The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-09-24

see II could not get hold OF boat, as swan
well from boy when bathcd in The Vistu
la. AT all events, preferred drowning tc
being knouted BY the Russiane. Fortune
favored me, and found on The strand an
unloaded fishing boat with drunken Cos
sack asleep in it. easily bound him hand
and foot, threw him overheard, and sailed
out into the sea. For three days wander.
ed about, eating nothing in the whole time
| but an old dead fish which was in the bot
tom of the boat. was almost starve when
was taken up by Turkish smugglcr,whct
brought female slaves to Constaninopc
The Turks treated me as a slave, and sold
me in Smyrna 10 a rich man, who put me as
a servant into bis stables. After scmo months
ran away from him, allowed myself to be
made a Mussulman, was received among the
soldiers, and thus became free from slavery.
] did not give up the hope that the Sultan
would again 10 10 war with the C4ar, and
that should be able to do some good had
been several years in the Turkish service,
when one day a Polish officer, who was also
in the service, told me to get ready, as there
would be more work in Poland Twas great-
ly rejoced to hear This, and travelled with
two OF my countrymen with great danger
and difficulty through Bukowina to Gallicia.
Here | met with rich nobleman, whose
huntsmen and servants helped TO drill. ev-
cry day praying 10 God that might We, live
to see Poland again great and free. Final
ly, in the spring of 1876, we came to blow.
with Austria, but without much effect, and
after few battlos, the Imperial troops con-
quered. | was taken prisoner, and made TO
run the gauntlet five times both ways through
five hundred men,until my bloody flesh hung
in strips from my back. | was then put in
a regiment stationed in Italy. Then came
March, 1913, and Italy broke out ] went
over al once to The Sardinans, wa. made
sergeant, and fired many bullets upon the
Austrian officers. | had heard that the En-.
peror was good friend Of The Gar, and
must do every thing which he commanded
When peace was made the next winter in
Sardinia, went with many other Poles who
were discontented among the Italians, by
ship 10 2ara ard thence secretly to IIunea.
ry There was soon fine war, in which nv
heart could again rejoice. Then the Car
sent his troops to aid his friend. and now
'hings went on well. The first day,in which
| shot Russian major, was the happie.t
had known for many years, although 90,
sabre wound on the head. But then there
were still too many Of the enemy l was at
last in Comorn under General Klapka, and
that was my luck. He made capitustion.
and | received a passport to 90 10 America.
| did not wish 10 go to that country, for
there was no war with the Gar, and should
have been false to my oath. wanted 10
sail for England and see if l could not sue
ceed IN getting passage to the Caucasus
where there was still war. But heard in
Hamburgh, that the Car was on The side Of
The Danes, and was going to aid them with
his ships Of war. The cause was of no con,
sequence 10 me. | did not care whether the
Danes or the Schleswig- -Hol.ieiners had the
upper hand But as soon as heard Of the
friendship oil the Car for the Danes. a
once took service at Atona. Now il will
soon be all over with me, and | am Glad Of
IT. for have kept my Doth; and when |
shall meet my father, my mother. and INV
beloved above, they viii be well satisfied
with me. thank you, sir, that YOU have
come 10 me, and beg you TO send me a
priest, that may confess 10 him and receive
the Holy Sacrament, was Obliged ia
Smyrna to assume the Turkish faith ont |
waFdiy, buI at heart have always been
good Christian"
with these words the old soldier again |
pressed my hand, and turned his face TO !
The wall as if he wished to yield himself to |
his recolleciions in silence. The priest.
whom had sent for Immediately. found il |
impossible TO give the dying man the so- !
;ramenl. Al the last moment few Polish |
soldiers were present, since he wished 10
10 surrounded by his own countrvmen.
they aiterward told me that his last words,
when he could only speak in a whisper,
we're a irightiul curse against Russia.
When returned TO the room in the even.
ng he was stretched oct as a corpse On
lls body were found the scars OF eleven
Wounds.
The next morning we buried him with
military honors. Under his head was
'laced the bag with earth from his mothers
rave and on his breast The orders. Thrse
'olleys were then fred over The grave of
he old soldier. A small flag or black, red.
nd gold adorned the spot. The Danes,
Who destroyed all The monuments of the
ierman soldiers who fell in Schleswig
ave probably burned this. So rests Tie
oor old soldier. without token of out.
'ard remembrance. Ills name will be for
often and his memory pass away.