Alexandru Cernat

Alexandru Cernat (January 17, 1828 &mdash; December 8, 1893) was a Romanian soldier. Born in Galați, he entered the army in 1851, becoming a general in 1873. In April 1877, he was named minister of war, serving until August, when he was made commander of operations during the Romanian War of Independence. Following the end of hostilities, he was again minister of war from February to November 1878. He resigned following disagreements with the government of the day and domnitor Carol I. From 1881 to 1882, he was Chief of the Romanian General Staff. He retired from the military in 1891, dying in Bucharest two years later.