SKOBEFEFF AS A SOLDIER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7263, 28 May 1885, Page 3

SKOBEFEFF AS A SOLDIER.

(Army and Navy Magazine.)

A study of the career of the late Russian general, Skobeleff, affords the opportunity of reviewing the operations of modern warfare from a point of view which .is not often regarded—viz., that of the subordinate commander. Hia waa an ardent, fearless, and entorprising nature that marked him out for a successful leader of men, and hia firat object whon ho entered npon a military career, waa to fit himself to be so. With this in view be succeeded in getting himself sent in 18(19 to Central Asia, the only field which presented itself at that time for gaining experience before the enemy. But it was not for isome yeara later that he saw any real service,.in connection with the expedition to Khiyn iv 1573. He there led the advance guard of Lomakin's column, wbicb, leaving Mangiahlak, marched 400 milea in 21 days across an unknown country, chiefly desert, to Kungrad. Iv the further advance to Khiva, Skobeleff bad many opportunities for showing bis gallantry in repeated encounters with the enemy. On the occasion of the attack on the city gate be led tbe BBaault, and succeeded in forcing hia way in. Anotber column, which had marched from Tchikißhlar, on the Caspain.was not bo fortunate ; it waß obliged to turn back in middeaert for want of water. Generol Kaufmann, who commanded tho whole expedition, waß anxious te find out if the route there from Khiva was practicable. Skobeleff volunteered to undertake _ the reconnaissance. He set out, accordingly, without any escort at al), accompanied by three friendly Kirghiz, himself in disguise, and only returned to Khiva after 10 days' absence, when he had been given up aa loßt by his comrades! He had succeeded in avoiding the Turcomans and reaching the point nt whioh the column bad turned back, riding altogether 378 miles across a hostile country, not knowing from day to day where he would find sufficient water for his horße and himself. Por this daßhing exploit, which exhibited bo weU his remarkable energy and resource, he received the Cross of St. George, the ambition of every Russian soldier, and it waa the decoration he moßt valued amongßt tho many he was destined subsequently to receive. At Makhram; for the first time, he was able to make practical useof tbe store of valuable knowledge gained by_ him in this way by making Kaufmann acquainted with the plan of attack adopted at the battle of Perozeseab, to which the situation bore a remarkable resemblance. The result was one of tbe most decisive and complete victories ever inflicted upon a native army in Central Aaia. During these operations in Knokand the characteristics which marked out Skobeleff later on as a anccesßful leader of men were clearly discernible. Already he came to be known as a commander wbo appreciated his men at their true value, and deemed no pains too great to eußure their being properly fed and clothed and cared for. No march waa ever commenced before he bad satisfied himaelf that every detail connected with the operation was complete, the column properly organised, equipped, and provided with transport, the route explored, and an ample supply of water arranged. During the march he was constantly on the move, passing from one portion of the column to another witb a cheerful word for everyone; or, on the first Bign of an enemy's approach, far in front of all hia troops, glass in band, eagerly reconnoitring for himself. As Governor of Adrianople Skobeleff gave evidence of bis high administrative capacity; the city waß a model of order, the discipline of the troops was strictly maintained, and the Turks had good reason for rogretting the departure of Akti Pasha when he left with hia division for Tchataldja, which waa destined to be tbe limit of bis advance. On March il tbe Treaty of San Stefano was signed, and waß a heavy blow to Skobeleff, who had associated himself warmly with tbe Slavonic cause, and could not reconcile himself to the policy of abandoning the heritage of Peter the Great when all but within the grnßp of tbo victorioua army, which was forced to retrace its steps from before the very gates of Constantinople. -At the beginning of 1880 Skobeleff waa called to the command of a fresh expedition, to be organised at Tchikishlar. Hia higb qualities as a brave and dashing leader had been aufficiently demonstrated by his previous brilliant career, and especially by bis behaviour on the hard-fought fields of Bulgaria and Turkey three "years previously. Rash be may at times have been, but reckless be waa not, and bis rashness, when it waß displayed, had more of method and calculation in it than waß generally recognised. During the expedition be was now entrusted with there was no trace of it. Skobeleff arrived at Tchikißhlar early in May, and moved off as soon as he was satisfied that all the arrangements were complete, On June 23 he occupied Bami, and remained there three weeks, which were spent in making it secure from any attack by the Tekkes. He then set out with a small force and made himself a reconnaissance of the enemy's position at Geok Tepe, returning when he had done this to Bami. Here he remained until the beginning of Dacember, occupied in Becuring bis communication with the Caspian, and collecting sufficient stores for bis final advance. At lengtb he continued his march as far as Sauiur, situated six milea from Geok Tape, where he arrived on December 14, and there formed a fresh base. Not without much bard fighting and serious lossbb the approaches woro steadily pushed up to the vicinity of the walls of Geok Tepe; and when the columns of assault, three in number, bad been got ready for the advance, the wall was breached by a mine and tbe place_ carried by assault, in spite of determined resistance. It was Skobeleff'a system to Btrike hard and continuously until all resistance was at an end; but we do not care to dwell on the wholesale slaughter which accompanied and followed the assault, still less to attempt any justification of it. This deed of arms, as brilliant as it was successful, was the crowning one and the last of his brief but distinguished career. He was, at the time it took place, only 38 years of age, but be held the rank of Lieutenant-general, and enjoyed the complete confidence of the army and the nation.