New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-06-23
business of war; he exactly knew He vas about 81 years

old.
"on the Dad of August Col de Todeten reached sebas
topo and presented to Menschko the letter with which
he charged. He afterward it seems said all that
appropriately could I'm support Of the warnings con-
tanned in the letter. but Prince MentschkOf would not
see the coming INVASION. From the FIRST he had with
held his belief in the which foreshadowed the ar
mada and the ateness OF the added now to
the grounds on which he rested his disbelief too
late he said for invasion that year. and before the
next Summer there would be peace. Prince Mentschi-
kon 1t is true. gave heed to that part OF the letter
which spoke Of de Todlebens merits; aud the Leuen-
antColonel was not only received with all courtesy
and kindness at Headquarters. but was armed, IL
appears, with full power TO examine the defensive
resources OF Sebastopo Prince MontschkoR, however
had been habituay rigid economist OF the public troas
ure aud hc was still unwilling to incur expense in pro-
vidng against danger which he believed to be chimerl-
cal Col de Todeb,ns inquiries elected the want that
there was engineering tools; but although there were
Government factories from which 1t would have been
easy TO get the required supply, the Prince did not yet
see the need Of obtaining them in the ample quantity
which prudence seemed TO demand.
Nor this all AS though 10 protect his repose from
farther assaults Prince Mentschkof took step which,
he had had his way would have produced consequences
beyond the reach Of his Imagination. He recommended
Col De Todleben TO quit the Crmca. Coming from the
COmmander-in Chief, this accommodation was almost
mandate; but for time ut least. compliance might DO
e9aded Todleben contrved to avoid defer the ne
cessty OF departing for some days and them the armada
appearing he remained and defended sebastopol.
at is certain, however, that during the three
weeks which elapsed between the arrival Of Prince
Mentschkos visitor aud the appearance of the armada
on the coast Col de Todeben was only making him
self infinitely acquainted with the field Of the APP
preaching conflict hut also beginning 10 earn that
rare confidence which afterward enabled him To
guide into a right direction the valor and strength
Of the garrison. The mOmcntous charge intrusted
to him tho evening which followed the battle OF the
Alma shows that this early time his genius had
obtained great ascendant.
Toward tho creation OF all his confidence both his man
ner and his expression OF feature conducting For
although as might be expected from hiI and his
Courland birthplace, he had that Northern, that North
German conformation OF head and cOuntcnanee which
denote q man fitted for violent bodily conflict
lasting out 70 the death, and although he even
seemed 10 he one 10 whom the very ab0rs OF hghting
and OF discriminating weaker breeds Of men, must
b. an easy delightful exertlon Of natural strength
he had Joyous. kndoOkng eyes almost ready to melt
with good humOr, and bearing aud speech 80 franh
and genial that people were instantly inclined to like
and very soon after 10 trust In him From his locks
and demeanor IL could not at all be inferred that he
was a man who had devoted his mind TO scioneo
and, for this very perhaps, he had the less
difficulty in making people yield to his Judgment.
No one who had so much him could imagine
that his power Of doing the right thing 40 the right time
had been all warped by long study Of the engineering
art No one who had once converted with him could doubt
that body and soul he Of action nothing more.
nothing less race corrupted by luxury aud the arts oi
peace knows nsncycy that must succumb to nature
ofths kind imagine that few men Of great intellect have
ever attained closely he did TO that which the En-
edsh describe when they speak OF being prac-
teal.
1t was supposed at one time Europe that Todeben
had made discoveries which altered and expanded the
old science u fertilization This il hardly true. II
In applying his sccncc-in applying II 10 novel and
changcful circumstances his excellence lay He
had the power instantly recognizing and ut
derstandng an the material conditions upon which from
time he had 20 found his resolves II these con
dtons and startling he did not the less hasten
20 accept them II they OF such kind that they
threatened to dsocath his plans and Turn 10 naught his
past abors he did not for that fail b give them.
and give them once their Just place In his rcckoning
That which most tries the powers Of commander is not
the mere solution Of any problem laid clearly before him
His harder task IA 20 learn In good fine that he has
problerz solve aud then 90 what 10 IT, For the
questions which he ought to be deciding very many
they are Of them strange aud startling and they
spring up-often suddenyfrom day to day. from hour
to hournay IN battle from minute 10 minute II avais
him but little be able 20 any truth unless he
marshal and place II In due relation with the existing
conjuncture lie needs the swift judgment and the rm,
accompanying grasp which enable to lay ont OF his
sight the conditions longer material aud TO gather
clean into problem the terms which really belong
IT, There are few who In war thus steadfastly look
upon the present dscardug those things In the past
which have only Just lost their Import And often the
most industrious Il the least able 10 exert this
power; for when change Of circumstance comes, It finds
him carrying with great momentum m direction
which has ceased 20 be the right one and he hardly
at change his 10 was not so with Col de
Todleben; for although he had been gifted, shall
see, with energy his mind ~ the same time so
nmbe that the force with which he had been acting
one direction did not hinder from acting in another,
the moment change Of action called FOR by change
Of conditions"
"What was said OF a lusty English statesman may be
SAID once more in the words. and applied TO this
Colonel Of SGppcrs All that anciful for any
unpractcal-a that the least bit too high for
him. or the least BIT too deep Tor hm-all that lay,
though only by little. beyond the immediate future
with which he deanghe utterly drove from out OF
his mind aud his energies condensed for the time upon
object TO which they could be applied with effect,
brought to bear upon II with all their full volume
and power IL certain that he would strive 10 do the
very utmost Of what could be comprised by mortals;
and nothing more. Under guidance 40 firm aud
there could be no waste OF energy, waste of bodily
labor
"But besides that he able 20 withhold his mind
from the pursuit Of things not TO the purpose, Col do
Todeben, after time strong enough 10 be able to
repress in others any inclination 10 wander from the true
path IL at Kornilofrs table that he achieved this
There mention there day, OF fancliul method
which protector had imagined for the defense Of
the place; and Kornlon seemed to be interested by the
suggestion Col de Todleben inteTposed There ought
he spoke TO this purpor there ought 10 DO listening
TO suggestions OF this kind The way OF doing what Is
possible toward defending the place lies clear before
We must not make waste of time, aud disperse
energies by thinking OF other plans All the minutes
have we want Aud all the commanders and officers
duty have been made wise by the discipline Of immin
ent peril that they bowed 10 the words OF the great
volunteer thus laying his weight their counsels.
Thenceforth his strong did than prevail II
urex ,Hlthnnt nnnalLnn Ind made Ii