Crossing The Danube

On Wednesday the first move in the descent into Bulgaria was made at Kalarash. The bonibardinent of Widin, Nikopolis, Sistova, llnstchuk, Turtokai, and Silistria continued iu n most furious menner. The scènes of destruction reported from Rustclmk rcpeatcd themsilvi s in every Turkish town assailed. The crosmng at Nikopolig from TnnuMngurelii was witnessed Vy the Czar, who sat on horsebftck on tho suinmit of Mönnt (ïropavi. The Turks made a desperate vesistance witli every available naii they eonld muster. Opposing the anding worc ten Turkish battalions and eighteen field eannou. Savagc; lifilitinp; ook place on the banks, and, in a little iuie, Ihe oorpaBS werc tliickly strcwn ;liere. Still the HviSBiunas ame on. For every man killed ten were ready to tnke jis place. The Eighth Kussian Corps, ttnder command of Gen. Eadetsky, embarked behind the island of Vardiu, opposite the mouth of the Jantra, some distance below the town of Simnitza. The Fourteen'tli División eovered the embarjfcfttion with field artillery and sharpshooters. The Turkish force opposing this movemtMit was soon reinforced from the neighboring towns of Biela, Batin, Nowigrml, and other points, but they did not airive in timeto crush the first parties of liuRsians thnt landed, and woro met on the shore byan ovi'i'whelming f orce, which drove them back by a tremeudous ïnusketry lire. The attcmpte at crossing made by the Rnssiaus at Rustchuk and Turtokai were unsuceessful. Those movemcnts were evideuüy feints to occupy the attention of the Kustohuk, Turtokai and Silistria garrisons. The Russian Eighth Corps crossed at Sistova. Preparations for the crossing nt thnt point began in the swnmpy meadows below Simuitza, where the troops were assembled on Tuesday evening at dusk. Silently and steadily battalion after battnlionand battcry af ter battery moved into its assigned position, the greatest iossible care being taken to avoid attracting nttention. The most perfect order and discipline prevailed, and evcry man '.cted as if the issue of the war depended on the manner in -which he exeonted his individual duty. The point selected for the landing on the Balgariau side was about two miles below Sistoya, v.-hcre it had been previously ascertained by eflieient Eussian spies that the circumstanees were favorable. The mm slept little that night, the groUBd bemg lnmp, and the monaing was awaited with feverish anxiety. Not a sound was heard bilt the tramp of men as they moved into their places, or the dull noise made by wagon or art.illery wheels. The orders were given in snbdued tpnes, and as few liglite ns possible were used. It was a night of deep suspense, and of eager hope for the soldiers who on tlie morrow woro to be face to face witli the hated Moslem. At dawn on Wednesday moming the order to move was given. Evory man feil into his place, and the wórk of crossing tlie river in the face of the euemy was begun. A numlier of boats had been collected, and into these the first detaehment stepped after a few encouiagiug words from their officiers. Tlie boats wttre pulled briskly out into the stream, and made straight for the Bulgarinn shore, followed by the eager eyes of their comrades. Tlie troops composing this advaiice were all picked men, and a finoi or more soldierly set of fellows could not be seen. Their movermmt was obsei-ved from the Bnlgnrinn side, and a heavy firc was opened on the boats from the Tnrkish artillery. The boats pushed gallnntly on, however, and, as they neared the other shore, the Tnrkish infantry commenced a vigorous fusilade. Detachment after detoehment followed from the Russiau gids iu boats, and, ns they ran in towards the enemy's position, they returned the nmsketry fire with good effect. The Russian batteries, meanwhile, kept np a terrifie eannonade to cover the landing. As the boats dashed into the bank the men leaped ashore with a ringing elieer, and iminediately formed a strong skirmish line to proteet the landing. Boat after boat pushed in, nnd coiïipauy after eompany diseml)arked, and soon a sufficient force was assembled to jnatify au attaok on the nearest Turkish positiou. The Tnrkish infantry were vigorously charged, and, after a brief hut desperate struggle, were driven from the place at the pointof thebayonet. By 7 o'elook a whole brigade was across. dm tr.e möVetnent was kept up without a moment's iiiterruption or delay. Everything had been provided for with wonderful fóröaight, and the orders of the commanders were executed with the greatest nromptness and precisión. At noon a whole división was over, and another división ready to stort, at a moment's notice on the lloumanimi shore. A body of Turkish infautry, 3,000 strong, was pushed forward and oommepoed nn attack on the troops that liad beon líiided. A short fight ensued, lint the Turks were, in a short time driven back. The Russiaus, followiug up their first victory, soon after took possession of the heights near Sistova and established themselves íirmly tlicre, so as to proteet the landing of tlie troops which followed them. So successful has the movement aross the river been at this point tbat the Turkish resiatance bas been completely overeóme, and the Russians occnjiied Sistova on Thursday. As soon as that operatiou was completed, a bridge was thrown aerows the Danube, and the whole Eighth Corps moved over to the Biugarian side. The Russians fonght splendidly, and no one who had an opportnnity of witnessing their magnifloent work tlmt day, when face to faee with the Turks, couid for a moment doubt their superioriiT. The loss was comparativcly light.