58 
GENERAL DEL POZZO. 
Our precautions, happily, were not put to the test; and, after 
a trot of twenty wersts, over a low, uneven country, terminating 
in the more level plain, we at last reached the fort, or redoubt, 
of Gregoropolis. 
This place was by far the most considerable of the kind I 
had yet seen ; and, close to it, was a Cossack look-out, which, 
from its very elevated construction, commanded a great extent 
of view. The Major of the fort received us with every attention ; 
and pressed me to remain a few hours at least behind the 
convoy, to meet General del Pozzo, who was expected next 
day at Gregoropolis, in his way to Mozdock. Having Count 
Platoff’s letter to deliver to the General, and wishing parti¬ 
cularly to make the acquaintance of a man, the circumstances 
of whose life were not more extraordinary, than his conduct has 
been admirable, I readily consented. The character of the 
country I was in, made all divisions of company a matter of 
increased risk; but the temptation was great; and none knew 
the danger better, by severe experience, than General del Pozzo 
himself. 
Though an Italian by birth, he has passed the greatest part of 
his manhood in the Russian Imperial service; and no small 
portion of that time in these remote mountainous regions. 
Indeed, to his observation, promptitude, and effective action, 
Russia is chiefly indebted for the security with which she now 
holds the key of this part of Asia. He understands the whole 
country well; its bearings, and the people who inhabit it. He 
has selected the best stations for a commanding line, and esta¬ 
blished his posts accordingly. But it is to his intimate acquaint¬ 
ance with the different tribes, we must ascribe his fullest suffi¬ 
ciency ; for, being in secret communication with certain native 
