The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-06-14
From tic Nelc York Courier & Enquire,
Facts about Russian Army Service.

Facts about Russian Army Service.
Discipline in the Russian army is more
than severe-it is merciless, inhuman.-
The least inattention, the slightest fault
is visited with the most cruel corporal
chastisenent.
Should the unhappy culprit who was
sentenced to receive thousand laSbes,
die under the infections after having re-
ceived the first five hundred, the rem aim
der Of the sentence is executed on his dead
body. The writer has seen an officer de-
liberately pluck out by the roots one of
the whiskers from the face of soldier
The man did not stir. Constantine, the
brother of the late Emperor, has delibcr-
atcly, on parade, pierced with his sword
the foot Of Colonel, and thus fastened
il to the earth. The officer did net stir
till the prince had withdrawn his sword.
He then tell and was removed. This feat
was performed by that execrable tyrant
to a prove to foreign officer the degree
ofpcrfcction which discipline had obtained
in the Russian army. On another occa-
sion the Colonel of regiment ordered
four soldiers to stand forth Having or
dered them to knecl down he beckoned
to a party stationed at distance to ap-
proach. He announced to the soldiers
that they we're to be shot, and asked them
TO state any reasons why they should not
undergo sentence. ave are not aware OF
having done anything to deserve the pun
ishment," was the reply, "but our COM
manding officer knows best The party
fired, one man fell dead; fright alone had
killed him, as the guns had been loaded
with only blank cartridges. "Well, what
now you say to this" said the Colonel,
addressing the English officer for whose
instruction this instance Of military dis
cipline was exhibited. They deserve to
be shot was the answer, for their cowar-
diee-they ought to have bayoneted you
before they kuelt down.
When an order is issued from the high
est quarter, the Governors of the Provin-
ccs issue theirs to their subOrdinates.-
These notify to the noble landowners that
a quota is expected, and fixed the mum
Der of men each has to supply. The Lord
generally picks out the wort and the
weakest, least useful portion of his un-
married serfs for the army, keeping in his
service thestrougest, healthiest, best con-
Quoted, and most useful-a matter easily
managed with the inspecting Commissary
by means Of bribe.
Prior to their enlistment, verv often these
poor fellows must be married. A notice
TO that effect is sent to the priest, who ap-
points an early day for the ceremony
The young men and an equal number Of
young women are placed iu two opposite
rows, and, as the priest passes through
the avenue just formed, he unites the two
persons who happen to face each other
Proceeding to the church, the marriage
ceremonies are performed.
Sometimes it happens that young men
and women between whom mutual at
tachment exists are thus separated f; but
an indulgent lord generally consults the
inclinations Of the parties. On the other
hand such marriages furnish cruel and
oppressive steward With frequent oppor-
tunities Of gratifying pique or revenge.
After the wedding the recruits are per-
mitted to reman with their wives for some
time, varying from few days to even a
few weeks, after which they join the regi-
ments, leaving their wives behind years
may pass without couple obtaining inte-
lgence from each other. Sometimes the
wife contriycs to discover her husbands
whereabouts, and if she can obtain per-
mission from the Lord or bis representa-
tive, and passport from authorities, she
goes in search Of him, accompanied by her
cttltlrcR.
In Poland the system of recruiting is
very severe. Every son in family but
one, must serve, and even the last is very
often forcibly seized. Boys are registered
when they attain the age of thirteen years.
Unexpectedly, in the middle of the night,
they are taken from their homes and con-
veyed to place of safety, generally the
barracks, where they are placed with their
faces against the wall and measured /;
should any one look round for a moment
he receives slap in the face After haY-
ing gone through the measuring and med =
ical examinations, military clothing is
distributed among them; they are then
kept close prisoners in the barracks till
tbev are called out to march. Having
been conducted to the market place or
some large square, they are torn from the
arms of their distracted mothers and
weeping sisters, and marched off to the
depot There they are distributed to va
rious station, to be Incorporated into reg
iments of infantry, cavalry, or the navy
..ocor5;nc 70 their sizes They are taugh