The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-01-23
Turkish Val0r at PleVna.

The correspondent of a London paper
gives O vivid account OF the fierce
bravery exhibited by the Turks at the
fall of Plevna. He writes: On the
north side the news came that Osman
Pasha was heading some 10000 troops,
and had already driven in the Russian
advanced lines, He had crossed the Vid,
and was aiming at Etropol Thither
dashed several of the staff. Meanwhile
the Russians, southerly and easterly,
closed in upon the Turkish entrench-
ments, capturing some easily, but pay
ing terrible price for others. The
Moslems waited until the foe was within
400 yards, and then swept the lines with
amurderous fire. The Muscovites never
hesitated or faltered, but carried one
position after another by storm. En-
thusiasm grew into fury, and whole
columns rushed through musketry lire
as if it carried no death. But the Turks
exhibited o despairing bravery. Again
and again they formed in line and met
the advancing foe at the bayonet point.
Towards afternoon the Turkish fire
began to fall, and it was evident that
their ammunition..was exhausted. But
their courage had not failed. In the
trenches or in the open they checked,
more than once, the impetuous Russian
charge, and had it not been for the Mus
covite guns, the battle would have
proved too dear for the object OF the
prize. Whenever the Turks formed to
resist or make stand, there was con-
centrated the fire of the Russian guns.
Whole battalions were well nigh swept
away.
But at Etropol, where Ghazi Osman
commanded in person, the fight was de-
monical. They bore down on the Rus.
sian positions with a ferceness and
steadiness that nothing could Withstand.
Cheered on by the words "Allah, Al
lab {" ringing in the air, they tore
through shrapnel and musket shot until
the ground Was darkened with their
dead. They leaped into the entrench-
ments, and there, hand to band, strug-
gled in death struggle with their hated
foes. They swarmed the redoubts, and
sprang on the Russian gunners like so
many tigers. Their reserves came fear
lessly forward and had to pass through
converging fire that made gaps in the
ranks at every stride they marked.
Nothing daunted they rushed to the aid
of their brethren in the front. But the
Russians held on bravely, and fought
with steadiness and an nndaunted
courage that outlasted the ion-like
bravery of the Osmanites. Gradually
the Roumanians bore down upon the
Turkish flank, and from the west the
Russian troops swept in upon the lines.
Closer and closer the allied troops
hemmed in their foes, and thinner and
thinner grew the Turkish ranks. At
length, Osman, who fought ss only a
Turk can fight, grew weary OF the
slaughter and ordered retreat. It was
too late. The enemy had surrounded
him, and Plevna was already in the
hands of the Russians. With last at
tempt he strive to pierce his narrowing
bonds. He tell, and with him the Mos
lem hope and Moslem bravery fell, too.
The confusion became terrible. Whole
divisions flung down their arms. The
artillery batteries ceased their fire, the
infantry dashed their muskets against the
gun carriage wheels. At length flag Of
truce was visible. It was near Osnan
Pasha. Some fifty Cossacks rode for.
ward, and were followed by General
Granetzky and other officers. Supported
by two officers, Osman Pasha, handing
| his sword to the Russian General, said :
"To the Emperor, through you, I sur
render my sword and my army" Thus,
after six hours heroic fighting on both
sides, Plevna fell, and it's gallant de.
fender and his army became prisoners OF
the allied Russo. Roumanian troops.