Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-13
DAREDEVIL SKOBELEFF.
Reckless and Brilliant Military Ex-
plOIss of the Russian General.

Though two Austrian detectives have been
ordered to watch Gen. Skobeleff until he
leaves Vienna for st. Petersburg, it is given
out with special stress that his recent fiery
speech was not delivered seriously, but was
born OF too much champagne.
In connection with Gen. Skobeleff, the
London Pail Mail Gazette reproduces some
interesting "reminiscences OF his career. The
story of his exploits In the Bulgarian cam
paign includes all that was most exciting in
the war which brought the Russian army
within sight of the minarets of Stamboul.
From the day when, "to show the stuff he
was made OF, " he swan his horse across the
Danube, while Gen. Dragominoff was
forcing the passage at Simnitzq to the
time when he could with difficulty be
restrained from marching into Constanti-
nople as soon as the British fleet entered
the Sea of Marmora, he was the most promi-
nent actor in the drama. He became the
legendary hero of the campaign, and in the
minds or the common people ne almost
monOpoliZed its glories. He was ALWAYS in
the fore front OF the hottest battle: four
horses were shot under him in ten days. but
be was only wounded once, and after being
In constant expectation of death for months
he returned home safe and sound. His
white uniform was to his soldiers as the
white plume of Henri Quatre at the battle
of IvrY. "I have heard the soldiers
speak Of him." says Lieutenant Green,
Gas a General under whom they had
rather fight and die than fight and live un-
der another. They had often to die-some-
times so per cent. of his command perished:
but he spared no exertion to minister to
their wants and to supply their needs. His
division was the best fed and best clothed
and best armed in the army. He was al
ways with them IN the most exposed posl-
finna n ffOht ell NIT Al
trenches and looking after all their necessi-
ties in the camp. In short" says Lieutenant
Green, che succeeded SO thoroughly in
making himself one with his division that
his men responded to his thoughts as readily
as the muscles obey the will. doubt If a
more thoroughly ideal relation between a
General and his men has existed since the
days of Cromwell"
His custom of wearing white, as IL to
court the bullets Of his enemies, his reck-
less personal bravery, and the strange Gus
tom of always "going into battle in HIS
cleanest uniform and fresh underclothing
covered with perfume, and wearing dia-
mond hilted sword, in order that, as he eaid.
he might die with his best clothes on"
gained him a reputation of wild dare
devil, which somewhat obscured bis capacity
as General. In reality they only showed
how thoroughly he had OWNED that secret
of power which lies 10 fascinating the
imagination, as well as OF appealing to the
reason of men. When he was sent to take
Geek Tepe and subdue the Tekkes MANY
shook their heads and predicted that his
impetuosity would be his ruin. So far from
that being the case he displayed the utmost
caution, acted with the greatest delibera-
tion, refused to move from July to Decem-
Der, until he had made all his preparations,
and after he had carried on camels to the
trenches no fewer than 1,575, 600 rounds of
ammunition,to to say nothing of several thou
sands OF heavy shot and shell, he laid siege
to Cock Tepe and captured that hitherto
impregnable stronghold. He had TO-
600 troops against 10000 Asiatfcs,
and he achieved the conquest of the Akhal
Tekke country with loss of 937 men. Only
once in that campaign did Skobeleff display
his usual recklessness. After the fortress
had fallen he was riding through the coun-
try with his escort, when he met several
Tekkes. He asked who they were. They
answered: "Frlendly Tekkes." "How can
believe your word?" he asked again.
"Tekkes never lie,n was their confident
response. "Well," replied skobeleff, 'Tf
that ia the case will send my escort home
and will return accompanied by you." He
was as good as his word, and his trust In the
word of the nomads was not misplaced.