Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-01-10
waiting for the ambulances to como
AN AIDE DE CAMP.

AN AIDE DE CAMP. .l.
+. All these things | observed du-
ring the panse. which was broken
at last by shouts OF "There he Ia
He is coming" and I rode forward
again to the point of main interest.
Two borsemen were again APP
preaching with a white. flag, tlia
bearer of which was apparently
merely common soldier. He
wore fez, q long, dirty, brown
cloak, and very ragged footgear.--
The other horseman wore bright
red fez, which set off the officers
blue cloak. He was clean and nat
ty, and had on fresh gloves. He
was comparatively young, with u
round, rosy face; clean shaved,
light mustache, straight nose and
blue eyes. He did not seem over
thirty five years, old. This can
not be Osman Pacha," was the
general exclamation. In fact it
was not he, but Te6k Bey, his
chief of staff. Was it possible
that this boyish looking tace be.
longed to Osman's right hand
man, who must have played so
great part in the organization
and maintenance OF Osman's
mighty defence It seemed
strange, but it was true. The Turks
have the merit at least of not
being afraid of young men. saw
no tottering gray bearded officers
in this captive host.
VERY LITTLE FRENCH.
Every one on our side saluted as
Tefik Bey rode up. He halted for
moment and was silent. He
then spoke in French with good
accent, but slowly, as if choosing
his words.
He said, "Osman Pacha-" then
stopped fully ten seconds before
he proceeded-'is wounded"
This was the first intimation we
had heard of this occurrence. All
expressed regret.
Not severely, we all hope" ex-
claimed General Skobeleff.
II do not know" was the an
swer, with pause Of u second be.
tween every word.
"Where is His Exoellency ?"
was the next qusti"n.
There" was Tefk Bey's reply,
as he pointed to small house
overlooking the road just beyond
the bridge.
Then there was O pause while
we scrutinized our strange visitor
and he surveyed us. as it seemed
to me, with the most perfect calm
ness, but obvious curiosity. The
pause became embarrassing.
EXTREMELY TAcITURN.
The Turk showed no hurry to
speak, and the Russians evidently
telt delicacy in asking if he had
come to surrender besides which
there really was no officer there
who had the right to treat with him.
The situation was critical, ard if it
possessed an amusing element, was
also embarrassing Both armies
were watching US, not more than
five hundred yards apart, with
arms In their hands, for the Rus
STAR infantry had gradually moved
down toward the bridge. Finally
General Skobeleff stammered ont,
sis there anybody you would like
to see (Pause.) With whom
did you wish to speak ? (Pause.)
Is there anything-? Pause
What the devil is the matter with
the man? Why don't he speak ?"
blurted out the General in English,
turning to me. Tefk Bey remained
impassive. have seen more OF
him since. and l find be is singu
larly and habitually taciturD, but
[ believe his extreme tacilurnlty Oh
this occasion Was partly owing to
emotion, in spite of the steady, in
flexible front he maintained.
HE SPEAKS NOT.
/ General Ganebky is in COM
mand here. He will be here pres
emily i'll case you should like to
speak to him." General Skoboleff
fiually observed. Tefik Bey sim
ply nodded.
"Osmsn Ghazi has made a most
brilliant and glorious defence, -
said an officer. "We esteem high
~ his soldierly character" The
Turk gazed steadily before him
and gave no sign that he had heard.
| 1--WE look upon him as q very
great general" said another. No
answer. The Turks Eyes were
bent in the direction OF Sofia, as
though looking for Mehemet Ali
Pacha. There was evidently no
use trying to converse with this
obstinatcly silent man, and they
gave it up. Fortunately General
Strukoff, of the Empcror's staff,
soon arrived, with powers to treat.
He asked Tell, if he had authority
from Osman Pacha TO negotiate
1t appeared not. l did not catch
all that was said, bnt the final re-
suit was that Tctik bowed to us and
galloped away back across the