The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-12-30
London Times


Here ia old Krudener absolutely refusing
to go away, though he has been offered
liberal pension repeatedly. He ia over 73
years of age, was full Colonel in the
Polish campaign of 1881, and has to be
ahovelted on to his horse by his Cossack
continues ID misdirect u corps OF 80, 900
men. It never seems to occur TO the au-
thorities that a mistaken tenderness TO
these old men is death to their troops. A.
-NikePei KsadeRer- made the Ninth Cos
eacks charge q battery mounted, to his own
struction of half the men and horses OF the
regiment.
At Brestovec village, the place from
which write, is Skobeief's advanced fore
post line, covered by artillery, heavy siege
guns, and rifled moItars. His division, the
Sixteenth, up to its fun number 10 al
ensconced in excellent huts, mile ana o
half farther back, prepared for any cold,
and with q fireplace and chimney to every
hat.
His is the only Russian camp ever saw
that ia clean in the Englieh sense OF the
word. All others are Pigstyes or worse,
polluting the streams ard breeding disease,
regardless of consequences. His 10 clean.
His one object in life is to be idolized by
his men, and he folly succeeds. He seems
TO bear o charmed life.
Skobeleff says and he says with truth !:
"This is q new era in war, and we are
making experiments for the benefit of
others. The-sbovel and the oreech- loading
rife have changed everything. Artillery
goes for nothing; the infantry assault ls
she only, though the most precartous mode
of success" This, from man who has
had greater triumphs than any other In this
army, is very valuable.
And he persists in leading his division
On himself, for he says he cannot fod it in
his heart, like others, to send men on to
death without sharing their risks himself.
Nobly thought and nobly spoken. l have
horses to-day, but he says that to see him
on any other would dishonor his men. elf
live to another campaign will not ride
white horses, but l cannot leave OF now"
These are the calm words Of q man who five
hours hence 10 going to Whist is like certain
death.
Being q rich man Skobelef keeps open
table, and all his brigadiers and colonels
cit down with him twice daily, quite unlike
Gourko, of whom it is said that she never
dines," but takes tea occasionally, writing
and working all the rest of the day. These
Swo are rivals in fame, but Skobelef 10
aieh young bachelor of "a, with immense
expectations, and Gourko, q man of 40,
father of family, who has nothing but his
pay.
Each ia thorough soldier, and each
perfect in HE way. Gourko though 9 cavat-
~ officer all his life, is 40 mere sabreUr, but
u thoughtful, intellectual man, who i'm
presses you At once with a sense of mental
power. He defends his raid through the
Balkans on apparently soond strategic
grounds. At any rate it opened and has
Kept open the gate of the Balkans.
Skobeleff has curious theory that to
attack positions you ought to begin late in
she afternoon. This makes it, If you fail,
unlikely that your eoemy will retoEt with
= counter attack that night, and, on the
StteE hand. goa have the whole night to
SntreLeh- There ls q good deal In favor of