The Osceola times., 1877-09-29
FIGHTING IN SHIPKA PASS.
vigorous Work-Suleimas Pasha Di
rectlng u Battle.

Vigorous, Work -Suleimas Pnsha NJ.
recting n Battle.
At the entrance of the pass the road
was wide enough, but as we advanced 1t
narrowed, and soon the defilc reared its
rocky sides in perpendicular masses high
above our heads and close up to the mar
row causeway on both sides. On turn
ing one of the curves of the road a loud
report was heard in front, followed by
another, and the order was given to cloee
up and quicken the pace, the reverbera.
tion Of the guns rolling like thunder,
growing louder as we advanced. We
hurried forward, passed another curve,
descended declivity, assembled another,
passed around turn to the right, and
the pass suddenly opened out into a
valley, presenting startling scene.
About three miles in our front, on an
eminence that commanded the continua-
tion of the pass, was perched strong
earthwork battery whose guns were now
blazing away, and from the flagstaff of
which, with the aid of my eye glas., |
could plainly distinguish the Russian flag
Of st. Andrew. Along its front on the
slopes of the hills, and covered by thick
brushwood, could be seen the constant
fecking Of smoke, which indicated rifle
fisilade. About a quarter OF a mile on
this side could also be seen, by the
ascending columns Of smoke, accompanied
with continual flashes, the artillery OF
Suleiman making vain effort To silence
the fire Of the fort, while slanting up the
hill could be seen the puff of the rifle
discharged as it's Mos,em owner (distin-
guished by his red fez) worked slowly
upward and onward, to gain position
dominating the fort.
When we got we'll up TO the front and
the solid shot from the fort began play
ing baseball, with none Of uswilling to act
as catcher, a Turkish officer, followed by
a single orderly, rode rapidly up, aud,
casting a quick scrutinizing glance at
our force as it moved past, halted our
regiment and one battery Of artillery.
He was an ordinary-looking Turk, about
forty years of age, sinewy, but with an
unusually sharp, bright expression OF
countenance. Reckoning Selim Bey
toward him, who approached very re-
spectiully, he appeared to give him some
hurried orders, as | could see him ges-
ticulating toward the guns AMI pointing
up the slope, now dotted along Iiearly to
the summit with fringe OF smoke.
Selim saluted and turned away rs the
horseman did the same, galloping back
to the front and soon the subject of the
conversation was developed The regi-
ment WAS ordered to follow the skir-
mishers up to the mountain side, get the
guns up with them in the best way they
could, and to lose no opportunity to
open fire on the fort. This WAS no joke
of an order, assure you, to get battery
of six guns and all its belongings up the
slope of a mountain for about six hum
dred feet, with no road, over rocks and
fallen trees, etc. However, with the
Turks there is no demur; everything Is
"please God," or Inshallah," and soon
half the regiment was engaged in straight
ing out a sort of path, while the other
laid itself out to assist the horses and
artillerymen in pushing the pieces up
the hill. BY ten O'Clock that night we
had them in position and decent little
earthwork scraped up in front; while all
We waited for was sufficient daylight to
open fire.
While the men we're strengthening
matters, asked the colonel who was that
officer who gave directions to him about
the guns. Selim answered that he was
Suleiman Pssha. | was surprised, for
expected to seen the general surrounded
by a brilliant staff; however, ] had seen
Suleiman, and that was enough for me.
Wrapping my rubber blanket about
me, "turned in" on a lee side of a
rock, and soon fell asleep, regardless OF
scorpions or centipeds, and while thus
engaged seon fancied myself on Washing
ton street, somewhere in the vicinity Oi
Old South. A crash and roar, as il the
steeple of the venerable meeting house
had fallen upon me, brought me to my
feet with bound and broke the charm.
] was not in Boston quite the contrary,
! was on the Balkans, and not more than
twelve yards from me was a twelve.
pound battery blazing away like fury,
the men stripped off and working away
like devils. Along, down in from. and
beyond the thicket was perfect blaze OF
FIRE, as the Turkish riAemen kept ad.
vancing and firing, under cover, while in
the valley and on the opposite slope the
Turks were moving and firing in the
same way. 1t was now broad daylight
(3 a. n.y. and the Russian fort could be
plainly seen, as 1t bleached forth shot and
shell upon the assailants, and their in
fantry replied vigorously all along their
position, doing dreadful werk among the
advancing Turks; and they would have
had 1t all their own way were 1t not for
the foresight Of Huleimau, who directed