The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-07-24
: OVER THE BALKANS,
And "On to Constantinople." !"
not WORK AT NiCOPOLIs.
The Grand Duke Reported Dc.
- feated and surrounded at
TiTnOva,
BECOMING INTERESTING.

LONDON. July II The news from the
seat of war this morning is exciting in
the extreme. A great battle has been
fought at Fehditch. south of the Balkans.
The Russians met with decided check
NIcopoLIs WAS VIRTUALLY Captured
Ga Sunday, by the taking. of the heights
commanding the town. The consterna-
tion of the Turks at the dashing advance
of their enemies seems 10 be very great
throughout the entire Empire.
The Herald's special correspondent at
Sistova telegraphs, under date of yes.
terday, tue 10th: "For several days the
Russians have been preparing for de.
termined effort to capture Nicopolis.-
The fact of their holding only one point
Of crossing at Sistova and bridge of
more than doubtful strength rendered i
absolutely necessary that they should
extend their control of the river bank
up stream"
Finally the order for the Russian ad-
vance was given, and after an arduous
march around the lake and toward Mic.
opois, the contending forces came into
collision
The Turks had taken the precahtion
to cover their position by double lines
'of pickets, supported at intervals BY
several companies of picked troops
This was to guard against
TIE RAIDS OF THE CossACKs,
Whose enterprise has impressed itself
thoroughly upon the Turkish mind =
These lines of piekets made what ought
to be termed formal show Of resist
ance, and slowly retired on the main
body. As soon as the Russians came
within effective range of the Turkish
position they were met by severe ar
tillery fire, which, however, did not
check their advance, and 10 which they
replied with still more formidable fire.
THE TURKS,
Being posted in commanding position,
had considerable advantage. and as
the Russians approached frightful gaps
were made in their ranks by the Turkish
artillery. With surprising valor. how
ever, they continued to approach the
Heights, and as soon as they came with
in rife range they opened a terrible fire
on the Turks. For half an hour this
musketry duel continued with unabated
vigor, the Russians in the meantime de
veloping their front, so as to approach
their left in the direction of the .Osern'
river.
This was a movement which threaten
ed the Turkish line of retreat of the
south-westward and westward. About
midday on Sunday 1
THE ORDER FOR The ASSAULT
Was given, and the whole Russian line,
supported by several batteries of artil.
tlery, adyantageously posted, stormed
the heights occupied by the Turks. Du.
ring this awful climb, in the face. of
A DEADLEY FIRE,
The Russians suffered terribly, while the
Turks, stubbornly defending their posi-
tion, sustained equal losses. But tht
onset was so impetuous that the Turks
could not withstand it, and were
DRIVEN HEADLoNG OVER THE CREST OF
The hills towards Nicopolis, followed
by the Cossacks and detachments oil
light infantry. After obtaining posses
lsion of the heights commanding th,
town-at terrible cost. it is true-the
Russians virtually had Nicopolis at thei
mercy.
! THE RETREAT ENDANGERED.
The Turks, finding their line of re
treat threatened, abandoned the town
which the Russians entered this morn
ing. 1t was
i FILLED WITH TURKISH DEAD.
| Many wounded were also found il
the streets and in the houses where the,
had been abandoned by the Turks il
the haste of their retreat. Anothe
bridge will be at once thrown over tn
Danube at this point, and across it vii
pass immense stores of provisions an,
war material. which has been ready TO
transportation for several days, they ca
Ego forward from Tirnova, always sur
Of their base of supplies. The captur
of Nicopolis is q most important even
for the Russian campaign in Bulgaria.