Table Of Contente-A-SS.ELL'S
ILLTJSTEATED HISTOEY
OF THE
EUSSO-TUEKISH WAR.
Edmund Ollier.
AUTHOR OF "'CASSELL'S ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF TyE UNITED STATES,'\ETC. ETC.
V 0 L. T.
FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR TO THE FALL OF PLEVNA.
INCLUDING
Sto historical S>Rcrc& of tl)e Russian an* Cttrltisb ©moires.
OASSELL & COMPANY, EtmiteD:
LONDON, PARIS & NEW* YtfaK;
[ALL HKJHT3 RESERVE!).]?
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
TheHerzegovina,anditsrelationstoTurkey—TheInsurrectionof 1875—Active Propaganda—ExcessesoftheTurkishTroops—Pro
gressoftheEebellion—ActionofthePowers—DisastrousConditionofthe Ottoman Empire—Pecuniary Embarrassment,and
PartialSuspensionofInterestontheForeignLoan—EffectonEurope—Purchase bytheEnglishGovernmentofSharesinthe
SuezCanal—TheAndrassyNote—ItsAcceptanceinEnglandandinTurkey—Fightinginthe Herzegovina—FruitlessAttempt
atPacification—ExtravagantDemandsoftheInsurgents—IncreasedFinancialDifficultiesat Constantinople—Salonicaandits
Associations—OutbreakofEeligious Fanaticism—The Berlin Memorandum, expressing the Views of Russia, Austria, and
Germany—ItsinsolentPretensions,andcovertThreat ofWar—TheMemorandumsupported byItalyandFrance—Refusalof
theBritishGovernment toabettheDesign—PolicyoftheThreeNorthernEmpires .......
CHAPTER H
EnglishOpinionontheEasternQuestion in May,1876—Bulgaria and its People—Dissensions between the Bulgarians and the
GreeksinrespectoftheNationalChurch—TheJurisdictionofthePatriarchofConstantinoplerepudiatedbytheBulgarians—
VariousEeligiousBodiesinBulgaria—LiberalPolicyofthePorte—The Bulgarians andthe Russians—Intriguesof Russiain
EuropeanTurkey—Attemptsto revolutionise Bulgaria—GreekAgents andtheir Disappointments—Conditionof Bulgaria in
1875-6—RussianDesignsintheEastofEurope—SecretSocietiesinRussia for the Propagation ofEevolutionaryDoctrines—
TheSclavonicRace,anditsPositionin European Turkey—Ambitionof the Czars to reignat Constantinople—The National
SentimentandtheSentimentofRace—TheSclavonicCommitteeandits Branches—Objects ofthe Propaganda, andMethods
bywhichitisworked—OpinionsoftheMoscowGazette—InsurrectionaryMovementsinTurkeypromptedbyPan-Sclavism—The
BulgarianRisingof1876—TheRevoltstimulatedand sustained byRevolutionary Agents—Premature Commencementof the
Insurrection—Massacre of Mussulmans, with Circumstances of great Cruelty—Employment of Volunteers by theTurks-
GeneralDescriptionoftheDisturbedProvince—PhilippopolisanditsCharacteristics .......
CHAPTER III.
InfluenceoftheRussianAmbassadorover SultanAbdul-Aziz—IrregularForces of theTurkishEmpire—The Bashi-Bazouks—The
CircassiansandtheirHistory—Violent Suppressionof the BulgarianRising—Commission ofgreatAtrocities bytheTurks—
NarrativebytheConstantinopleCorrespondentofthe Daily News—The Subject discussed inthe British Parliament—State
mentsbyMr.DisraeliandLordDerby—UnjustImputationsagainstthePrime Minister and Sir HenryElliot—Reasons why
theGovernmentwasnotbetterinformed—TurkishOfficialReports—Inquiryby the Special Commissioner of the DailyNews
(Mr.J.A.MacGahaji)—HorribleCondition of Batak—Reports of Mr.Schuyler, theAmerican Consul-General for Turkey—
MissionofMr.Baring,SecretarytotheBritishLegationatConstantinople—PrincipalFeaturesof thatGentleman'sReport—
ContradictionsbetweenhisAssertionsandthoseofMr. Schuyler—ProgrammeoftheInsurgents—Testimonyof two Christian
Commissioners—ReasonsfordoubtingsomeoftheworstNarratives—MaltreatmentofPrisoners—RewardsbestowedontheChief
Wrong-doers—AnarchicalConditionofBulgariaaftertheSuppressionoftheRevolt—Trialof thePersons implicated—Alleged
RenewaloftheOutragesintheAutumnof1876—ProbabilitythattheStatementswereexaggerated. . . . .
CHAPTER IV.
Political Discontent at Constantinople—Demands of the Sottas—Ministerial Changes—Mehemet Ruchdi made Grand Vizier—
InfluenceofMidhatPashaoverhisColleaguesintheCabinet—DeterminationoftheMinisterstoDepose Sultan Abdul-Aziz—
MeasuresbywhichtheDepositionwaseffected—ProclamationofMurad V.—Imperial Hatt, foreshadowing Reforms—Suicide
ofthedeposedSultan—AssassinationofTurkishMinistersbyHassan,adisgracedCircassianOfficer—DesignsofServia—Secret
UnderstandingbetweentheServianPrinceandtheRussianEmperor—GeographicalCharacterofServia,andpreviousHistory
oftheCountry—StrugglesofthePrincipalitytoobtain Freedom from Ottoman Rule—Progress of the Servians since their
PartialIndependence—Prince Milanandhis Policy—Declaration of War by Servia against Turkey—War also Declaredby
Montenegro—HistoricalSketchoftheMontenegrins—Serviaunderthe Government of Milosch Obrenowitsch—Unjustifiable
CharacteroftheServianAttackonTurkey—EvilInfluenceofRussia—ProgressiveSteps by which a War of Fanaticism had
beencreated ..................
CHAPTER V.
Beginningof the ServianWar—InsincerityofthePretencesbywhichtheWarwaspreceded—Interchangeof Notes with Turkey—
ServiaandtheSouthSclavonicNationalities—NumbersandCompositionoftheServianArmy—The Servian Troops pass the
FortifiedPositionoftheTurksatNisch—Defeat of the Army on several Occasions—Servia entered by the Turks—Serious
ReverseoftheServiansbeforeAlexinatz—RussianVolunteersintheServianForces—CowardiceoftheServians—Proposalsfor
anArmistice—Suspensionof Hostilities agreed to—Montenegrin Successes—PrinceMilanproclaimed King of Servia by the
Army—TheDignitynot accepted—Suggestions by Lord Derby for bringing the War to a Close—Wonewal of Hostilities—
VI CONTENTS.
CrushingDefeatsof the Servians and their Russian Auxiliaries—Fall of Alexinatz and Occupation of Deligrad—Another
RevolutionatConstantinople—MuradV.succeededbyAbdul-HamidII—TheAutumnAgitationinEnglandontheSubjectof
theBulgarianAtrocities—OutbreakofReligious Fanaticism—ExcitementofPublicOpinion—Views of Mr. Gladstone on the
EasternQuestion—RetrospectinRegardtotheConductofRussiaontheQuestionofBlack SeaNeutralization—Subserviency
of Mr. Gladstone to the Policy of Russia—Pamphlet by that Statesman on "Bulgarian Horrors"—Exaggerated State
ments, False Arguments, and Dangerous Conclusions—Mr. Carlyle on Russia and Turkey—Lord Beaconsfield's Speech at
Aylesbury—Influenceof the Secret Societies—Vacillation of LordDerby—His Despatch to Sir Henry Elliot, reproving the
Sultan andhis Governmentfor their Conductin connection with the Bulgarian Massacres—Questionable Policy of that
Despatch—Developmentof English Opinion during the Autumn of 1876—Vigorous Attacks onRussia—The Turning of the
Tide
CHAPTER VI.
