Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-03-23
A MILITARY EPISODE.



Caravan and Won Promotion.
A military correspondent of The
Grashdanin relates the following inter
esting reminiscenc. of an episode in the
early career of the recently deceased
general Of the marine artillery, p w
Pestitch, whose remains have been in
tered at St Petersburg with great
pomp and circumstance:
Shortly before the outbreak of the
Crimean war Prince Menshikoff. after
ward commander in chief of the Rus
sian forces in the Crimea, while travel
ing by steamer from Constantinople TO
Sevastopol. made the acquaintance Of
the young marine lieutenant. Pestltch,
whom he frequently surprised in the
pursuit of mathematical studies during
his leisure time, The prince conceived
a liking for tho young officer. and after
the opening of hostilities promoted him
to the responsible position of receiver
of ordnance and ammunition, then be-
ing hurriedly pushed forward for the de-
| Tense of Sevastopol In the discharge of
this duty Lieutenant Pestiteh met with
U
caused chiefly by tho utterly slow prog
ress made by the munitioD caravans and
the stupid and cumbrous formalities of
delivery on arrival There shortly came
q time when these delays and fornali-
| ties threatened disaster to the defenders.
Lieutenant Pestitch, having failed to
expedite matters by his frnitless repre-
ttatJ 10, hob i I'd
| his patience being exhausted, secretly
/ formed a we'll mounted company of
trustworthy troopers and a train of
| empty baggage carts and after hightfall
| set out to meet an anxiously expected
muniti0n caravan coming from Sim
| feropol This caravan, chiefly oxen
| drawn, Pestitch and his company am
pushed and plundered in thorough brig
and style, despite the lively resistance
offered by the guard and teamsters, who
were disarmed to prevent fatal casual
| ties. Pestitch's splendidly mounted
though now heavily laden train reached
Sevastopol with unusual celebrity, and
the munitions were quickly furnished
to the bastioEs most in need of them.
The enterprising lisatenant had
scarcely completed his risky task before
the story of the raid had reached the
commandments headquarters A court
martial was hastily summoned, the two
chief members being Prince Gortchakof
and Prince Menshikoff Pestitch was
arrested and hurried into the presence
of the military tribunal Scarcely any
one recognized the usually smart and
spruce yonng lieutenant, who was now
as black as sweep with gunpowder
dust, and his uniform in grievous dis
array. In Gods name what figure is
that?" asked tho astonished Prince Men
shikoff. '"That is Lieutenant Pestitch, "
replied the officer of the guard.
5000, said the prince, with pro-
longed accentuation Of astonishment
You, then, are the marapder Do you
know, my man, what You have done?"
- know, your highness, was the brief
reply. "And do you know what will
happen to you for this?" Again came
the cart, bat respectful response, II
/ know, your highness. . "What?' asked
the prince Il shall be shot, " answer
ed tho imperturbable black figure. Pes
itch was then requested to relate the
story of the plan and object Of the night
attack and plumber Of the caravan. This
he told briefly and succinctly without
Offering any palliation for his rash and
risky venture Prince Gortchakof and
Prince Menshikotf listened with ever
increasing and gracious attention to the
prisoners explanation, and on its con
clusion Prince Gortchakof observed;
''This is the first time in my experience
that | have known man to 90 the
length Of committing crime in the full
fillment of his duty with the knowledge
that he was forfeiting his life by the
act. =" Addressing himself to the ac-
oused, the prince said: You are ac-
quilted, Lieutenant Pestitch. Return to
your post, and leave tho caravans in
peace in future. will see that the mu-
milton deliveries arc made TO yoa hence
forth with all possible promPtitude.
And so they were. Lieutenant Pestitch
was shortly afterward promoted to
higher rank, and his career since has
been avery distinguished one. With his
demise the Russian army has lest ono Of
its most capable artillery officers. Lon
don News.