River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-09-13
Anecdotes of SkoheIeR.

His skill, daring, and the care which
he took of his soldiers have been dwell
upon by several historians Of the wal
and special correspondents. We can
only find space here for 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.
edlv on the crowd which blocked the
street opposite the Chapelle Arnente.
where Skobelef lay dead, on asking,
"Why this crowd?" received answer
"Skobeleff is deadr 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
Familiarity with his men:
'fHe used to eat with them with the
common spoon out of the camp kettles
and no one was ever more careful to see
that the camp kettle was III it's place. II
was not only the superb military genius
which they admired, but his sympathy,
his homely brotherliness. There was nc
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 his
men:
"Skobelef went to visit transport o.
soldiers badly wounded. One of the
moribunds recognized him. ooh said
he, ''there is'our own one, our Skobeleif.
The others heard the name. ''Hurrah
hurrah!' they tried to cry out; so weak
ana wavering we're 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
offered. "Why do you object?" ex-
claimed the doctors. Il cannot replied
the man; rather let me smoke a pipe
during the operation. | cannot take
any chloroform. l tell you | am Sko
beleyets to Skobeletf's diyis'
ion"
Kind as he was TO his soldiers, he
could be stern enough when n ecessary.
Once working party in the trenches,
assailed by q murderous fire from the
Turks, fell back and sought shelter in
the trenches; SkobeIef exclaimed:
You 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. Itnot, God be nv witness il do
not make you 90 through your drill be-
fore the Turkish trenches. You know
me. 1t is enough" They resumed
their work INTERPRETATION
His daring exposure was one not to
recklessness or vanity, but to desire to
set an example and inspire confidence.
Though, however, he exposed himself,
he sought to spare the lives of others:
"Once he went to the front. and turn
ing round, perceived group of his Of
ficefs. "Why are you herej" he cried.
"Yov are not necessary" eve will not
let you die alone" they said. He I'M
derstood their stratagem, smiled and re-
turned to another spot"
The most ably conducted and auda-
cious of Sk0Jele17s campaigns was that
in which he captured Cock Tepe and
conquered the Akhal Tekkes. To de-
scribe it would be to write military es-
says, which would be out of place here.
The following extracts, however, from
SkoboleH's instructions to his officers
when drawing near Geek Tepe will be
read with interest and profit:
1.-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-
ity of orr troops tell most to sudden or
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 otherl 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-
CURED; and SO good results will be OBJ
tanned by few dozen guns working I'M
der one mans will. "-London Athene-