The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-03-16
BLOODY PLEvNA.'
A Graphic Pen Picture of That Terribly
Fierce Encounter.

archibald Forbes Letter IN 81. Nicholas.
Before daybreak on the last day of July
the whole force was on the move to the front.
There was . long halt In hollow, where
was che village of Radlshovo, inte which
Turkish shells, just flying over the ridge in
front, came crashing and banging. ....
About midday Schahovskoy and bis staff,
which we accompanied, rode on to the ridge
between the guns, already in position there,
and we surveyed the marvellous view below
us-the little town of Plevna in the center,
with the Turkish earth-works, girdled by
cannon smoke all around it.
After an artillery duel of three hours, the
Prince ordered his infantry on to the attack.
The gallant fellows passed us, full of ardor,
with bands playing and colors flying and
went down into the fell valley below. For
three hours the demon of carnage reigned
supreme in that cockpit. The wounded
came limping and groaning back, and threw
themselves heavily down on the reverse slope
in the village of Radishslo in our rear. The
surgeons had already set up their field hospi-
tails and were ready for work.
Never shall forget the spectacle of that
assault made by Schahovskoys infantrymen
on the Turkish earthworks In the valley.
The long ranks on which l looked down
tramped steadily on to the assault. No skir-
mishing line was thrown out In advance.
The firing line remained the formation till,
what with impatience and what with men
falling, 1t broke into ragged spray of hu-
manity, and surged on swiftly, loosely and
with no close cohesion. The supports ran
up into the fighting array independently and
eagerly. Presently all along the bristllng
line burst forth flaming volieys of musketry
fire. The jagged line sprang forward through
the maize fields, gradually falling into con-
cave shape. The crackle of the musketry
fire rose into sharp continuous peal. The
clamor Of the hurrahs of fighting men came
back to US on the breeze, making the blood
tingle with the excitement of battle. The
wounded began to trickle back down the
gentle slope. We could see the dead and the
more severely wounded lying where they had
fallen, on the stubble aud amidst the maize.
The living wave Of fighting men was pour
ing over them, ever on and on. Suddenly
the disconnected men drew closer together.
We could see the officers signaling for the
by the waving of their swords.
The distance yet to be traversed was but one
thousand yards. There was a wild rush,
headed by colonel Of one of the regiments.
The Turks in the work stood their ground,
and fred with terrible effect into the whirl-
wind that was rushing upon them. The
colonels horse went down, but the colonel
was on his feet in moment, and, waving
his sword, led his men forward on foot. But
only for q few PAGES. He staggered and fell.
We could hear the tempest gush of wrath
half howl, half yell-with which his men,
bayonets at the charge, rushed on to avenge
him. They were over the papapet and In
among the Turks like an overwhelming
avalanche. Not many followers of the Pro-
phet got the chance to run away from the
cleaning Russian bayonets. 80 a
But there were not men enough for the
enterprise. 1t was cruel to watch the brave
Russian soldiers standing there leader1ess,
sternly waiting death for want of officers to
lead them forward or march them back. As
The sun set in lurid crimson the Russian de-
feat became assured. The attacking troops
had been driven back or stricken down. All
around us the air was heavy with the low
Of the wounded. .. .'4~