With the Armies of the Balkans and at Gallipoli in 1877-1878, etc

Preface

TO THE FIRST EDITION. At the suggestion of several friends, who think it may interest the general reader, I have decided to publish the following narrative of my personal experiences in Turkey. J. C. FIFE-COOKSON. Whitehill, Chester-i.e-Street, Durham.

PREFACE.

TO THE FIFTH EDITION. In publishing a Fifth Edition', I take the opportunity of returning my best thanks to the Public for its support, also to those Editors who, recognising the great importance of much of the information which I laid before the Public, gave such prominence to reviews of my book in their newspapers as to draw attention to it. My thanks are due to the Reviewers for having so favourably regarded my Work, and for the honest criticism which has afforded me the opportunity of explaining or amending some portions of the book. Amongst the reviews which have come under my notice, I find two pieces of a somewhat adverse criticism, to which I will reply. I extract from the Daily Telegraph the following : — " A deficiency of dates is the chief drawback to the useful quality of this book."

I would suggest that the dates are only omitted where I take a rapid survey of distant operations, or in cases where they are of no real importance to the narrative. These

PREFACE.

TO THE FIFTH EDITION. IV dates, if wanted, are obtainable from any diary of the war. In thanking the Editor of the Standard for a very early and long review, I would beg to reply to the following extract from it, with regard to the fighting at Shipka :— " It is a pity Colonel Fife- Cookson does not give a more detailed account of this tremendous fighting." ..." We can only regret that his power of description and of appreciation of details does not equal his soldierly insight and acumen." For the sake of clearness and brevity I purposely omitted all details which were not necessary to give what I con sidered to be a lucid and correct view of the somewhat com plicated operations at Eski Zara and the Shipka. At the same time I omitted no detail which I thought necessary for the purpose, and almost all the reviews which allude to this point approve of the course I have adopted ; while all admit that the object of clearness has been obtained.

The other details of the fighting at the Shipka have been given to the public quite recently by the pens, much more able at descriptive writing, of the special corre spondents who were present on both sides. I may here notice that further on the Standard reviewer has apparently overlooked the fact that on leaving Kamarli, I was recalled by the Ambassador's telegram from the Tatar-Bazardjik army to Adrianople, which had become the centre of the Turkish defence in Europe, and that I did not return to Constantinople at that time. On the next pages I have much pleasure in quoting some extracts from favourable Reviews of the Press. J. C. FIFE-COOKSON. Army and Navy Club, London, February, 1880. SOME EXTRACTS FROM REVIEWS OF THE PRESS. . . . . Colonel Fife-Cookson has now published his account of the war in a volume for general reading, and the result is that a good deal of light is thrown upon certain episodes which were previously obscure. . . .

The book is not confined to military narrative and military criticism. Colonel Fife-Cookson is an impartial witness to the atrocities of the Bulgarians, the Russians, and the Turks An interesting representation of personal experiences and a trustworthy work of reference." — Times. " The narrative of the gallant officer's experiences will be found full of valuable instruction for soldiers, and abounding in suggestive information for all those, whether soldiers or civilians, who are interested in the future of the Eastern Question and of the Turkish Empire. . . . The author writes like a soldier, with plain soldierly straightforwardness and sincerity, and his evidence is all the more trustworthy for its perfect freedom from political prepossessions. The maps and illustrations which accompany the text are of great assistance to the general reader." — Daily News.

"This book will well repay reading as recording the personal experiences of one who, by reason of the office he held as military attache at Constantinople, was in a position to see behind the scenes of Turkish official life. . . . The illustrations, which have been prepared under the personal supervision of the author by well-known artists, are very clearly drawn and full of vigour. They convey a better notion of the fighting in the Shipka than any sketches that have come under our notice Colonel Fife-Cookson may consider himself fortunate that he was spared to write this interesting book. What with the blunders of Bashi-Bazouks who insisted on regarding him as a target, and constant exposure to the Russian fire, he carried his life in his hand for several months." — Globe. ''Will be found of unusual interest." — Morning Post.

