CHAPTER IV.

FAILURE OF THE ATTACKS UPON SCHUMLA, AND CONCLUSION OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1828.

The Russian forces invest Schumla-Fierce attacks of the Turks and Russians-The Emperor Nicholas proceeds to Varna-Progress of the siege-Capture of a Russian redoubt, and its artillery-Repeated encounters before Schumla-The siege becomes a blockade-The Turks assume the offensive-The Grand Vizir fails to succour VarnaDescription of that fortress-Progress of the siege--The Russian fleet brings reinforcements-Bombardment by sea and land-Reinforcements brought by the Emperor Nicholas Sallies and subterranean warfare-Capitulation, and result of the siegeOperations south of Varna-Battle of Kurtepe-Description and siege of SilistriaRetreat of the Russian army into Wallachia-Tête-de-pont of Giurgevo, and operations in that quarter.

THE previous state of the defences of Schumla had been known to the Russian Engineers, but they were not aware of the changes recently effected by Hussein Pasha; who had already taken post behind his new intrenchments. These, as in the case of Torres Vedras during the memorable advance of Massena against Lisbon, presented an unexpected barrier to the invaders; who, during the remainder of the present as well as the whole of the succeeding campaign, were destined to find that the Turkish epithet of "Gazi," or triumphant Schumla, was well deserved.

As a first step towards the investment of this position, the Emperor caused a chain of redoubts to be constructed

beyond the range of the Seraskier's artillery; and, as part of a second line, the lower portion of the hill of Tschengel was also occupied with a redoubt. But passive defence formed no part of the Seraskier's plan, and he did not long remain inactive. On the 27th of July he made a formidable sortie, and another again on the following day; both of which were attended with severe loss to the besiegers, who held their ground with great difficulty. A Jäger regiment in particular was surrounded by the Turkish cavalry, and was on the point of surrendering at the very moment that it received support.

The details of some of these attacks on the Russian redoubts were related to the author by an individual who took an active part in these proceedings. This was Hemén Pasha, who had brought a force of upwards of 2,000 irregular troops from his government in Konia. These men were animated by the same determined spirit as their chief; whose great anxiety was to serve his sovereign by overcoming the enemies of Turkey. Hemén, in touching upon his own history, mentioned that he was one of the Mamelukes at the time of their destruction by Muhammed Ali; and his Kaïa, or lieutenant, afterwards filled up this outline by informing us that it was Hemén who had leaped his horse over the wall at Cairo: he was, consequently, the solitary individual who escaped that massacre. The expression of Hemén Pasha's dark countenance. and rolling eyes, as he related the hope he had conceived.

during one of the sorties from Schurla, of making the Emperor Nicholas prisoner, are strongly impressed on the memory of the author. "Had this been effected," added he, "we should only have released him on the condition of his restoring the Crimea to the Sultan."

Two days later these attacks were returned by an abortive attempt of the Russians to gain the heights of Strandscha; which was followed by another, made with as little success, on the opposite side of the valley. Nineteen redoubts had been already constructed by the Russians without accomplishing their intended object of cutting off the communications. The space between the road to Silistria and that which leads by Smëadowo and Czalikawak towards Constantinople, was nearly cut off; but the principal communications of the garrison by Rasgrad, Dïoumaia, and Eski Stamboul, were still perfectly open.

Hoping to master the latter post, and cut off these openings, two redoubts were constructed near the hamlet of Matschin. General Rüdiger, with the Hussars and eight battalions of the 19th division, advanced to the village of Chifflik with this view; and, leaving four battalions and four squadrons of cavalry there as a support, he proceeded with the remainder of his force to Eski Stamboul, meaning to push a reconnaissance as far as the village of Kiötej. But a double attack made by the Turks caused a speedy retreat of both corps, on the redoubts which had been constructed for their defence at Matschin.

As these, and other demonstrations elsewhere, did not tempt Hussein Pasha to quit his position, and as no immediate impression was likely to be made against the intrenchments, the Emperor Nicholas, who had but recently joined the army, proceeded towards Varna on the 3rd of August, taking with him twelve guns and some reinforcements. He left Marshal Wittgenstein before Schumla, to continue to observe and blockade that place.

The Emperor's departure caused a fresh disposition to be made of the remaining troops, by which the 5th corps was to occupy the redoubts, while the 7th undertook offensive operations against the rear of the Turks. Accordingly, General Rüdiger, with eight battalions, eight squadrons of cavalry, and some Cossacks, was to renew his attempt to gain possession of Eski Stamboul; securing his communication with the 3rd corps by a part of his own force. On the 7th of August he drove the Turks from Kiötej. They speedily recovered the village, however, and threw up works, both at that place and at Troussi, which were sufficiently strong to defeat General Rüdiger's plans. Other works were also constructed on the slope of the hill between Ibrahim Nazir and Matschin, in order to cover the Constantinople road. From most of these works, particularly from that called Sultan Tabia, zig-zag approaches were carried forward with much ingenuity almost up to the Russian redoubts, with a view to carrying on a subterranean warfare; which, in practice as well as in its early use, is peculiarly a Turkish science.

The activity of the Turks was not confined to the vicinity of their intrenchments, for on the 8th of August they attacked a convoy at Yeni-Bazar, and succeeded in capturing a quantity of cattle. Considering the difficulty in obtain ing supplies, this proved a serious loss to the Russians.

With the purpose of closing some of the approaches of the Turkish camp, General Woinov marched against Eski Jumna; whilst Rüdiger renewed his attempt against Eski Stamboul, and Prince Eugene of Wurtemburg advanced at the same time upon Marash. In Rüdiger's attempt, which took place on the 15th of August, 3,000 Turks were driven out of Kiötej, with the loss of one gun and 100 killed; but they repaid this attack with interest, by taking one of their adversary's guns, and driving him back with heavy loss; Lieutenant-General Iwanof being among the slain. Prince Eugene's attempt had no better success, for he was forced to retreat with all speed, in order to defend the redoubts from an attack made on them by the Turks at the same moment. In order to be at hand to support General Rüdiger, the Prince, with eight battalions of the 18th division, took up a position at Marash; from whence he retired on being threatened with a fresh attack. General Rudowitz, however, afterwards intrenched himself at that place to prevent surprise.

These and other affairs which took place in the neighbourhood of Schumla, manifestly to the advantage of the Turks, raised the moral power of the garrison at the expense