The New York herald., 1879-09-14
OBITUARY.
sULEIMAN PACHA.
n. II.

sULEIdAN PACHA
It is reported from London that Suleiman pacha
died yesterday at Bagdad. With him disappears q
Turkish general who has played prominent part
in the recent conflicts in the East; but for time
past his has not been brought to public notice
The interesting part Of the story of his life is the
period when he commanded the Turkish forces
in the Turko Russian war and his famous retreat
through the Rhodope Mountains. To repeat the
story OF Suleimans campaigns in detail would be to
give o history OF q greater portion of that
war. He born in Constantnople in
1910. His military career is connected with
the Cretan insurrection. and the Servsn and
Montenegrin campaigns. After the cessation of hos
tilities between Montenegro and the Porte he
sent with his force 70 help oppose the Russians.
His attacks the Russians in the Shipks Pass in
August and September. 1877. were remarkable fea-
lures Of the campaign. In the beginning of Octo-
ish Army of the Danube. in place of
Mehemet Ali, and held that position until De-
cember, without accomplishing more than his pre-
decessor. Called to Constantinople, he ap-
pointed commander of the Turkish forces south of
the Balkans. He arrived ut Adrianople on the 18th
of December, and afterward removed his
headquarters to Tatar Basardjik. The defeat of
the Turkish corps left to guard the Shipka Pass.
and the advance OF the Kussians to Phiiippopolis
in the first weeks of January 1878. led to Suleiman
being cut OF from Adranople. resulting in the catas
trophe To his small army. He was compelled to
with half his for and the loss OF his entire
tillery. The remnant of his army gathered at
Megsi andl was thence shipped to Constantinope.
In February ls7s ho was relieved from his COM
mnnd. arrested and taken to Constantinoplo. In
March. 1s7s letter to tho Cologne Gazette pora
reported that he had been drowned, and that his
papers proved that lc was conspiring to overthrow
the Sultan. On the 20th of March no arrived
in Constantinople in Disgrace On Decem-
ber 5. 1878. he was sentenced to fifteen
years imprisonment for misconduct during
the war and exied for life. His appeal for pardon
ed una ered and 10 obnbl NAT In
has died in the place of his exile. Suleiman was
popular with the army because he mixed with his
troops. lived with soldierlike simplicity and
displayed lively sympathy for the condition and
wants sufferings of his men. Although pos
sessed Of much knowledge of the art OF
war; tho charge was made against HIM that he
failed TO cooperate with other generals being. IL
was said. exceedingly Jealous and unwilling to as
sist others in any way to gain distinction. But.
then the same charge can be brought against all
the Turkish generals who took part in the campaign
against Russia. His character was thus sum
married. by one writer at the time of his APP
pontment to tho command south OF the Balkan:-
'.It is round sulciman that the remnant Of the
party now clusters and II he has any good fortune
on the balkans he Will be likely to show very much
in tho front OF public affairs lie is political rather
than military genius and will make the best of his
opportunities. As commander no is too htful in
capable Of sustained and patient effort to sub
stantial results; apt at surprises and start
ling effects; singularly careful and able in tho
organization of his transport and supply;
takes so much thought But he will thread
mastery way through the intrigues OF Stamboul;
his gifts as an administrator Will harden his in
huence: he will rally about him the softas young
and old. for he himself was hodja. and
n Mosem his orthodoxy is unmpeachable."
During that period he gathered around him
a great number of Midhat's party. though
he personally was no sympathizer with
the reformer Midhat. evidently. did not rate hiia
a safe man. for being asked II he acquainted
with Suloman. he said "Ycs. l knew Suleinan
Pacha we'll IL l had been Grand vizier
tainly should have shot him." In APP
pearancc he described being much
more like an Englishman North German
than Turk, having light blue eyes aud flowing
red beard. Tall and we'll grown, of q figure which
betokens great physical strength. he was unlike
again the majority OF Turkish officers. exceedingly
particular In his dress, always appearing in his
proper uniform field marshal of the Turkish
army, with his breast covered with orders. accom-
panied whenever possible by numerous and brill
liant staff.