CommencementofaNewPhaseintheEvents—Russia coming more unreservedlyontheScene—Proposalsby theCzar fora Joint
Military Occupation of Bosnia and Bulgaria—Lord Derby on the Settlement of Affairs—Views of Austria—Protest by
Englandagainstthe Presence of Russian Volunteers in Servia—Excited State of Popular Feelingin Russia and Turkey-
EnglishPlanofReform rejectedbythePorte, whichpropounds its ownScheme—Formal DemandbyRussia on Turkey for
anArmistice of aMonthorSixWeeks—SuggestionbyTurkeyof anArmistice of Six Months—Discussion on the Subject—
TheRussianUltimatum—AcceptanceoftheShorterArmistice—Ideasofthe English Government—Pacific Assurances of the
Russian Emperor—Bad Faith of the Northern Power—Proposals by Lord Derby for a Conference—Speech of Lord
Beaconsfieldat Guildhall—Speechof theEmperor Alexanderat Moscow—DespatchofPrince Gortschakoffon the Treaty of
1856—Objects and Methods of Proceeding of the Turkish Government—Anti-Turkish Opinions of Lord Derby—Lord
Beaconsfieldand the Golos—Departureof Lord Salisburyfrom London to attend the Conference at Constantinople—His
Instructions—Suggestions for Turkish Reform, and for the obtainingof Guarantees—The "National Conference" at St.
James'sHall.....
CHAPTER VII.
JoumeyofLordSalisburytoConstantinople—His Visits to Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Rome—Opinions of the French,German,
Austrian,andItalian Governments on the Conference andits Objects—Position of Germanywithrespect to the Eastern
Question—TheAllianceofthe Three Emperors—Ambiguous Utterances of Prince Bismarck—Articleinthe AgenceRusseon
theapproaching Conference—Proposalfor aBalgianOccupationof Bulgaria—Article in the Novaya Vremia—Questionas to
whether the Christians ofTurkey were placed by the Treaty of 1856 under a European Protectorate—Mr. Gladstone's
SpeechontheSubjectintheHouseofCommons—FallacypervadingtheView usuallyaccepted—Lord Salisbury and'General
Ignatieff—FirstMeetingofthePreliminaryConferenceatConstantinople(Dec.11th)—DemandsonTurkey.formulatedby the
Powers—Austrianand Greek Objections to them—Encouragementgiven tothe South Sclavonic Element—Hesitating Atti
tudeof the English Government—Earnest Warnings of Sir HenryElliot—Evident Determination of the Turks to resist
Dictation to thelast Extremity—Russia and Turkey both arming—Appointment of Midhat Pashaas Grand Vizier—First
MeetingofthePlenaryConference(Dec. 23rd.)—Proclamation of the Turkish Constitution It|s chief Provisions—Proba
bilitiesoftheFuture—ThePlenipotentiariesattendingtheConference—ProceedingsintheEarlier*Stages of theDiscussion—
TheSultanandtheEnglishPlenipotentiary ......
CHAPTER VIII.
OpeningoftheTear1877-FourthPlenaryMeetingoftheConference-Refusalof theTurks to discuss the Chief Proposals of the
Ambassadors-InterviewofLordSalisburywith the Grand Vizier—Resort to the Language of Intimidation—Statementby
MidhatPashaof theReasons why the.Sultan couldnot accede to the Demands ofthe Powers-Counter-Proposals of the
TurkishMinister—OdianEffendi,SpecialEnvoytoLondon—SittingsoftheConferenceonthe4th,8th,and11thof January-
ComplaintsoftheTurkishPlenipotentiariesthatthedemandsofthePowersexceededtheBases ofthe EnglishProgramme-
IneffectualAttempttoanswertheirArguments—Considerable Reductionin the TermsproposedbytheSixPowers—Meeting
of the15th of January—Warnings by the Marquis of Salisbury—The New Proposals—Commissions of Control still to be
retained—IneffectualNatureoftheGuarantee—NinthMeetingoftheConference,on the 20th of January—Final Decision of
thePorte—Speech ofthe Russian Minister—Termination of the Conference, and Departure of the Ambassadors—Russian
MilitaryPreparationsandFinancialEmbarrassments—MoneyTroublesinTurkey-Popular Feelinginthe OttomanEmpire-
DebateintheGrandCouncil—HungarianSympathywithTurkey,anditsCauses—Deputationof Hungarian Students to Con-
stantinople-DilatoryProceedingsoftheTurkishGovernmentwithreferencetothePerpetratorsof the Bulgarian Massacres
—Mr.Gladstone'sPamphlet,"Lessonsin Massacre"—CharacteristicExaggerations—Actsof Reparation inthePhilippopolis
District—FailureofJustice—TheElectionsundertheNewConstitution—FallofMidhatPasha
CHAPTER IX.
Prince Gortschakoff's Circular Despatch on the Failure of the Conference-Circular Despatch of the Turkish Government-
Character of the latter Document-The Withdrawal of Sir Henry Elliot from Constantinople-Russian preparations for
attackingTurkey-SpeechesofMr.GladstoneintheBritish Parliament-TheQuestion of Treaty Obligations-Exposition of
GovernmentPolicybyMr.GathorneHardy-AmbiguousPositionoftheCabinet-PublicationatConstantinopleofaPamphlet
ontheSecretIntriguesof Russia—Conclusionof Peace with Servia—Openingofthe Ottoman Parliament-Speechfrom the
Throne—PromisesofReform-TheChancesofSuccess-DisturbedConditionofthe Ottoman Empire—Spread of Disaffection
inTurkey-AgitationintheEuropeanMoneyMarkets—ArgumentsofthePeacePartyin Russia-MissionofGeneralIgnatieff
totheEuropeanCourts—LordSalisburyandOpinionatSt.Petersburg—TheProtocol-PreliminaryDiscussions—Signatureof
theDocument—AccompanyingQualifications—PeaceorWar? ......
CHAPTER X.
RemarksontheProtocol, and the Original Designs of Russia in proposing it—Russia's Device to gain •time—Reception of th»
Protocol bythe Turkish Government—Determinationto resist its Demands—Eupture of Negotiations with Montenegro—
CONTENTS. vii
CircularoftheOttomanGovernmentinReplytotheProtocol—InterviewofMusurusPashawith LordDerby—The Emperor
ofRussiawiththeArmyinBessarabia—DepartureoftheRussianRepresentativesfromConstantinople—ArrivalofMr.Layard
asTemporaryAmbassadorfromEngland,viceSirHenryElliot—HisViewsofTurkishPolitics—RetirementofPrinceBismarck
fromtheActiveConductofGermanAffairs- Warlike Manifesto of the Emperor of Russia (April 24th)—Circular of Prince
Gortschakofftothe Five Powers—TurkishCircular in Reply—Appeal to theEighth Article of the Treaty of Paris(1856)—
Adiressofthe Sultan to his Armies—D33patchof Lord Derby to the British Ambassador at St. Petersburg(May l»t;—
VacillationandInsincerityoftheEnglishGovernment ..... ..... 113
CHAPTER XI.
