The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-05
IOVENRlTHEDANUBE.
The Danube Flowing Blood 200 miles
Of Battle Front The Turks Beaten at
EVeryPOint- The Cars Proclamation.

New York, June 28,--In the words OF
Grand Duke Nicholas's official report
"The difficult and complicated task Of
crossing the Danube is accomplished,
The Russians have already established a
foothold in Bulgaria from which it will
be impossible to dislodge them. Along
the entire line the most desperately ag
gressive opposition was simultaneously
begun. For three days the placid waters
of the Danube flowed through the infer
nal regions AT the front daylight broke
on Tuesday serenely and apparently unN
promising of great events, but it soon
transpired that it was the day on which
active operations for the passage OF the
river was to be concluded From the
Russian batteries on the Roumanian
bank along the entire line cannonading
began in earnest The bombardment OF
Rustchuk had been dreadful and had
caused a general movement Of the Turk
ish troops toward that locality. OnWed-
nesday the first move into Bulgaria was
made at Kalarash. The bombardment
at Widdin, Nicopolis, Sistora. Rustchuk,
Turtukoi and Silistria continued in fu-
rious manner. The scenes of destruc-
ton reported from Rustchuk repeated
themselves in every Turkish town as
sailed. The crossing at Nicopolis from
Tuerna Madurel was witnessed by the
Car himself, who sat on horseback on
the summit of Mount Graupier. The
Turks made desperate resistance with ev-
cry available man they could muster,
opposing the crossing. There were ten
Turkish battalions and eighteen field
cannon. Savage fighting took place on
the bank, and in a little time corpses
were thickly strewn there. Still the Rus
SLAMS came on, and for every man killed
ten were ready to take his place. The
Eighth Russian corps, under the COM
mand of General Radotsky, embarked
behind the island of Varndin, opposite
the mouth of the Jantra, some distance
below Simnitza. The Fourteenth Di-
vision, in embarking, were covered with
field pieces and sharp shooters. The
Turkish force opposing this movement
was soon reinforced from the neighboring
towns Of Bjela, Batin, Nowigrad, and
other points, but did not arrive in time
for the crash. The first parties Of Rus
sions that landed were met with on shore
by an overwhelming force, which drove
them back by atremendous musketry fire.
The attempts at crossing made by the
Russians at Ruschuk and Turtukoi we're
unsuccessful. These movements were
evidently feints to occupy the attention
of the Rustchuk, Turtukoi and Silistria
garrison. Ten thousand Russians occu
pied the island Of Bareca opposite Kali
arosh and probably landed near Silistria.
Thus the movement embraced the entire
Turkish defence line of the Danube at
nearly all points Appalling slaughter
occurred. The Turks exhibited a most
desperate valor, in many instances ex-
pending their last cartridges before re-
tiring. They were evidently surprised
by the suddenness of the Russian attack,
and were nowhere fully prepared to meet
it. A dispatch from Galatz states that
bloody fighting is going on to-day at the
island of Ryrgas on the Danube, The
Russians are crossing en- maSSe and en-.
gaging the Turks, who are making
desperate resistance. The slaughter on
both sides has been terrible, The Turk
ish punboats are also engaged in the
battle.
The Russian divisions, with the Grand
Duke Nicholas at their head, have
crossed the Danube near Distoua. The
Turks made desperate resistance, but
were repulsed with heavy loss.
The Gar has issued the following
procl llmation to the Bulgarians; My
troops have crossed the Danube. They
enter your territory, where they have ais
ready several times fought for the ame=
Iteration of the lot of the Christian in
habitants of Turkey. Russia still bears
the same love and solicitude toward all
Christians in Turkey aswhen she secured
the liberation of Servia and Roumania." "
The proclamation promises also equal
protection to Mussulmahs, but impartial |
justice upon known participators in afro
cities It urges the abandonmentof in
testine dissensions, and announces that
as fast as the Russians advance, Turkish |
rule will be replaced by regular organi-'
cations, in which native inhabitants will
be summoned to take part under the SUI
preme direction of thespecial authorities,
and Bulgarian legions will be formed to
serve as "a nucleus of the local armed /
force destined to maintain order and se~,
curity.
, The proclamation concludes Follow \
faithfully the instructions of the Russian
Therein lies your strength
and security. With humility / pray the
Lord to grant us victory over the enemies
of Christianity, and to send down His
blessing upon our just cause. GA
The Russian position at Sistovs is Of
eminent strategical value, because is
gives its possessors command over the
whole northern Danube portion of Bull
garia, rendering easy the circumvention
Of the chain of Turkish fortresses which
reach to the Balkans. The Russians, of
course, do not expect to get past such
strong fortresses as Shumla without a
desperate fight.
The Turks Routed at Naratschin.
A special from Korine says Mehemet
Ali attacked the Montenegrin position in
the district of Maratschin yesterday, and
a desperate engagement ensued. Both
sides fought with great bravery, but
finally the Turks were repulsed with great
loss.