Skobeleff

Skobeleff, MICHAEL DIMITRIEVITCH, was born in 1843, and, entering the Russian army, soon made his mark. In 1868 he was sent on the staff to Turkestan, and he led the van of Lomakine's army to Khokand in 1873, reducing the province and becoming its governor in 1876 with the rank of major-general. On the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War be joined the staff of the Grand Duke Nicholas, and did brilliant service at Plevna and Adrianople. In 1880 he was once more in Central Asia, capturing Geok Tepe and _playing havoc wuth the Tekke Turcomans. Recalled by the Czar, he took the opportunity during a visit to Paris in 1882 to make a violent Panslavist speech, threatening Germany with war. He was summoned back to St. Petersburg, and five months later died very suddenly.