Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-04-26
Gpuppr's GlurIsburg Regiatrr
COLT THE CAUCASUS.


ecdote, illustrating the value of a recent
American invention, in an English paper
of the 18th February:
In Daghestan, young Lesghian, chief,
being severely wounded during one of the
frequent razEias Of the Russians, took re-
fuge in ruined sakli,* in order to apply
bandages to his wounds. While thus en-
ployed, he was discovered by party of
twelve dismounted dragons, who imme-
,mediately gave chase on his taking flight.
Being feet of foot, for short while, he
Outran them. during which time such OF
them as had their carbines loaded fred at
him Intellectually. Having crossed one OF
the flexible bridges, common in that
country, and which was over rapid tor
rent at tho foot of mountain, the fugi-
tive, finding himself unable to proceed
much further, and having time to put his
arms in order, stood at bay under a pro-
iecting rock. With yells of delight and
uplifted sabres, the Russians approached
the bridge. The foremost nearing him
cried. " Yield, dog /" Not whilst have
twelve lives at my girdle," cried the I'M
daunted mountaincer. The Russians in
the rear laughed loudly at the boast, but
he in advance fell dead, pierced through
and through by bullet, nearly at the
feet of the Lesghian. The second soldier
stumbled over his dead comrade, and as
he rose received shot which caused him
to fall severely wounded.
The next seeing the same weapon,
which had been twice discharged,
still pointed, rushed on; but to the sur
prise Of the Russians, a third shot was fred
at him untouched, however, he was
about to cut down the Lesghian, when
fourth discharge scattered his brains on
the rocky parapet, and his lifeless body
tumbled into the torrent beneath. Three
of the Russians had now fallen. "What
devil of pistol is this, that speaks SO of.
ten % cried the survivors to each other.
The Lesghian still stood firm, merely fol-
ding his pilisse of sheep's-skin round his
left arm, ready to receive blow, pre-
caution not unheeded, since now two Rus
SLAMS, abreast, we're on the point of assail-
ing him. Certain of their prey, these ad-
vanced more cautiously than their prede-
cessors. This time two deliberate shots
brought them right and left; each fell
pierced near the heart. The remaining
soldiers were amazed. The Lesghian,
tainted with loss of blood, and feeling his
strength fast ebbing, now drew forth
another pistol, at a moment unobserYed by
the enemy, and rapidly fred three shots
at the group of Russians, now fifty yards
distant at the other end of the bridge
Owing to his sight now being dim, only one
shot took effect, wounding one of the dra-
goons in tho shoulder. L" Let US fly"
they cried cit is the Evil Spirit of the
mountain he would kill our whole army !"
~, lyT Aod i,Ycf
as the Lesghian sank down exhausted at
the foot of the rock. At distance they
ventured to look back. &c 1t hath van
ished in the mist" cried the superstitiuus
Muscovites.
The Lesghian chief was secured by
some of his own people, and ere long re-
Russian. At his bridal feast, some four
months after, the pistols, which were pair
of Colts revolvers, and were gift from
an American traveller, Capt. K, to
the youthful hero of the Caucasus, were
handed round amid the general benedic-
tions Of the party. The bride is said
even to have kissed them, saying, "Ah!
my Dehemet, were all the brave Circas-
SLAMS armed like thee. there would not be
so many fearful maidens and bereaved
WIDOWS IN Da6heStan.
The Russian prisoner, soon reconciled
by kind treatment to his position, has had
the cruel horsehairt removed from his
heel, and has often cleansed and loaded
those identical specimens of the fatal wea-
pons, destined to effect such a revolution
in the warfare of the world.
The story of the DEVILS pistol' was
long told among the simple Russian SOL
diery,+ when conversing on their weary
march. as the winding column assembled
interminsble mountain, or when the CRATE
full Samovar (kettle) gave promise Of tea
at the close of their days journey. Now,
the partial introduction of the arm among
the officers has in some degree dissipated
the telling effect of the story, but many
still devOutly believe that the young Les
ghian chief was no other than the Prince
ofDarkness himself out on sporting ex-
petition for the express purpose of bag
cling Russian soldiers.
*Thc "snkli" is the habitation Of the eastern
Caucasus. tits constructed Of unhcwn stones, c.
mented with clay instead of mortar.
+ A tuft of horsehair is commonly inserted by
tho Circasians in tho heels of their prisoners, in
order to create such degree of lAmeness as to
prevent their escape.
! The simplicity of many of tho Russian SOL
diers is almost touching in its childishncss. 1t
is against the Car that VIC making war, not
against those unfortunate beings.
Love Letter and Answer.
MADAM Most worthy of estimation,
after long consideration and much medi-
tation Of the great reputation you possess
in the nation | have strong inclination