Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-12

their credit, and in general pocAeunS oiie ma.
of the demanded sum. So that a man VINO
claims pay for $50 soldiers, cannot, perhaps
bring go into the field. OF this system OF fraud
the government are well aware; but, in the pre-
sent state of affairs, they are so much In the
mower of the captain, that no soldier, or palika-
ri. or Joining his captain is expected to come
furnished with his arms and capote; the former
usually consist of pair-of pistols, an ataghan,
a tophaic. or long gun, and sometimes a SABRE.
They are. however, bound by no laws or MI
I;tarv regulations, and merely follow or obey
leader as long as they are we'll paid or comfort
able in his service; he having no power TO en-
force obedience during his almost nominal com
mand, or TO compel his soldiers, beyond the IL
nit Of their pleasure, to remain under his or
ders. II is no unusual thing for the company
of captain TO assemble round his quarters, Tor
the purpose oftumultuously demanding, and EN-
forcing; by the bastinado, an increase or arrears
of pay; on the eve Of an important movement,
to find that his soldiers have gone OH during
the night, to attend TO the safety Of their fami-
lies. or the celebration of festival. AS TO their
conduc, in the field, they will never oppose an
enemy, unless obliged by necessity, without the
shelter of their tam bours or low trenches; or
without crouching behind rock from whence
they can have protected aim at their 1oe.-
The Turks. too, have something Of the same
system in their irregular warfare; and before
the introduction irregular troops into the MO-
rea, battle must have presented novel spec
tacle, where not soul of either army was dis
tinctly visible Thus, screened behind stone,
thew lie in wait to catch the first moment when
an enemy shall expose himself, or placing the
scalpa, or scull-cap, on an adjoining rock to
decoy the Turk, take an advantageous aim at
him whilst he is wasting his powder on the
empty head.dress of his enemy.-When the
Greek has thus thinned all within his range,
and wishes to change his position, he watches
for the favourable movement, when, snatching
up his gun, he nimbly skips to the adjoining
rock, flashing his shining ataghan before him
in the sun.beams, to dazzle the aim OF his sur
enemies; and here, erouching on the
ground and placing his cap as usual, he recon-
mences his operations. Amongst the Turks
who reside in the Morea; all are not SO despe-
rately bad as are supposed, and some few have
even gained the affections of the Greeks. ltrot
occurs that two old neighbors
meet in one of those singular encounters, when,
rising from their screens, they hold parley OF
their own affairs; and again part to resume, at
their posts, their mutual slaughter OF their
friends and companions. Such scenes serve to
keep in countenance Homer's description OF the
dialogues ofhis contending heroes; but, in fact,
instances Of ancient manners are to be met with
every hour, and at every step something occurs
10 remind us that we are in Greece.
The discipline of the navy, and the money
making system of its commander, are exactly
similar to those of the army, in which there are
abou, 500 specializing generals, and from IL to
5000 men.