New-York tribune., 1877-05-04

inn marty IN rocross tte river Neither had succeeded in
gaining a foothold where they wished. But many ln
midsummer, the Turks made passage ana loush'
great battle with their enemy at GurgevO the last serl
Gus open-neld conflict in the Danuban campaign Deore
the French and English armies came to the aid OF Turkey
In the river at that point there is island two miles
long and on the morning of July five boats hled WIN
$50 men passed over from Rustchuk Reentorcemehts
were asked for and 900 men were soon on inc lsh"
Meanwhile the Russians had accumulated IN large mum
bers and opened fire upon the Turks, who helped tne
keen II M for ten hours when nigtau put an end 10
the engagement In the morning the Russians Had re-
tired from GiurgevO and the Turks advanced ana
occnpied it, The floating of dead bodies down the river
to siistria conveyed that city the first news OF inc
conflict. An army of $4,000 men under omar fash'
then crossed the Danube and the Russians retired 20
Bucharest.
While these attacks going on along TINS part vi
tbc river the Russians near is mouth IN the country
called the Dobruda, appeared az the attacking party
They also conducted formidable siege OF shioul''
These events constitute the second phase ot the Dan
uban campaign. Tho Dobrudja IL curious country
~ gat suface oyergrown with yellow grass ana
without trees or shrUbbcry anywhere. The inhabitants
are the remnant Of Tartar who were driven ou Of
Russia The southern boundary Is near the Roman WIi
built by Traan The River Danube 1t It's mouth divides
like the Mississippi On the northern am-lhe Mia
ia the town Ismail mentioned in to-days dispatches.
Here the Russians, in October, lo'3 before the iuI"S
had
the 23d sent boats up the river 10 BIa tor Ibrai ana
Caloz ON their way they encountered the Turks and lost
lcO men i'm an engagement Othcr attempts wero made
against the Turks, but nothing came or them unt te
latter part Of March, when the Russians embodeheP ny
superior numbers, crossed the river at lSmm, Ga'az'
aud BraIa capturing the towns on the other side ln'y
drove their enemy to the wall Of Trglau not however
without serious losses But they were allowed to 20 no
further ana hero the Russian army remained shut UP IN
a ,narshy and unhsaltlfu country for two months
poweress to do harm TO Others or good for ITSELF once
however they got tho WALL but were soon driven
back again.
one other point il this campaign remains TO be noticed
the siege Of Slis,a, regarded as the most notape
event Of all is the most important town possessed by
Turkey on the banks Of tine river The river is very
broad there and the place Is strongly Tort ded lhe
siege began in April by bomblriment from TIE oppo-
site side of the shore. The firing continued day ana
night for two weeks almost without interruption. An
immense quantity OF shell thrown into the town. and
the destruction was great But the Turks were Nigiant
and resoae delaying operations at every possible step
They mad less than 900 men, while their enemy num-
befed 900 on the south shore alone. The work went
on the hopes OF the Turks gradually weakening. ihey
heard Of the alliance, but waited in vain for heip Al
length two young English officers, their way back
rom India called upon the Turks and gave them the
benefit Of their experience New methods adopted;
frequent sorties upon the Russians made ncting
great loss But the number Of the enemy increased TO
10000 men; for three weeks a bOmbardmcnt was Kept
up without success at last midnight attack was made
by 10000 Russians and the two armies fought until day
break The Turks lost 200 killed and wounded, but they
drove back the assault by murderouz fire. iniictlng
loss OF 900 men upon the Russians
This was the 29th OF May. The contcnding generals
met the next day under Gag Of truce. said the Rus
sian 1t may prevent the cfusion of blood tell you
the car has orders that the place must be taken
10 which the Turk replied am ordered 10 defend the
place aud would not surrende If hal only 1000 men
aud all Russia was at the gates OF the city" Fighting
was resumed the following day, and the Russians
were rcpuscd with loss Of 1000 men, The Turkish
commander killed, but the "a Of June reinforce
inent Of 1000 men arrived. The siege went on until
June 49, when The Russians made tremendous attack
Gortcalod nad been wounded and retired. The battle
was wased with the greatest fury the Russians had
three chief officers wounded, and their defeat
was utter and complete. Al last, the 23d Of june
acra siege Of 40 days, The Russians retired having
been beaten at all points. Their army had been much
larger than tine Turkish but they lost 1000 men, and Il
is said the hospitals the river contained 10000
inyaids who had suffered during the siege. H. recorded
that IN work upward % 10000 shot and she'll were
thrown upon SHtI1a, and that the Russians constructed
than three miles OF approaches and exploded siA
mines.
some minor incidents belong The hi tory OF The cam
paign but the cyets already related comprise an outline
OF its most interesting features.