Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-10-25
(from The n. j. Commercial AdrortiSer.)
\ STORl OF RUSSIAN MILITARY LIFE.

lnSlhto which n lsCoplcd nom the Paris bu-
sefie des Trib,h,dUr That journal gives il
as veritable history, furnished by one who
wdsa witness of tile scenes dcSt rbcd.
On the I'D of may. ISL. abattalion of the
military colony witch the Russian Govern
ment has recently established at Novogorod,
and which closely rcscHblc in many respects
the tnhd-,cehr OF Prussia. MAS drawn up on
The parade ground adjoining the extensive
barracks constructed a few years since. in
the most ancient and solitary portion of the
city, near the Church OF Saint Sophia.
In front oi the ranks stood Gcii'l l.---ell:
" tall man OF fifty, remarkable for his erect
earn Sc. his mcagrcnesS, his sallow complex
ION and his grey, restless eyes. lie was
known Throughout the army FOR his bravery
oi which he had given many brilliant proofs
IN the campaigns OF Turkey and Persia but.
whether it was that domestic mielici,ies had
soured his temper, or that his heart had lc.
come hardened 10y the frequent application Of
a discipline. degrading in its nature and often
horrible IN its effects General Left had
become a terror tn the soldiers, and scarcely
a day passed in which his command was not
sigualized by acts oi such severity as well de-
served to be called icrociots.
II was known however, that this man cher
ishtd PROFOUND attachment fot Young girl,
the daughteratan old companion i'm arms, WHO
had been killed in battle He had adopted
the orphan child, brought her up with care.
and never allowed her To be separated from
him. And she, though grateful for the kind
ness and affection of her father BY adoption.
was not the less governed by am irresistible
feeling OF constraint when in his presence
the result OF his stern brevity of speech. his
imperious manner, and the cold severity of
hisaspect. She was known among the troops
by the expressive name OF Solowiova, (night-
inn. 10. \ ~, L. -. 49,. a.
grace with which she sang the wild pathetic
ballads of the Sclavonians.
Solowiova, 10 please the general, always
appeared at the reviews and drills; and on the
day when the incidents took place which are
To be hereafter related, she was sitting at a
window OF the generals quarters, in room
on the ground floor, whence her eve ranged
along the extended anks-and bright blush
might bc seen To- oversprcad her features, as
her glance rested for moment on the hand
some features of young surgeon major named
Ivan Polovoi, whose manly form was set off
to rare advantage by the simple Uniform of
his military grade,
General L----eif had passed and re-passed
along The trout rank of the battalion without
uttering word, but with a irownng brow
and an angry expression on his features, for
he perceived that some of the men were alb
sent. Suddenly was heard the slow and muf-
fled beat OF drum, and from the extremity of
the plain was seen advancinga band of soldi-
ers each carrying in his hend one of those
long rods which are still used in the Russian
service as the tools ola hateful punishment
At this sight the general turned in ampze 10
his aids, and III a voice OF thum Ter de manded
who had given the order and who was to be
the victim.
a sergeant conspicous by his SCARED and
livid countenance, darted before the tencr,,,
snached from him his sword, struck him in the
lace, ana answered cody, 'You!"
- these words an electric shock seemed to
! pass along the ranks and a gleam of hate light
dup the habitually rassionless features OF the
men. by spontaneous movement the Off
Gers advanced iroN the line To the rescue OF
tiheir commander. but i'll moment they were
seized thrown To tire ground, and n,enaced
each by half score of bayonets.
Ivan. the surgeon-major was alone exempt
ed Tor his gcntleness aud humanity had won
for him the affection of the troops a grena-
d,cr who stood near whispered in his ear.
Whether the nightingale sings or remain 81
lent, do not move a word, single step
and you are dead"
Recovering from his stupor Gent I--efi
had grasped with each hand one of the bavo-
nets pointed at his breast, turned them aside
with powerful effort, and cried out with a
lerocious glance along the lime, 10 your
knees vile brutcs; TO your knees and beg ioI
mercy; or there will not be skin enough upon
your backs To cXpiatc your crime"
a savage chuckle was the answer TO thi.
| threat and the sergeant, with the f.ghlfu
lraiSquliIity which indicates a settled purpose
said Every one Of us knows the doom thai
awaits hun, and Is prepared 10 sacrifice hi;
| lie. When your sentence is fulfilled we
/ shall go before General Suroil, the Governor
OF Novogerod, we shall lay at his feet YOU
sword, your BELT your orders and what re
mains OF your body, and we shall say to him
/ General L---cii was tiger-we have slain
\ him; here are our weapons, we await ou
punishment" And thus saying the sergeant
tore away the generals cpaulettcs and tram
/ pied them under his feet.
These decorations belong not to- you" he
continued; "a knout should be borne BIZ the
executioncr. Remember the soldier Betsakofl
scourg. d with rods for having been moment
too late in presenting arms. Remember that
old subaltern who, fora spot upon his uniform
was ordered by YOU from the ranks and struck
upon the face with your whip until the blood
1n down his checks The unhappy nan
frantic with rage and pain, lifted his hand in
resistance-and for this he was logged and
sent, manned and dying. TO Siberia"
! The sergeant while lac spoke had continued
with terrible composure To strip The general
ot his belt, his coat, and his under garments
He went on:
That subaltern, like myself bore the name
otGuedenoif; we were born IN the same hovel
he was my BROTHER
Spite OF his indomitable lirmness the gene
raj could not refrain from shuddering as he
listened to this fearful accusation. so eloquent
m It's calm simplicity, so pa~sionIcss in its
vergciul breyity. A. for Solowiova, she had
looked on at first with vague wonder, unable
To comprehend the scene that passed before
her but wlers She saw tive general deprived OF
lIIs sword, his uiiona tom away, his form
exposed, then she began to conceive the pur-
pose on his assailants aud to- understand that
he was doomed to receive the degrading pun.
ishmcnt lIe had so oitcncauscd TO be- inflicted
Scned with horror she rose to her feet cIaspcd
her hands IN supplication and slIrckcd aloud
ia terror aud despair.
Ivan, the surgeon-najor had tilt this mo
m-nt siOo mOtlOnlCssand' silent: but he could
not resist the anguish of her lac loved II.