It was the verdict of Skobeleff[137].
[Footnote 137: Quoted from a report by an eye-witness, by "O.K." (Madame Novikoff), _Skobeleff and the Slavonic Cause_, p.38.The crossing was planned by the Grand Duke Nicholas; see von Lignitz, _Aus drei Kriegen_, p.

149.] Such was the first appearance in European warfare of the greatest leader of men that Russia has produced since the days of Suvoroff.

The younger man resembled that sturdy veteran in his passion for war, his ambition, and that frank, bluff bearing which always wins the hearts of the soldiery.

The grandson of a peasant, whose bravery had won him promotion in the great year, 1812; the son of a general whose prowess was renowned--Skobeleff was at once a commander and a soldier.

"Ah! he knew the soul of a soldier as if he were himself a private." These were the words often uttered by the Russians about Skobeleff; similar things had been said of Suvoroff in his day.