‘The Russo-Turkish War. 1877. Operations in Europe.’ [‎7v] (14/66)

u
JANUARY TO MARCH INCLUSIVE.
PAGE
I. Narrative .. .. .. .. •• 14
II. Mobilization of the Russian Army .. 16
III. Russian Army Details .. .. .. 19
IV. Movements of Troops, Stores, War
Material, &c. .. .. .. .. 24
PAGE
V. Railways, Roads, Bridges, &c 26
VI. Roumania, Servia, &c. .. .. .. 27
VII. The Turkish Army 27
VIII. Turkish Fortresses, Stores, &c... .. 29
IX. Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 30
I.
NARRATIVE.
Jan 1877. Trustworthy intelligence in January described the line of the Pruth as held
in observation by two regiments of Cossacks, distributed in guard-houses along
the river in parties of 15 men, each with an officer. There were then no
regular troops.
The Head-Quarters of the Field Army were about to be moved to Chotin
(on the Dniester), on the north-western frontier of Bessarabia, near the point
where the frontiers of Russia, Roumania, and Austria meet.
The Grand Duke Nikolas, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the
South, who had been much better, had had a relapse, and was still very ill; so
much so that there was talk of nominating a successor to him.
It was stated in January, but the news has not yet been confirmed or
contradicted, that Austria was preparing for the mobilization of three Army-
Corps, each of 30,000 men, one for service in Dalmatia, one for Transylvania,
and the third for concentration on the Save.
In the meantime, the Southern Army was hastening its preparations for
crossing the Pruth. Two battalions of sappers, and two of pontoniers,
provided with bridging material, were cantoned on the banks of the river, and
an experimental bridge had been thrown over the river at Leovo with complete
success.
Towards the close of the month, the question of superseding the Grand
Duke Nikolas was again mooted, and it appears probable that the state of his
health will make it imperative to supersede him, but at the end of January he
was still in command.
Early in January, several superior officers of the Russian Army arrived at
Jassy, and made an inspection of the neighbourhood, to ascertain its resources
for the provisioning of troops.
Arrangements were made for fixing special tariffs for the purchase of
victuals, and large stores of provisions were being massed at the principal
stations on the Jassy—Galatz line.
The health of the troops in Bessarabia and Podolia was officially reported
in January as very good.
Feb. 1877. As no serious movement of the Russian Army took place during the
month of February, intelligence from Bessarabia was much occupied^ with
rumours of the Russian plans. They (the Russians) were credited with the
intention of keeping the army mobilized in Bessarabia, or even crossing the
Pruth, with the alternative objects of exhausting Turkey, who was less able to
bear the strain upon her resources caused by a prolonged state of preparation
for war; or of provoking an attack on her part which would give them the
advantage of the defensive. Meanwhile, the defences of the fortresses of
Southern Russia were being carefully looked to, and the army was continually
being reinforced. J
Negotiations, consequent upon the breaking up of the Conference at
Constantinople, were believed to be in progress between the Great Powers
but at Constantinople itself those powers were unrepresented, save by
subordinate members of the Legations. The Russian Legation was withdrawn
altogether, and affairs generally at the Turkish capital seemed to be in a state
of chaotic confusion. The Sultan had abruptly dismissed his Grand Vizier,