THE BATTLE OF PLEVNA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 220, 17 September 1877, Page 2

THE BATTLE OF PLEVNA.

We have already published some details of this hard-fought engagement, but they will not detract from the interest with which the following graphic account by a correspondent of the New York Herald will be read: — The troops did not begin tho march forward before 6 o'clock on Monday, instead of 4 o'clock, as arranged the day before. Leaving, in many instances, their sleeping places ou the damp ground, the men did not appear to have suffered iu the least iu morale l from the night's discomforts, but stepped sturdily forward when the order was given to march. The number of infantry combatants was actually about 32,000, with 160 field cannon and three brigades of cavalry. The Turkish position was convex— somewhat the shape of a horseshoe, but more pointed. Baron Krudener was to attack the Turkish left flank from Crivica towards the River Vid. Shackoskoy was to assault their right from Radisovo, also towards tho River Vid. Baron Krudener, on the right, opened the action at half past 9 o'clock, bringing a battery to fire upon the Turkish earthworks above the village. At first it seemed as if

the Turks were surprised. Ifc was some time .before they replied, but when they did it was with marked vigor, and giving as good as they got from Krudener.. We of the left column have our own business to attend to and so wc leave our casual outlook place , aniong the plum trees, and move on in the. direction of Radisovo. This village lies in a deep valley, behind the southern wave or ridge of the Turkish position, and there is another ridge behind this village. On thafc ridge our cannon, placed in position by Colonel Bischofsky, chief of Prince Shackoskoy s staff, were firing in line on the 1 urkish guns, away on the ridge behind the lulls with fine effect. By one o'cock our infantry had nowhere been engaged. Gen Baron Krudener ou the right flank, had gamed much less ground than we had He seemed little further forward than at the begmniug of the battle, whereas we were at comparatively close quarters and within striking distance. Krudener was behind either because his attack was not pushed energetically or because he was encountering ' obstacles which we had nofc met. Now" Krudener is regarded as an energetic mau! We swore afc what seemed his inertness- but it was not swearing only; Shackoskoy, in his impatience, determined to act independently and to strike the Turks single-handed If Krudener was slow, Shackoskoy was rash! The leading battalions were ordered to advance over the ridge to attack. The order was hailed with glad cheers, for the infantry- ' men had beeu chafiug at their inaction, and the battalions, with swift step, streamed forward through the glen, and up the steep s<opo behind, marchiug in compauy columns. The rifle companies led the way. The Russian artillery had afforded active support to this movement by firing with increased rapidity over fche heads of the advancing infantry. The Turkish shells whistled through them as fchey advanced in line, and tbe men were already slain in great numbers , but the ong undulating Hue tramps steadily over the stubble, and crashes through the undergrowth on the descent. The horse of the gallant Colonel who is leading the charge goes down, but the Colonel is on his feet in a second, and, waving his sword, leads his men forward on foot. It is only for a few paces He staggers and falls— l heard afterwards thafc he was killed. We can hear the sound of wrath— half howl, half yell— with which his men, bayonets at " fche charge," rush on to avenge him. , It is .but a few yards now to the Turkish works, aud these are soon traversed. In an instant they are over the parapet and in among the Turks like an avalanche. The carnage is seen to be terrible. It is hand to hand aud breast to breast. The rush which carried the Russians in swept all before ifc. Nofc many Turks get a chance to run away from the gleaming bayonets swayed by muscular Russian arms". The outer edge of the firsfc position is won. {Continued on. Fourth Page.)

(Continued from 2nd page.) So fell the first position of the Turks. Being a village it afforded ample cover, t^nd Shacksokoy would , have] acted wisely if he had been content to hold it and strengthen it until Krudener should have carried the Crivica earthwork, and come up in line with him. But the cross of St. George dangled before his eyes, and tempted him to rashue9B. The word to advauce was again given ; the bugles again raog out the welcome notes, and again the men movel forward. Then one sees a swarm of Tmks flying across the green of the vineyard, but they do not run far, and prowl around the western and northern faces of the work, rendering its occupation very precarious. The Turkish cannon from behind drop shells into tbe Russian position with singular precision. As a matter of fact, the Russians occupied this position but never held it. It Was all but empty for a long time, and continuous fighting took place about its flanks. About 6 o'clock the Turks pressed forward a heavy mass of infantry to recapture the position, and in spite of the most determined fighting by the Russians, had reoccupied their second position before 7 o'clock. The first brigade of tbe 35th division was exposing its right flank to the Turkish cannon mounted astride the ridge, but the goal of Plevna was a keen temptation. There was no thoroughfare, however. They would not give up and they could not succeed. Tbey charged again and again, and when, from sheer fatigue, tbey could charge no longer, they stood and died, for they would not retire. The reserves came up, but only to swell the slaughter. Then tbe ammunition failed, for the carts had been left far behind, and all hope vanished. Even the most sanguine could see no bright spot in the gloomy outlook, and the disastrous retreat began.