The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-02
RUSsIl'S eRl7EEST SOLDIER.
Sketch of Gen. Kouropatkin Who
will Have Supreme Command
Of Army in manchuria.

LODQC0, req. ZO.--ISU. AI6&Sl
Nicholaritch Kouropatkin: the Rus.
sian minister Of war, who is directing
the operations against the japanese, is
easily Russia's foremost fighter. The
best authorities of Europe concede
that no one in the entire world is bet
ter equipped in every branch of mill
tary knowledge.
Educated in the theory of arms at
the best of the Russian military
schools, trained TO practice under the
greatest of modern Russian warriors,
Gen. Mikhael Skobeleff, he made glo-
rious record in every important Rus
sian war since 1866, and worked his
way up from sub-lieutenant in that
year to 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,
1S4S, and obtained commission as
sub. lieutenant in the Turkestan rifles
when he was only Is. After the bril-
liant Turkestan campaing which add
ed to Russia's Asiatic possessions,
Kon ropatkin returned to st. Peters
burg lieutenant, to continue his mil
itary 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,
President Mcmahon invited him to
take part in the manoeuvers at Metz.
Here he displayed such strategic abili-
ty that he was decorated with the cross
Of the Legion of Honor, being the first
Russian to win that distinction.
When war with Turkey broke out in
1877, Kouropatkin was summoned back
to Russia Constantinople was to
be taken. Between Russia and Con-
stantinople lay three great barriers
the river Danube, the Turkish strong
holds In Bulgaria and the Balkan
mountains. The first barrier was pass
ed with ease. Osman Pasha had been
hurrying from Widdin with 10000
trained soldiers. Realizing that he
was too late, to defend the river he
threw his entire force into Plevna,
thus menacing che line the Russians
mast follow from the Danube to the
Balkans. It was brilliant strategic
move. for until Osman was dislodged
no forward move could be made by the
main army of the Russians. Twice
they hurled themselves against Plev-
ma, and were twice repulsed with great
slaughter.
Between Plevna and Shipka Pass lay
Lochva, neld by 15,000 Turks. This
stronghold must fall before both wings
of the Russian army could close in
upon Plevna. Skobelef and Kouropat-
kin were dispatched against it. After
three days of hard fighting, Lochva
was captured. and the third attack on
Plevna was begun. It ragged furiously
for FIVE days, but ended in another
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 Sept. II and IL. Skobeleff assault
ed one of three Turkish redouhts on
Green Hill and carried it within an
hour, but with loss of 5000 men.
The redoubt was imperfectly. con-
structed, and left Skobelef exposed to
fire on three sides. The Turks saw
the opportunity and made a sortie.
Thereupon Col. Kouropatkin, the only
officer On Skobeleff's staff who had
not fallen, rushed to meet them in the
open with some 800 men. A desperate
fight at short range ensued. Kouro-
patkin's little band was almost entirely
cut to pieces, but not until it had
driven the Turks back into their re-
doubt. During the day Kouropatkin
received three wounds, bat he never
ceased fighting until the victory was
assured.
Such is the mau against whom the
Japs will have to contend when the
real land fighting between the belli-
gerents begins in earnest. A con-
summate strategist and with deter
mination to meet and overcome every
obstacle, the Russian minister Of war,
in the opiaion of British military
authorities, can be counted upon to
contest every inch Of Manchuria
against the Japanese forces.
H419. Ho-.1 D.1..