Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1877 — THE WAR IN THE EAST [ARTICLE]

THE WAR IN THE EAST

Tbc German, Austrian, and french Consulates at Jiuslclmk shared the fate of that of England. All wore demolished by tho accurate aim of llrn Russian cannoneers. A military hospital in the city was struck by seventy two skulls during the bombardment. Reports come from Ezorpum that the Turks oollerleij at Van, in Asia, for thodefe so of tho country have struck terror into tho whole district. The streets of the town itself ro-eclio their violence and disorders. The American missionaries have taken refuge aboard a small pleasure-boat on Lake Van. They float about the lake during tho day and sleep in some secluded place at night. A telegram from Trebizond pays: “The Turks on Friday assaulted and carried the Russian position at Batoum, achieving a great victory,- Tho Russians retreated after a severe battle, and with great loss of men.” Bulgaria is being devastated bv the retreating Turks for the purpose of preventing the Russians from pursuing their armies, and the inhabitants are loft in utter destitution. It is reported that the Russians have suspended operations against Kars, in order to reinforce the army lighting against the Turks at Boglianla and Bayazid. ‘ Elio Roumanians have taken their first real active part in the war. Two thousand Roumanian' troops have crossed the Danube at Cot ate (Tchetatea) and intrenched themselves. The investment of Widin oh the land side will begin at once. Tito Turks made a desperate sortie from Kars on Monday morning, tho Ist inst., attempting to surprise the Russians and Storm tho hill on which aro two guns used in the bombardment of Kars. The ‘Turks woro compelled to withdraw after sevoral hours’ lighting. The losses are heavy on both sides. Thu Russians have invested Silistria, one of the strongest of .the Turkish fortified towns on the Danube. This is tho fourth time the Muscovite has essayed the capture of Silistria. In 1773 and 1803 the Russians besieged in vain but in 182!) they captured it, to be repulsed again in 1854. Since then tho fortifications have boon materially enlarged. Russian oilicial accounts of the battle of Tcliamdjore, in Asia, place the total Russian loss at 250. The Turkish accounts claimed to have killed 2,000 and wounded 6,000 of the enemv.

A Pal-in telegram of the sth says : “ According to intelligence from a high Source, the Russian army at Batofiin, after several engagements, lias been broken up. The fragments are retreating in different directions, the army besieging Kars being left uncovered in consequence of the disaster at Batoum. Although it has not yet raised the siege, it is taking measures to do so if its situation becomes more imperiled. Both sides jsCom to have shown great bravery. A cable dispatch spates that the Czar lias issued a proclamation formally declaring the independence of Bulgaria. This is the sequel to the call for able-bodied Bulgarians to present themselves at the Russian camps for the purpose of being organized for purposes of self-defense. At the opening of hostilities, the Turks had eighteen gunboats on the Danube a flotilla, sufficient, if ably and energetically handled, to have given the Russians very serious trouble. In fact, however, it has beon worthless, and the, vessels are now scattered along the river, unable to get together for any enterprise of moment, and powerless for offenso or defense. After the departure of the Turks every Turkish house in Histova was sacked and utterly wrecked by the Bulgarian residents. There seems to be littlo doubt that the Russians are getting worsted in Asia Minor. They have been driven hack from Kars, and the "hole army is retreating. The insurrection in die Caucasus is rapidly spreading, and its ""'■atening proportions aro given as one of the causes of thi' -retrograde movement. A correspondent with the Russians at Simla z.i, on the Danube, tclographs that arrangem< n s are progressing for a general advance 111 0 u b ß,ia - A 'l is bustle and preparation m the Russian camp, and many days cannot elapse before an important movement takes place. Russians aro securing the country up to the foot of the Balkans. Turkish are at Jantra. The center of thoir army i B near Rasgrad, the right covering Rustchuk, and the left stretching toward Shumla. The first great battle in Bulgaria will probably bo fought on the above line. Tho sudden suspension of hostilities on the part of the Turks in Montenegro, and the recall of their commander, Suleiman Pasha, with a considerable portion at least of his army, is accounted for by rumors to the effect that Austria and perhaps other powers have interposed to save- thfe heroic mountain principality from complete destruction. Forty-live battalions pf the Turkish arni ( v

operating in Montenegro have teen ordered to niarch to the Danube. Official advices received at St. Petersburg admit the failure of the Russian attack on Zewin and the defeat of the southern column at Delibaba. The latter is falling back to the frontier to rescue Bayazid, w hile Melikoff and the force repulsed at Zewin are endeavoring to hold a position in the Araxes valley and the road to Kars. ~ A Constantinople dispatch says that 1,500 persons, fleeing from Adler to the Turkish lines, front fear of the Russians, have perished from hunger. The Turks arc sending heavy reinforcements to Asia. Two thousand men have arrived at Constantinople to work on the fortifications. It is announced from St. Petersburg that the cause of the dangerous position in which tho Russian army in Armenia was lately thrown was chiefly the fact that Persia allowed a Turkish corps from Lake Van to pass through Persian territory. The corps was thus enabled to surprise the rear of the Russians at Bayazid, and to jeopardize the position of a great portion of tlicir army.