Most of them had lance-thrusts about their bodies; some, sabre-cuts. I saw them one by one, and a more sickening spectacle I seldom witnessed, not only from the nature of the wounds, but also from the youth and simplicity of the younger ones.
As regards the rumour that any of these attacks were committed by Bulgarians, I am able to state that, according to those I saw, not one such case has occurred. I asked all the sufferers one by one, separately, if they had been maltreated by any Bulgarian Christian, or if they had heard of any such case: they one and all said not.
From what all asserted, these cruelties can only be attributed to Cossacks, as the perpetrators were all described as "horsemen with lances."
The number of these victims is increasing, as others are brought in daily; and from what those I saw said, a considerable number must have been killed on the spot.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) R. Reade.
List of Wounded Women and Children lying in the Teké, or Dervish Mosque, at Shumla, and visited by Consul Reade.
1. Habibe: a woman aged 25 years. Wounded in the back by a lance.
2. Mehamed: a boy aged 7 years. Wounded in the left thigh by a lance. Son of No. 1.
3. Ibrahim: a boy aged 5 years. Wounded on the right thigh by a lance: also son of No. 1.
4. Hava: a woman aged 25 years. Lance-wound on the head.