The New York herald., 1878-03-04
YORK HERALD MONDAY MARCH ls7s-wITH SUPPLEMENT-

at once began the construction OF defences which
afterward grew TO the dimensions OF a great for
sress. Soon after his earthworKs werc begun the
Russians, aware too late Of the value OF tie posi-
tion, were sharply checked In an attempt take It
by Osman Pacha. About the same time, Under the
pressure Of popular Indignation the Turkish govern
ment dismissed Abdul Kerim and his treacherous
incapable patron, Ria Pacha, mister OF War. Me-
hemet Ali, Of North German birth, appointed TO
command the Eastern army on tho Danube, but Os-
man Pacha ri Plevna, ana Sueiman Pacha, who was
now transferred from Montenegro to Roumella, wero
independents Of any commander-in Chief
A CRUSHING
Tho crushing defeat which the Russians under
Krldcner ana Schaekoskcy suffered at the hands OF
Osman Pacha tho 31st OF July last Is woll remom-
bered. The number Of infantry combatauts on
the Russian side about thrty-two thousand,
with 100 fold cannon and three brgrdss OF
cavalry, while the Turks found to have fully
40 900 infantry behind well constructed earthworks,
erected at points OF their own choosing. The actual
OF the defeat appeared TO have been tina: Kidd
ener ana Schackoskoy acted independently OF each
other Baron Kr1doner tho right with the
wno;e OF tho Thiry.lrst division In his 1ghtng line
and three regiments OF the Fifth division
Prince Schackoskoy tho left, with two prigades
in fighting line and another brigade In
what in horseshoe shape, but pointed. Krh-
dener attack in columns brigade in each.
the Turkish lett flank from Gravitza toward tho River
Via. On tho Russian left lark stood Sko-
belcG tho horo OF the attack the Gravitza
reooubt September IL, with brigade
OF Cossacks and battery, guarding the
Lovatz road On tho right flank was Laszeref,
with two cavalry regiments, to guard Krldener from
q counter attack. KrIdener had met with serious
reverse the 29th, aud should have boen strongly
reinforced if he retrieve his Ill fortune. The
attack opened by KrIdencr at haip past nine.
artillery fight continued until halfpast three IN
the afternoon The infantry attack was tncn ordered.
FAME.
Krldcner mado little progress, and, although q
combined attack was imperative Schackoskey did
not come to his aid. He, on the contrary, pursued
the original plan Of battle, when he must have seen
that Kridener was abont to be broken. The fact,
discovered too late, that Krdencr had
between the two wings OF the TURKISH lett. sImul
taneously the advancing Russians found them
selves exposed to deadly muskotry fro on both
nanks and in front and checked. Led by valiant
officers Ia person, the Thirty second division OF
Scbackoskoy's troops pushed forward and entered
the frat limo OF intrenchments. They swept every
thing before them, holding littlo village, which
was their objective point With this success
hackoskoy lost his head, aud, anxious probably to
win the Grand Cross for himself, lett Krldcnor to his
iato with tho main body OF tho Turkish forces al
most surrounding him. Glory walked abroad
In open daylight and might DO easily graspod
SchackosEoy's troops became for crosses as
thoir leader all joined mad and useless rush
for the town OF Pevna They raked by batteries
from every height and were moved down from rife
pits by Turksh infantry, who. having until they
could run longer, stood their ground to kill
town itself reached only to nnd It place DOOM
From all sidos the batteries on the hills converged
their nre, and bursting shells tore to tho
glory OF a moment. Schackoskoy had captured what
could not DO held Retreat the signal for u route
Meanwhile Krddcner had bcen destroyed and the tide
OF battle swept back like great cvory inch OF
ground which tho Russians had gained during the
day The route endod only at tho Danube, and the
Russian arms sustained a defeat from which they
were months in recovering This battle, however,
localized tho In Eastern Bulgaria determ led
Osman continue tho occupation OF Pevnn. IL made
the great Russian victory Of the 9th OF December
| possible.
| sKoBELEFF, OF GALLANT MEMORY.
| On september IL skobecG was ordered to take the
great redoubt at Grivitza. He led in person thu,
memorable charge. carried tho redoubt but wan,
OF assistance driven aud compelled 10 retreat
Alter this defeat 1t was generally believed that the
| Russians crippled for this year. The
alarmists predicted shame and confusion to tho
| Muscoos But the men OF Pultush and Borodino
not easily discouraged Tho capture OF Pevna
became absolutely necessary to tho Russians. In
consequence oil this defeat tho Imperial Guard were
summoned to the soat OF war. and General Todlebcn
appears previously not 10 have enjoyed Court ia.
vor invited to undertake the reduction OF Plcvna
The famous engineer at began regular
/
ing Osman Pacha in form; but the object
OF his works probably TO divert tho attention Of
the garrison while preparations were made for com.
plote Investment Tho rcvcrscs to Kridcner and SEQ
belief induced caution The practical Gourko, with h,s
untirng Cossacks secured the country to the south
aud penetrated through the main pass OF the Balkan
range into the lovely and fertile valleys OF the South
alarming tho residents Of Constantinoplc, and caus
| ing general stampede from all tho villages north
| OF Adrianopic. Attention was diverted 10 him ioi
a time, while tho Russians secured their supplies
| and war material and passed the main army acros.
| tho Danube Mchcmet All to drive Tho
enemy back from tho direction OF Lom Palanka
while Osman TO rush out and complete
tho defeat by forcing the Grand Dukes own corps
back by tho way OF Nikopos Osman Pacha
ignorant Of the complete chain the Russ ans had
arranged to place around his position employed al
his resources to fortiIy PIevna. BY the 81 Of Sep
tomber he hal arranged shelter for 100, ,G00 men.
| SLOW, But SURELY.
Gradually the Russians surrounded the town ant
cut of all Osman's ications with tho outside
world. From Poradin on the east, opposite to th,
now famous Gravitza redoubt, around TO the norti
and west to kiben. Trstenik, Dubnik, cutting th,
Sofia road, thence to CORY Dubnik, whore tho roat
was cut again, thence 10 Tells and all the position
to tho south. to Boeot, to tho Orchanio Pass
the Russians had Osman completely in their power
! Every attempt revictual Plevna-tho last bc,n;
| made only O few days ago--faIed completely