Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-05-04
A MILITARY EPISODE.
How Lieutenant Pestitch RaIded u Supply
Caravan and Won Promotion.


Caravan and Won Promotion.
A military correspondent of Tho
Grashdanin relates the following inter
esting reminisccnce of an episode in tho
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 circumstances:
Shortly before the outbreak of the
Crimean war Prince Menshikof. 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, Pesti:ch,
whom he frequently surprised in the
pursuit of mathematical studies during
his leisure time. The prince conceived
liking for the 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 Pestitch met with
all kinds of vexatious distinctions,
caused chiefly by the utterly slow prog
ress made by the munition caravans and
the stupid and cumbrous formalities of
delivery ON arrival There shortly came
a time when these delays and formali
ties threatened disaster to the defenders.
Lieutenant Pestitch, having failed TO
expedite matters by his fruitless repre-
sensations to the higher authorities, and
his patience being exhausted, secretly
formed we'll mounted company of
trustworthy troopers and train of
empty baggage carts and after nightfall
set out to meet an anxiously expected
munition 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 bastions most in need of them.
The enterprising lieutenant 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 Menshikof. Pestitch was
arrested and hurried into the presence
Of the military tribunal Scarcely any
one recognized the usually smart and
spruce young lieutenant, who was now
as black as n sweep with gunpowder
dust, and his uniform in grievous dis
array. I'm Gods name what figure is
that?" asked the astonished Prince Men
shikoff. THAT is Lieutenant Pestitch,
replied the officer of the guard.
10000" said the prince, with pro-
longed accentuation of establishment.
lyon, then, are the marauder. Do you
know, my man, what you have done:"
Il know, your highness. was the brief
reply. And do you know what will
happen to you for this:" Again came
the curt. but respectful response, i
know. your highness. " WHAT" asked
the prince. Il shall be shot" answer
ed the 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 Menshikoff 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 a man to go the
length of committing crime in the full
fillment Of his duty with the knowledge
that he was FORGETTING his life by the
act. " Addressing himself TO the ac-
cused, the prince said: "You are ac-
quilted, Lieutenant Pestitch. Return to
your post, and leave the caravans in
peace in future. / will sec that the mu-
milton deliveries are made to you hence
forth with all possible promptitude. !"
And so they were. Lieutenant Pestitch
was shortly afterward promoted to a
higher rank, and his career since has
been very distinguished one. With his
demise the Russian army has lost ono Of
its most capable artillery officers. Lon
don News.