ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 21, 24 January 1878, Page 2

ADDITIONAL MAIL NEWS.

The Chicago Times' correspondent at Bucharest telegraphs the following account of the capture of Plevna:— -"Fuller Information of the capitulation of Osniau's army shows that it was Ghazie Osman who took the initiative in the action, concealing his intention under cover of assaults on the Russian entrenchments to north-west, near Apouetz and Susarlu. lie directed his main line of retreat straight to the west. Up to a certain point success crowned his efforts. The inner line of investment was broken through, the strong redoubt of Dalny Netropolje fell into the hands of the Turks, and it almost seemed as if a portion of the defenders of L'levna 'vould bear down all opposition; but the Russian Grenadier Corpß held the entrenchments with desperate valor, until strong reinforcements, huriyiug up from all directions, encircled Osman with a wall of fire. Even after this he fought on, iu the hope, probably, that at least a portion of his command might escape, but every moment affairs grew worse, until there was nothing left but an unconditional surrender. When it is remembered that the garrison were almost starving, and had been decimated by disease, and possessed but scanty ammunition, this supreme effort to cut through the Russian lines will be universally acknowledged as a fitting crown to the heroic resistance offered by Osman and his splendid soldiers, for nearly five months, against forces greatly superior in numbers, and well supplied with food and ammunition, and constantly receiving fresh battalions. A comparatively small portion of his force was directed against the Roumanian position at Opanes, but made very little of it. Perhaps this movement was intended as a feint, and perhaps it was meant to keep back the Roumanians from entering Plevna, while the rest of the Turkish forces were seeking to pierce the .Russian lines on the left bank of the Vid, to the north-west of Plevna. Whatever was the intention the Turkish soldiers sent against the Roumanians did very little, and were quickly surrounded and overpowered. They surrendered at once. Not so however with the main force, where Osman himself commanded. The troops went with a dash and succeeded actually in euteriug the Russian entrenchments "and taking some important positions, driving two divisions of the Imperial Guird back into the second line of trenches. That was something gained, and had not Russian reinforcements been forthcoming Osman might have accomplished his purpose of making his way to Widdiu. But before him was a second line of entrenchments, which also he assailed; but all around Plerna was now movement and activity in the Russian camp Fresh troops hurried up to the point of attack, and Osman Pasha found himself assailed not ouly in front but on both flanks. Meantime the Roumanians had entered Plevna, and were preparing with artillery to attack the Ottoman troops in the rear. Some five or six hours' hard fighting decided the business. Osman, unaware at first probably that the troops sent against the Roumanians had been so easily defeated, turned to reenter Plerna, but here he was met by the opposing Roumanians j and it would have been madness to continue the struggle, jvid he at once surrendered. A Western Union telegraph despatch says the Russians had been warned that Osinau intended to attempt hispbject by concentrating the whole of the army at Vid. At seven in Jibe ittonuug Osman grossed the Vid by the

bridges, and attacked the Russian position with such firing that the captured eight cannons, and in a few minutes almost annihilated Sibersky's grenadier regiment. The Turks then found themselves under the fire of a hundred cannon of the Russians second line, and were attacked by the grenadiers, who' resolved to recapture the guns. Tho Turks were driven back after a fifteen minutes' bayonet fight, but continued to fire from the shelter of the banks of the Vid until 12.30, when the firing ceased on both sides, and a quarter of an hour afterwards Osinan sent an envoy to treat for surrender. Osman's wound in the leg was not serious. It is estimated that the siege of Plevna has cost Russia over 50,0C0 men. December 31. A great anti-Russian meeting, composed largely of working men, was held on Saturday in Trafalgar-square, and was made the pretext for a pro-Russia gathering. The crowd possessed all the elements of a mob, and the display of three Turkish flags in the first assemblage precipitated an attack by a second. More than 6000 were present. The confusion was so great at tho Turkish meeting that the speakers could not be heard. A Russian flag suddenly appeared in the crowd and a free fight lasting an hour and five minutes ensued, led by a sooty-faced man, who howled like a Bashi-Bazouk. AngloTurks charged en masse upon the Russian party. The standard bearer was taken and soundly thrashed, and the Muscovite flag was destroyed. The forces of Jthe fhorny-handed friends of the Czar soon rallied, and they carried the position held by the Turkish color-bearer. The reserves pressed so closely upon the assaulting party that retreat was impossible. This was a serious business for the men in front. The Turkish standards were totally destroyed, and the victors glared for a few moments at the seethiug crowd before them, apparently anxious to know if there were any of the obnoxious flags near. The wounded were not butchered, but were only jumped upon playfully and kicked about the face and head. The assembly soon became so overwhelmingly Turkish that the Russophilists were compelled to withdraw. The police interfered three hours after the meeting. Some arrests were made. Nobody of any prominence was present at the meeting, which had no political significance. Alarming statements are current that Euglish intervention will be followed by the sending of the German fleet to Constantinople and German troops to the Dardanelles. The Agence Russc,, a St. Petersburg newspaper, says :— " English encouragement to Turkey, and convening Parliament early, will compel Russia to hurry on to Constantinople, precipitating what it was intended to prevent."