The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1880-03-18
MelikefK, the New Military dictator Of
Rue0ia. ssss=s

d6us AOIlS 0cuAOns WAAO ID AOW sAAO
Military Dictator Of Russia. is the son
of an Armenian merchant, and began
his military career as an officer in
hussar regiment in st. Petersburg. His
talents were recognized by Mouravief.
but, uEtil. the opening Of the campaign
of 1877. he had never had an opportu-
nifty to handle large body of troops.
or to learn the science OF war in the
open field. He was selected, however,
as the commander Of the principal col
umn which invaded Armenia from the
line of the Caucasus, and in the end
justified the sagacity of the Russian
war Office. The plan of campaign
which had been adopted b. the head
quarters staff was exceedingly brilliant,
but it was based upon the nominal
rather than the available strength OF
the army. If the 10000 men called
for by the estimates had been ready for
active operations, the concentric move
ment of three columns upon Erzerum
would have resulted in . speedy and
inal strength of the army was scarcely
100, 600 men, and neither Melikof's
patience nor Tergukassoff's courage
could compensate for the default IN the
original estimates. Ardahan was car
ried by storm, Kars was invested,
Mukhtar was forced back to the mount
aims, and the appearance OF the Bay
azid column on the flank was anxiousiy
awaited. The Turkish commander, at
the critical moment, took advantage of
shorter lines of communication, and,
by weakening his centre. massed his
- loR< UrSv4np
Melikof attacked the enemy in front,
and, after severe repulse, retreated
toward Kars. The left wing, after win
ming victory at Zaidikhan. was forced
to retire and re-establish its communi-
cations with Erivan. The investment
of Kars and Batum was abandoned and
Melikoff's campaign seemed to have
ended midway in disaster.
Although it was reported that Nell
koff had been removed from command
in disgrace, the Grand-Duke Michael
was willing to give him chance to re-
trieve his reputation. He resumed
operations about the middle of August
two months after the retreat from the
mountains, and lost one of his advanced
positions. The Russian forces were
then concentrated. and heavily rein
forced, and by brilliant generalship
Mukhtarss army was cut in two. The
battle of Aladja was an overwhelming
victory for the Russians, and the VIC
torious commander lost no time in fol-
lowing up his success. He pursued
Mukhtar to Kars, and again defeated
him at Deve-Bovun. The storming OF
Kars on Nov. I8 was the most brilliant
achievement of the war. Although q
night attack upon Erzerum was re-
pulsed, the town was closely invested
and by this series Of successes the Rus
slams were virtually masters Of Ar
menia.
Melikoff Is q handsome soldier, with
black curly hair, large, dark sparkling
ewes, q handsome bronzed complexion,
and features. which, without being
quite regular, are comely and refined.
BE is of middle stature, Of slight, ,nerv-
GUS structure, and spare person. His
manners are polished and extremely
affable, while his conversation is lively
and easy. He has been. one of the
most successful of the Military Gov.
ernors who have been invested with su-
preme power in their districts during
| the last year. He Is . man OF great
and varied accomplishments. In addi-
| ton to his native, language. Armenian
he is familiar with and speaks Russian.
Turkish. Persian and French, but Il
| ignorant of German and English. he
| was great favorite with his soldiers.
He visited them, in their bivouacs,
tasted the soup. and inquired aftel
their comfort He took especial cars
of the sick. frequently inspecting the
field hospitals and ambalances. At tht
| same time, he was strict discipline
rian. and required from all, and par
/ ticularly from the non-commissionet
officers of his army, . punctual per
| formance Of their duty. His age Il
fiftv-seven.-N. r. Tribune.