The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-05-12
FOREIGN NEWS.
The Eastern War.

Nearly 20 DAYS have elapsed since the lead.
ING columns of the Russian army crossed the
Pru,b. and not over four days had elapsed
before a full army corps had possession of
Gastz and other important points on the left
bank of the lower Danube 1t was at least
two weeks later before it was announced that
what must he regarded as the main body of
the Russian army, under the Grand Duke
Nicholas, was following the advance across
the Pruth. OF the main body, one branch is
now said to be moving towards Hirsova and
another towards Kalarach, opposite Silistria,
at one or both of which points it is supposed
the ultimate attempt will be made to cross
into Bulgaria There is also large concen
tration Of troops, guns, &c, taking place be-
tween lbrail and REM, where another feint,
at least, at crossing will be made. The Grand
Duke Nicholas himself entered Ibral on the
9th, while the town was beng shelcd by the
Turkish gunboats. A part of the advance of
the Russian main army reached Bucharest
on the Sth, and body Of Cossacks are said
to have crossed into the Dobrudsha, but this
Is doubtful While the Russians are doubt
less possessing themselves fully of all avail |
able points on the left bank Of the Danube,
the advance of the main body of her army,
which is said to embrace 10000 men, is Ger.
tanly slower than seems to be accounted for
by the condition Of the roads, &c.
The Turkish army, which is no, over To-
900 strong, seems to be massing towards Slis-
tria and Rutschuk, and shows a disposition to
remain passively on the defensive. Her gun
boats, however, are showing some activity on
the river, and shots between fortified places on
opposite banks of the river are being actively
exchanged but as for any important general
engagement, there seems no prospect of one
for week to come at least.
There certainly seems TO he much more
earnestness and energy on the part OF Russia
in prosecuting the war in Asia. The Rus
slams moved from the frontier in three col.
umns, each apparently of about Cl000 men,
the objective points being Kars ami Ere
roum. On May 1st the Russians attacked
kars with vlgor, attempting to take it by as.
Sault, but all accounts agree that they were
repulsed, and have apparently abandoned the
undertaking, leaving Kars in the rear and
moving onward to form a junction with the
other columns moving upon Erzeroum.
Mukhtar Pasba the Turkish commander, uu-
dersaEdlng their design, left Kars with his
field army, letting the garrison take care of
itself while he concentrated his forces on the
defense Of the passes leading to and finally
in the defense Of Ezcroum itself, at or in the
vicinity of which doubtless the next impor-
tant engagement will take place. There was
arumor at Bucharest (Russan) on the 9th that
an important engagement lad taken place on
the 9th between Kars and Ezeroum, in which +
the Turks lost IA, 600 men, but this is square. |
ly contradicted by later accounts, which as
sert that the Russians before kars and Arda /
han are apparently retreatlng towards the
frontier, while the main body of the Russians
Is at Bayazld, waiting for reintorccments v
Meantime great uneasiness is felt by Russia
in that quarter at a threatened rising Of the
Caucasians