CompositionoftheRussianArmy—ItsStatepreviousto 1874—Evilsand Hardships ofthe Old System—The Reformsof 1874,and
theirChiefProvisions—ExceptionstotheRulethateveryMaleisliabletoMilitaryService—HardLifeof theRussianSoldier
—System of Punishments—Military Education—Deficiency of good Officers—Virtues and Defects of Russian Troops—Dis
honestyamongtheOfficers,owing to insufficient Pay—The Cossacks—Origin and Early Services of thoseMilitaryTribes—
TheirpresentOrganizationandPositionin theRussian Army—Personal Appearance and Disposition—Strengtheningof the
RussianForcesinall Departments since 1860—Report of General Milutin, Minister of War—Russian Field Artillery—The
ArmyoftheCaucasus—GeneralLorisMelikoffandtheGrandDukeNicholas—Mr.ArchibaldForbesonthe Characteristicsof
theRussianSoldier—CorruptionandFavouritismintheMilitaryAdministration—InstancesofgrossPeculation—TheRussian
Navy—Monitors, Turret-ships, and Ironclad Vessels—Manning of the Fleet—Errors committed by the Russian Naval
Authorities—UnarmouredShipsintheRussianFleet—CharacteroftheNavalOfficersandCrews ..... 123
CHAPTER Xn.
TheTurkish Military System—Reform ofthe OttomanArmyby Mahmud IL—TheArmy an Instrument of Mohammedanism—*
Compositionofthe Forces—TheRegulars, the Reserves, andtheMilitia—MilitarySchools—Exemptionfrom Service to be
obtainedby Purchase—Character of the Turkish Soldiers—Wantof Instruction in the Officers—Defects in the Sanitary
ArrangementsoftheArmy—ImperfectDrill—Armamentof theSeveralCorps—Strengthofthe TurkishArmyintheBalkans
andArmeniaat the Outbreak of War—Composition ofthe Corps of Zaptiehs, or Military Police—The Forcesof Egypt—
Influenceof ReligiousFanaticismonMussulmanSoldiers—TheTurkishNavy—SizeandArmamentofthePrincipalIronclads
—TurkishSailorsand Commanding Officers—AdmiralHobartPashaandhisAntecedents—Defencesagainst RussianInvasion
—'TheDanube—FortressesontheSouthernBankofthatRiver—ImportanceofVarnaasaStrategicalPosition—Capabilitiesof
SchumlaasaPositionofDefence—Tirnova—GeneralCharacteroftheBalkans,withReferencetoDefence—Passesthroughthe
Mountains—TheFrontiersinAsiar—MilitaryPositionofArmenia .......... 134
CHAPTER XIII.
CrossingoftheTurkishFrontiersinEuropeandAsiabytheRussianArmies—BreachofRules,andOrganizedDuplicity—Bad Faith
oftheRoumanianGovernment—ConclusionofaSecretConventionwithRussia—PositionofHostilitytowardsTurkeyassumed
by Roumania—Circularof theOttoman Government with Respectto the Conductof Prince Charles and his Ministers-
ProgressoftheRussianTroopstowardsthe Danube—UnfavourableStateoftheWeather—Preparations foractive Hostilities
—Naval Operationsof the Turks againstRussian CoastTowns—Gallant ExploitofAdmiral Hobart Pashaonthe Danube—
EarlyOperationsinAsia—TheEmperorof Russiaat Odessa,Kieff,andMoscow—Speechto the MoscowEstates—Opinionin
Russia as to the War—Opinion in Turkey—Loyalty of the Turkish Christians—Feeling of the Greeks—Informal Replyof
Russia to the Despatch of Lord Derby—Mr.Gladstone's Resolutions—Meeting in Support of them at St. James's Hall—
Divisionin the Liberal Partyastothe Proprietyof the Course suggested—Modificationof theEesolutions—Progress ofthe
Debate—Government Statementwith RegardtoBritish Interests—DefeatofMr.Gladstone byalargeMajority—Mysterious
IntimationsofMr.Carlyle—IsolationofTurkey—SubserviencyofPersiatoRussianInterests ..... 148
CHAPTER XIV.
The War in Armenia,—Atrocities on both Sides—Rising in Abhasiar—Advance ofthe Russians—Scattered Actions—Capture of
Ardahan by the Invaders—Sukhum-Kale' taken by the Turks—Incentivesto aReligiousWar—The Armenian Christians—
Pastoral Letterof thePatriarch—Siegeof Ears—Operations againstthe Soghanli Dagh—Retreatof MukhtarPasha towards
Erzeroum—DissatisfactionatConstantinople—Advanceof GeneralLorisMelikoffthroughthePassesoftheSoghanli Dagh—
Further Retreat of the Turks—Erzeroum Imperilled—Difficulties of the Russian Position—Concentration of the Turkish
Forces—Retreatof the RussianRight—HeavyFightingbeforeKars—FurtherInsurrectionaryMovementsinAbhasia—Defeat
ofthe Turksat Zeidikan—VictoriesofMukhtarPasha—Attackonthe TurkishCentreat the SoghanliDagh—Retreatof the
Russians—FailureoftheCampaign—WithdrawaloftheInvadersfromtheiradvancedPositions—ActivePursuitbytheTurks—
ReliefofKars—Bayazidthreatenedbythe Kurds,butrelievedbyGeneral Tergukasoff—NavalOperationsinthe BlackSea-
PanicatOdessa—InactivityoftheTurkishandRussianFleets .......... 161
CHAPTER XV.
AffairsontheDanube—SlowProgress ofthe Invaders—Blowing-upofa Turkish Turret-Ship—Taking ofaGunboat—Sinkingofa
Monitor by a Russian Torpedo—Turkish Apathy—Misconduct of the War—Debate in the Chamber of Deputies at Con-
stantinople—Agitation among the Sottas—AddressoftheMetropolitanof Kischeneffto the Emperorof Russia—Addressof
theSultantothe ExpeditionaryForce sentagainst Sukhum-Kal^—TheReligious Question—Mohammedansand Christians—
Decreeof the Prophet,granting completeTolerationto Christian Subjects—Disregardof theRules there laiddown—Causes
tendingtothedevelopmentofFanaticism—TheCzarandtheRoumanians—VisitoftheServianPrincetotheRussianEmperor
atPloyesti—ExplanationstothePorte—DisaffectedStateofBulgaria—MilitaryOperationsinMontenegroandtheHerzegovina
—DespatchofLordDerbytoCountSchouvaloffonEnglishInterestsinconnectionwiththeWar—ReplyofPrinceGortschakoff
ontheMotivesandDesignsofRussia—TheTemptationsofAmbitionandSuccess ....... 171
W3 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVI.
FirstCausesof the Rivalrybetween Turksand Russians—Historyof Russia—Aboriginal Sarmatian Tribes—Originofthe Russian
Nationality—Conquestof Novgorodby Rurik,theScandinavian—Attackson Constantinople bythe RussiansinearlyTimes—
Prophecy with respect to the Imperial City—Conversion of Olga to Christianity—Eeign of Sviatoslaf—The Grand Duke
VladimirandhisReforms—AnarchysucceedinghisDeath—ReignofTaroslaf—VladimirMonomachosandhisLastTestament
—Primitive Kingshipandits Duties—Martial CharacteroftheRussianAnnals—Novgorod anException—Establishmentofa
FreeRepublicanGovernmentinthatCity—PowerandInfluenceofNovgorod—DecayofitsProsperity—PresentAppearanceof
theTown—RussiainvadedbytheMongolTartars—Ravagesof the GoldenHorde—VassalageoftheRussianPrincestoTartar
Khans—Defeatof the Tartarson theRiverDon—Dissensionamong theirCommunities—Magnificenceof theirCapital on the
LowerVolga—Their Tolerationof Christianity—Humiliationof theRussianPrinces—IvanVasilivitch,FirstCzarof Muscovy
—Inglorious Reign of Vasilii Ivanovitch—Strange Career of Ivan the Terrible—Bad and Good Deeds ofthat Monarch—
Developmentof Civilisationin Russiain the Sixteenth Century—Intercourse between the Russians andthe Englishat that
Period—Admiration of Queen Elizabeth at the Russian Court—Character of the Muscovites early in the Seventeenth
Century ..................
