The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-12-14
T THE outbreak of the Russo
\ Turkish war Of 1877 l was

T THE outbreak OF the Russo
~ Turkish war Of 1877 / was
~ engaged by the Vienna "Frem-
denblatt" to act as its correspon-
dent with the Russian army. At first
1 was attached to the headquarters OF
Prince lnow Klng) Charles of Romania,
but afterwards changed to that of the
chief, Grand Duke Mich
olas, and finally made my stay with
General Skobeleff's division. AS the
English and Austrian correspondents
were persona ingratia with the Russians,
1 had not presented my credentials from
the Vienna paper, but had obtained
the necessary permission on the strength
of my German military passport, for at
the time was still reserve officer in
a Prussian. dragoon regiment. This
afforded me the customary privilege
to associate with the Russian officers
on equal social terms, and also secured
for me permission to visit all points
within the Russian lines, which gave
me many advantages over other corre-
spondents.
The historic events of the interesting
campaign are we'll known. The Rus
slams were signally defeated in the
first battle before Plevna; but Osman
Pasha, expecting re-enforcements from
the south, was obliged to intrench
himself with his $4,000 men in and
around the little town of Plevna. The
re-enforcements never came, and Osman
had to sustain an almost six months
siege in a place which looked much
more like an artificial molehole than a
fortress. The surrounding Russians
outnumbered the Turks four to one;
but Osman defended himself with
such consummate skill and indomitable
bravery that the Russians we're unable
to gain any advantages. In fact, the
Russians stood in very wholesome
fear of the Turks throughout the
entire investment of Plevna.
Near the end of the siege, on Dec
LIST, 1877, I rode out to one of the out
posts to visit some officers with whom
Ihad become acquainted. l stayed at
the post till p. m. and then mounted
my horse to ride back in the semi
darkness. had not ridden far when
I was caught in binding snowstorm
so that did not know which way te
turn, and thought it best to let my
horse find his own way back to camp
In this manner l rode about half ar
hour, when 1 suddenly received blow
with the stock of a musket on my lef
shoulder, and at the same time severa
dozen hands were quickly pulling mi
off my horse, and l found mysel
surrounded by dozen Bashi Bazouks
turkish irregulars). None of thes
fellows spoke anything but Turkish, s.
my attempts at explanation were of n
avail. The Turks got along very wei
without it, and certainly did not handl
me with kid gloves. They actuall
tore my long riding coat and my QUITE
garments off my body; even my lon
riding boots were pulled off my feet
and everything was thoroughly ez
amined. The sergeant tried to read m
Identification papers-holding ther
upside down, as noticed by the ligh
of a lantern-and then showed ther
into his pockets. Two ham sandwiche
which had been presented to me as
special treat, were devoured by th
sergeant in less than one minut
tho the other soldiers had mad
desperate attempts to snatch thel
away from him. A small flask col
tanning cognac was uncorked, smelle
at by all hands, and then, greatly to m
surprise, given back to me. AS tn
was the only thing I got back at Il
time, l quickly deposited the good stu
in place where it was safe from fu
ther confiscation, and then l and n
horse were dragged towards Plevna.
At the first demarkation line al
all my belongings were turned over
an officer of the regulars who treats
me civilly and conducted me to tow
whore was led into q very plai