspondent Crosses
the Ssrvian Frontier.
ARRESTED BY R0IIMANIANS.
Difficulties and Red Tape from Negotin
to the "0ld Citadel
IN TIL E T O'W N
Seri Paoha States How the Russians
Reached the Danube.
Sudden Orders-The Correspondent Es-
corted Out by Police.
GIuRGEvo, June Is, 1877.


come to me l suppose l had better go to it,
''Not a very original idea" you will say.
With this view l started in the direction 81
Eladova, which Is the nearest bridge crossing the
Danube into servia, opposite Turn-severn. was re-
seived by Colonel Nicolitch, who was in command o.
The garrison and who has grown gray In the service
IT his country. Tho walls OF the fortress are almost
umbling into ruins, but from It's advanced position
upop the Danube It commands immense sweep
and It's moat and surroundings look very warke Its
enormous calibre, it is true, but then they not
likely frighten modern army much, for they bear
date OF about tho time of Louis XIV
tVe HoRvArovIrcH MAKING SOLDIERS
From Gladova went to Negotin, only nm hours
march from the Turkish frontier. Nearly the whole
OF the scrvan army, consisting Of some II, 900 men,
was there; but it seems that many hands were
raised against the active Colonel Horvasovtch therc
in his favor The Colonel was the most redoubt.
sbIe and successful adversary that sevn could find
% combat osman Pachs during the campaign of
ast year. and while all hts colleagues are quietly lIv-
ng at Belgrade resting upon the laurels which they
id not earn he camping out undergoing considera.
bio inconvenience and hardship in an endeavor to
hastily collected to repe the advance Of the Turks in
The Timok Valley.
PRESCRIPTION.
discovered certain vague fear pervading the
az atr wa huta
was vague that it would be almost premature to
talk Of war 1t may be noted. however that tor the
last two days. owing to notice served from Belgrade
no Servan is permitted TO cross the Timok,
across the Turkish frontier This was not very
satisfactory for correspondent and so far could
find no one who had been in the Turkish camp All
the newspapers glow with accounts OF the Russians
and Roumauans, but not word about the Turks as to
their esprit and movements "You will scarcely get
any exact information said NJ. Gsvanovitch Project
OF Negotin, sunless you 70 to widdn." The Project
had every appearance OF being what would call
jolly good fellow He seconded his proposal by giving
me Servian passport This was one important step.
CROSSING THE TINoK.
Behold me then for Radougevatz the last
Scrvian village before reaching Turkish frontier
had, in the nrst place, TO secure certain barge In
which to traverse the Tmok, which here half wide
ms the Danube. Unfortunately, this barge had been
hired by one whom was led to believe a very grand
parsonage. but who turned out to be the
correspondent OF a great German newspap u
He showed an immense bundle Of documents,
letters OF credit introductions and FORTH enough
for an ambassador, and gracously invited to take
seat in his barge. He was really important per-
cx,t.,- l,rtir
peculiar class OF individuals who to spring up
like mushrooms at times having lots OF .brass
but precious little journalistic experience However
criticism under such circumstanc noes is ingratitude
There but ferry, ana he had hired It.
wanted 10 cross, and therefore accepted his
offer and companionshp. We embarked the river
and rowed along under the right bank of the Danube
toward the mouth OF the Timok which we had to
cross order to get into the interior OF Turkey
Unfortunately again the Roumanian pickets who held
tho other bank OF tho river, reaching down Kaafa
commenced to wave aass and make other signs to us
intending to convey to the idea that we advanced
would be st our peril. We considered this as a pro-
tentious abuse Of power and continued our journey
along the Danube
ARRESTED RoUMANIAN SOLDIERS.
All went well til reached the main post at
Brista, where not much gratihed BY tho re-
ception Of few bullets which whislled past US un.
pleasantly close, frightening our oarsmcn, who re-
fused to 60 any further II even possible for
us to regain the Servian border, for a Roumana ian
picket, with his gun his shoulder and with
q huge pistol In his belt ordered US to ac.
company him. Compelled to obey, We again
crossed the Danube, where we were surrounded
by a company Of soldiers, who ordered to await the
return of oicer who had gone into the neghborng
village to breakfast On his arrival he ordered us to
some twelve miles distant. We said nothing, but
yiartcd OF beneath a broiling midday sun,
between four soldiers, who, by tho way, were
IN horseback. This little promenade lasted ior
two hours happily found the chicfoistan
at dinner, and after examining papers and finding
them all right Invited us 10 take glass OF champagne
MY German friend prohed by this hospitality to out
do himself; he displayed his title OF lieutenant In the
Landwehr and somc letters certain pachas OF which
he had not spoken to mo. IL seemed 10 me from this
moment that he was suspected man, and he seemed
affect the Roumanian officers by bis conduct that
they scarcely spoke to him.
RAKovfTzA wfDDiy
We returned quietly the river, re-embarkcd In our
barge, gained the Timok. the mouth Of which we
crossed, and landed at Rakovitza Some Tcherkess
residence OF the Governor We found this functionary
TRANQUILITY seated, Turkish fashion, with his legs
crossed upon the vcranda OF the cottage which
he had selected for hrs habitaIon He ceased smok-
ing his cigarette for u moment, and casting a
glance at papers made sign requesting rs
also 10 be seated. Meantime we each took cup OF
delicious Turkish coffee, and tho Governor ordered an
officer 10 20 into the village and procure a carriage to
take as into widdn. But the carriage forth.
coming, only horses and the Bulgarian 10 whom they
belonged told that at neghboring village should
nnd ARABIA that Is to say an old fashioned
chariot made Of rougn boards, without seats, having
hay tho bottom on which the traveller has
TO sit. conndIng IN this promise. wc mounted the
horses and started for widdn We soon arrived the
village aforesaid, al which We were TO nnd thu
veyancs; but our Bulgarian friend again led us into
dsmsy By stating, afer short search, that shore was