Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-11-10
The Gross Of St. George.

Il. The Cross ofst. George. | Speak to Russian of the Cross of St. George, and his face lights up with enthu- siasm. Could he hope to win that honor, before which the Csar himself dofs his chapeau? It is . military decoration for unparalleled heroic actions on the field of battle So rare is it, that the Grand Duke Michael is the only one of the imperial family who bears it; and amid the hun dreds of thousands who compose tho Rus sian army. not half dozen are decorated with the Gross of St. 'ieorge.
 One day while at Athens, in the street of the Parthenon, saw Russian funeral pass. The ambassador followed the funer al with all his attaches, the deceased being an officer of vessel in the bay. To my surprise, the ambassador. Mir Ozerof, suddenly halted before hideous looking sailor, stationed near the church, and made low obeisancc, uncovering his head. All his attaches. civil and military, covered as they were with decorations, did 4 the same. 1 looked in astonishment at l the man who could make these overbear ing officials so obsequious and what a sight A nose cut through in four places and turned over on the left cheek, which was furrowed by terrible scars. the eye al most closed, the forehead lined with gashes Shuidering at the sight, turn ed to my friend for explanation
 "Sec!' he whispered; '.he wears the Cross of St. George
 And then noticed on the breast of the scared veteran, the black and yellow rib bon with the Cross of St George.
 While Mouravieif was carrying on his terrible Circassian campaign, sparing neither human life nor human dwelling he called for some marines to work the five mountain guns that constituted his artillery
 One day Mouraveff was checked Schamyl, in person, attacked, with the intrepidity of despair, and threw all into flight and disorder, Guns, gunners, ammunition, all remained in Schamyls hands, with host of prisoners, who met the quarter Mouravief gave, death. This man alone escaped and in q few days was called upon to take charge of the guns. and train Circassans to use them against his countrymen. Ivan yielded with no apparent difficulty, and battle soon came off, Amid the rattle of musketry Schamyl missed the sound of cannon He sent an emir to see what was the matter Make the Giaour do his duty, or plant your yataghun in his heart" The emil fouad Ivan contending with dozen men. who werc endcavoring to force him to load and level the pieces He pretended to yield, and going up, seized the ramrod not to load the piece, but use it as q wea pon against ten men armed with pistols and swords The struggle was shcrt but terrible. Ivan came out with skull fractured, his face, hands and body gash ed, pierced and torn, but the ten lay around him hors de combat Bleeding from thirty wounds, he loaded his piece, and wheeling it around poured s volley of grape on the nearest Circassians They staggered under this unexpected attack, and again and again he spread death through their ranks, till the already victorious force began to waver, and, as u last volley flashed among them, broke in confusion, and lost the impregnable posi- ton which they had held.
 As the Russians pushed on to secure the advantage thus gained so unexpected ly, Mouravietf found Ivan bleeding at every pore, beside his piece Uncoyerlng he exclaimed:
 Il renounce my rank, my very name, if this man is not rewarded as few mortals can be-with the Cross of St George"
 Not ambassadors only, but the highest general or official in Russia, even the gar himself salutes the hero as he meets him and guards present arms as to superior being. to the yalant tar, Ivan.--s--.-