THE BLOCKADE OP PLEVNA4 
373 
centrated against ns in the night, which were accompanied by a large 
number of carriages of every sort. The Turks, having opened fire from 
their guns in position on the heights near and below the bridge, along 
the course of the river Tid, rapidly deployed their troops and advanced 
to the attack, extended in the valley and covered by the gentle un¬ 
dulations of the ground on our side of the bridge, which permitted 
them to make their dispositions under cover for an attack with the 
great masses of men which had crossed to the left bank during the 
night. 
This threatening movement of the enemy, directed against the lodg¬ 
ments of the 3rd Grenadier Division, was carried out with remarkable 
bravery. In front advanced a thick chain of skirmishers, who were 
closely followed by their supports in close order; these were succeeded 
by the reserves. Artillery accompanied the chain of skirmishers, which 
also moved quickly forwards, only halting to fire a round or two, and 
then following the skirmishers again. 
Notwithstanding the hot fire of all our 9-pr. batteries and that of the 
infantry which had occupied the shelter-trenches, the Turks only took 
three-quarters of an hour to pass over the ground which separated them 
from our position and to reach the advanced posts of the investing line 
near Battery No. 3, which were occupied by the 3rd Grenadier Division. 
The enemy having penetrated the intervals between the works, and 
having disabled by his fire almost all the defenders of one, the weak 
remainder of the garrison, being unable to hold it, began to leave the 
work by the rear. When the trenches on the flank of Battery No. 3 
were taken by the enemy, the work itself was attacked; and as the 
greater part of the gunners of the 2nd Battery were either shot or 
bayonetted, the artillerymen only succeeded in withdrawing two guns, 
but of the remaining six the breech-pieces were carried away. 
In this way, at about 8.30 a.m., the troops which had occupied the 
centre of the position—viz., the 2nd Battalion and 2nd and 3rd Bifle 
Companies of the 9th Grenadiers—disordered by the great slaughter of 
the men and loss of officers, began to retire to Kopani Mogil and the 
left flank lunette. The 3rd Battery, 3rd Grenadier Artillery Brigade, 
occupying Battery No. 4, held it for some time, firing case; but, 
menaced by a turning movement on its right flank, it retired from the 
position, but only carried off six guns, as all the horses of the others 
were disabled. 
The 10th (Little Kussian) Grenadiers arrived at the right moment 
to support the Siberian Kegiment, and, formed in company columns 
( po-rotno ) in two lines, moved on the interval between Lunette No. 4 
and Kopani Mogil. Ballying the Siberians, the Little Bussian Begi- 
ment stopped the advance of the enemy with considerable loss; in a 
few minutes three battalion commanders and half the company chiefs 
were put hors de combat. The successful and determined attack of the 
enemy now assumed a threatening character for us ; the 1st Brigade, 
3rd Grenadier Division had become much enfeebled in holding the 
lunettes confided to it; eight of our guns were in the hands of the 
enemy, and the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Grenadier Division, had not yet come 
up to support the 1st. 
