Iosif Gurko

Count Iosif Gurko
Born July 28, 1828
Veliky Novgorod, Russian Empire
Died January 28, 1901 (aged 72)
near Tver, Russian Empire
Allegiance  Russian Empire
Service/branch Imperial Russian Army
Years of service 1885-1901
Rank Field marshal
Count
Battles/wars Crimean War
Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)
Awards Order of St. George

Count Iosif Vladimirovich Romeyko-Gurko (Russian: Ио́сиф Влади́мирович Роме́йко-Гурко́; July 28 [O.S. July 16] 1828, Veliky Novgorod — January 28 [O.S. January 15] 1901), near Tver), also known as Joseph or Ossip Gourko, was a Russian field marshal prominent during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878).

Of Belarusian/Polish extraction, Gurko was educated in the Imperial Corps of Pages, entered the hussars of the Imperial Guard as a sub-lieutenant in 1846, became captain in 1857, adjutant to Alexander II of Russia in 1860, colonel in 1861, commander of the 4th Hussar Regiment of Mariupol in 1866, and major-general of the emperor's suite in 1867.

He subsequently commanded the grenadier regiment, and in 1873 the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, of the cavalry of the Imperial Guard. Although he took part in the Crimean War, being stationed at Belbek, his claim to distinction is due to his service in the Turkish war of 1877. He led the spearhead of the Russian invasion, took Tarnovo on July 7, crossed the Balkans by the Haim Boaz pass—which debouches near Hainkyoi—and, despite considerable resistance, captured Uflani, Maglizh and Kazanlak; on July 18 he attacked Shipka, which was evacuated by the Turks the following day. Thus within 16 days of crossing the Danube, Gourko had secured three Balkan passes and created a panic at Constantinople.

He then made a series of successful reconnaissances of the Tundzha valley, cut the railway in two places, occupied Stara Zagora (Turkish, Eski Zaara) and Nova Zagora (Eni Zaara), checked the advance of Suleiman Pasha's army and returned again over the Balkans. In October he was appointed commander of the allied cavalry, and attacked the Plevna line of communication to Orkhanie with a large mixed force, captured Gorni-Dubnik, Telische and Vratsa and, in the middle of November, Orkhanie itself. Plevna was isolated, and after its fall in December Gourko led his troops amidst snow and ice over the Balkans to the fertile valley beyond, decisively defeated Suleiman Pasha at the Battle of Philippopolis and occupied Sofia, Philippopolis (Plovdiv) and Adrianople. The armistice at the end of January 1878 stopped further operations.

Gurko was made a count and decorated with the 2nd class of St. George and other orders. In 1879–1880 he was governor of St. Petersburg, and from 1883-1894 Governor-General of Poland, where he enforced the Russification policies of Alexander III.

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