In pursuance of a pre-arranged plan for a joint attack on July 17 of both Russian forces, the northern body advanced up the slopes; but, as Gurko’s men were unable to make their diversion in time, the attack failed.  An isolated attempt by Gurko’s force on the next day also failed, the defenders disgracing themselves by tricking the Russians with the white flag and firing upon them.  But the Turks were now in difficulties for want of food and water; or possibly they were seized with panic.  At any rate, while amusing the Russians with proposals of surrender, they stole off in small bodies, early on July 19.  The truth was, ere long, found out by outposts of the north Russian forces; Skobeleff and his men were soon at the summit, and there Gurko’s vanguard speedily joined them with shouts of joy.

Thus, within twenty-three days from the crossing of the Danube Gurko seized two passes of the Balkans, besides capturing 800 prisoners and 13 guns.  It is not surprising that a Turkish official despatch of July 21 to Suleiman summed up the position:  “The existence of the Empire hangs on a hair.”  And when Gurko’s light troops proceeded to raid the valley of the Maritsa, it seemed that the Turkish defence would collapse as helplessly as in the memorable campaign of 1828.  We must add here that the Bulgarians now began to revenge themselves for the outrages of May 1876; and the struggle was sullied by horrible acts on both sides.

The impression produced by these dramatic strokes was profound and widespread.  The British fleet was sent to Besika Bay, a step preparatory, as it seemed, to steaming up the Dardanelles to the Sea of Marmora.  At Adrianople crowds of Moslems fled away in wild confusion towards Constantinople.  There the frequent meetings of ministers at the Sultan’s palace testified to the extent of the alarm; and that nervous despot wavered between the design of transferring the seat of government to Brussa in Asia Minor, and that of unfurling the standard of the Prophet and summoning all the faithful to rally to its defence against the infidels.  Finally he took courage from despair, and adopted the more manly course.  But first he disgraced his ministers.  The War Minister and Abdul-Kerim were summarily deposed, the latter being sent off as prisoner to the island of Lemnos.

All witnesses agree that the War Minister, Redif Pasha, was incapable and corrupt.  The age and weakness of Abdul-Kerim might have excused his comparative inaction in the Quadrilateral in the first half of July.  It is probable that his plan of campaign, described above, was sound; but he lacked the vigour, and the authorities at Constantinople lacked the courage, to carry it out thoroughly and consistently.

Mehemet Ali Pasha, a renegade German, who had been warring with some success in Montenegro, assumed the supreme command on July 22; and Suleiman Pasha, who, with most of his forces had been brought by sea from Antivari to the mouth of the River Maritsa, now gathered together all the available troops for the defence of Roumelia.