The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-10
THE HERO OF PLEVNA.
Career of Osman Pasha, the Famous
Turkish General.

The death of Ghazi Osman Nubar
Pasha, known for more than twenty
years as the Hero of Plevna," at Con-
stantinople, was reported in the dispatches
of April 6, was born at Tokat in Asia
Minor, in 1892 His brother Hussein Eff
fendl, was a professor of Arabic in Con-
stantinople, and to that city Osman was
sent for his education. In 1850 he en-
tered the Military Academy at Constan-
tinople, and was graduated three years
alter at the head of his class Soon af-
ter the Crimean War broke out he entered
the Turkish army as a cavalry lieuten-
ant. The field operations growing out of
the war were the means for securing i'm
mediate employment in the field of the
graduates of the military school, and Os-
man was sent to Shumia. He displayed
great GOODNESS and military capacity from
the start, and returned to Constantinople
after the campaign as a captain in the
Imperial Guard
short time afterward Osman was pro-
NOTED 20 be commandant of a battalion
of the Imperial Guard, anN in that ca
pacity he was sent to Crete when the in
surrection in that island broke out. He
was present in every movement of the
campaign, and after peace was restored
and he had returned to Constantinope
he was again promoted, this time to a col
onelcy This was in 1869. Four years
later he was a brigadier general and in
command of a division in the campaign
against che Servians. His gallantry at
Zaitchar and on many other occasions
won for him the highest rank in the
Turkish army-that of field marshal The
order for this appointment was accom-
panied by a special trade from the Sui
tan.
When, in 1877 the Russo-Turkish war
broke out Osman's force was increased to
6s battalions Is squadrons and TIA cannon.
From Widdin he sailed out to relieve Mix
opolis. but finding it hopelesly lost he
turned aside to Plevna. There he found
Baron Krudener with the flower of The
Russian army. and on three occasions he
defeated the enemy and upset their plans
of campaign. After that he held PleVna
for six months against a vastly superior
force. His brilliant victories at the start
had led to the Sultan granting to him the
"Ghazi," or Victorious" and the decora-
ton of the Osmanie. In December, 1877
however, Osman was at last forced to sur
render. He made a desperate assault
with troops enfeebled by famine upon the
investing line at Widen. He was paru-
ally successful at first but was eventually
crushed and forced to give in after a five
hours battle at the beyonets point. In
this fight he was wounded in the foot, and
1t was reported all over Europe that he
had died from his wound.
It was on Dec 10 that Osman Pasha sur
rendered with his army of 1900 men, I'M
condtionally. after a siege which has be-
come one of the most famous in military
annals. The Grand Duke Nicholas rode
up to Osman's carriage, and for some
seconds the two commanders gazed into
each others face without the utterance of
q word. The the Grand Duke shook Os-
mans hand heartily and said:
'fT commitment YOU on your defense of
Plevna. II was one of the most splendid
military feats In history" The Russian
soldiers cheered till they were hoarse, and
Osman replied. 81 did what I could"
Then he SAT down and was silent through
the remainder Of the proceedings.
When, in 1878 peace was restored. Cs-
man was placed In command OF the Inn
perial Guard az Constantinople, and be-
came Marshal OF the Palace. Afterward
he was appointed Minister OF War, and In
that capacity entirely remodel the Turk
ish army.