Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-07-09

almost impossible. The idea in
former times that the Balkan was
impossible arose not so much from
the hight and inherent difficulties
of the range as from the fact that
no really good roads existed, and
that within a distance of five or six
marches many small difficulties
were accumulated which had to be
overcome by all troops in success
sion.
The most westward are in the
vicinity Of Sophia, where two main
roads cross the mountains. One
comes from Ukschub, where roads
unite from Montenegro, .Herzego-
vipa, Bosnia and Servia, and passes
through Dubnitza to Tatar- Basard-
schyk. The other comes from So
phia, where the road from Belgrade
and Nisch unites with that from
Widin, and also leads to Tatar-
Basardschyk; thence the united
roads lead to Adrianople and Con-
stantinople. Sarimberg, about
seven miles west of Tatar- Basard-
schyk, is the terminus of railway
through Adrianople and CONSTANT
nople, with a branch to Enos, on
the Hgean sea. The passes present
comparatively few natural difficult
ties; the roads have been improved
and fortified of late years. The
next important pass is that through
which the I'irnova to Kassanilk
and Adrianople is constructed.
Another road leads from Timoya
to Seddino, and Jamboli to Adrian
ople; this road is connected by u
branch with Kasan and Karnabad,
as well as with Aidos, the two last
being important strategical points
karnabad is connected toward the
north by roads through Kasan with
Tirnova on the one hand and
through Osmanbasar with Rust
chuk to the left, and through Ras-
gard with Turtuka on the right; to
the south roads lead to Adrianople,
to Bourgas and to Constantinople
Aidos is connected toward the
north, through Prawady with
Shumla and 0smanbasar on the
left, with Varna, Bazardiik and
Sllistria on the right; while to the
south it is also connected with
Bourgas, Constantinople and
Adrianople. Most of the roads
through Karnabad and Aidos to
Varna and Shumla have of late
years been made practicable for
artillery and fortified in the noun.
tains.
The most important Turkish for
tresses in this region are Widin,
Rustchuk, Silistria, Shumla and
Varna, Were the Turks in condi.
tion to assume the offensive, Widin
would be of great Importance as
facilitating their crossing the Dan.
ube and gaining the rear of the
Russian positions north of that
river. Rustchuk and Silistria have
already been alluded to they were
!, originally imperfect works Of ma
sonry, which have from time to
time been extended and strength.
ened by the addition of numerous
earthworks. They were too strong
to be taken by direct assault, unless
by surprise, and must be attacked
with heavy artillery or masked by
corps Of observation. If simply
held by garrisons they can produce
little effect upon the general result
of the campaign, except in render
ing the passage of the Danube diff
cult in their vicinity. 1t can prob
ably be assumed that the Russians
have sufficient force to mask them
while operating elsewhere.
Shumla is at the northern base
of the foothills Of the Balkan. The
town is in a horseshoe, formed by
projecting spurs of the hills, and
the fortress has gradually assumed
the dimensions Of an intrenched
camp. 1t does not directly close,
or command by its fire, any pass
over the Balkans, for troops in mass
can march around and behind it in
every direction. 1t is of great inn
portance only when the strength of
the army encamped within the lines
is so great, in relation to the active
columns of an enemy, that the lat
ter can not leave a sufficient force
to mask it while pursuing the chief
objects Of his operations. Varna
is strong by its situation and by its
{ exterior defenses. 1t is important
as controlling the terminus of a
railway, as enabling the Turks to
land troops and supplies in the real
Of an enemy seeking to cross the
Balkan from the north, and as being
the best harber between the Bal
kans and the Danube.
.p---
Extraordinary Career Of Dr. JO-
hRnn Friedrich YOn HerGer.
! The Cincinnati Commercial says
/, The most important event in the