CHAPTER XVH.
Russian Historycontinued—Feodor I. andthe Dictator Boris Godunof—AllegedAssassinationofthe ChildDimitri,Heir to the
Throne—Different Versions of the Story—Military Services of Boris—Legalisation of the System of Serfage—Death of
FeodorI.—Distracted State of Russia during a Period of Interregnum—Politic Conduct of Boris—His Acceptance of the
ThroneattheRequestofthePeople—IncidentsofhisReign—LiberalandDespoticMeasures—TemporarySuccesses,followed
by Famine andAnarchy—Appearance in Polandof "the False Dimitri"—Extraordinary Statement of the Pretender to the
Russian Throne—His Claims supportedby Poland—His Entry idto Russiaat the Headof a small PolishArmy—Military
Successes—Death of Boris—Dimitri enters Moscow in Triumph, and succeeds to the Crown—Unpopularity of His Rule—
Outbreakof aConspiracy,andMurderof Dimitri—AnotherPeriodofAnarchy—AppearanceoffreshClaimantstotheThrone
—Electionof the Firstof the Romanoffs—Ceremonies at the Inaugurationofthe Russian Czars—Oriental Splendourof the
Muscovite Court—Invasionof Russiabythe Poles and Swedes—Warswiththe Cossacks and Turks—Social Reforms ofthe
EmperorAlexis—EarlyIncidentsintheReignof PetertheGreat—CharacterofthatMonarch—BarbarousConditionofRussia
inhis Days—Ambitionof Peter tomake hisCountrya great Naval Power—HisVisitsto HollandandtoEngland—Building
of St.Petersburg—Assumption byPeterofthe TitleofEmperor—SuspiciousDeathofhis Eldest Son,Alexis—TheExtreme
DespotismofPeter'sGovernment,anditsEffectsonModernRussianHistory—ReignsoflaterSovereigns . . .
CHAPTER XVIII.
RussianHistorycontinued—ConspiracyoftheEmpressCatharineagainsther Husband—PeterIII.deposed,andshortlyafterwards
murdered—Reforms instituted byCatharine—Her Policywithrespect to Poland—Previous Historyofthat Country—Noble
CareerofJohn Sobieski—His Defeatofthe TurksbeforetheWallsof Vienna—Miserable Conditionof Poland,owing to the
Predominanceof theAristocracy—IneffectualAttemptsof Sobieski to introduce Reforms—Decline ofthe PolishPower,and
Subserviency of the Countryto Russia—Reignof Stanislaus Augustus—Religious Oppression by the Roman Catholics, and
Interferenceof the Empress Catharine—League of Russia, Prussia, andAustria, against Poland—Partitionof thatCountry
in 1772, 1793, and 1795—SubsequentHistory of Poland—Despotic Ruleof Russia,and Fruitless Attempts at Insurrection—
PresentStateofthePolishNationality—DomesticPolicyofCatharine—ReignsofPaul,AlexanderI.,andNicholas—Accession
of the Present Sovereign—Emancipation of the Serfs—Enormous Extension of Russian Power—Social Condition of the
Empire ..................
CHAPTER XIX.
Historyof the Turks—Originofthe Raceinthe Deserts ofTartary—Their Settlement betweenthe Euxine and Caspian Seas—
Associationofthe Turkswiththe Saracens,leadingtotheir Conversionto Mohammedanism—Establishmentof theTurkish
Power in Asia Minor—Successful Career of Ertoghrul—Conquests of Othman, or Osman—The Capital of the Turkish
Dominions fixedat Broussa—Declineofthe Greek Empire—Its DistractedConditionintheFourteenthCentury—The Turks
invitedintoEurope,toassistaClaimanttotheThroneofConstantinople—TheirConquestsunderOrchanandhisSuccessors—
Crushing Defeatof the Christians at Kossova, in Servia—Death of Amurath I.—Formation of the Corps of Janizaries-
Corruption of Turkish Manners—Martial Career of Sultan Bayazid, or Bajazet—His DefeatbyTimur, the Tartar Khan—
InterregnuminTurkey—ReignofMohammedI.—AmurathII.andhisAchievements—His ContestswiththeChristiansunder
John Huniades—Bad Faithof the Hungarians andtheir Allies—Terrific Defeatofthe Christians at Varna,in 1444—Extra
ordinary Career of Scanderbeg—Death of Amurath II.—Political Condition of the Turkish Empire in the Middle of the
FifteenthCentury—RecentReforms—EnergyoftheTurksundertheRuleofMohammedII. .....
CHAPTER XX
TurkishHistorycontinued—CommencementoftheReignofMohammedII.—HissecretPolicywithrespecttotheEasternEmpire-
Degraded Condition of Constantinople—Projects of Mohammed for Conquering the City—He builds a Fortress on the
EuropeanSideoftheBosphorus,withaViewtoclosingtheStraits—RemonstrancesoftheEmperorConstantine—Threatening
Replyof the Sultan—Warlike Preparations—EnormousCannoncast atAdrianople—ArbitraryActionsof Mohammed—Fatal
Apathyofthe Byzantines—Attemptof theEmperorto effecta Unionofthe Greek and LatinChurches—AncientByzantium
andModern Constantinople—Surroundings of the City—Its Defences at the Timeof MohammedII.—Preparations for the
Attack—Splendid Appearance of the Sultan's Army—Spirited Defence of the Constantinopolitans—Progress of the Siege—
Arrivalof GreekVessels tothe Reliefofthe Citizens, and Defeatof the Turkish Galleys—The Ottoman Fleetearnedover-
landto the Golden Horn—Dissensions in the City—Futile Negotiations between the Emperor andthe Sultan—The Grand
Assaultordered—Capture of Constantinople on the 29th of May, 1453—Death ofthe Emperor Constantine—Treatment of
the Cityand of the Inhabitants by the Sultan—The Imperial Family of the Palajologi—Effects on Europeof the Fallof
Constantinople ..•••••••.......,
CONTENTS. Ll
CHAPTER XXI. paok
TurkishHistorycontinued—EffectsoftheFallofConstantinople—BalancebetweenIslamismandChristianitytemporarilyimpaired,
but soon restored—Conquestof Greece byMohammed II.—Suppressionofthe Empireof Trebizond—Martial Careerof the
Sultan—His Reverses and hisVictories—Characterof the Man andof his Eeign—Feeble Eule of BayazidII.—CivilWarin
Asia—Incidentsinthe ReignofBayazid—MutinousSpiritof theJanizaries—TreacherousCrueltyoftheSultan—Depositionof
Bayazid—WarwithPersiaunderSelimI.—PersecutionoftheShiites—Conquestof Syria andEgypt—ExtraordinarySeries of
Triumphs—SuccessionoftheSultantotheSpiritualPerogativesofthe Caliphs—Preparations fortheConquestofPersia,and
Deathof Selim—The Two Barbarossas,andtheir Conquestof Algiers—MilitaryAchievementsof SolymantheMagnificent—
Terror inspiredbythe OttomanNavy—PoliticalRuleof Solyman—His Merits asaSovereign—FeebleCharacterof SelimII.
