‘The Russo-Turkish War. 1877. Operations in Europe.’ [‎25r] (49/66)

49
VII.
THE TURKISH ARMY.
The latest intelligence received this week gives the following information Ma y 18 ' 7 -
of the strength and distribution of the Turkish Army in Europe. I he Army
of the Danube included 189 battalions (103 of nizams and 86 of redifs), 54
squadrons of Cavalry and 108 field-guns.
These were distributed as follows :—
At Widdin, 72 battalions, 18 squadrons and 102 guns ; Lorn, 2 battalions;
Rahovo, 2 battalions ; Nikopolis, 3 battalions ; bistova, 3 battalions ; 1 urtukai,
3 battalions ; Rustchuk, 16 battalions, 12 squadrons, 18 guns ; Silistria, 22 bat
talions, 12 guns; Tultscha, 3 battalions; Tsaktchi, 3 battalions; Matschin, 2
battalions; Medschidil, 2 battalions; Czernavoda, 2 battalions; Babadagh, 2
battalions ; in the Dobrudscha, 4,000 Tcherkesses.
There were besides, at Kustendje, 1 battalion ; Varna, 16 battalions and
54 guns; Schumla, 13 battalions, 6 squadrons, and 78 guns; Tirnova and Ras-
grad, 3 battalions; Sophia, 14 battalions, 6 squadrons, and 6 guns, the rediis
were stationed almost exclusively at Widdin and Sophia.
Besides the above there were also in other parts of Europe, as lolloivs .—
Herzegovina, 49 battalions and 27 guns; Bosnia, 41 battalions, 6 squadrons,
and 42 guns; Albania, 38 battalions and 30 guns; Epirus and Thessaly, l->
battalions, 7 squadrons and 18 guns; and Crete, 14 battalions and 24 guns.
Exclusive of small detachments composed chiefly of Moustahfiz, employee!
in guarding the passes of the Balkans, and the batteries on the coast, and
doing garrison duty at Constantinople, the total strength of the 1 urkish Army
f in Europe is given at 348 battalions, 67 squadrons, and 440 guns.
The Turkish head-quarters were at Schumla in the middle of the week.
Sickness and considerable mortality is reported in the Turkish force at
Rustchuk, the deaths within a fortnight during the latter part ot the preceding
month are given at 853 men.
VIII.
TURKISH FORTRESSES, STORES, GUNS, &c.
Intelligence, dated the 11th, says that the works for the defence of Con
stantinople are to be constructed by the inhabitants of the city. Tins is ie
only allusion to these works contained in the news received during the week
It is related of the Turkish stores that none of the shells that fell into the
town of Braila during the firing of the 4th exploded.
Of those used at the bombardment of the Russian position at Rem two
G P Of those used at the bombardment of Kalafat during the first day’s firing
but one exploded, and, generally, the Turkish shells appear to be unreliable.
The following details are given of the Turkish flotilla on the Danube .
The vessels are grouped in six categories—
1. Five iron-clad gunboats, carrying each two Armstrong guns, and a
bronze gun of small• calibre, with a complement of 3< men. ^se are t e
“ Fethi-Islam,” “ Boujan-Delin, ,, “ Semendna,” “ Podgontza, and bchkoura.
The last has been injured and is laid up at Rustchuk. ‘
2. Four wooden schooners (screw steamers) carrying each one heavy gun
on deck, and four of small calibre in broadside, and with a complement o
111611 These are the a Akhia,” (she has but two guns in broadside, one forward,
the other aft, the latter a steel muzzle-loading Armstrong); \ arna,
“Schefket-Nomna,” and “Sulina.” .
3. Two iron gunboats, carrying each a small gun m the bow, with a com
plement of seven men. These are the “ Schemscheka ” and * Jedynm.
4 Six transports, carrying each two guns, and a complement ot lo men.