" Perhaps the chief value of a book of this kind is that it brings home to its readers the enormous changes which have been wrought in South-eastern Europe since Osman Pasha held out gallantly at Plevna, Mukhtar Pasha had defeated the Russians in Asia, and Suleiman Pasha had commenced that series of mad rushes at the Shipka Pass which destroyed all hope of Turkish victory Colonel Cookson's survey of the situation after the Russians had obtained the command of Roumelia is the most interesting part of his work."— Pall Mall Gazette. VI " The author's appreciation of the situation during the month which succeeded the armistice is of great interest, and forms perhaps the most valuable portion of the work. . . . . The author's eye as to the military position is quick and accurate."— Standard. " ....

An authentic and in many other respects valuable record." — Daily Teleg?*aph. " It has its merits, and those of no mean order. It is written from a more popular point of view, and it is illustrated. But the value of the book is as a picture of the internal condition of the Turkish armies, and as a standing testimony to the barbarities of Russians and Bulgarians in the conquered country." — Morning Advertiser. " In the interesting narrative which Lieutenant-Colonel Fife-Cookson has furnished of his ' personal experiences ' many dark pictures appear, but there is no attempt to blacken either side. Indeed the views and opinions expressed may be best described as thoroughly English in their outspoken candour. The sketches of battles and strategical movements in the field will have a distinct and important value to military authorities ; while beyond this the book possesses strong features of general interest by reason of its clear and vivid summary of the events which passed under the author's notice.

Our extracts will enable the reader to form a very accurate idea of the forcible and natural style in which the incidents which came under the notice of the author are narrated. He evidently was a close observer, and his work will offer invaluable aid to the future historian who is called upon to record in all its hideous com pleteness the story of the Russo-Turkish war." — Daily Chronicle. "The most interesting as well as the most important part of his volume is his narrative of Suleiman Pasha's operations at Eski Zara, and subsequently of his assaults on the Russian positions at the Shipka. Colonel Fife-Cookson's narrative of the fighting in the Shipka — by far the best and most detailed which has yet been published." — Scotsman. " Is the more readable as the narrative is relieved occasionally by modest accounts of personal experiences The most interesting part of Colonel Fife-Cookson's book relates to the prolonged struggle at the Shipka Pass." — Athenæum.

" The last portion of Colonel Fife-Cookson's duty in the war lay with the Turkish garrison of the fortified positions about Gallipoli, when the enemy had occupied Adrianople, and it was important to British policy that the Dardanelles and entrance to the Sea of Marmora should be made quite secure. This is a part of the strategic study afforded by his book, which seems to possess an abiding and substantial interest."— Illustrated London News. " This is a soldier's book, and a good one : it is also something more. . . . . Several chapters are occupied by the account of the various attacks on the Shipka Pass. The mistakes committed are clearly ex plained, and their causes analysed The illustrated anecdotes of personal adventure are very well told and amusing The numerous maps are accurate and valuable The illustrations recommend the work not merely as one to be got from the circulating library, but as a necessary addition to the book-shelves of every one who aims at collecting a history of our own time." — Vanity Fair.

" This volume gives a good insight into the general condition of the Turkish troops, and the manner in which they are shifted and handled bv their pashas in the face of a formidable enemy We recommend Colonel Fife-Cookson's book all the more earnestly from the spirit in which it is written." — Academy. " . . . . Will be read with great interest by all students of the art of war. The general reader, too, will find much that will prove instruc tive." — Broad Arrow. " Le livre que nous prdsentons au public, et que nous recommandons sp^cialement k ceux qui sont initids k la langue de nos voisins, est £crit en anglais, avec cette clart^ et cette lucidite" qui distinguent le style des dcrivains de la Grande-Bretagne." — Journal des De'bats. " C'est un epitome par un homme de guerre qui a la conscience de sa responsabilite".

