The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-07


horseshoe curved line with what might be called the
salient most advanced point at Crivica the road
to sistova Tho land, north and south OF Pevna, is
intersected by small rivers tributary the Vd These
respondent terms ridges, the axes OF which
wero parallel TO each other aud at right angles to
tho vd. On these ridges tho Turks had constructed
their deiences which three four coucenric
rings Of sarthworks around the town The vineyards
ntrcnchcd, epaulements constructed be.
hind which large bodies Of troops securely shell
tered Batteries constructed sweep tho roads
the advanced villages occupied and the houses
converted into little redoubts Every preparation in
fact that ample time and considerable military skill
could afford was made to hold the place against tho
Russian columns.
RUSSIAN DISPOSITIONS.
Finding the place far strengthened and occupied
to preclude tho possibility of Its capture by coup
works and by sheer fighting drive out the Turks But
it is clear that they underestimate the strength of
Osman Pacha's position, else they never would have
attempted to capture Pevna by fewer troops
OF the Turks, and a large number of troops we're
despatched from there to aid In the defence of
Plevna Hence, during tho attack tho Russians were
obliged to despatch a strong covering force, under
General Skobelof, JE TO hold in check any Turkish
troops from Lovaca that might menace the
Russian left rear during the action. This
detachment necessarily weakened Prince schackos-
koy's columns, although under the circumstances
it was absolutely necessary that the Russian left flank
should be protected On the right Baron KrIdcner's
columns were covered by another Hanking force Of
Cossacks under General Lascaron, who watched the
Turkish left and guarded against any movement that
might be made toward Krudeners by troops fol-
lowing the valleys of the little rivers penetrat.
each wing Of the Russian army we're posted
the reserves TO support lighting lines 1t will be
that the Russians hed all the ron is tn radate
from Plevna up to the Turkish lines Within these lat
ter the radiang roads facilitated the OF
tho Turks, ana enabled them to quickly send
supports to any part of their front that was
seriously threatened. The Turkish left could
inforce the Turkish right by a short march, but
such a movement by tho Russians would have in-
volved the travcrsng Of great distances and much
loss Of valuable time.
The radical in the Russian plan of attack
tho simultaneous assault by both wings. Assuming
that the nature OF the ground necessitated the
void between the wings, they afforded in reality
no mutual support After feeling the Turk
ish lines by vigorous artillery fire, it must
have become very apparent to Baron
Krudener that his columns unequal to the task
OF carrying the Entertainments in front OF them. In
decd they serious attempt to do but they
were on tho ground ready for that purpose and
were as completely held to thei. positions
rs II actually assault,ng the Turkish works.
On tho other hand, Prince Schackoskoy crushed
tLs Turkish artillery with his guns and was able TO
force his way their lines at the point Of tho
buyonc. His ability to do this must have been
apparent very soon after tho action opened,
vet no attempt was made to secure supports
from tho idle ranks OF Baron Krudcner. The
Turks feeling satisfied thst their artillery the left
was able to hold tho Baron In check. sen. all their
available infantry across 10 the right TO meet aud
.yerpower Schackoskoy's gallant iittlo force, which
had already penetrated to Plcvna SO far tho
Russian left was Concerned III tho ngbt there might
have been no Russian right on tho field. Prince
Setback ,uantry had 10 fight tho whole Turkish
army, while Baron Krddenor's torcc was absolutely
jdjs When Schackoskoy crushed aud tho
ragged remnants OF his columns expelled IRON
the turkish lines Baron KrIdcncr's troops
had the whole Turkish forcc down them
and we're OF course, forced 10 RETRO precipaicly.
Now had KrCdener simply supported his artillery
with sufficient force and followed up SchacSoskoy's
crazy assault with powerful supports Plcvna might
have been captured, with The inferior numbers Of
tho Russian army and tho works Oh tho Turkish con
ire and lett attacked IRON the This would have
insured the total destruction OF Osnan Pachas army
M Pevna The retreat OF the russians 10 the OLSEN
NJ Bupareni was really only the retreat oil krIdener
schackosxoy's troops scattered and arrived at
tho main force only ms straggcrs That the battle
was bloody is proved by the fac, that the Turks
did not daro TO pursue.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT.
Later despa ches from the OF war announce that
tho Russians are aboutt make another attempt to
capturc Pevna Krndcncr and Schackoskoy have rcoc-
cupod their former positions near Paradin or Pordim
hut ID much greater force Gourkha Is 10 operate
against sclw and Lovaca ovatz and push the Turks
toward Pevna where they Will he met by the forces Of
Krudoner and schackoskoy Now that tho Russians
know tho ncd they should also recognize the easiest
road 10 victory.