Washington sentinel., 1854-05-09
Iskenaar Bey, the Dashlng sabrer.

.
The following sketch of the character and
prowess OF an officer in the Turkish service,
whose personal prowess and chivalrous deeds
on the field of battle rival those of Murat, and
remind us OF the pages Of romance is given by
. correspondent of the Daily Neps, and is dated
at Kalafat:
1t is to be regretted that at the moment
when his services are most needed Iskendar
Bey, one of the best officers in the Turkish
army, who commanded the outposts, should be
confined to his bed by severe illness at Widdin.
In the action at Citate he was riding furiously
down the street ofthe village, heading a charge
OF his troops, when the horse of Cossack, who
was advancing to meet him, was struck by some
shot, and fell Immediately in front Of him. Is
kendar Bey continued his course, and leaped
over the prostrate bodies of of the Russian and
his horse but, when in the act of doing so, the
latter attempted to rise, and Iskendar Bey was
thrown violently, land he and the Cossack, and
their two steeds, rolled over and Over in the
mud. He had no sooner regained his feet than
he found himself in the grasp of q Russian
soldier, who called on him to ask for quarter,
to which he replied with blow of his sabre,
prostrating his assailant in the mud. He was
enabled to retire in safety by the advance of
body of the bashi-buzaks, but found that his
ribs had been dislocated, and that he had re-
ceived severe internal injury. He remained at
his post for few days, but at last was com
PEELED to give way, as he was no longer able
to mount his horse, and came to Widden to put
himself under the care of the surgeon.
Both in appearance and antecedents he is
the most remarkable man in the Turkish army.
He is about the middle height, but rather mus.
cuar and symmetrical. His hair and beard are
coal black, but if possible not near so black as
his eyes, which flash like fire under dark over
hanging brows. A long and slightly curved
nose, small mouth, thin lips and high fore
head, and complexion bronzed by sun and
wind, combine to form one of the most striking
physiognomies have ever looked upon. He
is of Tartar origin, and Mussulman by birth,
and is the owner Of large estates in Bessarabia,
but has been in political exile ever since he at
tanned the age of manhood. Personal taste
and family traditions have made him a soldier
Hatred OF Russia made him soldier of fortune
and, as might be expected, there were few wars
In any part of the world for the last twenty
years in which he has not taken part.
He served with distinction in the Carlist
war in Spain, and the Don Pedro war in Por-
tugal, in both Of which he was famed for his
dashing courage as a cavalry leader. Such
was his character for determination, that while
IN Spain he was appointed to the command Of
q legion called Legion Provisoire, composed of
all the nlaucdis s,yets of the army-cut-throats
and brigands from every cline under heaven,
who were found intolerable in the company of
more decent men. This legion soon acquired
the habit of killing their officers, and at last
no one could be got to command them except
lskendar Bey, then Count Illinsky. He no
sooner found himself in his new post than he
took the initiative by killing three men on the
yVh N cin Of J,pof 10y,
Everybody was expecting each day to hear Of
his death; but his troops, finding the sort Of
man they had to deal with, gave up their old
practices, and followed him in action with un
conquerable valor and devotion.
He left Spain and Portugal with eleven
crosses OF various orders. 1886 found him at
the famous siege Of Herat, in Persia, during
the Russo-Persian difference which excited SO
much interest in our Indian possessions. The
Chinese war brought him to Canton, where he
was a spectator of the hostilities from begin
ming to end. He then entered the French SER
vice in Algeria, and was present iii most ofthe
actions with Abd-elKader, and likewise shared
In the dangers and disasters Of the terrible re-
treat from Constantine. He left the French
army with the star of the legion Of honor, and
in l848 took service in the Hungarian war Of
Independence, under his old companion in arms,
General BEN.
The treachery and misfortune of ls49 sent
him into Turkey with crowd of Others He
quickly obtained employment, and bore pro-
minent part in the campaigns in Bosnia and
Montenegro. In the former he commanded a
division of the Turkish army, which defeated
vastly superior force Of the insurgents, and cap
tured large number of their guns. This ser
vice was most important, as it inflicted blow
on the Bosnians from which they never recov-
cred. The government evinced its gratitude
BY raising him to the rank of pasha, but Aus
tria and Russia jointly protested against his
elevation, and he relieved the Sultan from his
embarrassment by voluntarily relinquishing his
new dignity. He now bears the grade Of colo--
mel OF cavalry, and has had the command Of
the outposts Of Kalafat; though nominally
second to Muzur Pasha, the son of Reschid
Pasha, who, though quite q boy, and without
experience, is q brigadier Of cavalry, but has
the good sense never to attempt to perform the
onerous duties attached to his rank
"Iskendar Bey is not above forty years ofage,
but war, and weather, and fourteen wounds
have done their work so well, that he looks fully
ten years older. AS a horseman and sabrer, he
has but few equals, and probably no superior
in Europe. He is idolized by the soldiery,
rather for his brilliant courage than any thing
in his manner. When he first took the COM
mand Of the outposts, so high was the opinion
entertained in Turkey, as well as in the rest Of
Europe, of the capabilities of the Cossacks,
that the Turkish troops viewed them with con-
apprehension. When the videttes
saw two or three approaching they were in the
habit of rushing to Iskendar Bey and reporting
the circumstance as one Of grave import. He
disslpated their illusions by very simple pro-
cess. Whenever he received news Of the ap-
pearance of two, three or four, he mounted on
horseback, rode out, and in sight of his men
flung himself into the midst of them, sword in
hand. They seldom waited his onset, but
whenever they did, found reason to regret it.
But few displays Of this sort were sufficient to
convince the soldiers that courageous man,
With q good sabre, had nothing to fear from
The Cossacks."
Important improvement In Printing.
Messrs. Taylor & Co., of this city, are con
,tructing printing press for the New York
Daily Times, having twelve printing cylinders,
49, LII - g o.lnn