ONE OF THE HEROES OF KARS

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 16, 19 January 1878, Page 2

ONE OF THE HEROES OF KARS

Lieutenant-General Ivan Davidovitch Lazarefk, who by his successful Hank movement did much to decide the battle of Aladja Dagh, and more recently commanded one wing of the army which stormed Kars, is one of the few "general officers in the Russian army who have been promoted from the ranks. He did nut gain his promotion suddenly, by some single brilliant feat of bravery, but, entering the army ns a private, he has passed through every step up to Lieutenant-General, gaining every' mark of distinction that is conferred for service in the field. Ho was born in 1820, in the town of Shushi, and is an Armenian by birth and religion. In 1837 he enlisted as u private in tho regiment of Prince Paskievitch, now known as tho Shirvanski Regiment. In 1841 he was made a non-commissioned officer, and in 1842 received the cross of St. George for gallant conduct. In the following year, for another feat of bravery, he received a commission. Between 1843 and 1848 ho was decorated twice with the cross of St. Anno. Prom that time his--promotion was rapid—Captain in 1847, Major in 1850, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1852. Colonel in 1854, Major-General in 1860. Those wore years of heavy fighting in tho ( aucasus and the Crimea, and promotion was rapid. In 1868 Lazareff was made Lieutenant-General and placed in command of the Army of the Caucasus. His victories have not been without some nai+oiv escapes. When a Captain ho was wounded in the right shoulder, as a Major his neck was pierced by a bullet, and a short time after a heavy stone was thrown down upon hialiead while storming a mountain village, also dislooatinp* his shoulder.-" San Francisco Chronicle/’