New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-18

REGARDING the steps prior TO the crossing OF the
Balkans a correspondent with the Russian army
says that when he visited Tirnoya on the 18TH INST,
Con. Gourko's advance had gone forward As
hours previously Col. Judolmins Circasslan
Cossacks were leading the column So bad are
the tracks through the passes of the Helena Balkans
that Gen. Gourko's column of infantry as wen as
the cavalry resigned their wagon transport ana con-
veyed the baggage and provisions on pack-horSes'
Gen. Gourke need have no fear OF tue turks
breaking in upon the line OF his conInuhcauohs LUZ
he has cut himself adrift.
THE RUSSIAN OFFICIAL REPORT.
LONDON, Tuesday July II, 1871
The following is the Russian Official account OF
the crossing of the Balkans:
TmNovA. Monday July l6. 1877.
"Gen Gourko with an advanced guard OF caviar
~ infantry aud artillery has crossed the balkans
On July II, he surprised and defeated TURKISH
battalion, which guarded the Quiet OF 'ne pass moan
the village Of KhaubhOi.
.Gep. Gourko is now marching upon Kasank in
the rear of the enemy, who occupies the fortified
Shlpka deiile. Two companies of COSsacks have ar
rived at Jeni Saghra and the telegraph between
that place and NonIgagra and ShvenO.
ION Sunday an engagement was fought near the
Village of Orzazsre, between Cossack force ana
some dctaehments of Bashi-Bazouks and Crcas-
SLAMS supported by Turkish infantry. The enemy
held their ground until the arrival of dragons and
battery Of artillery sent by Gen. Gourko. On per
oeIying the approach of these achievements the
Turks fled. The flag, several standard-bearerS and
e0uantlty of arms were captured"
This raid of Gen Gourko and his stubborn con-
test with the Turks, is only the preclude of
the general plan of campaign. news letter
from Obirtnk, place on the highway between
Bela and Rustchuk, says that after blockading the
fortresscs of the QuadrilateTal, 900 men are
available for crossing the Balkans 10y the Western
line of invasion, exclusive Of Gen. ZimInermamrs
army IN the Eastern section of the theatre OF war.
As regards supplies the Russians determined TO
leave nothing to chance Bucharest is the great
central depot and contains stores of meal to which
the supplies of rice for the relief of the Ben
cal famine were a mere bagatelle. SstOva
will be the intermediate and Tinoya the
advance depot As regards the Russian Army,
a rapid advance on Rustchuk does not seem
imminent The cavalry divisions forming the
outposts of the army extend from point the
Danube ~ miles west of Rustchuk, to 40 miles In
land facing the Turkish foremost position on the
River LON. Small reconnoisances are pushed for
ward but the mass of the divisions has been station
airy for about week.
Railway communication on the Adrianople line
has been suspended for everything except troops.
TIE ALLEGED RUSSIAN CRUELTIEs.
hereported crUeuieS IN Bulga1liaTe ucnleu ny tne
correspondent of The Daily Necs with the Russian
forces at Obrtenik 1t is noteworthy, however, that
# Is against the advance guards and Cossacks that
complaints have been made. He says: 81 may men
ton that about 80 Turkish families Of TIrnova re-
NAMED after the general exodus, and are living I'M
harmed under the special protection of the Russian
military authorities. Speaking as perfectly I'M
partial man who would have no hesitation OF hear
ing testimony to the contrary. were the contrary
true and who has had exceptional opportunities for
observation do not believe that in Bulgaria there
has been q single instance of personal matreatment
of a Turkish civilian at the hands OF Russian
soldiers"
WAGON TRAINS ATTACKED.
Various correspondents at Shumla, however, con-
cur in stating that they personally witnessed the re-
suits of the Russian attacks the unarmed Turkish
populations in the shape of wounded, old men,
women and children. Refugees say that the Russian
troops attacked wagOn-trains fleeing to Shumla and
murdered the people indiscriminately. They fired
Oh some parties with artillery.
TIE sIsTovA PONTOoN BRIDGE INTACT.
1t is officially announced at Constantinople, that
the reported attack by Turkish monitors on the
Sistova bridge is untrue
The Turks have evacuated and the Russians
occupied Medjidio and Mangalea in the DobrudJa.
THE CAPTULATIoE All NIKoPoLIs.
Prssian official dispatches claim that the
Nikopolis garrison, consisting of two Pashas and
G.OOO regulars has surrendered
SIKoPoLIs AFTER The SURRENDER.
LONDON Wednesday, July 49, 1877
A Times correspondent telegaphs from Tur-
pa-Marnueli, July 16: 81 have visited the
two monitors captured from the Turks They
can probably be made ready for action
without much delay. / have also seen the
Turkish prisoners who were transported to the Rou-
manian side of the Danube to-day. The prisoners
are all regulars the Bash-Bazouks and Circassians
having left some time ago. On the nights command
ing Nkopolis empty contingencies lying in every
direction tell of a desperate struggle. Thousands
Of rifles, bayonets, and accouterments are piled
slong the road to the town where train Of 800
wounded Moslems await removal into improvised
hospitals The Turks burned their stores and the
principal buildings Of the town last night before
BuTrendering"
RUSSIANS SOUTH OF sILIsTRA.
Bucharest telegram, sent yesterday, says: To-
day the COssacks Of Baron Krudener are said to have
reached LON Palanka advancing toward Widdn."
From the Dobrudsja the Russians arc reported to
have marched south of Silistria, which will DO
blOckaded thereby cutting the quadrlateral III two
and fully protecting Russian communications On
the Danube"
THE sOFTAs AGAIN TURBULENT.
LONDON, Wednesday, July IS, 1877.
Avienna telegram says that at Constantinople the
Roftae boya davo.ndad that the standard OF the