Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-12-13

On the 22d day of May, 1871, battalion of the
military colony, established >at Noyogordo, was
drawn up the parade ground adjoining the e1ten-
sye barracks constructed in the most ancient and
solitary portion of the city, near theschurch ST. So
phia. % sa - go ~ = s2@ 50 - % s
: In front of the ranks stood Gen. L., tall man
of fifty, remarkable for his erect carriage meagre
ness sallow complexion and large gray restless eyes
He was known throughout the camp for his bravery.
of which he had given many proud proofs in the
campaigns of Turkey and Persia it was clear that
domestic nfelicities had soured his temper or that
his heart had become hardened by the frequent APP
pcations of discipline. degrading in his nature and
often horrible in its effects, Gen. L. had become
terror to the soldier and scarcely day passed in
which his command was notsignalzed by acts of Sc
verify as well deserved to be called ferocious.
1t was known that the man cherished a profound
attachment to young girl, the daughter of an old
companion in arms, killed in battle. He adopted
the orphan child brought her up with care, and new
er allowed her to be separated from him. And she,
though grateful for the kindness of her father by
dopton, not the less governed by an irresistible
feeling of constraint when in his presence the result
of his breyity of speech, imperious manner and
cold severity of aspect She was known among the
troops by the expressive name of SolowloVa Might
ingale given to her in recognition of the grace with
which she sang the wild pathetic ballad of the Sca
Vonians
Solowiova, to please the General, appeared at the
reviews. One day she sitting at a window of
the Generals quarters, in room on the ground floor
whence her eye ranged along the extended ranks
and bright flush OVcrspread her features as her
glance rested for moment on the handsome features
of young surgeon major, Ivan Polovol, whose man
lY form set off to a rare advantage by the SIM
pie uniform of military grade
General L. passed and re-passed along the front
line of the battalion without single word but with
a frowning brow and an angry expression on his fea
lures, for he perceived that some of the men were
absent. Suddenly was heard the slow and muf1ed
beat of the drum and from the extremity the plain
L r -.
in his hand one of those long rods which are still
used in the Russian service the tool of hateful pun
shment At this sight the General turned in a.
mazcment to his aids and in a voice of thunder de-
manded who had given the order, and who was to
be the victim.
sergeant, conspicuous by his Scared and livid
counenance, darted before the General, snatched
from him his sword, struck him on the face, and
coolly answered - Your
At these words an electric shock seemed to pass
long the ranks, and CLEAN of hate lighted up the
habitually passioness. features Of the men By a
tta.liGous movement, the officers advanced from
the line to the rescue Of their commander; but in
moment they seized, thrown to the ground, and
menaced by half a score of bayonets.
Ivan alone exempted, for his humanity had
won for him the affection ofthe troops grenadier
who stood near him. whispered in his ear, whether
the nightingale sings remains silent, do not move.
word, single step, and you are dead
Recovering from his stupor Gen L. grasped with
turned them aside with powerful effort and cried
out with a ferocious glance along the line, To your
knees vile brutcs, and eg for mercy there will
not be skin enough your backs to expiate for your
crimes
A savage chuckle was the answer to this threat
and the sergeant with fightful tranquility, which
indicates settled purpose, said:
Every one of us knows tie doom that awaits him,
and is prepared to sacrifice his life. When your
tence is fulfilled we shall go before Gen Surof the
Governor of Novogordo we shall lay at his feet your
sword belt. orders, and what remains of your body,
and we shall say to him, Gen. L. was tiger and
we have slain him ; here our weapons we await
our punishment And thus saying, the sergeant
tore away the Generals epauletts and tramped them
under his feet.
These decorations belong not to you,' he contin
be 5odr d h RT st6 6a #
for having been q moment too late in presenting
arms Remember the old subaltern, who, for spot
on his uniform ordered by you from the ranks, 4
struck upon the face with your whip until the blood
ran down his cheeks. The unhappy man, 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 he spoke, had continued, with
terrible composurc, to strip the General OF his yest
his coat, and his under garments.
s:That subatern like myself, bore the name of
Guedenoff; we were born in the same hovel-he was
my brother"
Spite of his indomitable frmness the General could
not refrain from shuddering rs he listened to this
fearful accusations eloquent in its calm simplicity,
so passioness in it's brevity AS for Solowiova, she
had looked at first with vague wonder, unable to
comprehend the scene that passed before her but
when she the General deprived of his sword his
uniform tore away, his form expOsed--then she be-
gan to perceive the purpose of his assalants and to
understand that he was doomed to receive the de-
grading punishment he had so often inflicted Seized
with horror she to her feet, casped her hands
in supplcation, and shreked in terror and despair.
| Ivan had till this moment stood motionless and 81
lent, but he could not resist the anguish Of her he
loved He forgot the stern excitement of the loved
the hopelessness of his interference and made steT
forward; but the loud ringing of musket was heard
Ivan threw up his arms, turned his heel cOnvul
sively, and fell to the ground corpse. The bulle
had pierced his heart
lifted the body, and bearing it to the window where
Soowiova stood, and threw it at her feet and said
| % Nightingale this belongs to you.''
White as marble, she gazed upon the corpse of he
lover, bent towards it, wiped the bloody forehead
with her handkerchief gave forth one terrible scream
and fell by its side.
Meantime Gen. L. had been bound to gun car
rage dragged throug the ranks, and scourged Will
rods, the torture of which is but the beginning of hi
punishment He had scarcely reached the extremit!
of the line when voice exclaimed, g To the j
The unhappy General, half dead with agony, heart
the words and knew their horrid meaning. On
hundred voices repeated g To the ovens!'
A moral paleness Overspread his features; his cour
age gave way he groaned and begged for mercy
But the hurrahs of the battalion drowned his voice
and Guedenof approaching him once, replied: g
too, begged for mercy when my brother fell dyin,
with the blows you ordered"
We will not pursue the hideous details of the seen
that followed, only adding that Gen. L. and the SUI
perior officers of the battalion shut up ovens which