Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-01-22
A Story of Russian Military Life.

We translate the following horrible narrative
from the French paper of this morning, into which
it is copied from the Paris Gazette des Ti6neonr.
That Journal gives it veritabe history, furnish
ed by one who was witness Of the scenes describ-
ed.-N T. Com. Ado.
On the Odd Of May, Is4I battalion of the
military colony which the Russian Government
has recently established at Novogorod and which
closely resembles in many respects the landoehr of
Prussia, was drawn up on the parade ground ad-
joining the extensive barracks constructed few
years SINCE in the most ancient end solitary portion
of the city, near the Church of Saint Sophia.
In front of the ranks stood General I.--eff;
tall man fifty. remarkable for his erect carriage.
his meagreness, his sallow complexion and his
large, grey, restless eyes, He was known through.
out the army for his bravery, of which he had given
many brilliant proofs in the campaigns of Turkey
and Persia but, whether it was that domestic
inielcites had soured his temper or that his hear,
had become hardened by the frequent application
OF discipline, degrading in its nature and often
horrible in its effects, General L--ef had be.
come terror 10 the soldiers and scarcely day
passed IN which his command not signalized
by acts of such severity as well deserved to be call
ed ferocous
1t was known, however, that this man cherished
profound attachment for young girl, the daugh.
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 kindness and affection of her father by
adoption was not the less governed by an rresisti-
BILE feeling Of constralnt when in his presence, the
result OF his stern brevity of Speech his imperous
manner and the cold severity of his aspect She
was known among the troops by the expressive
name OF solowiova (nigbtlngale,) given to her in
recognition OF the grace with which she sang the
wild pathetic ballads of the Savonians.
Soowiova, to please the general, always appear
ed at the reviews and drills and on the day when
the incidents took place which are hereafter to
be related she was sitting at a window of the gen.
erals quarters in room on the ground floor,
whence her eye ranged along the extended ranks
and bright blush might be seen to oyerspread her
features as her glance rested for moment on the
handsome features of young surgeon-maior, nam
ed Ivan Polovoi, whose manly form was set off to
rare advantage by The simple uniform ofhs militia
ygrade.
General L---eff had passed and repassed
along the front rank of the battalion without utter.
ing word, but with lfowning brow and an angry
expression on his features, for he perceived that
some Of the men were absent. Suddenly was heard
the slow and mufied beat Of drum, and from the
extremity fthe plain was seen advancing band
of soldiers, each carrying in his hand one of those
long rods which are stu used IN the Russian service
as the tools of hateful punishment. At this sight
the general turned III amaze to his aids and in a
voice ofthunder demanded who had given the order
and who was TO be the victim.
sergeant, conspicuous be his SCARED and iyid
countenance, darted before the general, snatched
from him his sword, struck him on the face and
answered coldly, "YouW
AT these words an electric shock seemed to pass
along lhe ranks and CLEAN of hate lighted up the
habitualy pssionless features of the men. BY a
spontaneous movement the officers advanced from
the line TO the rescue of their commander, but in
moment they were seized, thrown to the ground,
and menaced each by half score of bayonets.
Ivan, the surgeon-major, was alone exempted
for his genleness and humanity had won for him
the affection of the troops. A grenadier who stood
near him whispered in his ear, whether the night
ingale sings or remains silent, do not move. A
word, single step and you are dead"