Litchfield enquirer., 1879-11-06

critical period of the battle, and when the Rus sian attack on the Turks in the wood was be- ing driven back, and while the whole field was being ploughed with shells, a hare started from the base of one of the mounds. In mo- ment, regardless of danger, and forgetful of discipline, scores of men gave chase to puss lout into the open, with shrieks and shouts, and were in no way deterred from the pur- suit by the shrapnel which were bursting around them. They were only stayed in their chase and brought to their senses by orderlies despatched by General Gonrko. 1n thessame way I was struck with arnazemert, in the re- treat across Shipka, that the toot-sore and weary men should forget their present dis tresses and griefs in a mornentary hunt after hare which crossed their path, on the steep sides of Mount St. Nicholas But to cease this Aggression, the other incident which enabl ed me to keep up with the cavalcade was that in crossing stream, half of them foundered in deep niefass, and search had to be made for ford. It was six o'clock before we arriv ed at KaZanlik. and after a ride through it's ruined streets, we discovered breakfast O set for us in marquee pitched on the banks of a pretty stream. With appetites sharpened by ten hours ride, we made a vigorous attack upon the edibles; but the pleasant reunion was
 interrupted by severe thunderstorm, which broke overhead with all the suddenness char acteristic of the Balkan region. and, swamp ing our pretty camp, compelled us to search for lodgings in the town.
 Next day was one of unclouded splendor, and early in the morning move was made to the meadows west of the town, where a triumphal arch had been erected, around which congregated the whole people of the district in theIr picturesdue national costume. The roi- s0as d'etre of the assembly was the reading of the proclamation of the Czar of Russia, coun- selling peaceful behavior to the Rulgarians. General Obroutcheff, the Imperial Commis- sioner, on his arrival at the spot, was literally bespattered with flowers. And here let me say that the sentiment of the custom universal in Bulgaria, of offering flowersto strangers, is ex- tremely pretty. After General Obroutchef had read the Czars address, he made a short speech on the same lines of peaceful policy j. and then there ensued a mass performed by the Bulgarian clergy. The scene and the oc- casion were interesting. In the afternoon General Obroutcheff took his departure for Trnova, and an excursion was made to the Shipka Pass and Mount St. Nicholas. These points are already so familiar, from frequent descriptions, that I need say little regarding them. The village of Shipka is yet mass of ruins and the road up the mountain to St. Nicholas is now in fairly good condition; the celebrated emplacements and batteries on the crest of the pass are still entire, but cannon frown no more from the embrasures. The plateau, overlooked on the southern side of St. Nicholas. is one vast cemetery, where repose the ashes of the brave defenders pf the pass; and lower down are the graves Of the no less intrepid assaulting Turks who fell. These mounds could not but beregarded with emo- ton; and entirely sympathized with the in- dignation expressed against proposal that the dead must be disturbed, because their last resting place is looked upon by some Turcoph- 1e military engineers asof some gremote strat egicimportance. With bhoughtful and grace ful feeling, GeneraI 0brodtehef 4ordered that the graves should be preserved and planted with fl~wers. -Adieus were said, the General continued his way into the Bulgarian princi- palltles, a1d returned to Kazanlik. Gentle mGns Mdg9saN&