Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-29
THE MAIDENS' RED0UBT.

A most interesting ceremony has Just
taken place at Sebastopol, the historic
Russian fortress on the Black Sea. This
was neither more nor less than the un-
yelling of an obelisk on the very spot
where, thirty seven years before, during
the crisis of the Crimean War, the wo-
men of Sebastopol, answering the appeal
of the gallant old sailor, Admiral Kor-
niloff, assembled en- masse to join in the
defense Of their native city. 1t was an
assemblage that knew no distinction of
rank or social station, comprising the
daughter Of the boyard and the child of the
humblest citizen, who cheerfully joined
in the sacred task of preserving their
hearths and homes from the grasp of an
alien foe. These heroic women erected
with their own hands what was known
as the Maidens' Redoubt, fertilization
which performed most effective work in
resisting the besieging armies and sue
ceeded in inficting serious damage upon
them.
The picturesque and touching cere-
mony was under the chief direction OF
Rear Admiral Narbutt, commander OF
the Fleet at Sebastopol and of the Gov
ernor of the city. Admiral Narbutt,
who is also a member of the board of the
celebrated Military and Naval Museum,
first suggested the idea of erecting the
memorial, and when the matter was ia
vorably decided, the necessary prepare
lions were entrusted to him to be carried
on under the auspices of the Museum.
The monument itself is of dark Cri
mean granite. In design it is a fine
obelisk. Upon one side of the base il
the following inscription: Here was
situated Sebastopol's Maidens' Redoubt.
Below this are the words: "This earth
work was thrown up by the women o.
the city in 1854" The obelsk faces tn,
school built by General Menkoff, il
memory of the siege, and devoted to The
education of the children of Sebastopol'
defenders. Attached to the school is
Home fer Aged Soldiers.
The great hall of the Menkoff Schoo
was prepared for the reception of tn
children, mostly grandchildren of tn
women who built the redoubt. A grea
concourse filled the immense chamber t.
hear the Metropolitan, who, with mum
Der of assistant churchmen, was presen
to deliver an Grafton and pronounce tn
benediction. BY the time the servic
was well under way the scene becam
impressively interesting, the large mum
Der of young persons dressed in holida
garb listening reverently to the words q
the distinguished cleric who stood upo
dais robed in the rich and picturesqu
vestments of the Greek Church, Will
near him we've grouped the more promi
nent lay members Of the Committee O
Arrangements.
Following the Metropolitan's CRATIC
came the singing of the memorial hymn
in which several hundred juvenile voice
joined and many persons were moved t
tears as the children sang what wa
really pecan of praise to the heroines q
the siege Many OF the latter were act
ually present; othe -s-not a few-ha
succumbed to the hand Of time.
The genemlproceedings which marke
the unveiing Of the memorial were /
the nature OF gala celebration. Tn
children Of the town marched in proce.
sion. dressed in white and bearin
branches Of laurel. The entire garriso
turned out with bands aud banners
there was church parade, the priest
chanting memorial hymn, aud a
proudcst and highest Of the citizen
marched In line on foot sehastopol ]
short, was en- fete aud for several day
gave herself up 20 feasting and reioicinl
No one present remembered anythln
equlllug the celebration ia spoulaneou
enthusiasm and uuaalmity ol sentiment
But lt Is onIy fails % add that The abiel
inait was one we'll calculated t8 sreu
tte deepest patriotic igeIlnE h was
tribute t0 Husslan aemauhaai sHd Ino
denaIiy a Tribute tu the aomaHhaod
ths aald
lhe aIe af the Hus aes. ~ sahat
FIht the a.Hut Hms n Fane aa
Ht sn1 ahaa Hu.hnI lhn
l fHa iaH Emaa h
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