Morning journal and courier., 1891-09-04
SKOBELEFF.

 Recollectfons of the Pride of the Rus
 sian Army.
 lCharles F. Tuckerman in Murray's Magazine
 Sitting at breakfast one morning in the clubhouse at Pera, noticed at another table MT. MscGavan, the well-known American newspaper correspondent, who had accompanied the Russian army through the campaign, and had achieved high re- putation for personal valor as well as for of events. His companion at table was a military officer in uniform, who, when I exchanged bows with MacGaven, turned toward him as if asking who I was. In coming to my table. MacGavan presented me to General Skobeleff. He was man greatly desired to meet. The valor and splendid military renown of the hero of Plevna were in everybody's mouth, and he possessed personal magnetism that won for him the friendship of every one A thorough soldier his face informed one at the first glance that he was open as the day in his sentiments and democratic in his instincts. As to the men under his
 
 whether military respect or personal love for their commander proved the stronger motive for their admiration of him. strict disclplinarian in camp, he had friendly word or grasp of the hand for each and all of them. He did not talk to his men of personal bravery, but he set so conspicuous an example of 1t in his own fearless exposure to danger that his officers were more neryously anxious for his safe ty than for their own.
 A few days after We met again by chance at the club house, and Skobeleff, being alone, insisted upon my breakfasting with him, and ordered two or three bottles of champagne. In vain protested that at that early hour never drank champagne, but he would have it, and drank it like water, without the slightest perceptible effect. This is Russian habit, and in Skobeleff's | case, fear, led to excesses not altogether | disconnected with his untimely death after his return from Russia. Like all his coun- | trymen whom I have known, he talked | with the utmost freedom. On military and | political affairs he gave his opinions with out reserve, and censured certain high off cials among his countrymen to an impru- dent degree. But even his censorious re- marks left the impression on my mind that he spoke from conviction and not from personal feeling. He pressed me to visit him in camp at San Stefano, and offered | to send & mounted escort and horses to | meet me on my arrival at the railway sta | tion.
 This honor declined; but went down to see him in the course of the week, and was treated with great hospitality. I ar rived in the afternoon, and just before nightfsll he took me over the camp. Some men were preparing their evening meal around huge smoking csldrons; others were lying about at ease on tine turf or in the tents. At the generals approach they started to their feet and stood at "salute," '" motionless as statues. With a pleasant word to them he passed on to show me the arrangements for the night. I expressed my surprise at the height of many of the men.
 "Oh, these are nothing" he replied; "come this way" and We advanced to a group of men sitting in tent. These he called out by name "Strongenoff," {" "Pol- inoff, i" and so onto stand up; and file of men stood before us, not one of whom was less than six feet two. The apWar- ance of this vast camp of soldiers 'foff duty" lying, standing, sitting about in groups, some sleeping in the oldest stti- tudes or stretched out on their backs, open mouthed and snoring in their war-stained and weater- beaten uniforms, their sun Drowned faces giving evidence of the toll and hardships of the campaign, was in some respects more impressive than when, few days after this visit in the lurid light of the evening, I saw them in the blaze of monday pass in review in all the perfection of thorough equipment of dis | cipline.