En lui donnant toute latitude pour publier ce livre, Lord Salisbury a temoigne' d'un esprit k la fois liberal et dclaird, et le public international doit savoir gr6 k Sa Seigneurie, presque autant qu' a l'auteur, d'avoir 6t6 mis k meme de parcourir une histoire ve"ridique." — Le Constitutionnel. " Ce livre, qui a sa place dans tous les bibliotheques, est illustnf de planches, de gravures d'une rigoureuse exactitude." — Le Memorial Diplomatique. "The account of the author's personal experiences in Turkey will be read with the greatest interest, for, avoiding a super-abundance of militarv technicalities, he has succeeded in producing a work the perusal of which cannot fail to be of equal interest to the civilian as to the educated soldier. The author is to be congratulated on the many narrow escapes he ex perienced from the bullets of fanatical assassins, arid his immunity from sickness that laid so many English officers and newspaper correspondents low." — Army and Navy Gazette.

" The author conveys the impression of being a thoroughly impartial writer, and we accept without hesitation his opinion upon that much debated subject of atrocities. . . The most interesting narrative of the campaign south of the Balkans which has come under our notice." — Court Journal. " The author had ample opportunities for observation, of which he seems to have made good use." — Whitehall Review. " He has managed to give a life-like picture of what he saw."— Live Stock Journal. "A very entertaining volume." — Colburns United Service Magazine. " Colonel Cookson's simple and straightforward narrative of the militarv events and incidents of which, in the campaigns of 1877-78, he was himself an eye-witness, is one full of interest and instruction, both to the military student and to the general reader ; and his book well deserves the popularity which, we have reason to believe, it has already in some measure attained.

Colonel Cookson writes with spirit, and shows himself an accomplished scientific soldier ; and his book^ with its excellent maps and plans, is one to be warmly recommended.' —Home News. " The chief value of the book lies in its detailed and singularly clear account of Suleiman Pasha's attacks upon the Shipka Pass. Fruitful hints are dropped upon nearly every page. From first to last it may be read without weariness, and some admirable plans render every detail clear and intelligible. Indeed, we may say of the book that it is indis pensable to a thorough understanding of the Shipka failure." — York Herald. " We have no hesitation in pronouncing it the most interesting, and by far the most lucid, account of the Balkan campaign that has yet come under our notice. The reader is not wearied with details, and this is one of the chief recommendations of the book.

The account of the fighting at Shipka is by far the most interesting portion of the narrative. Every successive attack is vividly described, and it is impossible not to feel a keen and fresh interest in this account of the fortunes of the combatants on either side, as success and defeat crowned their respective efforts from time to time. There is not a dull page to be found throughout the whole book. Reminiscences of personal adventure throw an air of romance over its pages, and rivet the attention of the reader." — Sunderland Daily Post. '* This is a useful book. It contains some interesting matter not hitherto given to the public, and throws a good deal of light upon certain episodes in the late war between Turkey and Russia which were previously obscure. It should be on the shelves of every regimental library, as a soldierly record of personal experiences, and a valuable work of reference." — Newcastle Daily Chronicle.

" A solid and valuable contribution to the literature of the campaign ; while the stirring element of personal adventure is certainly not wanting." — Glasgow News. " A very readable book on some of the principal events of the cam paign." — Plymouth Western Daily Mercury. " • • • • A valuable contribution to the history of the most critical phase of the war, by one who is well able to pronounce an opinion upon it from the military point of view His book is throughout one of the deepest interest."— Newcastle Daily Journal. " The illustrations are worthy of the reputations of the artists. The maps add clearness to the very lucid letterpress explanations of the en gagements."— Northern Daily Express. " The interest of his story will be by no means confined to professional readers." — Birmingham Post.

". . . . The work is a thoroughly able one. It fails not to impress upon the reader the conviction that the author is a thorough master of the art of war. He is also a master of good idiomatic English. He writes in a vigorous and trenchant style which is as far removed as possible from the metier of the mere book-maker, tells his story in the most direct vernacular possible, altogether discarding the weak man's refuge in technicalities. To our mind the strongest praise we can accord the book, after the consummate knowledge it displays, is the fact that it does not contain a line which a layman cannot most fully appreciate, while, as we are informed on indubitable authority, no more able pro fessional review has been supplied of the operations with which the author deals." — The Cork Constitution.

