AN EPISODE OF THE CRIMEAN WAR.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 19 April 1895, Page 2

AN EPISODE OF THE CRIMEAN WAR.

A correspondent of a Russian newspaper records an interesting episode in the life of the late General Peßfcifcchj whose remains were recently buried at Sfr. Petersburg with all the pomp and circumstance of a public funeral. Before the Crimean war broke out Prince Menscbioff, subsequently Commander-in-Ohief of the Russian Forces in the Crimen, while on a journey by steamer, made the acquaintance of young Pestitch, then a lieutenant of Marine Artillery, and took a great liking to him, the result being that when hostilities commenced he made him Receiver of Ordnance and Ammunition at SebastopoJ. Lieutenant Pestitch found this position anything but: a bed oi' r<)3o9. Red tape held aimoat as Btro»g sway in the Russian camp as it did in that of the English, ancj the tediously slow progress made by the munition caravans on their way to Sebastopol, added to the cumbrous formalities of delivery on arrival, seriously impeded the defenders in their work. There came at last a time when these vexatious obstructions and delays threatened disaster to Kiißaian arms, and Lieutenant Pestitch, having in vain appealed lo his superiors to improve matters, deter-

mined to take affairs into his own hands. •He secretly formed a wellmounted company of trustworthy troopers and a train of empty baggage carts, aud after nightfall set out to meet an anxiously-expected munition caravan coming from Simferopol. This caravan, chiefly oxen-drawn, Peslitch and his company ambushed and plundered in thorough brigand, style, despite the lively resistance offered by the guard and teamaterp, who were disarmed to prevent fatal casualties. Pestitcb's splendidly«mounted, though now heavily-laden train, reached Sevastopol with unusual celerity, and the munitions were quickly furnished to the bastions most in need of them.' The story of the raid soon came to the ears of the Commandant, and a courtmartial was at once sent up, the chief members being Prince Gortch&koff and Prince Menschikoff, The offender, cf whose identity they were ignorant, was by their orders arrested and brought before them. 'In God's name, what is that V asked the astonished Prince Menschikoff, aa the usually spruce young .lieutenant, now black as a sweep with gunpowder, and with his uniform all disarranged, presented himself. ' That is Lieutenant Pestitcb,' replied the officer of the guard. ' So-o-o,' said the Priace, with a long accentuation of astonishment, ' you, then, are the marauder. J)o you know, my man, what you have done ?' ' I know, your Highness,' was the brief reply. ' And do you know what will happon to you for this?' Again came the curt but respectful response : ' I know, your Highness.' « What ?' aeked the Prince. • I dhall be shot,' answered the imperturbable black figure. He then briefly narrated the details of the night attack and plunder of the caravan which he haJ carried out a few hours previously, and on hia conclusion Prince Gortchakoff observed : * This is the first time in my experience that I have known a man to go the length of committing a crime in the fulfilment of his duty with the knowledge that he was forfeiting his Jife by the act.' Then turning to the prisoner he told him he was acquitted, and bade him return to bio post; and leave the caravans ia peace in the future, undertaking himself to ccc that the service was expedited. Shortly afterwards, the energetic young lieutenant received promotion, and, sfter a distinguished career, he died, as we have said, a genera?, and one of the moat capable and honored officers in the Russian Army. — ' Press.'