RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 131 



puted that the siege of Choczim, and the actions consequent to it, cost 

 the Russians above 20,000 men. 



In the management of this war, the grand vizir had acted with a de- 

 gree of prudence, which it has oeen thought, would have proved latal 

 to Uie designs of the Russians, if the same conduct had been atterwards 

 pursued. But the army of the vizir was extremely licentious, and his 

 caution gave offence to the Janissaries ; so that, in consequence of 

 their clamours, and the weakness of the counsels that prevailed in the 

 seraglio, he at length became a sacrifice, and Moldovani Ali Pasha, a 

 man of more courage than conduct, was appointed his succe-sor. 



During these transactions, general Romanzow committed great 

 devastations upon the Turks on the borders of Bender and Ocza- 

 kow, where he plundered and burnt several towns and villages, de- 

 feated a Turkish detachment, and carried off a great booty ol cattle. 

 The Tartars also committed great lavages in Poiand, where they al- 

 most totally destroyed the palatinate ol Bracklaw, besides doing 

 mucn mischief in other places. In the beginning of September, the 

 Russian army was again posted on the banks of the Dniester, and ef- 

 fectually defended the passage of that river against the Turks, whose 

 whole army, under the command of the new vizir, was arrived on 

 the opposite shore. Having laid three bridges over the Dniester, 

 the Turkish army began to pass the river in the face of the enemy. 



Prince Galitzin having perceived this motion early in the morning 

 of the 9th of September, immediately attacked those troops that had 

 crossed the river in the night, who consequently could neither choose 

 their ground, nor have time to extend or form themselves properly 

 where they were. Notwithstanding these extreme disadvantages, 

 the engagement was very severe, and continued from seven in the 

 morning till noon. The Turks fought with great obstinacy, but were 

 at length totally defeated, and obliged to repass the river with great 

 loss, and in the utmost confusion. It was computed, that about 60,000 

 Turks crossed the river before and during the time of the engage- 

 ment. Prince Galitzin charged at the head ol five columns of infan- 

 try, with fixed bayonets, and destroyed the flower of the Turkish ca- 

 valry. It is said that the loss of the Turks in this battle amounted 

 to 7000 men killed upon the spot, besides wounded and prisoners, 

 and a great number who were drowned. Though the ill conduct of 

 the vizir had greatly contributed to this misfortune, yet this did not 

 prevent him from engaging in another operation of the same nature. 

 He now laid but one bridge over the river, which he had the precau- 

 tion to cover with large batteries of cannon, and prepared to pass the 

 whole army over. Accordingly, on the 17th of September, 8000 Ja- 

 nissaries and 4000 regular cavalry, the flower of the whole Ottoman 

 army, passed over with a large train of artillery, and the rest of the 

 army were in motion to follow, when a sudden and extraordinary swell 

 of the waters of the Dniester carried away and totally destroyed the 

 bridge. The Russians lost no time in making use of this great and 

 unexpected advantage. A most desperate engagement ensued, in 

 which the slaughter of the Turks was prodigious. Not only the field 

 of battle, but the river over which some few hundreds of Turks 

 made their escape by swimming, was for several miles covered with 

 dead bodies. The Russians took 64 pieces of cannon, and above 150 

 colours and horse-tails. The Turks immediately broke up their 

 camp, and abandoned the strong fortress of Choczim, with all its 

 stores and numerous artillery, and retired tumultuously towards the 