" . . . . The encounter with the fanatic Bashi-Bazouk, who wished to 'Winchester' the author, and the effect of a Deringer as a cooler of the Bashi's enthusiasm ; the burning town ; the shooting of the plun derers, are incidents which will be read with great interest. The march to Yeni Zara, and the mistakes, defeats, delays, and general results are next commented upon fully A great amount of information is next supplied as to the ' Fighting at Shipka.' Illustrations and maps accompany the letterpress of the publication, and will prove exceedingly useful." — Scarborough Gazette. " The work should have a great circulation." — Auckland Times. PAGE I CONTENTS.

Chapter I

various duties. My Appointment— At Constantinople— Retained at the Embassy— My Duties there — Detached to Gallipoli — H. M. Vice-Consul Odoni— Rachad Pasha — Return to Therapia — Detached to accompany Army of Balkans and report on Adrianople — Arrival at Adrianople — Visit to Ali Pasha — Small Strength of Gourko's Force— Turks confident— Army arrives from Montenegro — Fine Troops — Defences of Adrianople : their State of Preparation — Suleiman Pasha arrives, and leaves for the Front — I follow— The Constantinople-Tatar-Bazardjik Railway — Turkish Troops require little Transport — No Tents— Shelters and Huts — My Arrival at Karabunar, and Reception by Suleiman Pasha — Colonel Lennox and Lieutenant Chermside arrive and return — Life in a Railway Carriage — A Canard — Punishment of Turkish Soldiers for Plundering — The Circassians — Bulgarians executed — Previous general Strategy of the War and of Reouf Pasha against Gourko — Combination against Eski Zara planned ............

Chapter II

battle of eski zara. The Movement on Eski Zara commences — Scarcity of Horses — A good Bed — The Weather and the Country — Our Destination previously concealed — Burning Villages — Bivouac before Eski Zara — The Unclean Animal — Morning of the Attack— Reouf Pasha expected — The Scenery — Cannonade on our Right— Russo-Bulgarian Force at Eski Zara — The Bulgarian Troops— Suleiman Pasha's Choice from Three Plans— His Defence when on Trial— The Turkish System of Promotion and Appointment of Senior Officers — The Army advances— Russo- Bulgarian position — Artillery commence the Action — "Allah ! Allah ! " Blind Shells — The Russians hold their ground — The Bulgarians driven into the Town— Artillery Engagement— The Town assaulted and captured — Russians retreat — Inhabitants flying— Suleiman Pasha enters the Town— Street Fighting— The Town on Fire— Loss on either Side— "Une mauvaise Rencontre" — I sleep in the Konak — Crosses and Church Bells— Accused Bulgarians — News of Reouf Pasha— Russian Reconnaissance— Tenacity of the Russian Defence accounted for— The CONTENTS.

XI PAGE Reconnaissance repeated — Failure of Turks to Engage or Pursue, ac countable only by their want of Mobility— Bivouac above the Burning Town— Women and Children from Eski Zara sent to Karabunar— Punishment for Plundering 17

Chapter III

march to yeni zara.