—Depredations of the Barbary Pirates on the Christian Countries of the Mediterranean—The Battle of Lepanto—Great
.Defeatof theOttomans—ResultsoftheChristianVictorylostbyWantof Energy and Cohesion—Secret TreatywithVenice
—The Declineof Turkish Power to be dated from the Reignof SelimII.—Causesof thatDecline,as indicatedbyvarious
Historians .................. 247
CHAPTER XXIL
TurkishHistorycontinued—Declineof TurkeyasaConquering Power—Developmentof IndolenceandSensuality—TheFallof the
TurkishEmpireanticipatedintheFirstHalf of the Seventeenth Century—SpeculationsofDr.Heylyn—PredatoryIncursions
of the Cossacks—Warwith Persia—Characterof AmurathIV.—Recoveryof the European Powers fromtheirDepression—
TurbulenceoftheJanizaries—AccumulatedDisasters—EnglishEmbassytoConstantinoplein the Reignof CharlesII.—Paul
Rycaut'sAccountoftheTurksatthat Period—TurkishFearof theRussiansintheSecondHalfof the Seventeenth Century
—Causes of Turkish Decay, according to Rycaut—Treatment of the Christians—Contemptuous Toleration and Harsh
Obstruction—Renegadesfrom Christianity—TheAustrian Empire as a RivaltotheOttoman Power—Waronthe Danube—
HeroicEffortsof MustaphaII.—ThePeaceof Carlowitz—ReignofAchmetIII.—WarbetweenRussia andTurkey(1768-74)—
The Treaty of Kainardji—Commencement of the Russian Protectorate over the Eastern Christians—Amelioration in the
Condition of the Christians antecedent to Russian Interference—Predominance of Russia in the East—Acquisitionofthe
Crimea—Warof1787-91—Misfortunesof the Turks—The TreatyofJassy—RussiaintheBlackSea—CivilWarintheTurkish
Empire—Invasion of Egypt by the French under Bonaparte—Turkey at War with England and Russia—TheReforms of
SelimIII.—DepositionandMurderofSelim—BriefReignofMustaphaIV. ........ 263
CHAPTER XXin.
Turkish History continued—TurbulentCommencement of the Reignof MahmudII.—RisingoftheJanizaries—Destructionofthe
PalaceoftheGrandVizier,andDeathofBaTraktar—TheSultanbesiegedintheSeraglio—DesperateFightinginthe Streetsof
Constantinople—Assassination of Mustapha and his Women—Restoration of Tranquillity—Proposed Conditionsof Peace
between Russiaand Turkey—Serious Reverses of the latter—The Peaceof Bucharest (May,1812)—DistractedConditionof
the Turkish Empire—Romantic Careerof Ali Pasha—Commencementof the RevoltinGreece—Claimsof theGreekRace—
Ineffectual Rising—The Movement in the Morea—Spread of the RebellionoverotherPartsof Greece—Enthusiasmforthe
GreekCauseinEngland—ShelleyandByron—ProgressoftheStruggle—FerocityoftheCombatantsonbothsides—Intervention
byEngland,France,andRussia—RefusalbySultanMahmudtoacceptTermsfromthePowers—TheBattleofNavarino,andits
Results—InternalReformsoftheSultan—Destructionof the Janizaries—TheTreatyofAkerman—RenewedWarwithRussia
—Disastersof1828-9—ThePeaceofAdrianople—ActionofEnglandinOppositiontoRussia—TroubleswithEgypt—TheTreaty
ofUnkiar-Skelessi—DeathofMahmudII 275
CHAPTER XXIV.
TurkishHistoryconcluded—AccessionofAbdul-Medjid—Progress ofAffairs in Syria andEgypt—The Hatti-Sherif of November,
1839,confirmingandenlargingthe Reforms of the late Sultan—Negotiations with Mehemet Ali—Interposition of England,
Russia,Austria,andPrussia—ActionoftheFourAlliedPowersinSyria—SubmissionofMehemetAli—SingularCareerofthat
Ruler—TolerationinTurkeyunder the Sceptre of Abdul-Medjid—Favourable Opinion of Lord Shaftesbury in 1854—Social
ReformsandDevelopmentofProsperity—PositionofTurkey towards the Rest of Europe—The Sultan and the Hungarian
Refugees—DesignoftheEmperorNicholas—HissoundingoftheBritish Government in 1844—The Dispute between France
andRussiawithRespecttotheGuardianshipof the HolyPlaces(1850-53)—ExtravagantDemands of Russia—Ultimatum of
PrinceMenschikoff—HisRetirement fromConstantinopleontheRejectionoftheRussianDemands byTurkey—Manifesto of
theCzar—CrossingofthePruth bytheRussians—UnitedAction of France and England—Position ofNapoleon III.—Pre
liminaries oftheWarof 1853-6—TurkishDisasterat Sinope—RussianAdvances towards England—SirHamiltonSeymour's
ConversationswiththeCzarabout"theSickMan"—DeclarationofWarbyFranceandEnglandagainstRussia—TheCrimean
Warandthe Peaceof1856—SubsequentConditionofTurkey .......... 287
CHAPTER XXV.
Relative Strength of the Turkish and Russian Empiresin1877—Decayof Turkish Prosperity, owing to Misgovemment—Good
Qualities of the Osmanlis—Opinions with regard to Turkey previous to the CrimeanWar,and before theWarof1877-8—
SpeechesofMr.Cobden,LordPalmerston, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Bright, andMr. Layard (1853-54)—Divisionin the Cabinetof
LordAberdeen,andinthatofLordBeaconsfield—PositionoftheRussianEmperorintheSummer of 1877—Preparations for
theInvasionofBulgaria—CrossingoftheDanubeatGalatz—FightingontheSouthernShore—TheTurksdrivenback—Evacua
tion of Matchin—Retirement of theTurks fromthe Northern Part of the Dobrudscha—Bombardment of Rustchuk—The
HospitalandtheConsulatescannonadedbytheRussians—ProtestbythePorteagainstRussianOutrages—Proclamationofthe
CzartotheBulgarians—PlansforafurtherCrossingoftheRiver—ConditionoftheDanubeanditsBanksatSimnitza—Passing
oftheStreamonJune27thbyGeneralDragomiroff—HeavyFighting on the Shore—March of Reinforcements under Prince
Mirsky—RetreatoftheTurks,andOccupationofSistovabytheRussians—AmbulanceArrangementsof the Invaders—Opera
tionsatTurnaMagurelle—Fightbetween a Turkish Monitor and FourRussian Torpedo-Boats—Pillage of Sistova by the
Bulgarians—FurtherPassageoftheDanube—TheFirstLineofDefenceabandonedbyTurkey . . . . .299
X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVL pagb
BulgarianOpinionwithregardtotheRussiansattheCommencementoftheWar—TestimonyofMr.LayardastotheLoyaltyofthe
Bulgarians—TheRussiansand the Turkish Parliament—Design of the Czar on Turkish Territory—The Moscow Sclavonic
BenevolentSociety—ItsAffiliationontheGovernment—SpeechofM.Aksakoff,declaringtheRealObjectsof theAssociation
—RussianIntriguesinGreece—Mr.ArchibaldForbesontheCharacteroftheNorthernBulgarians—Self-restraintoftheTurks
inquittingSistovaandotherTowns—Character of the Russian Army—Use of the Lash—Colonel Wellesley and the Grand
Duke Nicholas—Opening of the Servian Parliament in July, 1S77—Servia and Russia—Agitationin Constantinople—The
Egyptian Contingent—Reprehensible Conductofthe Turkish Government—The Russian Advance—Mismanagement in the
InvadingArmy—SackingofBiela—OccupationofTirnovabytheRussians—ExtraordinaryApathyofthe Turks—Receptionof
theInvadersbythe Bulgarians—Fear of Disturbances at Constantinople—Destruction of Yeni-Zaghra—Proceedings ofthe
RussiansontheRiverLorn—TheWaningSummer,andtheProspectsoftheAutumnandWinter . . . . .311
CHAPTER XXVLL
RussianAttackon Nicopolis—Prolongedand Desperate Fighting—Capture of the Town—Turkish Impassiveness—Hassan Pasha
beforetheEmperorAlexander—PanicintheImperialEncampment—EstablishmentofaRussianGovernmentinBaLiiria—M.
