‘The Russo-Turkish War. 1877. Operations in Europe.’ [‎22r] (43/66)

MAY 7th to MAY 12th.
CONTENTS.
PAGB
I. Narrative .. .. .. .. ..43
II. Mobilization of the Eussian Army .. 45
III. Eussian Army Details .. .. .. 45
IV. Movements of Troops, Stores, War
Material, &c. .. .. .. • • 47
Y. Eailways, Eoads, Bridges, &c. ..
VI. Eoumania, Servia, &c. ..
VII. The Turkish Army
VIII. Turkish Fortresses, Stores, Gains, &c. ..
IX. MisceUaneous
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50
I.
NARRATIVE.
During the week ending on Saturday the 12th May, little has taken place May
to throw fresh light on the Russian plans, and nothing to change the general
opinion that the Danube would be passed by the bulk of the Russian force
about Giurgevo, and also at many other points lower down, about the 4th week
in May. To this it now begins to be added, that the Russians will not operate
in force to the west of the line connecting Bucharest with Giurgevo, although
Russian Cavalry is reported from Rustchuk to have been seen as far west as
Rahovo.
Head-quarters were still at Kischinev, but w T ere on the point of moving to
Ploesti.
There had been a considerable exchange of fire on the Danube between
the Russian batteries and the Turkish gunboats, and also between the batteries
on both sides resulting in some trifling loss to the Russians, slight damage to
some of the batteries, and the destruction of a Turkish ironclad corvette, the
u Loufti Djelil.” There had been a reciprocal bombardment taking place be
tween Widdin and Kalafat, the latter occupied by Roumanian troops, who had
considerably strengthened the defences of the place. None of these engage
ments—so far as there is as yet any record of them—were of great importance
as regards the effect they are likely to have on the issue of the campaign.
The following account gives the proceedings, of which news was received
during the week, in more detail:—
On the 6th, five Turkish monitors opened fire on the Russian batteries on
the heights above Braila, from. Potbashi (not marked on the maps, but described
as opposite Braila). The Russian batteries did not reply.
The Grand Duke Nicholas made a tour of inspection of the Russian posi
tions at Reni, Galatz, and Braila on the 6th, and left for Jassy on the evening
of the 7th. The Turks, knowing that he was expected, tried to shell the train
at Braila by the fire of the five monitors on the river, but did not succeed in
doing any damage.
The mutual bombardment of Kalafat and Widdin began upon the 7th May,
and was continued throughout the 8th and 9th. The injuries inflicted seem to
have been slight. At Widdin the casualties are given at two killed and
four wounded. There is no reliable information as to the result, but the
Roumanian works are said to have sustained much damage, and in the town,
the barracks and custom house were-burned and the church injured, and some
wooden houses at Widdin were destroyed.
On the 7th May, a Turkish monitor engaged a shore battery erected close
to the Theraponte Monastery, near Satanovo, opposite Isaktchi, from two o 5 clock
in the afternoon till night. The Russians had one man killed and two severely
wounded (of the 13th Field Battery), lost three horses, and had a gun dis
mounted. The monastery was destroyed.
On the morning of the 8 th a Russian siege battery at Braila compelled a
Turkish corvette and two monitors to retire. An exchange of musketry fire
took place by which the Russians had one soldier wounded. The ironclads
were also supported by the fire of the batteries at Khiasett.
On the 9th, a heavy fire had been sustained for three hours between the
Russian batteries at Braila and the Turkish batteries at Khiasett, and was