Motive alleged by Suleiman Pasha for Delay at Eski Zara — News about Reouf Pasha confirmed — Its Significance regarding the Russian Strength, &c. — Consequent Turkish Movement on Yeni Zara — The Russian Force had retreated on the Hain Bogaz — Reouf Pasha's Overthrow near Eski Zara — The cause of Suleiman Pasha's detour to reach Shipka — Opportunity thus lost of entering Shipka with the flying Russians — Delay at Eski Zara — Result of "Losing the Touch" of the Russians — Movement on Yeni Zara commences — Massacre of Turks near Dalboka— Bivouac at Dalboka — Turkish Women Outraged, and Women and Children Murdered near Dalboka — Bulgarian Prisoners report Russo-Bulgarian Retreat on Hain Bogaz — Arrival at Yeni Zara — Bulgarian Militia Plundering — A Fugitive Train — Alleged Massacres of Turks, and Outrages in the Tunja Valley — Cavalry Demonstration to protect Survivors — Alleged Burning of Wounded Turkish Prisoners captured at Yeni Zara — The Scene of the late Fight — An Account of it — Reouf Pasha and the Rear-Guard he left at Yeni Zara — His Movement on Eski Zara and Defeat there — Conclusions regarding the Military Ability of Reouf and Suleiman Pashas, drawn from the operations up to this point — Delay at Yeni Zara — Lieutenant Julian Layard joins me, and other Englishmen and Europeans arrive — News of the Second Russian Defeat at Plevna — Its bearing on the Situation — Suleiman should have operated through the Slivnia Pass if he knew the state of Disorganisation of the Russians north of the Balkans — The Turks probably not aware of Russian temporary Weakness—The Movement on Shipka decided on — This Strategical Error might have been retrieved by Tactical Skill — The Situation Tactically Parallel at Shipka, with the Turks desiring to cross, to that at Shipka and Kamarli, when the Russians desired to cross, but different Tactics employed 34

Chapter IV

march to shipka. Advance fron Yeni Zara— Arrival at the Ferdich Pass— A Reconnaissance- Circassians— March to the Hain Bogaz Pass ; Arrival there— The Pass held by the Russians — Further Delay — Reconnaissance on Kesanlyk — CONTENTS. XII PAGE The Turkish Irregulars prefer plundering a Burning Village to marching against the Enemy— Capture of Kesanlyk— Steadiness of the Turkish Regular Cavalry— Defective Cavalry Tactics— Lieutenant Layard has some trouble with the Circassians— Their actions sometimes unaccountable—Massacre and Outrages at Uflahanli— Atrocities which I investigated—March on Kesanlyk— Massacre and Outrages at Kechidere— Fresh Massacres by the Bulgarians— Arrival near Shipka— A Recon naissance in Force— Arab Cavalry— Delay since Capture of Eski Zara inexcusable : caused partly by Tactical Errors— Injury to Turkish Prospects 4§

Chapter V

fighting at shipka. Movement of Irregular Cavalry : how Arrested — Our Arrival before the Position — Description of it : how occupied — Turkish Attack on the Centre— Capture of the Flank Positions — Renewed Attack on the Centre after Dark — We visit the Right Attack — Suleiman Pasha in Better Spirits — He Bombards the Positions to prepare for Fresh Attacks — The Attacks renewed — I visit the Turkish Left Attack — A Rough Road — The Position of Affairs — The Exhausted Russian Garrison abandon the Position — Want of Leading — No means of Signalling — Fatal Immobility — The Head of Radetsky's Column appears, and saves the day for the Russians — The Position re-occupied, and the Turks attacked in Flank — Cavalry versus Infantry in a Wood — A Barbarous Practice — Night terminates the Action — Hopes of the Turks for Success next day — Nedjeb Bey — The Remainder of Radetsky's Division arrive — Strength of the Forces at Various Periods — Anticipated Sortie against the Turkish Left — Suleiman Pasha renews the Assaults — A Lull — Three Days' Sortie against the Turkish Left, and Capture of all the Positions there except the Hill of Alikiri-djebel — They are all re-captured by the Turks — Probable Losses — Gallantry of the Troops — The Turkish Wounded — Societies for aiding them — Remarks on the Tactics pursued — Tactically a Drawn Battle ; Strategically a Russian Victory— Expenditure and Supply of Ammunition in Action— Turks have no regular Musketry Training— Advantages of Animal Transport— Artillery Fire— Advantages of Breech-loading Artillery cg