AksakoffandOpinioninEngland—TheTurkishGovernmentandtheSuez Canal—Despatch of British Vessels toBesika Bay
—ExplanationsoftheEnglishGovernmentintheHouseofCommons—ExpeditionofGeneralGourkoacrosstheElenaBalkans
—HisEncounter with the Turks nearOsman Bazar—Occupationofthree of the Balkan Passes—Explorations of Prince
Tserteleff—Actions with the Ottoman Troops—General Gourko at Kezanlik—Fightingin the Shipka Pass—Defeatofthe
Turks,and Desertionof their Camp—General Skobeleffthe Younger—Extraordinary Apathy of the Turks—Mutilation of
WoundedRussians—CollateralExpeditionsofGeneralGourko—RiflingofTurkishHouses bythe Bulgarians—Changes inthe
TurkishCommands—SuleimanPasha—RumoursofPeaceandRealitiesof War—English Troops sent to Malta—Three Days*
FightingbeforePlevna,andDefeatoftheRussians—AffairsinMontenegroandBosnia—OperationsatSea—Combat betweena
RussianMerchantmanandaTurkishIronclad—IrritationinRussiaagainstEngland ....... 326
CHAPTER XXVm.
The Tide beginning to turn—Operations of Osman Pasha—TakingofLoftchaby the Turks—March of General GourkotoYeni-
Zaghra,andCaptureoftheTown—RenewedFightingwiththeTurks—CrushingDefeatoftheBulgarianLegionatEski-Zaghra
—DisastrousRetreatofGeneralGourkototheNorthernsideoftheBalkans—FortificationoftheShipkaandHainkoiPasses—
RiseofaSpiritofMutualExasperation—AFoolishProphecy—Accusations bythe Turkish Governmentagainst the Russian
Soldiers—ConfirmationsfromOfficialSourcesoftheTruthof those Statements—The Wounded Mussulmans inthe Rasgrad
Hospital—MassacresofMohammedansinvariousLocalities—PanicandFlight—Testimony of English NewspaperCorrespon
dents—Outrages on Women—Disingenuous Arguments—Evidence contained in Parliamentary Papers—Ferocity of the
Bulgarians—Character of the Russian Soldier—Atrocities committed by the Turks against the Russians—Massacres at
KavarnnandYeni-Zaghra—Horrible Scenes—Mutilationof the DeadandWoundedintheShipka Pass—DreadfulIncidents
in various Partsof EuropeanTurkey—Massacre by Kurds at Bayazid,inAsia— Both Belligerents guilty ofMurder and
Outrage .................. 341
CHAPTER XXIX.
RussianEdictsinBulgaria—HIFeelingbetweenthe Bulgarians andRoumanians—Commissionforthe Punishment of Offenders—
MehemetAliPashaandhisPreviousCareer—CharacterofSuleimanPasha—OpinioninAustriawithreferenceto theDevelop
mentsoftheWar—ReinforcementsoftheRussianArmysentto the Vicinity of Plevna—PositionofOsman Pasha—General
SkobelefftheYounger—PreparationsforthegreatBattleof Plevna—The Orderof Advance on the Morning of July 31st—
SevereArtillery Fighting—Movementof Schahofskoy's Infantry onthe EntrenchedPositions of the Tairks—A Desperate
Enterprise—MagnificentChargeofthe Russians—Temporary Success, followedby Failure—Disastrous Defeat—Sufferingsof
theWounded—TheRussianArmy shatteredandforcedto retire to New Positions—Urgent Necessity for Reinforcements—
MistakesintheManagementof the Campaign—Consternation in Roumania—The Imperial Guardsummonedto the Seatof
War—LossesbySicknessandFatigue—AffairsintheDobrudscha—TheFugitivesinAdrianople—CharitableOrganizationsfor
the Relief of Distress—Contributionsin England towards the Mitigation of Sufferingon both Sides—The Triumph of
ModernCivilisation ................ 354
CHAPTER XXX.
SeriousPositionofthe Russians—Errors in their Tactics—Incapacity of General Krudener—Reconnaissance against Loftcha—
BraveryofGeneralSkobeleff—TheRussianForces in the Second Week ofAugust—ViolentRains, and Sickness amongthe
Troops—Bad Sanitary Arrangementsinthe Camps—The Russian Reinforcements—Movementsof theTurks, indicating an
IntentiontoassumetheOffensive—TheMilitaryPositionintheShipkaPass—General Character of the Pass—The Russians
attackedon theMorningofthe 21st of August—Renewed Fighting on the 22nd—Desperate Struggle on the 23rd—The
Russians nearly overwhelmed—Arrivalof Reinforcements—TheBattleofthe 24th—Partial Repulseofthe Turks—Devotion
oftheRussianMedicalStaff—ServicesofNewspaperCorrespondents—Mr.Archibald Forbes and the Czar—The Struggle for
the Shipka Pass resumed on the 25th of Augustandtwo followingDays—SplendidQualities exhibited bybothBelligerents
—Withdrawal of Suleiman Pn-sha—Distress in Russia—Roumanian Discontent with Russian Policy—Evils of Paper
Currency—ProlongedFightingwiththeArmy of MehemetAli—Defeat of the Russians—General PostureofAffairsat the
CloseoftheSummer .............
CHAPTER XXXI.
TheCampaigninAsia—RelativePositionsoftheRussiansand Turksin the Middle of July—Defences of Erzeronm—Embarrass
mentsof the Russians—TheArmenian Fugitives—Abandonment of the Siege of Kars—Proceedings of Mukhtar Pasha—
CONTENTS. 3d
Reconnaissance ofTurkish Cavalry on the 17th of July—Encounter on the 18th—Alterations in the Military Positions-
Fightingon July26th—Fresh Positions gained by the Turks—Russian Attack on Great Yahni—Inhuman Conduct of the
TurkishIrregulars—FirmnessofMukhtarPashainrepressingAtrocities—Occupationofthe Ruins ofAniby the Russians-
Actionof the 18thofAugust—ProlongedFighting,andRepulseoftheAssailants bythe Turks—Russian Official Account of
theBattle—DesultoryMovements—TurkishAttackontheKizilTep£—TheHillwrestedfromthe Russians—Severe Fighting
foritsRecovery—TheTurksdrivenfromtheOpenGround,butleftinPossessionoftheHill—PatriotismofanArabianWoman
—ImprovementintheTurkishPosition—Punishmentof the AbhasiansbyaRussianColumn—BurningofVillages—Mr.Glad
stoneandtheGreeks—CorrespondencewithM.Negroponte—Mr.LayardandtheCorrespondentoftheDailyTelegraph—Debate
inParliament ................. 383
CHAPTER XXXH.
