"الحرب الروسية-التركية، ١٨٧٧. العمليات في أوروبا." [و‎‎٣‎٢] (٦٦/٦٣)

63
Colonel DochtourofF, of the Russian Staff, formerly Chief of the Staff to
General Tchernayef, in Servia, is attached to the Roumanian head-quarters.
There are rumours this week that the Circassian element in General
Skobeleff’s force has proved untrustworthy. These are so far confirmed that
bodies of Circassian troops have been sent back by train to Russia.
IV.
MOVEMENT OF TROOPS, STORES, WAR MATERIAL, &c.
The Russian force concentrated in the positions about Islacs and Turnu
Margureli is given in this week’s news at 60,000 men, probably belonging to
the 9th Corps. The troops were actively engaged in erecting batteries and
strengthening the works of Turnu.
A small Roumanian ironclad of four guns, manned by Russian sailors, was
launched at Galatz on the 20th.
The departure from Kischinev for Ploesti is announced of two battalions
of the Bulgarian Legion, respecting the organization of which some particulars
are given in the Section on Army Details.
The Circassian element in the Russian Army does not appear to have
turned out a success. The men were being sent back to Russia. Two trains
full of them passed through Barbosi on the 24th, bound for Galatz.
A trustworthy authority, writing from Bucharest on the 24th, relates that
the Russians have numbers of boats and pontoons at Braila, Galatz, and Reni,
and can get others at Oltenitza and Turnu, though the Turks have taken many.
Quantities of timber (for bridging) are en route by rail from Galicia to the
Danube.
A depot of stores was being formed at Jassy. The Roumanian Divisions
relieved by the Russian troops in the positions about Oltenitza, reached
Bucharest on the 22nd.
Intelligence from Warsaw announces the despatch of the 13th Cavalry
Division from the Galician frontier to join the Army of the Danube. It
consists of the full complement of four regiments of Cavalry—viz., one of
Lancers, one of Hussars, one of Dragoons, and one of Cossacks, each numbering
600 sabres ; altogether 2,400 men and horses.
As regards the probable localities of the various Russian Army-Corps
given in last week’s account, trustworthy intelligence from Bucharest, dated
20th May, alludes to the 8th Corps as on the march to Giurgevo.
The Russians are stated in this week’s intelligence to have collected a
quantity of bridging material, boats and small steamers on the part of the
Danube between Rahovo and Nikopolis.
The arrival at Oltenitza on the 21st of a strong force of Russian Infantry,
three batteries of Artillery and some Cavalry is reported from Turtukai.
The arrival of the 12th Infantry Division of the 12th Corps at Banjassa,
north of and near Bucharest, is related in intelligence of the 21st from the
latter place. Their direction of march was to the westward.
The arrival of 7,000 Infantry of the 33rd Division of the same corps at the
same place is announced on the afternoon of the 23rd, moving in the same
direction.
Intelligence from St. Petersburg of the 23rd May corrects an announce
ment of last week with reference to the torpedo boats ordered by the Russian
Government from Mr. Baird.
Five have been ordered, one 115 feet long, two 80 feet, and two 60 feet.
Two of the smaller ones would he ready in a week, and the remainder in two
months. .
It is established by this week’s intelligence that the Russians have occupied
and erected batteries and entrenchments on the island separating the Matschin
Canal from the main Danube river.