Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-18
NO. 66.

that was most exciting in the war which
brought the Russian army within sight of the
miusretS of Stamboul. From the day when.
so show the stuff he made Of he swan
his horse across the Danube while General
Drsgominoff was forcing the passage at
Smnitzs, 10 the time when he could with
difficulty be restrained from marching into
Constantinople as soon the British fleet
entered the Sea of Marmora. he was the most
prominent actor in the drama. He became
the legendary hero of the campaign, and in
the minds Of the common people he almost
monopolized its glories. He ALWAYS in
the fore front of the hottest battle; four
horses were shot under him in ten davs, but
he was only wounded once. and after being
in expectation of death for months he returned
home safe aui sound, His white uniform
was to his soldiers as the white plume OF
Henri Quatre ~ the battle of lvry. Il have
heard the soldiers speak of him." SAYS Lieu
| tenant Green, las general under whom
| they had rather fight and die than fight and
live under another. They had often TO die
sometimes 90 per cent ofhis command perish
ed but he spared no eNertion to minister to
their wants. and To supply their needs. His
division the best fed and best clothed
and best armed in the army. lie was always
with them in the most exposed positions in
the fight, sleeping in the trenches, and look
ing after all their necessities in the camp. In
short" says Lieutenant Green, "he succeed
ed so thoroughly in making himself one with
his division that his men responded to his
| thoughts as readily rs the muscles obey the
will. | doubt if more thoroughly ideal
| relation between general and his men has
existed since the DAYS OF Cromwell"
His custom of wearing white. as if to court
the bullets of his enemies, his reckless per
sona bravery and the strange custom Of his
of always going into battle in his cleanest
uniform and fresh undertaking. covered
with perfume, and wearing a diamond hilted
sword, in order that, as he said, he might
''de with his best clothes on, gained him the
| reputation of a wild daredevil, which some
| what obscured his real capacity as a general.
In reality they only showed how thoroughly
he had OWNED that secret of power which
lies in fascinating the imagination as well as
| of appealing 10 the reason of men. When
he was sent to take Cock Tepc and subdue the
Tekkes, many shook their heads. and predict
ed that his impetuosity would be his ruin
SO far from that being the case he displayed
the utmost caution, acted with the greatest
deliberation. refused TO move from july
to December. until he had made
| all his preparations, and after he had carried
| on camcls to the trenches no fewer than
,5'5,000 rounds of ammunition. to say moth
ing of several thousand of heavy shot and
shell, he laid siege to Geek Tepc, and cap
tured that hitherto impregnable stronghold.
He had 10000 troops against 10000 Asiatics.
and he achieved the conquest of the Akhal
Tekkc country with n loss of 951 men. Only
once in the campaign did Skobeletf display
his usual rcck,essncss. After the fortress had
fallen he was riding through the country with
his escort when he met several Tekkcs. He
ask pI who flpN Ehnv unsSyaraI
"Friendlv Tekkes." "IIow can believe
your word 2 he asked again. "Tekkes never
lie, was their confident response. well"
replied Skobelof, ''if that is the case will
send my escort home, and will return az
companied by you" lie was as good as his
word, and his trust in the word of the nomads
was not misplaced.