The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-08-12
Our Foreign Letter.
Irregular Correspondence.)
ST. PETERSBURG, July 90, 1882

ST. PETERSBURG, July 90, 1882.
General Skobelef, whose death has caused
so great a sensation throughout the country,
entered the army on March 3lst, 1863 Having
finished his studies a. the academy of the staff,
he joined General Kaufman as lieutenant col.
onel during the khiva expedition of 1873 lie
commanded the vanguard for a short time,
and soon distinguished himself by military
skill as well as by personal courage. He also
took part in the capture of Khva, and here &C
lcompllshed his first exploit. General Mako
soft, who commanded detachment of Crcas-
sian troops, and had to cooperate with Gen.
Kaufman, could not pass the desert nor send
any news to his commander Much anxiety
was felt as to his fate when Skobeletf, disguis
ed rs Turcoman. successfully passed the des
ert and the enemy's raiders, but only after
great fatigue and suffering reached General
Markosof. For this he received the St.
Georges Cross of the Fourth class, and was
made an aIdc.de camp to the Emperor. After
the Khiva expedition he married Princess
Gagarln, but left her week after, gong to
| Spain TO see some active warfare with the Car
lists He was present at the battle Of Estela.
In 1915 an expedition was organized against
Khokand. Colonel SkobeleH commanded .
detachment, and before the other troops began
to advance he had already defeated the enemy,
and taken the capital. For this he was pro-.
noted to Major.General. In 1877 he left
Turkestan, and presented himself to the chief
of the army of the Danube. at first no com
mission was given him, but he soon made him.
self popular by his extraordinary courage.
During the passage of the Danube he swan
across the river on horseback. Before Plevna
he first commanded a brigade and then the
10th Division. In the two first attacks he
alone always succeeded in driving the Turks
out of their positions, but was obliged to re
treat, as the main forces of the army suffered
reverses. On July Both, when the third attack
was made, he alone found out the real key to
Plevna, and captured the Krisha position,
whereas the main forces were uselessly sacrl-
feed before Grivitga. The next day he was
attacked by Osman Pashas whole army, and
not being supported, was at last overpowered
and driven out of his position, after desper.
ate and brilliant defense, his troops having
fought for thirty-six hours almost without rest
For this the 81. Georges Cross Of the Third
Class was, given HIM. At the battle Of the
lShipka Pass In January, 1873, he again dis
, Itingulshed himself General Rade,zsky and
: Prince Nirsky had attacked the Turkish pos
liton, but without success. The next day
Skobelef turned the Turks, captured the re
douts of Shenowo situated behind, and forced
Verel Pasha, with $4,000 men, to surrender
After the failure of the Akhaf Tekke expedi-
ltion under General Lazaretf IN 1879, it wa:
proposed to raise another army OF 10000 men
. and the campaign to last from two 10 thre,
Years. General Skoteleif offered To undertake
the expedition with 10000 men, and finishe,
' it In one year. On December Goth he lait
0 seige to Geek Teye and after desperate re
sistance, during which the Tekkes inflicted TIVE
serious defeats on the Russians, General okob
cleft fought his sixty-first and last battle, OIL
: Jan. 12th, 1881. After nine hours fighting
Geek Tepe was taken by storm, the enem,
being thoroughly defeated. Eight Thousand
bodies covered the surroundings of Geek Tepe
and the fortress was filled with killed; onl,
the women were spared. General Skobelei
u was highly educated man, who spoke Eng
i lish, French and German, as well rs Russian
n He had thoroughly studied all military scien
ces. His remarkable courage and kindness
the soldiers and younger officers made him
!, iavorit, In the Russian army which has los
d one Of her best if not the best Of her Generals