The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-01-11
The Desperate Fighting at
PleVna.

Plevna Telegram to the London Chronicle.l
On the north side the news came
that Osman Pasha was heading some
20, 900 troops, and had already driven
ia 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 casterly, closed in opoA
the Turkish entertainments, capturing
some easily, bat paying terrible price
for others. The Moslems waited until
swept the line with q murderous fire.
The Muscovites never heeitated or fall
tered, but carried one position after
another by storm. Enthusiasm grew
into fury, and whole columns rushed
through musketry fire as If it feared
no death. But the Turks exhibited a
despairiDg bravery. Again and again
they formed into line and met the ad-
yancing foe at bayonet point. Toward
afternoon the Turkish fire began to
| fail, and it was evident that their am
munition was exhausted. But their
courage had not failed. In the trench
es or in the open field they checked,
more than once, the impetuous Rus
sian charge, and had it not been for
the MuscoYiGe guns, the battle would
have proved too dear for the object of
the prize. Whenever the Turks form
ed to resist or make a stand, there was
concentrated the fire of the Russian
guns. Whole battallions were well
nigh swept away.
But at Etropol, where Ghazi Osman
commanded in person, the fight was
demoniacal. They bore down on the
Russian positions with fierceness and
steadiness that nothing could with
stand. Cheered on by the words,
'sAlIah, Allaki'' ringing In the air,
they tore through shraprel and musket
shots until the ground was darkened
with their dead. They leaped into the
entertainments, and there, hand to
hand, struggled in q death struggle
with their Matched foes. They swarm
ed the redoubts, and sprung On the
Russian gunners like so many tigers.
There reserves came fearlessly forward
and had to pass through q eonVergi1g
FIRE that made gaps in the ranks at
every stride they marked. Nothing
daunted, they rushed to the aid Of
their brethren in front. Bnt the Rus
slams held on bravely and fought with
a steadiness and an undaunted courage
that outlasted the lion-1ike courage OF
the Osmanities. Gradually the Rou-
manians bore down upon the Turkish
flank, and from the west the Russian
troops sweptin 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 as 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 attempt he
skrOve to place bis narrowing bounds.
He fell. and with him the Moslem
hope and Meslem bravery fell, too.
The confusion became terrible. Whole
divisions dung down their arms. The
artillery batteries ceased their fire, the
infantry dsshes their muskets against
the gun carriage wheels. At length .
flag of truce was Visible. Il was near
Osmaa Pasha. Some fifty Cossacks
rode forward, and were followed by
Gen. Granetzky and other officers
Supported by two officers, 6smsE
Pasha handed his sword to the Rus
sian General, said To the Emperor
through you, / surrender my sworC
J and my army" Thus, after six hours
hsFoie fighting on both sides, PIevn;
fell, and its gallant defender and hi
army became the prisoners Of the al.
lied Russo seuaanisn troo959.