The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-12-31

ell bank along the highway - ""' 49,
in the month of November, in the yea'
1877, and we we're among the foothills
of the Balkans on rapid march TO
try to fight our way through the lurk-
ish lines and move on Sofia and AdrI-
nnople.
Nineteen years is a long time to keep |
in MINI the incidents of war, and
may as well review as briefly as possible
theenain lines of the situation. =
.,eh+ nan Pasha, with q iliaUEisfe, 1--WE
besieged in Plevna by the combined
forces of Russia and Roumania. The
town, which is the largest in that part
of Bulgaria, is situated about One-third
of the way between the Danube and the
Balkan mountains, and a fine highway
runs from the river to Sofia, now the
capital of Bulgaria. For many weeks
the Russians had been unable for lack
Of troops to surround Plevna, and Os-
man Pasha continually received sup
plies and recnfOrcemeuts from The
main Turkish army in the Balkans.
In order to complete the investment
of the town, the Imperial guard had
been brought from Russia. After
short campaign this force, under Gen.
Gourko. had cut the highway and had
extended the lines quite around the
Turkish army. The fall of the strong
hold became only a matter of time.
When the siege was settled on the
new lines, it was thought safe to with
draw considerable portion Of the
troops and make a move to the south
ward in order to cross the Balkans. or
at least to seize such advantageous po-
sitions in the mountain passes that
they would he practically imprcgnable.
In case he was unable to penetrate the
valley of Sofia, Gen. Gourko was to wait
until Plevna fell and then, REINFORCED
by the besieging army, he would be able
TO sweep everything before him.
We advanced as a flying column, wit
Cossack scouts securing the country on
either side and in front of us, and, with
the exception of a few small skirmishes'
did not come in touch with the Turks
until we were we'll into the region OF
the high and rugged hills that gather
around the great shoulders of the
The highway winds over these foot
hills in a series of sharp curves and
steep grades, but preserves Il good aver
age width. It was at that time in pref
ty fair condition, and our progress vas
comparatively easy and rapid.
One afternoon. toward sunset, the
column halted, and the troops wert
deployed to the right and left of tn:
road, and soon disappeared among thu
trees A few scattered shots told Us
that the enemy was prepared to rcsis
our advance.
Riding up the road a little way, W.
could see that the highway turned 4
the east little. and then plunged int
a narrow gorge. On the south side o
this canyon the lines of a freshly Dull
earthwork broke the smooth surface o
the highest summit, and at the en-
trance of the detie wrcaths of smok
as blue as turquoise against the heav
green of the fir trees showed where tn
Turkish pckets We're busy with gu
scouts.
In the first gray of the morning W
were all on foot, and were informe
that, as soon as the regiment befor
spoken of got into position on tn
right, we should move over the hill
on the left or the north side of tn
gorge. Joining column that was ser
in the latter direction, | soon beTa
to appreciate the difficulties of can
paignng in a rough country.
1t was, of course, impossible to NOV
artillery or cavalry, and the infantr
troops, with whom | had cast my TO
tune, scattered all over the hillside an
scrambled up the steep decline as be'
they could, reaching the plcket-lir
al the summit after an hours climb.
The regiments were halted in irreg
lar order just behind the crest of t
ridge in the edge of the woods, and
STRONG skirmish-line was sent forwa
TO make demonstration by adYancil
over the crest of the hills. The Ill
1nent they reached point where tn
could be seen by the Turks a shd
fusillade began. \ few We're Wounde
and the rest, according TO the plan. !
turned behind the shelter of the nj
top.
From that time for several hours
constant rafting fire was kept up
tbs. enemy, but our men were order
not to reply, and we waited for
change in the situation. The del
grew irksome and | determined to
up 10 the slirmsh-lme to reconnoit
on lay own account.
Crawling up to where the men We
lying, | found l could look over {
crest of the hill by raising myself
my hands, and when the firing was I
lively | studied the landscape wi
eager interest. A great CONFUSION
nature had split the hills from ",
10 east, and the gorge thus form
was about $50 yards wide and nea
as deep, with sheer PERCEPTIONS sid
The skirmish-line, or at least the pi
of it where l Joined it, was very II,
the edge of the cliffs.
Two mountain howitzers masked
the woods directly opposite were &c
stantly bursting shrapnel over our SIX
mish-lne. There was absolutely
protection there against rain of b