RelativePosition of theRussiansandTurksafterthe StrugglefortheShipkaPass—OperationsoftheArmy of the Czarewitch on
the Lom—General Leonoff at Karahassankoi—Attackbythe Russians onthe 30th ofAugust—Prolonged and Sanguinary
Struggle—SplendidResistanceoftheRussiansagainst Superior Numbers—General Eetreat along the whole Line—Fighting
renewedonthe31st—TakingofKadikoibytheTurks—PerilsoftheRussianPosition—Advanceofthe Turks towards Biela—
SeizingoftheBridgeatPyrgos—SortiefromPlevnabytheArmyof OsmanPasha—The Russians surprised—Hard Fighting,
and Defeat of the Turks—Address of Prince Charles of Roumaniato hisTroops—StateofAffairs inthe Shipka Puss—
Importance of the Position to the Russians—Retaking of Loftcha by Generals Imeretinsky and Skobeleff—Gallant
CaptureofaTurkishRedoubt—RetreatoftheTurksinaWesterlyDirection—PreparationsforaRenewedAttackonPlevna—
TheMilitarySituationbeforethatTownonthe6thofSeptember—IneffectualFightingonthe 7th—The Struggleresumedon
the 8th—Power of the Russian Artillery—Causes of the Failureof the Russian Attack on the Grivica Redoubt—Further
Movements on the8thofSeptember—DesultoryEncounters onthe9th—An Eventless Day—HopefulAnticipations for the
Morrow .................. 396
chapter xxxrn.
TheRussianAttackonPlevnaofthe11thofSeptember—Fightingin a Thick Mist—Temporary Success, and Ultimate Failure,of
Kriloff'sandKriideuer'sDivisions—Mr.MacGahan'sAccountoftheStruggle—Successful Attack on the Grivica Redoubt by
the Roumanians—The Krishine Redoubt, and Another, taken by Skobeleff—Terrible Slaughter—Subsequent Loss of the
PositionsbytheRussians—ExcitementandDespairof Skobeleff—BadStateof the Russian Army—Gloomy Prospects inthe
SecondHalfofSeptember—MilitaryQualitiesoftheRussians—MismanagementoftheCampaign—Inefficiency of the General
Staff-—DiscontentatSt.Petersburg—DeclineintheReputationofRussiaasaMilitaryPower—TheReactioncarried too far—
EffectofTurkishAtrocitiesontheFirmnessoftheRussianSoldier—ProbableMotivesoftheTurksinWagingaWarofExter
mination—WithdrawaloftheRussiansfromtheiradvanced Positionsbefore Plevna,—Preparations fora Winter Campaign-
AttemptsofGeneralKrilofEtointerceptSuppliesfortheGarrisonofPlevna,—FailureofhisOperations—TheTownrevictualled
—TotalAbsenceofEnergyonthePartoftheInvaders—DoubtsastotheUltimateSuccessofRussia . . . .410
CHAPTER XXXIV.
DisturbancesinCrete,Thessaly,andEpirus—AddressofKossuthtothe Hungarians—AdviceoftheLondonPoles to the People of
Bulgaria,—TheProcessofdragooningintoFreedom—MidhatPashaandtheParisPositivists—FruitlessDiscussions—Speechof
LordGranvilleatBradfordontheEasternQuestion—HisViewsofRussianandofTurkishPolicy—StateofAffairsatConstan-
tinople—RemonstrancesofEuropean Powerswiththe PorteontheTreatmentof Offenders—Indiscriminate Hangings—"A
TurkishJournalist" ontheProspectsofPeace,andontheDesertionofTurkeybyEngland—Dangerto Europeofan Autono
mousBulgaria—TheWarinMontenegro and the Herzegovina—Bombardment of Nicsics, and Capitulation of the Place-
RenewedAttackbySuleimanPashaontheShipkaPass—FightingatMountSt.Nicholas—Defeat oftheTurks—Panic among
theIrregulars—MilitarySituationintheValleyoftheLom—PositionoftheCzarewitchontheLineoftheJantra—TheBattle
ofKairkoi—AttackbytheTurks,andsevereDefeat—WithdrawalofMehemetAli—Incidents ofthe Day—Continued Retreat
oftheTurkishArmy'—RelativePositionoftheOpponentsattheCommencementofOctober...... 421
CHAPTER XXXV.
AutumninBulgaria—FailureofSupplies—Characterof theCountry about the Lom—Playing at Hide-and-Seek—-Dreary Weather
—MismanagementanditsPenalties—VengefulnessoftheBulgarianPeasantry—Mr.Layardonthe Extermination of Mussul
mans—TheBaronessBurdett-Courts'sFundfortheReliefofTurkishWomen and Children—AdministrationofReliefinthe
Balkans—AliSuaviEffendiontheTreacheryandtheDecayofEngland—MehemetAlisucceededintheChiefCommand of the
EuropeanArmiesbySuleimanPasha—Causesof Mehemet's Fall—Depression at Constantinople—Bad Effects of the War—
StateofRussianFinance—ComingExhaustionoftheMilitaryResourcesofTurkey—Expeditionof theVestaand theVladimir
torescuewoundedSoldiersinAbhasia—AgitationinHungary—Statement intheDiet by M. Tisza—Plot inTransylvania for
aidingtheTurks—FeelinginGreece—PositionoftheHellenicKingdomtowardsTurkeyandRussia—DisturbancesinThessaly
—OpinionsexpressedbyaGreek Paper published at Constantinople—Declaration of M. Tricoupis—Attempts at Mediation
suggestedbytheEnglishGovernment—ViewsofAustriaandGermany—Sympathyofthe German Emperorwiththe Russian
Cause—AttitudeoftheTurksandoftheSultan—DissatisfactionatSt.Petersburg—SeizureofaSeditiousPamphlet—Persecu
tionof theUniateChristians ................ 432
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The EasternQuestionfromaEuropeanPointofView—OpinionsofM.ThiersinNovember,1876—EnglandandtheRoadtotheEast
—An ImpracticableProgramme—TheDangerof aGeneralConflagration—FerocityoftheSclaves—Bulgarian Crueltiesonthe
SouthernSlopesof the Balkans—Detailsof Murderand Outrage—Persecutionof Jews byBulgarians—ATragicNarrative-
Tolerationasexercisedbythe Turksand bythe EasternChristians—ThePrincipleandPracticeof Non-intervention—Prince
Gortschakoff'sViewsonthe Subjectin1856—TheTitleof "Ghazi"conferredonMukhtarandOsmanPashas—The Campaign
inAsia—ReinforcementoftheRussianArmyinArmenia—SignsofapproachingOperations—CavalrySkirmishes—Plansof the
Grand Duke Michael—Neglect of Mukhtar Pasha to guard againstaforwardMovement—DeterminationoftheRussiansto
assaultthe Little Yahni—The Battleof October2nd—Captureof theGreatYahnibytheRussians—FailureoftheAttack in
xii CONTENTS.
