The principal war of Alexander's reign was that with Turkey, in 1877-78. Ever since the Crimea, which had fastened Turkish authority upon the principalities of the Danube, which were largely Christian, almost continuous complaint was made on account of Moslem persecutions. The Turkish Government either connived at, or at least permitted, murders, burnings, and all sorts of inhuman practices by her officials and irregular troops. So loud became these complaints and so frequent the outrages that the civilized world became deeply interested in the affairs of the Balkan States, and especially in the fate of the Christians of Bulgaria. Mr. Gladstone thundered against the horrible Turk. The German court made representations and Gortskakoff, the Tsar's Prime Minister, threatened. The Bulgarian cry never abated. Finally the Tsar decided that he would resort to force, and at the same time no doubt flattered himself that the opportunity had at last come for seizing Constantinople and opening a free road to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, with a port whose waters never froze.
A great army was hurled upon Turkey, crossing the Danube in the face of fierce opposition at Widim and Rusdchuck, and pressing on toward the Balkan passes. Although successful at every step, it was no trifling matter to conquer the so-called "sick man." The Turkish army proved to be made of valiant stuff. The losses were heavy, and the winter found the Russians struggling in the snows of Shipka Pass under Ghourka and the splendid Skobeleff, while Osman Pasha held Plevna in spite of the gallant assaults of the greatest army Russia ever put in the field.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
