Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-04
Omar Pasha and his Army.

The character of the Turkish commander
and the spirit of his troops, are well described
in letter from Shumla:
A commander!in.chief is Of as much impor-
tance as the whole army, l have now been q
month at Shumla, and have had occasion to
know Omar Pasha, the seraskier, and will tell
you what think of him. He is a most frank,
disinterested, and loyal mana jealous friend
to the land Of which he has become subject,
and to the army which he commands, and which
he has brought to great state fperfection. His
personal appearance is handsome, and ne pos
sesses very great personal courage. His age
great military instruction and experience, and
a natural instinct for military affairs. With
such qualities, he has an irresistible influence
over the forces he commands, possessing their
full confidence. By origin Croat, he was
educated in the military schools of his country
When vet very young he left the Austian ser.
vice and repaired to Constantinople, where he
made himself master of the Turkish language.
He was appointed to situation in the war de-
partment. The Sultan Mahmoud created him
major in the army, as recompense Tor his ser
vices while thus engaged. He has since risen
to the highest posts He owes his present posi-
ton to his sword, and has been q marshal for
several years. He successfully commanded the
Turkish troops in Syria, Bosnia, and Montene-
gro. The chief of his staff is Major General
Ahmed Pasha, who has studied at Vienna.
He was director of the military academy at
Pera, and unites much instruction to zeal and
ability Mustapha Pasha Ries, Pasha, or pres
ident of the council of the army, occupies q
situation which does not exist in European
armies. He is an energetic, active, and frank
man, and has the appearance OF a good soldier
The chief headquarters of the seraskier are
also composed of some other superior officers,
educated at the military academies OF Vienna
and of many young officers, who have received
their education at the military college OF Pera.
The Notifications that have been constructed
under their auspices, along the line OF the Dan
ube, speak favorably of their ability.
The foreign officers and German instructors,
who have rendered the greatest service to this
army, and who we'll know it, assure me that
the Turkish soldier is made of good stuff,
iovial and obedent, and very enduring under
hardships. The rapidity with which the new
recruits who have Just been Incorporated are
instructed proves beyond all things the apti-
tude of these people for military purposes.
All the elements for forming an excellent army
exist. A few years time for Development
and let the military academy of Pera be in
creased in proportion with the army, by edu-
eating greater number of young men there
let the position of the lieutenants and captains
be ameliorated- the army will be as good
as those of the western powers. As it is, this
army is infinitely superior to the opinion in
which it is generally held, and to judge of it by
the force at present concentrated at Shumla, it
may be safely stated not to be behind any army
for precision in tactics and the man9uvres OF
the three arms-infantry, cavalry, and artillery
united You will see that if war really com
mences and the Gordian knot, which diplo-
macy has but the more entangled, has to be
cut by the sword, the army will do its duty well.
The rest will depend on grand combinations,
on the latitude given to the seraskier lOmar
Pasha) for his operations, aud on good fortune
and chance, which, after all, play great part
| in all wars | think ] have already told you
that this army numbers at present about
100000 men, regular and irregular soldiers.
Other 10000 men are being drawn together
behind the Balkan--formed out of the reserve
of Roumelia. But il hostilities commence,
do not see why it should not be reinforced by
72 pieces of artillery, and by other battalions
of Muszat, of whom eight or ten regiments still
remain at Constantinople, in Bosnia, and other
parts.--London Chronicle.