The New York herald., 1877-07-01
THE WAR.
Mastery Strategy Of the Russian
Commander.
NICOPOlIS A BLAZING RUIN.
The Great Question of a Crossing
Point Undecided Until the
Last Moment.
A CORRESPONDENTS NARRATIVE
Use Of the Electric Light by
the Russians.
MORE TURKISH INHUMANITY
The Fighting Before Batoum
Still in Progress.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD

firms the report cabled yesterday that
great battle has occurred between Sistova
and Nicopolis. Turkish official accounts
represent that the Ottoman troops success
fully resisted the Russian attack and re-
pulsed them with great slaughter. Every
available man was hurried up to resist the
firm footing on Bulgarian soil. 1t is re-
ported that struggle is progressing along
the whole line of the Danube. The latest
reports yesterday Saturday state that the
result Of the battle near Sistova is Unknown.
NO CROSSING AT rUENA-MAGURELLI.
The HERALD's special correspondent tele-
graphs from Turna-Magurelli under date Of
Friday, rs follows:- -"No crossing has taken
place here, although there were widespread
reports, even in official circles, to that
effect. Indeed, it is not now likely that
any men will be sent over at this point.
The intention of the Russians to effect
passage at this point has been notorious for
the past fortnight. The Turks therefore
concentrated large numbers of men at Nico-
polls, thus compelling the Russians to
choose another point.
UNDECIDED UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT.
''The demonstration at Turna- Magurelli
was made in such force and with such prep
Aration as regards boats and material for
pontoon bridges that it would have been
chance of success offered. Even at the Rus
sian headquarters it was uncertain until the
last moment which point would be chosen
for the real crossing-Simnitza or Turna-
Magurelli.
WHERE THE RUSSIANS DIDN'T GO.
''The appearance Of the Gear at the latter
place induced concentration of the Turk
ish forces, and the Russians accordingly
made the real attack at Simnitza. The Rus
sian forces We're shrewdly massed at Draga,
ten miles back from the Danube, and the
neighboring villages about equi-distant from
Turna-Magureli and Simnitza, enabling
quick concentration upon whichever point
proved weakest.
OVER, WITH SPEED
"When, therefore, il was ascertained from
Ia1 ,.,.n kL.k 4
massed opposite to Turna-Magurelli, the
Eighth corps, under Lieutenant General
Radetski, fell like thunderbolt on Sim
nitza on Wednesday morning effecting a
landing before the Turks had time to recall
their forces.
CONFUSING THE TURKS
"The Russian plan was to make numerous
feints at different places, with sufficient
force to turn the feints into real attacks at
the points that proved weakest. As a con-
sequence the Turks were compelled to dis
tribute their forces over a great line of river
front.
"The making of the bridge at Simnitza
was carried out in the same manner MS at
Ibrail, except that the preparations for the
construction were moro difficult, owing to
the inundated condition of the river banks
ut that point.
CORRESPONDENTS JOURNEY.
"IIurrying from Ibrail, where had wit
messed the first passage of the Danube by
the Russians, an account of which tele-
graphed at the time, I went at once to
Turna Magureli, where it was expected that
the main crossing would take place. Pass
ing over the incidents Of the journey which
lose their interest by comparison with the
great events which are now taking place, I
will proceed at once to describe what saw
along the river bank itself. Arriving at
Turna Magureli at ten o'clock at night,
strange and terrible sight met my view As
I came in sight of the town could read
plainly by the light of the burning houses
of Nicopolis, situated on the opposite bank.
THE ELEcrnIc IIsHT.
'Severnl houses standing in n row were
burning at the same time, throwing lurid
red glare for miles around and shooting up
pyramids Of tame almost to the clouds.