The New York herald., 1879-09-15
THE RUSSO-YURKISH WAR.
The Russian Army and lis Cam
paignS in Turkey.
LIEUTENANT GREENE'S BOOK
An Excellent Work by q Mill
tary Writer.

sian Campaigns in Turkey" by Lieutenant L. V.
Greene. published by ID. Appleton & Co. Lieutenant
Greene was selected by tie War Department OF our
governnlen; TO go abroad during the recent war be-
tween Russia and Turkey tor the purpose of OBJ
serving the military operations from the Russian
side. For this purpose he was assigned to duty as
military attache the United states Legation St.
Petersburg On the 18th Of July. 1877. he arrived at
st. Petersburg, where he received the Emperor's
permission to join the army, which he embraced
without delay, and reached the imperial head
quarters on the 9TH of August For the rext twelve
months he remained with the army. sharing the
hardships and the adventures OF war. When peace
declared he returned to st. Petersburg and de-
votei his energies to the collecting and dgestng Of
the official reports Of the war. well as
the data for study of the Russian mill
tary system. In the volume before us is
gwen. by permission OF the War Depart
ment his official report to the government In this
report Lieutenant Greene accomplshes what he has
aimed a.. the giving of. first. concise and accurate
description OF the Russian army; second. a nara
tive OF the course OF the campaigns IN Europe and
Asia Minor; and. third. description of the use Of
temporary field fortincatons in connection with tho
modern breech-loading musket. The description OF
the Russian army IL based upon the data given IN
several of the best known Russian and English
thories 1t includes its laws of military SERVICE its
organization and strength in time Of peace and the de-
velopment of which it is capable in time or the
armament and equipment of its troops III the field.
a synopsis of its system Of military adm Illustration
army regulations. with some notes its tactics.
The narration Of the campaign. he says. 10 based
primarily upon the official reports of the Russian
commanders. which were published In the Russian
reviews and in the semi official French paper st.
Petersburg. His own notes upon the campaign
numerous and copious and have been freely used.
Lieutenant Greene present at the battles Of
Shipka, August . and "a. 1877; Plevna. September
II. 1877; Taskossen December 81. 1877. and Philip
popolis, January 1917, 1873. besides Q few minor
combats aud skirmishes. He was also at the head
quarters Of the Czarevtch in October. and rode
along the line Of his outposts and positions between
the Lom and Yantra. He passed the Balkans with
Gourko's column during the winter and remained
with it until it reached Adrianople; he then
joined General SkobeleY who commanded the ad-
guard, and arrived in front Of Constantinople
with him. It viii be seen by this that Lieutenant
Greene did not shirk his duty for q moment. but
embraced every opportunity offered him for gaining
information for his report. SevontyAve correspond
ents began the campaign. but only three followed
it to the end. These three Messrs. J. A. Mac
Gahan and F. D. Millett and Mr.. f. NJ. Grant "Au
Of fine abilities and education. says Lieutenant
Greene. "and. although all three foreigners
(Americans). they unusually well qualified to
speak on the subjects OF which they wrote. from
previous experience in other wars and from long
familiarity with the Eastern question less than
their literary skill" In the death Mr.. MacGahan
who fell victim the typhus at Constantine
pie. Lieutenant Greene says. "America lost q son
who carried reputation for pluck. energy and fair
statements throughout Europe and into the heart OF
Central Asia"
Lieutenant Greene does not go into the political
questions of the in these pages except in far
they had direct bearing upon the military opera
tions. That his sympathes originally with the
Russians he ct once and says that they
confirmed by his experiences. Being exclusively
account of the military steps in the process by
which Russia conquered Turkey military Power.
Lieutenant Greene has avoided recounting personal
experiences "reminiscences Of the Russian COM
manders with whom he was associated. AS he must
necessarily have an interesting fund Of such mate
rial We only hope that he will give 1t to the
world in another volume. and that too before very
long. He gives generous acknowledgment to
the open hearted hospitality extended to all the
foreign officers who came properly accredited to the
Russian authorities. They presented 10 the
Emperor their arrival and remained at his
headquarters for several days. during which
they were always his guests at table. They wero
Duke Nicholas. commanding tho army. who repeated
the hospitalties of the Emperor Those who desired
the operations from closer point Of view than
the general headquarters were invariably granted
full permission to join Whatever troops they chose.
In this way full opportunity afforded of follow
ing the course OF affairs and Of judging Of them in
their general aspect well In their details.
In reviewing this work It is unnecessary to give
the details of the organization OF the Russian army
for other books this subject are already we'll
known in military circles. The military system of
Russia. it exists to-day derives its authority from
ukase of the Emperor dated January /. 1874. and.
like that of every great nation the Continent Of
Europe its fundamental principle universal mill
tary service. general summary of the land
forces of Russia shows that the maximum
strength in time OF war is 2250,5OO
men. and the ordinary strength in time
of peace. 15s.500. The rifles used by tho army at
present are those invented by General Bcrdan and
known the Russian Berdan" second system.
There three factories for their production in
Russia Cat Tula, sestrsbek and lsbora) IN constant
operation. with capacity for turning out 1000 rifles
n day. OF these rifles Lieutenant Greene gives mi
mute description. with drawings. The armament
and equipment Of tho artillery and cavalry arc de-
scribcd with equal mnutcness. The prevailing
color Of the Russian uniforms is q very dark olive
nave white coats we'll blue or red ones but in
general the uniform Is dark. simple and well adapt ted
to The overcoat is the only portion of tho uni
form which is common to all branches of tho SERVICE
For the officers IL is gray. for the butternut.
and in shape is very much like the ulster. so pop
ular In this country. Besides this tho officers
have extra overcoat or "shuba" made very largo
and roomy, with cape coming to the waist tho
skirts to the heels. and high fur collar This coat
as III the Guard is padded with cider down. It
costs from s22J to $3.50. but it lasts lifetime. Rus.
sian soldiers Of every of the service wear high
boots reaching nearly to the knee. In campaigns
they are worn outside Of the trousers; In dress
parades the trousers outside. In summer
the soldiers wear white linen blouses The Emperor
is not only the fountainhead and Of all mill
tary authority but he is also In fact the actual
mander-in-chief OF the army. His organ for MILL
tary affairs is the Minister Of War. always general