The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-07-01
Morning Star and Catholic nesxen or.
INV osISAss, sSEDNH, JULY ! Is17
THE WARS BETWEEN r RUSSLA-zND TUR.
KEY.

from the Dablin Nation of May 26th, tn
first balf Of this az ticle, which we find con
cluded in the Nation of June 9th and her
transfer to our columns.
The peace established by the treaty O.
Bucharest lasted sixteen years. Consider
ing the many pretexts for picking quar-
rel which Turkey afforded Russia in that
period, it is at first sight surprising tina,
the outbreak of bostiiities should have
been 80 long deferred. But the inactivity
of Russia is amply explained by the ex-
haustion consequent on the Napoleonic
wars, and, in point OF fact, when at last
s Turkish misgoverpment and cruelty, cul-
minating in such atrocities as the massacre
of Scio, induced or force d the Gear to move,
that potentate was by no means as well
prepared as he might desire for SD serious
q task as the invasion aud conquest of the
territories of the Sultan. Altogether, the
Russian forces available for active opera
tions in the South numbered considerably
less than one hundred thousand electives,
and those were not snch warriors as were
at Leipsic and B0rodino. On the other
hand, however, the position of Turkey was
worse than that of her enemy. The Turk
ish feet had just been annihIlated at Nav
arino, Russia being thereby made mistress
army, it was almost non. existant. The
janissaries became so troublesome that it
was found necesaaryrto break up that or
ganization and in their place was created q
motley host, "wearing," as Moltke says,
" Russian Jackets and Turkish trousers,
with Tartar saddles, French stirrups, and
English sabres." Exclusive of the irregu-
lars, who were chiefly Asiatic horsemen,
there were only about seventy thousand
meR in line. The single arm in which the
Turks were superior to their antagonists
was the cavalry, the irregulars just refer
red to being numerous, daring, and capa-
BILE, like their horses, of enduring hardships
that would have destroyed, and did de-
stroy the ponderous men and ponderous
chargers which the Emperor Nicholas had,
in q foolish moment, substituted for the
Cossacks and Cossack ponies of former
campaigns. Such were the opposing forces
in the war of 1928 9. Let us see what
those forces did, and first let ne turn our
attention to the operations in Europe.
Three corps, or about 80 600 men, cross.
ed the Pruth on May 9TH and Sth, under
the command Of Marshal Wittgenstein.
OF these, one corps, cOmprising nearly
40, 600 men, was to pass over the Lower
on Varna; another corps, with the siege
train was to besiege Brailow; while the
third corps was to occupy Moldavia and
Wallachia, take Silistria, and protect the
communications and flank of the remain
der Of the army. This programme was in
the treachery of some of the Turkish gem
erals and the inactivity of others than |
through the strategy of the Russian Rener-
al in. chief. Silistris successfully defend
ed itself, while the gates of Brailow, |
Matchin, and Varna had to be opened by
brihing the commanders. A strategical |
error which was near leading to tho most
disastrous consequences wae committed in |
going away from Varna to attack Shumla
the latter place being much less usefal
20 the Russians who had the command of
tho see) than the former and more difficult
that Wittgenstein began his retreat north
wards the only successes which the Rus
SLAMS had won by sheer ability on the part
Of their commanders were those of General
who, with moet Insignificant
means, did wonders in protecting the flank
the Pasha of Widden. But if it was the
of the urkish commander rath-
sr than the genius of the Russian which
gave the victory, such as it was, to the
invaders, in this campaign of 1928, the fol-
owing year the case was reversed, and it
vas the genius Of the Russian general in
chief, and not the folly of the Turkish,
which all but put ap end to Turkish do
ninion in Europe. Marshal Wittgenstein /
vas succeeded by his chief of the staff,
General Diebitscb, a soldier of consummate
alent, and of astounding strength of will, I
F1Ose nF6G care was 20 TeOrS8nlZo dis army.
1n the other aide, also, reorganization was |
and the Grand Visier, Reschid {
dobammed Pasha, was appointed to the |
hief command. In May the war recon-
nenced, but two or three months before
N important preliminary blow was struck /
y the Russians. To have a proper base '
+ operations sonth of the Balkans, they g
eized by coup de main the fortified sea- e
'ort of Sizeboli. The next step was to re- L
uce Silistria, which has 80 often proved '
serious obstacle to Russian armies. The h
iege was commenced May 18th, and on C
uly 1st the place capitulated after t
plendid defence. And now came one of t
he two movements which decided the f
Isue of the campaign. The Grand Visier q
dvaDced from Shumla with all his availa- l.
le force to fall on the Russian troops near T
'arna. Had he only that force to contend
nth he might, and probably would, have n
chieved . great victory. But no sooner f
ad Diebitsch heard of his advance, than o
Q conceived the bold idea Of making Q b
ani6 march from SiliatIia thrnWinn him. | n