Since my arrival in England, after a passage of nearly two months, in the brig Cicerone, I learn from the most authentic sources, that an important and highly favourable change has taken place in Grecian affairs. In the large and populous Island of Candia, considered completely subdued by Ibrahim Pacha, the inhabitants have resumed their arms, and their operations have been attended with all the success their unexpected and determined rising deserved. Too confident and too unguarded, the Egyptian gar-

340

GREECE IN 1825.

risons were ill-prepared for defence, and a body of about 1500 Cretans arriving in boats from the Morea, attacked and carried the fortress of Graubouza, situated on a small island near the main, commanding the best fort of Candia; and in which they found twenty-seven brass guns, two only of which were useless, besides twenty light field-pieces, musquets, a small supply of provisions, and a large quantity of powder, though in a damaged state. Following up their advantages, they entered into the interior of the country, the small numbers of the Turks retreating before them, while the Ifaziotius, Kidonutius, and many other inland provinces, rose in arms, united their operations, and the fall of Kisamas, another fortress in possession of the Turks, followed that of Graubouza.

The inhabitants of the Morea appear also to have awakened at last from their stupor, and, again headed by their old leaders, oppose the formidable Ibrahim Pacha with great success. An engagement took place on the 16th of August with the Egyptians

GREECE IN 1825.

341

and inhabitants of Arcadia, posted in the village of Cambonon, near Figalia. The Egyptians, advancing from Megapopuli, were here opposed by the Greeks, and completely repulsed with the loss of 250 men killed; while that of the Greeks, firing from behind their tambours, was only three killed, and five wounded; and, pursuing the enemy as far as the valley of Megapopuli, they there made thirty men and Deri Bey prisoners. The Bey died of his wounds five hours afterwards. Three colours and a quantity of provisions and ammunition remained in the possession of the Arcadians. Another body of Greeks assembling in the mountains of Lekio, Ibrahim Pacha marched against them, apparently determined to revenge his late defeat, but was again repulsed. The attack was made in good order, and the defence of the Greeks, vastly inferior in numbers, firm and determined. The right wing of Ibrahim Pacha’s Moorish regulars, retreating from the well-aimed fire of the Greeks, communicated confusion to their centre; and notwithstanding the Pacha’s exertions, his ex-

342

GREECE IN 1825.

hortations and threats, they fled in disorder, leaving 300 dead on the field, throwing away their arms in their precipitate retreat. The Greeks pursued till night-fall, completely dispersing them, and making several prizes of arms and horses. Ibrahim Pacha, after his discomfiture, retired on Tripolizza, and soon after towards the fortresses of Navarino and Modon; but on Colocotroni’s approach at the head of a large force, after receiving reinforcements from the garrisons of the fortresses, the Pacha again occupied Tripolizza, and attempted to fortify the mills of Daria, occupying a position on the mountain of Piania, which commanded them. The Greeks, however, made a gallant and successful attack, and carried this position; forcing the Turks to retire on Tripolizza with considerable loss, and possessing themselves of the flocks and cattle the Turks had before collected in the country. Colocotroni, with 10,000 men, was at Dervena on the 28th of August. Coliopulo, lately joined by the gallant Niketas, encamped near Tripolizza, while another body of 4000 continually harassed

GREECE IN 1825.

343

the Turks. It was expected Colocotroni would attack Ibrahim Pacha, if he ventured to move from Tripolizza, from which place he will soon be forced from want of provisions.

The troops of Contahis Pacha, besieging Messolunghi, remained still before the walls, but without making any advances; while the garrison of Messolunghi had made several successful sorties; and the Greeks under Generals Karaiscaki, and Giavella, active and enterprizing captains, collected on the opposite mountains, and harassed the rear of the enemy, and were preparing to occupy the grand pass of Mackrimovo, to cut off the enemy’s communications.

In Eastern Greece, the Turks were still at Salona, but badly supplied with provisions, and showed no disposition to attempt any further operations. By sea, Admiral Miaulis, since raising the blockade of Messolunghi, had been cruising with thirty sail in the Archipelago, without having encountered the Turkish fleet; and lately passed the Island of Zante, to seek them in the Adriatic, report stating them to

344

GREECE IN 1825.

be laying off Sekoudra. The gallant Canaris failed in the object of their attack on the port of Alexandria, owing to contrary winds; but they have shown the enemy what they have to expect from the enterprize and daring of these active Islanders.