Russians about Serbian cowardness once again

Dreaming of Belgrade, to confess, I never expected to meet in him a lot of joyful indifference; It seemed to me that the war for freedom and independence of the country attracted the entire young and healthy population of Serbia, and, consequently, Belgrade, to the battlefield. But in fact, I saw the opposite: crowds of healthy people wandered aimlessly in the streets from corner to corner or idly sat in front of coffee houses.

In the front, we met two Russian officers who had just returned from the army. It was the first meeting with eyewitnesses of the battles that were before; it is clear that the meeting interested us.

- Well, what, how are you doing in the army? - we asked the officers. 

 - Things are bad - the Russians answered

|Officers relayed details of recent battles; the Serbs were characterized by them as cowards, constantly retreating, and the Turks - by the brave, advancing. The officers told us that the Russians are simply unhappy victims,  whose casualties that perish in every battle, without any benefit to either themselves or the army. |

 - A lot of Russians were killed, many wounded. 

- So it's hard to survive? - Beginners were interested.

- Difficult - the seasoned said.

Our physiognomy stretched out.

- So the Serbs are fighting badly?

- God forbid! Almost everyone has to be driven into battle.

- How to drive?

- With a saber, a revolver.  

- How about the telegram of general Chernyaev himself that the Serbs fought “like Lions”? 

Experienced officers burst out laughing.  

- What?!

- Where are you going now?

- We will ask for a vacation, to Russia.

Parted. The cheerful mood of the volunteers disappeared.


Translated from Russian memories.
Help with translation by Stopserbophilia blog.