PAGE
other Quarters—GhastlySceneson theSummitofthe GreatYahni—Ineffectual OperationsagainsttheAladja.Dagh—Attack
bythe'TurksontheKarajalCamp—BrilliantSuccessesoftheRussians—EngagementinthedirectionofSoubatan—Evacuation
of the GreatYahiii—RussianandTurkishLossesduringtheOperationsearlyinOctober—MiserableStateof Kars-Defective
ArrangementsfortheSuccouroftheSickandWounded . . . . . . . • • • 446
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Previous Career of AhmedMukhtar Pashar—His Services in Montenegro,Arabia,and other Parts—Honourable Features in his
Character—MilitaryVirtuesof the Turkish Soldier—Testimonyof RussianWoundedintheHospitalof Odessa—Withdrawal
of Mukhtar Pasha from his advanced Positions—Expedition of General Lazareff towards the Rear of the Turkish Head
quarters—Disproportionof the Turkish and Russian Forces—Advanceof the GrandDukeMichael-HeavyBombardment—
Progress of the FlankingMovement—Lazareff in the Rear of the TurkishArmy—Description of the Ground—Action of
October14th—Plans foraSimultaneousAttack—OperationsagainsttheOlyaTepeon the15th—ThePositioncarried—Capture
of Vezinkeui—Abandonment by the Turks of the Aladja Dagh and Little Yahni—Panic-stricken Flight towards Kars—
Prisoners of Distinction—Incidents of the Final Collapse—State of Kars, and its Military Position with Reference to
Defence—RetreatofMukhtarPashatotheSoghanliDagh—Movementsof IsmailPasha—Junctionof hisForceswiththoseof
the Commander-in-Chief—Continued Retreat of the Turkish Army—The New Position onthe Deve-Boyun, in Front of
Erzeroum—PreparationsatErzeroumforresistingtheRussians—Energyof FaiziPasha—SurpriseandRoutofIsmailPasha's
Troops—Despatch of Reinforcements to Erzeroum—The Military Position on the Deve-Boyun—Expulsion of Newspaper
Correspondents ...........•••••• ^58
CHAPTER XXXVIIL
GeneralTodlebenentrustedwiththeInvestmentofPlevna—ChangesintheRussianCommands—CharacterofOsmanPasha—Plevna
anditsFortifications—LifeatGornyStuden,theImperialHead-quarters—DailyRoutineoftheEmperorAlexander—Kindness
to the SickinHospital—RussianHostilitytoEngland—Opinionsof Prince Tcherkasskiwith respectto the Progressofthe
War—Stateof Bulgaria—DesperateConditionof theRoads—DamagetotheBridgesofBoats—TheRussianReinforcements-
Captureof a RussianConvoybyMehemet Pasha—Arrangementsbythe RussiansforaWinter'sCampaign—Destruction of a
TurkishGunboatbyTorpedoes—Takingof GornyDubnikbyGeneralGourko—TheInvestmentof Plevnarenderedmorestrict
—Concentration of the Russian Fire—Capture of Teliche and Dolny Dubnik—Completion of the Investment of Plevna—
Improved Prospects of the Russian Invasion—Serious Position of Osman Pasha—Gallant Achievement of Skobeleff—A
PositionsecuredwithintheRussianLines—Captureof VratzabyGourko—TurkishWomenandChildrendrivenintoPlevna—
DeathofPrinceSergiusofLeuchtenberg—ThePointatwhichEmperorsbegintofeel....... 469
CHAPTER XXXIX
AgitationinConstantinople—PositionofMahmud Damat Pasha,the Sultan's Brother-in-Law—Supposed ConspiracyinFavourof
Murad—InterviewoftheSultanwith EnglishMembersof Parliament—HisViewsof Reform—TheConsularCourtsinTurkey
—OpinioninEnglandontheFutureofTurkeyandtheDesignsofRussia—LordMayor'sDayattheGuildhall—Speechesofthe
GreekForeignMinisterandLordBeaconsfield—VacillationsoftheEnglish Government—FeelingintheEast—Mr.Gladstone
at Holyhead—UtterancesofLord HartmgtonandMr.Bright—BritishInterests andtheir Critics—ATurkishJournalon the
Betrayal of Turkey by England—The Ottomans and the Roman Catholics—Anti-Russian Feeling at the Vatican—The
UndevelopedRichesof Russia—FurtherOpinionsofMr.Gladstone—TheDangerof Muscovite Predominance—Virtuesof the
EussianSoldiery—Kindnessof the Turks—Exaggerationsof Partisanship—The Menof theImperialGuard,andtheirEquip
ment—Superiorityof the Turkish tothe Eussian Armsof Precision—Unpopularityof theWar in Eoumania—Intentionsof
Russia towards Roumanian Bessarabia—Antagonism between the Roumaniansand Bulgarians—TheSternHandof Military
Despotism—PreparationsofServiaforenteringintotheWar—RevivaloftheInsurrectioninBosnia .... 482
CHAPTER XL.
Condition of Plevna—Objects of Osman Pasha inholding the Position—TheRussianLineofInvestment—Arrivalof Reservesat
Constantinople—Horrors of the Roadbetween Plevna and Teliche—Stateof the Wounded in the Beleaguered Town—The
EnglishDoctorsandOsmanPasha—TreatmentoftheDjjuredTurkishSoldiers—PlevnaanditsInhabitantsduringtheSiege—
Bad Management of the Russian Soldiers in Camp—Gloomy Weather—A Jewish Sorceress—Approaching Exhaustion of
Osman'sResources—MukhtarPashaontheDeve-Boyun—AdvanceoftheRussians—FlankingMovementofGeneralHermann—
Attack on the Turkish Left and Right—The Assaultrepulsed—CavalryDemonstration against the Centre of the Turkish
Position—AnUnsuspectedAmbush—SuddenAppearanceoftheRussianInfantry—UtterDefeatoftheTurks,andTumultuous
RetreatonErzeroum—Terrible Stateofthe City—Hopefulnessof MukhtarPasha—ResolutiontoDefendtheFortresstothe
Last—SiegeWorkscommencedbytheRussians—Lieutenant-ColonelTarnaieff,andhisProjectforenteringErzeroum—Attack
ontheAziziWorks—TemporarySuccess,andultimateRepulse—HorribleTreatmentoftheWounded—RenewedAttackonthe
Forts—SecondFailure,andChangeofTactics—Erzeroumcompletelyinvested ........ 494
CHAPTER XLI.
BlockadeofKars—CapabilitiesofDefence—MovementsoftheGrandDukeMichael—TemporarySeizureofFort Hafiz Pasha—Bom
bardmentoftheCityand itsWorks—DiscouragementoftheGarrison—RussianCouncilofWar—Determinationtoassault the
Fortress—DispositionsfortheAttackonthe Evening of November 17th—The Forward March—InadequateDefence of the
City—DesperateFightingattheKhanliFort—ScalingoftheKaradaghbytheRussians—SeductionofKarsontheMorningof
the18th—TriumphalEntry oftheGrandDuke Michael—AllegedTreacheryonthe Partofa Turkish Officer—The Storyof
Hassan Bey—Effectofthe Fallof Kars at Constantinople andinother Places—Eussian Bejoicings—Divine Service and a
SalvoofArtillery—Proposaltomarchacross AsiaMinor to Constantinople—Movement of General Melikoff on Erzeroum—
OperationsofHeimannbeforethatCity—ExpeditionofKomaroff—PreparationsofMukhtarPashafortheDefenceofErzeroum
—InterviewofaNewspaperCorrespondentwiththeMushir—TheRussiansintheSnow—Arrivalof a Caravan from Persia-
DefencesoftheBeleagueredCity—OperationsofSuleimanPashaon theLom—TheCivic GuardofConstantinople—Affairs in
Thessaly,Epirus,andtheKingdomofGreece—TheCaseoftheGeshoffs—The SultanandtheGreeks—IneffectualAttemptsto
conciliatetheHellenicNationality .....;..... 50*»
