Year: 1877

into the valley to the village OF Hjdarko already
alluded to-


SIGHT OF THE ESExy.


For two days We watched the white ponies OF the
Crcasan ouposts whisking about In the edge Of the
woods; we visited the lines Of own pickeis and
the ridge examined the fortidcations Ras
grad on the hills across the valley Of the LON,
planned a reconnaissance in force to take look
at the railway and General vannosky, the chief OF
stan OF the Czarewitch. came himself and inspected
the position the second day OF our stay. Twenty or
thirty dead Turks shot skrmsh day or two be-
fore our arrival lay in the maize fields the ridge,
aud q burying party was sent to them with
earth We in sight oil the enemy. From the door
of hut we could see his outposts by day and his
camp fires by night, but he seemed to have nten-
ton of molesting us, and We began to Gnd
that lite at tho outposts not full OF
incident after all We bad only regiment the Ear
aiskie, No l4O. counting not than thousand
i've hundred men, single battery Of artillery and two
large guns and about I've hundred hussars and Co.'S
sacks With this force IL was out OF the question to
attempt to get possession OF the whole OF the RIDGE
and we were Obliged TO content ourselves while await
ing the movements OF tho Turks


On Thursday morning tho sagles that had becn cir
cling over the corpses in the maize fields until they
were buried IN the above the valley OF
the LON, and General LeonoG said this nalli-



had taken our tea at about eight O'Clock in the
morning, Cossack came up with the intelligence that
the Circassians coming through the maizc on the
ridge. Even while he was speakeng began the popping
OF rifles and we could see the outposts nrng and
wheeling their horses We were the saddle In an
instant, down through the grove where the regiment
was encamped. 70 the little redoubt on tho right,
where two guns were speedily put In position; then
across through tho ploushed fields in front OF
the grove where few rife pits had been
dug day before and through the burned portion of
the village to tho stubble field the ridge whore the
ou,posts On the right Of the outpost line,
along the ridge, the popping was still gong on As
we rode through the camp soldiers were falling in
line, and small squads moving of in different
directions Once the ridge could see assembling
the OF the hill opposite quite large force OF
cavalry under tho battery there and they began
down into the valloy by the steep, crooked
paths. We went oil To the lcIt through the woods,
with two guns Of Cossack battery, and let go few
shells from the corn field there. BY that time tho
Circassans had advanced the village OF Sadna, and
had il Gre The SHELLS bursting very near them
sent them scrambling in all directions, ana
turned to the subble field to place couple of heavy
guns there and soon we were throwing some large
shells INTO the vineyard back oil Sadina, where We
could sabres flashing Now began to work the





going on there Just as we arrived shot struck ono
of the guns, overurnug it, but fortunately hurting
one, and from the smoke We could that the Turks
had position all along the ridge, in the
second stubble heId the edge Of the WOODS, the
heights beyond and in the maizo below. Suddenly our
large guns the centre ceased firing and rushed
back through tho burned village find the OF
this. when saw the stubble field, whore cannon
at work bu. short quarter OF hour before, all
swarming with Turkish infantry and the guns al
ready back the village.


THE TURKISH CHARGES.


Tho Turks had been concealed in the maize beyond
tho ige only awaited tho signal pour up
the On they the open field like flies
a plate firing rapidly with guns at their hips
How they ten from tho nrc the Russian infantry at
the edge of the maize Held below The stubblc field
was dotted with the dead and wounded but along tho
crest hundreds more IN sold column, then de-
ploying as skrmishers oil over tho ned. Through
the maize field to the right could the bayonets
flash and sabres striking. and we knew they
killing dead or slaughterng the wounded. On
they came, in spite OF the murderous fire
OF the infantry. aud before the two large
guns got well placed In the poughcd field
where we stood the bullets began to throw up the
dust around us. After q couple Of shell dropped
right in the midst OF the advancing the
stubbe field the Turkish guns along the ridge began
to direct their attention TO us, and a shell struck
alongside horse OF General Leonof close by u.s. and
the air was musical with the whizzing pieces; still
another picked up tride further to the left and
we retired through the grove who're the shells
already tearing their way among the trees. II
now nearly eleven o'clock, and the wounded
llmping back, their white shirts all drenched with
blood. six infantry men bearing q wounded officer,
four supporting hard hit comrade, four moro with
dead officer quite naked, stripped by bashbaZouks.
who and killed on the spot All this thinned
the ranks In front but the soldiers knew too we'll
the fate OF the wounded If they to be left behind
and they had often enough the horrible muta-
tion OF the dead make them anxious to bring the
rear both the dead and the wounded Now on the
right were constant volleys and an irregular pop.
ping fire, and everv man In the camp
the grove went up to the 'front.' Tents were
left standing, knapsacks were hastily collected, as
many as could be loaded upon the carts which went
to the rear food left cooking the res and an
increase OF muskctry in the fields below the grove
soon told that they at It earnest. Now there
began TO all largo shells from the heavy guns In the
edge of the the ridge straight into our pleas
ant quarters and lost time In throwing our
blankets upon the saddles and leaving the place. All
our guns retired, as Turkish infantry were
swarming IN the maize. Although tho stalks were
man high We could see tho bayonets fiasn and here
and there a dark moving. Word had already
been sent General Barano In the camp Gagovo to
send up all possible achievements II high noon
a scorching drove into the shade Of small wal
nut trees We found shade, but shelter from the
bullets continually dropping from the right and the
lett.


WAITING REISFoRcEMENrs


Anxiously We watched the roads Gagovo for signs
Of reiniorcements, and the hours which had hitherto
passed quickly enough now began to grow tedious
Two long, weary hours stood there with only an oc
casona rapid gaop the right and left to see how the
day turning. The men kept up stubborn fire. but
the rattle OF the Turkish guns grew more ana moro
continuous. In the village tho lighting was desperae
a single look enough for mo, tor tho bullets cut
the all around, and horse took out Of it in
q hurry. Those weary, anxious two hoursl Terence