New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-24
An EPISODE IN 4 MILITARY CAREER
HOW LIEUTENANT PEsTGTCH RAIDED SUPPLY
CARAVAN AND WON PROMOTION.

From The London News.
A military correspondent of the era ndann
relates the following interesting rennsGehSe OF az
geferal OF the marine artillery, J.. w festtl,cn,
whose remains have been Inferred al -
the outbreak OF the Crimean War Prince Menschl-
kor. afierwdri cOmmander-l -cheI ol ne 20,
forces in the Crmea, WINE uAyei"s ~ ,na ac
from ConstantnOple to SeOastopol. mace the aS-
whom he Frequently Surprlsei IN me pui sun tn Ss
mathematical studies during MS leisure l.,he, ln9
Prince conceived a liking for the young officer ana
after the opening Of hosues promoter nun 70 .r
responsible position Of Receiver Of Ordnance ana
an ba dgac rn@ of ebas,opoi In the discharge Of
this duty Lieutenant Pestitch met with all kinds
of yexatous distractions caused cnleny py INC
utterly slow progress made by the munIton car a,
vans. and the stupid ana sumhrous tormaes 81 81
the defenders. Lieutenant Pestitch, having failed
TO the higher authorities and his patience being eN-
hausted secretly formed well-mounted company
zee lis and after nghtfa set on; to meet
anXiousy expected munition caravan coming from
SimferOpol. This caravan. chiefly oxen dra"h;;
Pestitch and his company ambushed and plunuereu
In thorough brgand style. d, spite the lFey rrs,,
disarmed t. prevent fatal casuaies fes'' ,r,,n
spenddly mounted though now heavily ,auen ~" 80.
munitions were quickly furnished to the oasuohs
most in need of them. ,. .or,.
pletei his risky task before the story OF the RAG
had reached the commandants heAd9uH,ne,s ccb,se
members being Prince Gortchakon ana r. .ioJ
Nenschikoff Pesttch was arrested ana nu n,.I,,
into the presence OF the military tribunal SeaiSey
any one recognized the usually smart ana sp.eeo
young lieutenant who was black as a SWEEP
with gunpowder dust and his uniform III sr,s o.,
disarray I'm Gods name what hSdrs j. s.1 b IA
asked the astOnished Prince Menscnihan, Ia ,hs
Lieutenant Pestitch. replied the ol'icer I3co,ssI
guard $4,000" said the Prince, with pFo.ohssssas
accentuation OF astonshment. You then are ,ue
marauder DO you know, my man, wnat you OIL Hr re
done" II know your Highness, was the pre-, t a.
ply And do know what VIII happem 10 r you
ihs?' Again came the curt but respeettul res
- know your Highness." "What? asked tne
prince II shall be shot" answered the lmper,
Irritable black figure. Position was then requss.s
~ relate the story OF the pan and OBJECT or 'he
night attack and plumber of the caravan. ms ne
to,j briefly and succincty. without oner'hg any
oiiio ZION for his rash and risky venture. irln.e
cortchakon and Prince Menschikon listened WIN
avcr increasing and gracious attention 70 te
,rsorer's exclamation, and on It's conclusion Prince
fnr,chakon observed: Inis Is the hrst time IN my
.~nerience that | have known man TO 90 the
Iencth of committing crime in the fulnlment OF
his duty with the knowledge that he was forie!tns
his life by the act Addressing himself 10 the ac-
cused the Prince said You are acquitted lleu'en.
amt Pestitch Return 10 your post, ana leave .ne
caravans in peace in future. | Will see thar tne
munlton deliveries made TO you hencetorth WIN
ali possible promptiude." And 50 they were Lieu,
tenant Pestitch shortly afterward prohoteu
TO n higher rank. and his career since has peyn
very distinguished one. With his demise the nus
sian army has lost Of It's most capable artiisey
officers