The Sun. — 1862-02-17 (London, England)

TRAGICAL STORY.  A letter from St. Petersburg, in the Progres of Lyons, gives the following details of the death of General Gerstensweig, Military Commandant of Warsaw, which it may be remembered took place some months since :—" Three of the aides-de-camp of General Count Lambert, the Emperor's Lieutenant in Poland, hearing a loud altercation in the cabinet of the latter, between him and Gerstensweig, entered, for the purpose of respectfully interposing, but the Count, without giving them the time to speak, said, Gentlemen, I have just been grossly insulted,' and then turning to the General, added, ' After the word you have just uttered one of us must be dead to-morrow. That should be so,' replied General Gerstensweig with the greatest coolness, and the three officers, who had entered on a friendly mission, witnessed the most singular conditions. The laws in Russia interdict and severely punish duelling, and moreover, in the present state of affairs in Poland, the effect would have been most disastrous, if any dispute were known to have arisen between the two highest persons is the Government of the kingdom. It was therefore decided that lots should be drawn by the two adversaries as to which of them should put an end to his own existence. That sad formality took place with the greatest coolness, for both generals were models of bravery, and the lot fell on General Gerstensweig, who, turning to Count Lambert, said in a firm voice, Count, there are several matters connected with the service to be arranged, and I have also private papers to put in order, will it suit you if I do not execute the sentence until tomorrow ?" It is just what I should myself have requested,' replied Count Lambert. The two bowed courteously to each other, and General. Gerstensweig withdrew. The three aides-de-camp, pale and motionless, remained silent, and the Count, with much emotion, said to them—' I can readily conceive, gentlemen, the feelings which oppress you, but the fault of this deplorable event does not lie with me; and then striking his forehead with his band, he added—' What a fatality ! This will greatly affect the Emperor! I should have preferred that the tomb was opened for myself.' On thejoilowing day General Gerstenweig, standing before a looking-glass, discharged two pistols at his head The ball of the first went round part of the frontal bone, making, however, a deep incision on the left side of the skull. The second was mortal, and the General fell. Two soldiers hearing the report rushed into the room, and found him lying on the floor in great agony. They placed him on his bed, when he soon recoverel his senses. He refused all medical assistance, but sent for his aide-de-camp. The report of his suicide soon became current, although every endeavour was used to make it believed that he had been struck by apoplexy. Count Lambert went to him, and, shaking him by the hand, expressed his regret for what had happened, and retired bathed in tears. The General lived for 42 hours in the greatest suffering and then expired. He was sensible to the last, begging the officers who were near him to conceal the cause of his death as long as possible from his wife, As to my son' (a young man now at St. Petersburg) ' let him know that I have not died like a coward who failed in his duty, or feared the responsibility of his acts, bat to obey the prescriptions of military honour. Let him know all that he may honour the memory of his father.' "