Chapter VI

fighting at shipka (continued). Reinforcements asked for— Artillery Attack alone continued— Reinforcements arrive— Faults of the Turkish Position— Both Sides strengthen CONTENTS. XIII PAGE 82 96 their Works — The Turks push forward their Left and threaten the Gabrova Road — The Russians prepare to be attacked there — The Turkish Guns enfilade the Gabrova Road, and the Irregulars burn a Village near it — The Russian Garrison in the Works weakened in order to guard this Point — Forces withdrawn from Shipka for Attack on Plevna — Turkish Reconnaissance — Mortar Batteries open Fire : with what object ? — Reasons against another Assault — Rumours in Camp — A Religious Service — Commencement of the Action : its Progress — Success believed in— Part played by the Turkish Right — The Stormers in Difficulties : their Defeat — Absence of Officers — I visit the Turkish Right Trenches : Redjeb Pasha's Explanation — Want of Co-operation, which might have been obviated had Suleiman Pasha directed the Attack from the Advanced Positions — Weakness of the Garrison — Probable Losses— Energy Misused — Strategical Considerations ....

Chapter VII

fighting at shipka [concluded). Failure of the 17th affects the morale of the Turks — A Night Alarm — Unpleasant Results of Random Firing — Fanaticism — I am again Shot at by a Bashi-Bazouk — What they are capable of — Lieutenant Julian Layard's Illness and Death — Unhealthiness of Shipka : its Causes — Various Causes of Sickness, and Remedies for them — Abundance of Fruit and Vegetables — Fertility of the District — Effect of the War upon the Inhabitants — Trout in the Balkans — Suleiman Pasha leaves — The First Snow — Reouf Pasha arrives — More Works constructed — My Visits to the Advanced Positions — Last Visit to them — Conclusions drawn from it — Major Leader's Illness and Death— Return to Constantinople — We start — I visit Consul Blunt and Mr. Masters — Death of Mr. Masters — Halt at the Hain Bogaz— Hospitals at Adrianople and Kesanlyk .

Chapter VIII. Fighting At Kamarli

I rejoin the Embassy— I start for the Sofia District— Preceding Events and Position of Affairs there— My Journey — Hospitals at Philippopolis— Circassian Refugees— Arrival at Sofia — Colonel Maitland, R.A.— Battle in the Pass — My reception by Mehemet Ali Pasha — His View of the Situation— The Horses disturbed— I visit a Scene of Havoc— The Dead and Dying— A Mad Woman— The Fight in the Wood— I Visit the Turkish Right— The Yildiz Tabia— The Horses disturbed again— I visit the ground of the Infantry Struggle— The Russian Infantry sire a few CONTENTS. PAGE shots at us — Probable Losses in the fighting— Arrival of Baker Pasha and Staff— Return to Tashkessen for the Night— Peculiar Position of Russian Battery — Similar Position at Shipka — Salvoes by Batteries . 1 1 1

Chapter IX. Fighting At Kamarli

[concluded). Turkish Head-quarter Camp shelled out — New Turkish Battery opens- Accurate Fire — New Russian Battery — Recall of Mehemet Ali — Shakir Pasha assumes Command — Demonstration to aid Osman Pasha possible — Servia again declares War — Its Strategical Effect — The Sofia District should have been defended by a force based on Salonika — Corps of Observation on the Greek Frontier — Violent Snowstorm — I Start on a Visit to Sofia — The Road reported to be Intercepted — Lady Strangford's Hospital — Turkish Wounded and Amputation — Turkish Hospitals — Assistance from the Charitable Societies — Scarcity of Firewood — I Return to Kamarli — Violent Snowstorm — An Astrakhan Cap — Sufferings of the Turks from Cold — A New Russian Battery — Beautiful Scenery — Baker Pasha's Reconnaissance — Christmas Day — The Sofia Road cut — Defile of Tashkessen Unguarded for a time — I visit Baker Pasha at Tashkessen — The Strategical Situation — Russian Movement to turn the Turkish Right — Inertness of the Turks — Surrounded on Three Sides — Their Situation most Critical — They show no Signs of moving in time — I determine to withdraw — Only a Mountain-path clear from Parties of Cossacks — I take leave of the Pashas — Cavalry Skirmish — Procuring a Bulgarian Guide — Capture of Englishmen at Strigli .... 125

