New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-11
THE SIEGE OR PLEVNA.
INCIDENTS OF THE INVESTMENT OF THE GREA1
STRONGHOLD.

INCIDENTS OF THE INVESTMENT OF THE GREAT
STRONGHOLD.
The town of Plevna, with which probably
the fate OF the Ottoman empire is interviewer, acquired
strategical Importance early In the war After cross
ing the Danube at Ssova last May the Russians took
sleps TO CAPTURE the neghbonng towns. They
sent the Ninth Corps against Nikopolis-a Dan
uhlan fortress-and seized IL after slight resls
lance. While they were thus engaged, Osman
Pasha stationed at Widdn, stronghold near the Ser
Wan frontier, advanced to the aid Of Akopos Filming
the Town already in the Russians hands, he turned aside,
and occupied PlevDa which the Russian commander had
neglected to occupy with cavalry, when marching on
Nikopoli- Here at thirty miles from sistOva, O'man
posha WAS Oh the high road from Widdn TO Varua as
well AS in direct communication with Sophia, distant
ninety miles. I'm guide books the place was
known simply q centre OF internal unhe ana
manufactures. 1t was the river NId, and had "a
good inn. Politically Pieyna was known as hotbed
Of Muscoyte intrigue. schools having been established
there by Russia teach Bugarans the Sayonc tongue
and inspire them with yeanings for freedom
Discerning the importance Of the place, General
Krudener a Russian commander sent July l9) three
regiments of infantry TO occupy It, These after sharp
diminishing entered the town. They had lad
aside their equipments, and were Struggling
through the streets when suddenly from hundred WIN
dOws and balconies, vehement fire was poured into
them They bcset all sides, and mad 10 escape as
beet they could In the fight about $500 men were
lost. This incident at once gave Pleyna military import
ance II hitherto the Turks had left 1t almost defence
less they now determined to hold it at any risk
Osman Pasha began 10 fOrtfy the positions command
ing the town. The land north and south OF Pleyna as
may by the accompanying map, is ntorsected by
email streams tributary tho Nd These divide the sur
face into ridges parallel to each other and ~
night angles 70 the Vd. On these ridges the Turks
struced their defense, which formed three four con-
centric rings OF earthworks round the town. The al
vanced villages occupied, and batteries were
constructed 10 sweep the roads. These fOrmiderable
earthwors were manned by at least 10000 soldiers col
Iected from the garrisons Of Western Bulgaria
TIE FIRST GRAND ASSAULT.
Finding that they could not advance safely into Rou-
mea with the strong army at Peyna, on their flank,
the Russians resolved TO regain 1t at any cost Ihey
concentrated an army about $4,000 strong, with five
regiments Of cavalry and 100 guns with this valiant
force the Russians made July 81 the fatal blunder OF
attempting TO take the place by storm. General kru-
dener with his headquarters ut Trsienik. conducted
the attack Gryitza tsee map Prince echackoskOy,
whose headquarters at Pallstral (see map
directed the operations against the village OF Radshoya
(see mapl Finding about o'clock that Krudener had
made scarcely any progress, Prince shockoskoy re-
solved 10 act Independently. Long and anxious says