Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-06-28
THE RUSSIAN IN WAR.
A Prince a. Private Soldier In the Fa
nous Plevna Campaign.

Prince a. a Private Soldier in the Fa-
nous Plevna Campaign.
1t may seem n paradox, but the Rus
SLAMS are the most democratic people
In Europe. Every officer was the CORE
epondent's comrade. Prince Shakos-
ky, the ill-conditioned General who
made such mess of the July Plevna,
was the only exception | ever knew.
If the samovar Was in service the
officer shared his tea with the corre-
81 ondent; in the middle Of a battle. II
the officer had a couple of sandwiches,
he would offer one Of them to the cor
respondent. From the highest to the
lowest. in regard TO military informa-
ton, the Russians were incredibly
frank; the correspondent never had 10
ask questions as to situation, DISPOSE
tions or observation-disclosures in re-
gard TO those matters was volunteered
to him. The only secret they ever
had-and ! must own they kept it well
was in regard to the point at which
the crossing OF Tho Danube was to be
made. Skobeleff 'had not the faintest
previously he had been accommodating
the approaches. Prince Taeretieif
.'really had not even the remotest con-
ception." Still, even In regard to the
crossing OF the Danube. the friendly
Russians were not memorable. could
but ! should be escorted betimes to the
headquarters OF the General command
ing the division which was to take the
lead In tho operations. IL was rather
an amusing experience. The guide
sent to escort me was in the uniform
Of a private soldier IA tall. handsome
man. riding fine gray horse He
spoke English fuently aud with
out trace OF accent. As We
rode along together and talked, the
tone OF this private soldiers conversa-
ton bewildered me. He knew his
Europe rs II IL had been his native
parish. He had what Americans call
''the inside track in regard to En-
glish affairs. social, political and
financial. He spoke OF country houses
Of which he had been the guest, and
commented on the merits Of "A piece OF
statuary In the drawing-room ut Sand
bingham. At last | asked hi, name.
He was OF one OF Russia's Oldest
princely families. and belonged to the
diplomatic corps, but whom the war
began had volunteered for military
service, and. not being qualified to be
an officer, had fallen into line as pri-
vate soldier. As We rode along
asked him where we were bound for,
not imagining that IL destination to
which we we're full en- route could he
any longer secret. But he looked
upon 1t still In this light, no doubt IN
accordance with his instructions. aud
of course had no more To say for The
time being. Is, and by we reached Il
point whence radiated four cross
roads II became obvious To me thai
my guide was himself at fault. tool
no heed while he led me first alonl
one road little way, then along AN
other, returning puzzled to the eros
roads. At last he had to confess. II
seems to me I've lost my way.
SORRY ! can not be OF any service.
was my reply. ''since | do not know
whore IL is you want 10 go to, have
been all over this region aud know
whore each Of those ronds leads.
Ny prince-private-soldier-diplomatis
burst into IA laugh, and then men
toned our destination. Then thi
way" said |. ''about AN hours ride.