We learned on Saturday morning last that of the redoubts
cap- tured before Plevna on Tuesday, September 11, by the Russians, only the great one at Gravitza, on the west front, was retained after the struggle of Wednesday, the 12th. The redoubts on the Lovtcha road, captured at an enormous cost of life by the bril- liant courage and energy of General Skobeleff, were retaken on the 12th by the Turks, in consequence of the inattention paid— it is said, by General Levitski—to his strenuous demands for rein- forcements. Comparatively little was doing on the Wednesday, except on the south-west side of Plevna, and there was, we are told no reason why these most essential points to the Russian position should not have beeii amply reinforced against the furious and repeated attacks of the Turks. The Daily News' description of Skobeleff's valour, skill, and energy in the capture of the re- doubts on Tuesday, of his ubiquity during the fearful attacks made on his positions on Wednesday,—on the Tuesday he had his sword out in two and a horse shot under him,—on the Wednesday all the officers were wounded but himself, while he, in the thickest fire, seemed to bear a charmed life,—is one of the most vivid bits of war-painting we have over met with. Here is the description of Skobeleff after the loss of the redoubts on 'Wednesday :—" It was just after this that I met General Skobeleff the first time that day. He was in a fearful state of excitement and fury. Ills uniform was covered with mud and filth ; his sword broken ; his Cross of St. George twisted round on his shoulder ; his face black with powder and smoke ; his eyes haggard and bloodshot, and his voice quite gone. He spoke in a hoarse whisper. I never before saw such a picture of battle."
