It will easily be credited, that amidst chiefs and soldiers imbued with these principles, neither order nor subordination could reign in our camp. Every one occupied the position, that best suited his taste. The most important were often abandoned as being more exposed or less convenient:—each, considering himself on a footing of equality, consulted his own pleasure, and that only in leaving or returning to the army, and disclaiming all obedience to superiors or deference to authority. Common security, it might be thought, should have made these men equally anxious to see the outposts well guarded. Yet so little attention was paid to this service, that almost every night considerable detachments entered and left the camp without being noticed. As this may appear incredible to those who have never been in a Greek camp, I shall corroborate my statement by relating the following fact.
I was sitting, with some other gentlemen, one evening, after supper, with
Mavrocordato; and as we were engaged in an
interesting conversation, we remained till after midnight. On a sudden, we heard numerous
voices at the gate of the convent. Very much alarmed at this, one of the company looked out
of a window, and announced that a large body of soldiers were endeavouring to force open
the convent gate. Hardly had he spoken, when half a dozen
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So little did our capitani watch the movements of the enemy, that three days passed, after the departure of the Turks from Larpi, before the direction of their march could be ascertained. One afternoon, while Mavrocordato was directing his telescope towards every point of the compass, to find it out, one of the company made the following remark. “It must be confessed, that this Omer Pasha deserves to be emperor of conjurors, car voici trois jours, qu’il s’est escamoté avec ses dix mille hommes, sans que l’on puisse deviner où, ni comment.” This remark made Mavrocordato look rather peevish.
The enemy continued to occupy his new position at Caravansera unmolested. We daily saw in the plain below small detachments of his cavalry strolling in every direction without the slightest attempt to restrain them. During the whole campaign, not a single Turkish head was brought to our camp; or a single soldier wounded by the enemy. The whole booty consisted in a few lame mules, taken by Carajanis’ men. Yet the troops at Ligovitzi amounted on an average to upwards of 2000: Zonga occupied the conical hill of Aetos, with a body of 1000 strong. Profiting by the ancient walls, that crown its summit, he fortified himself in that position in a manner to render it impregnable to the Albanians.
The third corps of the army was in the Vatto,
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In one of these villages, where the inhabitants offered to resist, several
were killed on both sides; among others, the first cousin of Rangos. Carefully avoiding every place, where they were likely to meet with
Turks, they pillaged every Christian house where they knew they could get booty without
danger. They respected nothing. The superior of a monastery which had, also, been plundered
by these soldiers, came to Ligovitzi, in order to complain of their conduct, and to ask
restitution of what the convent had lost. Seeing all his applications useless, he burst
into a violent rage, and turning himself towards the soldiers, said: “Christians!
you name yourselves; and the enemies of our faith could not treat us worse than you
have. Regardless of sacrilege, you have polluted with impious steps the Holy of Holies.
And your rapacious hands have robbed the sacred vases, consecrated to the service of
the God, you pretend to adore. Tremble! for crimes do not lead to liberty; the merited
curses and imprecations of your injured brethren will rise to heaven, and solicit
revenge. To palliate your guilt, you call us Turcolatri; and blush
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Mavrocordato knew not how to refute these too well founded invectives and accusations of the Caloyers. To get rid of his importunities, therefore, he gave him a letter for Rangos, which was only sending from bad to worse.
The troops at Ligovitzi, and at Aetos, could not, from want of opportunity,
distinguish themselves by any glorious exploits. As no entreaty or persuasion could induce
the capitani to undertake any aggression against the enemy, Mavrocordato directed their attention to the defensive, and exhorted them
to fortify, to the utmost of their power, their respective positions. For there existed no
doubt, but that they
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That all attempts of the enemy might be the more readily frustrated, a solemn bond was formed between the capitani of the two camps; and promises of mutual assistance in case of attack. Certain signals were fixed upon to announce the approach of the Turks; and, on their appearance, those, who should perceive the fires were, without delay, to march to support the others.
In the morning, three fires were perceived on the hill of Aetos. The capitani assembled immediately at the convent to deliberate which of them should put himself in march, and by whom our camp should be kept. Every one endeavoured to prove, more clamorously than his neighbour, that it was not fit, that he should go in preference to another. Mavrocordato, perceiving that the time was precious and not to be wasted in interminable disputes, rose, and said: “Gentlemen, as for me I shall go, and let whoever loves his country follow me.”
In an instant, the whole army was in motion; and even those, who, a moment
before, had been loudest in demanding to remain behind, were now among the foremost. In the
same manner as at first no one would march; now, no one would remain. The camp was thus
completely deserted. Hardly had we advanced half a league towards the plain of Babini, when
Macri, who most unwillingly led the vanguard,
ordered a halt. He assured every one, that he perceived the enemy’s banners on the
hill of Machalà; and that they were evidently advancing towards us. His men confirmed
their general’s opinion, and
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Had they been more inclined to fight, and had they only contented
themselves with making intrenchments around and blockaded Zonga for five days, want of water would have compelled him either to
surrender, or to force his way across their camp. Our troops were too demoralisés, ever to have mustered resolution
enough to go to his assistance. Thus, the stupidity and singular apathy of the enemy, and a
want of knowledge in respect to our weakness, proved our only safeguard. For, had they
displayed the slightest judgment, merely by cutting off our communications with Mesolonghi
and Anatolico, from which towns we received our daily supplies, they would have compelled
us to abandon our position. After the taking of Tripolitza, the Greeks, to the number of
7000, undertook the siege of Patras. They had gained possession of the town, where they
in-
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Mercenary feelings only actuated the Albanians; and fanaticism, which proves a never-failing stimulus to the true Osmanli’s courage, has no effect whatever on them. Interest made them change their religion; and to gain money is the only article of their creed, and their guide in war. Far from wishing the extermination of the enemy, the Albanian apprehends nothing more than his destruction; because his services being then no longer required, he is compelled to return to the barren mountains, and being deprived of a most lucrative occupation, he thinks the destroying of the Greeks as irrational an act, as setting fire to his own harvest.
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