Chapter X. Kamarli To Gallipoli

A rough Road— In search of Lodgings— Sound of Artillery and Musketry- Crossing the Ichtiman Balkans— Fuad Pasha— News of Shakir and Baker Pashas — Visit to Suleiman Pasha — Vice-Consul Calvert — I reach Adrianople : Authorities there— Russian Attack at Shipka : the Strategical Situation— Fatally Tardy Movements— Rolling Stock— The Turkish Exodus — Rumours of an Armistice always false : of the Continued Russian Advance always true— Position of Affairs at Adrianople— Strategical Considerations— State of Defences at Adrianople— Turks dislike to cut down Fruit-trees, and fail to destroy Depots— European Residents— I leave for Gallipoli— Useful Bashi-Bazouks— The Streets Blocked— Advantage of Animal Transport— Turkish Women— I Halt at Keshan— A Circassian Ruse— I reach Gallipoli ... I44 CONTENTS. XV PAGE 162 182

Chapter XI. At Gallipoli

Importance of the Gallipoli Peninsula — Tomb of Suleiman Ghazi — The Bulair Lines — Their Strength — Sir J. Burgoyne's Plan for the Old Lines — The Bulair Village Hill — An alternative Position — Present Garrison — Hussein Pasha — Situation insecure — The British Fleet — Suleiman Pasha's Troops arrive — Russian advance — The Armistice — Buyuk Tchekmedje Lines given up — Abandonment of Bulair Lines expected — Arrival of the British Fleet — Suleiman Pasha arrested — Altered State of Affairs — The Dardanelles the Key of Turkey and Southern Russia — Security of Gallipoli — Turkish Gunboats — Sabit Pasha — Osman Nouri Pasha — Russian Numbers and Advance South of the Balkans — Varying Strength and Sick List — Maximum attained— Useful Exaggeration — Russian Situation if War should be renewed — Effect if England intervened — Greece a probable Combatant — Supply of Turkish Recruits — — Feeling amongst the Turks — Time necessary to organise Irregulars — Employment of Irregulars by Turkey a Question of Expense — Regulars and Irregulars — The Peasantry — The only Fault of the Turkish Soldier

Chapter XII. At Gallipoli

(concluded). Sketch of the Campaign in Asia Minor — Russian Offensive — Proposed Turkish Plan : Reasons given for it — A better adopted — The Russian Invasion Repelled — Good Russian Strategy : its Success and Results — Political and Moral Effect — Mukhtar Pasha's Generalship — Strategical and Tactical Deductions from the War — Circassian and Turkish Refugees — Baroness Burdett-Coutts's Fund — A Soup Kitchen — Stafford House Hospitals — Gratitude for the various Charities — Sickness at Gallipoli — British Victims to it — Sickness amongst the Russians — Typhus and Cattle Disease — Cattle and Carcases — Sufferings of the Turkish Peasantry — Russians responsible for maintaining Order — Rhodope Insurrection — Bands of Rayahs sent against it — The protected Refugees — Life at Gallipoli — Departure for England .......

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS, MAPS, AND PLANS. PAGE Map of Turkey-in -Europe, showing Boundaries as they existed before the Treaty OF Berlin . . . To precede Frontispiece Attacked by a Fanatic Frontispiece Plan of Battle of Eski Zara To face 17 Battle of Eski Zara ". ,,25 Arab Cavalry 56 Plans of the Positions at Shipka To face 59 Turkish Earth-work at Shipka 66 Russian Positions at Shipka, Sept. 17 and Oct. 12, 1877 To face 90 Shot at by a Bashi-Bazouk 98 Turks Constructing a Battery under the Fire of Fort St. Nicholas To face 107 Plan of the Positions at Kamarli ,,115 A Redoubt at Kamarli ,,119 Baker Pasha at Tashkessen ,, 142 View of Constantinople „ 154 The Tomb of Suleiman Ghazi 163 Turkish Outpost Sentries To face 178 Map Illustrating the Campaigns in Armenia ... ,, 183 Gallipoli — The Lines of Bulair ); 189 Pomak Insurgents of The Rhodope