We have carefully examined the European journals brought by 
the Canada in order to gather all possible light as to the fighting 
which has taken place between the Turks and the Russians in 
Wallachia, and are able to add some important facts to those 
reported by the Washington, which we commented upon on Friday 
last." We knew then that several engagements had taken place, and 
with regard to their details we know little more now. Our reports 
are still incoherent, contradictory and scanty, and so will probably 
remain till we receive the official dispatches of the Turkish 
Generals. So much is, however, clear, namely, that the Turks have 
been maneuvered with a degree of skill and have fought with a 
steady enthusiasm sufficient to justify the laudations of their 
warmest admirers,—laudations that by the mass of cool and 
impartial men have been regarded as exaggerated. The result is a 
general surprise. Of Omer Pasha’s talents as a commander, all 
persons were prepared to receive very brilliant proofs, but the 
merit of his army has not been recognized by western journalists 
or statesmen at its true value. It is true its ranks are filled by 
Turks, but they are a very different sort of soldiers from those 
Diebich drove before him in 1829. They have beaten the Russians 
with heavy odds and under unfavorable circumstances. We trust 
this may prove but the augury and beginning of far more 
conclusive defeats. 

We now learn for the first time that the Council of War at 
Constantinople had concentrated at Sofia an army of some 25,000 
men in order to operate in Servia in case of need. Of this force 

* See this volume, pp. 450-56.— Ed. 

and its destination, strange to say, no previous information seems 
to have reached Western Europe, but it is clear that Omer Pasha 
has made the best use of it. Its disposition at Sofia was a blunder 
since if the Servians should not revolt and make common cause 
with the Russians,—which under the reigning prince’ they are not 
likely to do,—there is no occasion for an army in that quarter; 
while in case of a revolt the Turks must either march into the 
country and suppress it, for which, with the Russians in Wallachia, 
25,000 men would not suffice, or else they must occupy the passes 
of the frontier and confine the Servians at home, for which a 
quarter of that force would be ample. Omer Pasha evidently 
viewed the matter in this light, for he has marched the corps 
straight to Widin, and added it to the force he had there 
previously. This reenforcement has, no doubt, essentially contrib- 
uted to the victory he has now gained over the right wing of the 
Russians under General Dannenberg, a victory of which we have 
no particulars beyond the number of Russian officers killed and 
captured; but which must have been quite complete, and will 
prove morally even more beneficial to the Turks than it was 
materially. 

We now learn, also, that the Turkish force which crossed from 
Turtukai (a point between Rustchuk and Silistra), to Oltenitza, was 
led by Ismail Pasha or [by] General Guyon {he has not renounced 
Christianity though he holds a high rank in the Sultan’s army), 
whose gallantry in the Hungarian war gave him a high reputation 
as a bold, energetic and rapid executive officer. Without remark- 
able strategic talent, there are few men who will carry out orders 
with such effect,as he has proved on the present occasion, where 
he repelled his assailant with the bayonet. The defeat of Gen. 
Pawloff at Oltenitza, must substantially open the country behind 
the Aluta, and clear the way to Bucharest, since it is proved that 
Prince Gorchakoff has not advanced to Slatina, as was reported, 
but remains at the Capital of the Principalities, wisely preferring 
not to divide his forces, which is again an indication that he does 
not think himself entirely secure. No doubt a decisive battle has 
been fought long ere this in the vicinity of that place. If 
Gorchakoff is not a humbug, and if he can concentrate there from 
seventy to eighty thousand men—a number which all reasonable 
deductions from the official force of the Russians still leave to 
him,—the advantage is decidedly on his side. But seeing how false 
and exaggerated are the figures reported from the Russian camp; 

* Alexander Karageorge.— Ed. 

The Russian Defeats 459 

seeing how much more powerful and effective is Omer Pasha’s 
army than has been supposed, the conditions of the campaign 
become more equal than has been imagined, and the defeat of 
Gorchakoff comes within the probabilities of the case. Certainly, if 
the Turkish Generalissimo can concentrate for the decisive 
struggle fifty or sixty thousand troops already flushed with 
victory—and we now see nothing to prevent it—his chance of 
success is decidedly favorable. In saying this we desire to speak 
with moderation, for there is no use in making the Turks seem 
better off than they are because our sympathies are with them. 

It is impossible to study the geographical structure of Wallachia, 
especially in a military point of view, without being reminded of 
Lombardy. In the one the Danube and in the other the Po and its 
confluents form the southern and western boundaries. The Turks 
have also adopted a similar plan of action with that pursued by the 
Piedmontese in the campaign of 1849, ending in the disastrous 
battle of Novara.*” If the Turks prove victorious, the greater will 
be their claim on our admiration, and the more palpable the 
bullying incapacity of the Muscovite. At all events Gorchakoff is no 
Radetzky and Omer Pasha no Ramorino. 

Written about November 11, 1853 Reproduced from the newspaper 

Tribune, No. 3936, November 28, 1853, as 
a leader