The Northern Pacific farmer., 1883-09-13
Anecdotes of SkObeleff.


he took of his soldiers have been dwell
upon by several historians CT the wal
and special correspondents. We can
only find space here for a few anecdotes
Of a personal character given by Russi-
aus. His soldiers worshippe / him, look
ing on him as demigod:
Zone of his soldiers coming unexpect,
edly on the crowd which blocked the
street opposite the Chapelle Arnente.
where Skobelef lay dead, on asking,
''Why this crowd?" received answer,
'tSkobeleff is deadv' Nonsense, replied
the simple veteran, "Skobelef is not
dead. He would not consent to die. II
is impossible" And so he unconcern.
edly went his way, confident that his
beloved general was still alive"
He was in the habit, without ever
compromising his dignity, of mixing
familiarly with his men:
common spoon out of the camp kettles,
that the camp kettle was in it's place. II
was not only the superb military genius
which they admired, but his sympathy,
his homely brotherliDess. There was no
pride in him-with the poorest he was
as friendly as with the most powerful"
With his money he was most lavish,
giving away the whole of his pay to the
soldiers and those of his officers who,
were in need. The following tale will
serve as proof of the devotion of bis
men:
s'Skobeleff went to visit a transport oi
soldiers badly wounded. One of the
moribunds recognized him. "Oh,' said
he, "there is;our own one, our Skobeleff.'
The others heard the name. "Hurrah,
hurrah! they tried to cry out; so weak
ana wavering were their voices, it re.
minded one of death more than life.
One of the wounded soldiers who had to
be operated on had both legs and an
arm to be amputated. Chloroform was
of.red. "Why do you object?" ex-
claimed the doctors. Il cannot repliee
the man; rather let me smoke a pipe
during the operation. l cannot take
any chloroform. I tell you am Sko
belevets'-belonging to Skobeletf's divis'
ion."
Kind as he was to his soldiers, he
could be stern enough when n necessary.
Once a.working party in the trenches
assailed by murderous fire from the
Turks, fell back and sought shelter in
the trenches; SkobeIef exclaimed:
'sYou are frightened. Your COM
rades are working, and you are fright
ened. Form in rank" They obeyed.
March back to your work and that at
once. II not, God be nv witness if do
not make you. go through your drill be-
fore the Turkish trenches. You know
me: It is enough" They resumed
their work withou1hesitation.
His daring exposure was one not to
set an example and inspire confidence.
he sought to spare the lives of others:
"Once he went to the front, and turn
ing round, perceived a group of his Of
6ce1s. "Why are you hereS" he cried.
"Yov are not necessary" eve will not
let you. die alone," they said. He un-
derstood their stratagem, smiled and re-
turned to another spot"
The most ably conducted and auda-
cious of SkoJelef's campaigns was that
in which he captured Geek Tepe and
conquered the Akhal Tekkes. 10 de-
scribe it would be to write a military es-
says, which would be out of place here.
The following extracts, however, from
SkoboleH's instructions to his officers
when drawing near Geok Tepe will be
read with interest and profit:
''The main principle of Asiatic tactics
is to preserve ..close formations.
Long thin lines, in which troops easily
get out of hand and separated into small
groups which cannot obey the will Of
their common leader, prevent the latter
from opposing strong formations, in
which the superior discipline and mobil-
& Saf ta9R8st S atssEs TIE
attack of the enemy's cavalry is to be
met by corresponding changes of front,
il necessary, and by volleys at short
ranges. l recommend even squares
battalion or other] when circumstances
permit. :. Mitrailleuses are to be
used exclusively in connection with in
fantry or dismounted cavalry, like the
former regimental guns; all other guns
are at first to be kept in reserve, so that
they may be used in masses when re-
Quired: and so good results will be OBJ
tanned by few dozen guns working un-
der one mars will."-London Athenoe-
nm.