Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-07-04

have helped to crush the opposition
of the Turks. To the left of the land
ing place, concealed among willows
are more batteries, and still further
to the left, horse artillery. From this
position the whole feet of Turkish
craft is visible. One of them is war
vessel. Its inactivity is unaccounta-
Bile. Between one and two o'clock
to- day the first Russian gun was fer
ried over on stage supported by
two ppntoons. The character of the
resistance which the Russians met
with may be estimated by the fact
that so far as is now known there are
only one hundred and forty wound
ed, and giving fair proportion for
killed, 1t may be said chat the Russian
loss has been about 200. Scobilofrs
division OF Cossacks is on the road to
Simnitza from somewhere up the riy-
er. Its chief, who is to lead the ad
vanced cavalry of the army, has Just
arrived here. Though the Russians
have crossed here easily, it has not
been SO high up the river, near Turnu
Magurelli, where their attempts have
failed. We must therefore, suppose
that Simnitza will become the chief
point Of passage for other corps than
those originally destined to cross
here, but as matters now stand one
corps only, the eighth, will have
gained q march on the Turkish army.
Long before this reaches England
other corps will be on--the southern
side of the Danube, interposed like
wedge between the Turkish armies at
Widdin and Rutsciluk. The Russians
wisely drew thick veil around their
movements at the last moment, plac-
ing sentries on every road and suffer-
ing no man to pass. They then passed
higher up the river than was expect
ed. The Russian left is in great force
near Hirsova, and is being constantly
strengthened. The right is at Sim
nilza, whel it crossed with ease, SO
that the Danubian passage is now Sc
cured.
The centre has the choice of con-
centrating upon the right or left wing
and crossing unopposed. Widin and
Nicopols are isolated from the Tur-
kise quadrilateral, and present indi-
cations that lead to the conclusion
that this much vaunted square OF for
tresses will itself soon be cut in halves
and the Turkish forces separated in
to three divisions without means of
communication and with the whole
Russian army occupying central po-
sition between them and free to move
with crushing force upon any one of
them.
The Russians crossed at Petroceni
yesterday upon RATS, the son of the
Grand Duke Nicholas going over on
the first one. Grand Duke Nicholas
crossed at 3 o'clock in the morning,
at Petroceni, and it is officially stated
that there were fifty thousand Rus
SLAMS on the southern side of the DAN
ube this morning, opposite Simnitza
and Petroceni.
PROCLAMATION BY THE czAR.
BUCHAREST, June 2S.-Thc Car has
issued the following proclamation to
Bulgarians:
"My troops have crossed the Dan
ube. To-day they enter your terri
tory, where they have already several
times fought for the ameliorati0n of
the lot of Christian inhabitants of Tur-
key. Russia still bears the same love
and solicitude towards all Christians
in Turkey as when she secured the
Liberation Of Servia and Roumania.
l have confided to the army the mis-
sion of securing the social rights of
your nationality, which you have ac-
quired by centuries of suffering and
blood of martyrs which has soaked
yonr soil. Russia's mission is to build
up, not to destroy. She is called by
the decrees Of Providence to concili-
ate and pacify all races and de-
nominations in those parts Of Bulga-
ria inhabited by mixed population
Henceforth Russian arms will protect
every Christian against all violence
Not vengeance, but strict equity will
guide our acts"
The proclamation promises also
equal protection 10 Musselmans, but
impartial justice upon known partic-
ipators in atrocities 1t urges the
abandonment of dissensions and an
nounces that as fast as the Russians
advance Turkish rule will be replaced
by regular organizations i'm which ma
tive inhabitants will be summoned to
take part, under the supreme direc-
tion Of special authorities, and Bull
garian legions will be formed to
serve as loyal armed force destined
to maintain order and security.
The proclamation concludes: "Fol-
low faithfully the instructions OF the
Russian authorities. Therein lies
your strength and security. With
humility pray the Lord to grant us
victory over the enemies Of Chris
tianity and to send down his blessing
upon our just cause"
CROSSING THE DANUBE.
ST. PETERSBURG, June 2S.-Grand
Duke Nicholas telegraphs the diff
cult and complicated task of crossing
the Danube is achieved. Sistova and
surrounding heights are in our hands.
Flags are flying all over st. Peters
burg and solemn service OF thanks
giving has been celebrated in the ca
thedral.
ST.. PETERSBURG, June 2S.-An Off
cial telegram dated June 23d, says the
Russians attacked Ziebedsiri, on the
Black Sea, north of Batoum. The
Turks, aided by Monitors and armed
population, offered an obstinate re-
sistance from entrenchments and