Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-03-01
8listellaasous 8eading.
GENERAL KOURoPATKIN.
Something About the Russian Com
mander In the East.

GENERAL kOUhOfA MIN.
Something About the Russian Com
nander In tho East.
Gen. Nicholavitch Kouropatkin, tn,
Russian minister Of war, who Is di
recting the operations against the ia
panese, is easily Russias foremos
fighter. The best authorities of Europe
concede that no one in the entire worlt
Is better equipped in every branch o.
military knowledge.
! Educated in the theory of arms a
the best of the Russian military
schools, trained to practice under th'
greatest Of modern Russian warriors
Gen. Mikhael Skobele, he made glor.
ious record in every important Russian
war since 1865, and worked his way
up from sub lieutenant in that year te
the command Of the army in 1897.
He has received more decorations
than any one breast could wear at any
one time. He was born on March II
1S48, and obtained a commission as
sub-liertenar' in the Turkestand rifles
when he was only 1S. After the bril-
liant Turkestan campaign which add
ed to Russia's Asiatic possessions
Kouropatkin returned to st. Peters
burg a lieutenant, to continue his
military studies. In 1871, as the most
brilliant graduate of the academy OF
the general staff he was. sent abroad
to study military conditions in various
European countries. In France Presi-
dent Mcmahon invited him to take
part in the man9uvers at Metz. Here
he displayed such strategic ability that
he was decorated with the cross Of the
Legion Of Honor, being the first Rus
sian to win that distinction.
When war with Turkey broke out ir
1877, Kouropatkin was summoned back
to Russia. Constantinople was to be
taken. Between Russia and Constant
inople lay three great barriers-the
river Danube, the Turkish strongholds
in Bulgaria and the Balkan mountains
The first barrier was passed with ease
Osman Pasha had been hurrying from
Widdin with $4,000 trained soldiers
Realizing that he was too late to de-
fend the river he threw his entire force
into Plevna, thus menacing the line
the Russians must follow from the
Danube to the Balkans. 1t was
brilliant strategic move, for until Os-
man was dislodged no forward move
could be made by the main army Of the
Russians. Twice they hurled them
selves against Plevna, and were twice
repulsed with great slaughter.
Between Plevna and Shipka Pass lay
Lochva, held by $4,000 Turks. This
stronghold must fall before both wings
Of the Russian army could cross In
upon Plevna- Skobeleff and Kouro-
patkin were dispatched against 1t. AZ
ter three days Of hard fighting, Loch-
va was captured and the third attack
on Plevna was begun. 1t ragged fur1-
ously for five days, but ended In an
other repulse of the Russians.
Skobeleff and Kouropatkin fought
side by side during those bloody days
and were frequently precipitated into
hand to hand conflicts with the enemy
Their most terrible experiences were
on September 18th and 18th. Skobe-
left assaulted one Of three Turkish re-
doubts on Green Hill and carried II
within an hour, but with loss OF
ty,op
fectly constructed, and left Skobeleff
exposed to fire on three sides. The
Turks saw the opportunity and made
sortie. Thereupon Col. Kouropatkin
the only officer on Skobeleff's staff who
had not fallen, rushed to meet them IN
the open with some 300 men. A des-
perate fight at short range ensued
Kouropatkin's little band was almost
entirely cut to pieces, but not until 1t
had driven the Turks back into their
redoubt. During the day Kouropatkin
received three wounds. but he never
ceased fighting until the victory was
assured.
Such is the man against whom the
Japs will have to contend when the
real land fighting between the belli-
gerents begins in earnest. A consum-
mate strategist and with a determina-
ton to meet and overcome every OBJ
stacle, the Russian minister Of war, In
the opinion of British military author
tiles, can be counted upon to contest
every inch of Manchuria against the
Japanese forces.