Russian – Turkish war of liberation 1877-1878

In the autumn of 1876 an international inquiry commission was founded in order to investigate the cruelties during the suppression of the uprising in April 1876.The attempts of the Great Powers to solve the Bulgarian question by diplomatic means failed. Russia unambiguously expressed its will to solve the question by war. Undertaken were steps to neutralize Austria- Hungary and Great Britain. Romania agreed to inclusion in the campaign with an army of 40 000 men and to cede a territory for the Russian troops to pass over.

The Russian- Turkish war was declared on April 12th , 1877 in Kishinev by manifesto signed by the Emperor Alexander II. After preliminary preparation, in the small hours of June 27th ,1877, 14th infantry division under command of general M.I. Dragomirov , crossed over Danube River at Svishtov and stepped on Bulgarian soil.

The Russian Danube Army consisted of three detachments : Front , Eastern and Western. The Front Detachment, comprising about 12 000 men, under command of Gen.Gurko , had the assignment to liberate the settlements in Central North Bulgaria and to penetrate in South Bulgaria. In its strength were also included the Bulgarian Volunteer Units, organized in 12 battalions, comprising totally 12 634 men. They were instituted by order N.40 April 14th 1877 of the Commander-in –Chief of the Russian Operating army. On May 6th 1877 the volunteers were sworn and given a combat flag. Gen. Nikolai Stoletov was assigned as a commander of the volunteers.

After the liberation of Tarnovo and Gabrovo Gen.Gurko’s Detachment headed towards Stara Zagora. In bloody battles with the enemy , the Bulgarian Volunteers got their baptism of fire and with the cost of great sacrifice saved the Samara Flag, withdrawing to the Shipka Pass. Epic battles were waged since 9th to 11th August 1877.Thanks to the bravery of the Bulgarians and Russians and to 16th shooting battalion of General Radetzki, who came just in time, the strategic peak was saved. The victory frustrated uniting of the armies of Suleiman Pasha and Osman Pasha at Pleven.