Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-08-17

a hLA Nv W
Trace with his hardy and warlike Turkish
soldicry. Tit the observation of Knolles,
that these new corners, contrasting their rude
habits with the refined luxury and riches OF
the Greeks, found themselves in n new
world; and inlamcd by the spirit of the
Moran and their natural desire OF conquest,
the Turks wcrc ready and eager TO under
take any enterprise, and TO endure any toll,
that could advance their empire. Contrast
ing this spirit with the apathy, imbecility,
and discussions of the Greeks, it cannot be
wondered at that all things prospered with
the Turks, and became more and more
straiteEd and dangerous with the Christians.
Thus, in one year, did the principal part of
the Chersonesus fall into the power of the
turks, and was apportioncd out by Solyman
amongst his foliowers and soldiers, 'as ap-
pears, hnol!es observes, 'by the graves and
tombS OF EzeSbeg and Fazilbcg, the two who
hrst came over INTO Europe, and which are
there well known.'"
Conquest Of CovS.gntjnopLe by the Turks.
Muhammed distributed al the breach
MS worst troops, the refuse OF the host.
Constrained by the ianizarics, these poor
wretCheS were forced TO place Ladders and
mount the first Ia the assault. Not one of
them reached the walls; they were DESTROY
ed, overturned, or beaten down, and their
dead bodies, served TO ill the bitches. The
SanJaks then led on the troops of Asia and
nf Europe, who fogght with the energy of
despair. impcl'cd by the more and more re-
doub;able threats OF their fierce leader. To
those whom hc saw furious, he promised
golden mountains; to the cowardlv, he de
noUnced instant death; and %exccutioners
were at hand to enforce his vengeance.
Tor two hours or more the Christians with
stood every effort of the enemy. and the
voice OF the Emperor was heard encoura-
ing his followers 10 achieve. BY a last effort
the Geliverance of their city. Adopting the
example of his race, 10 fatigue and wear out
his foes, At this fearful instant Muhammcd.
welded his mace, and commanding his
drums and wariikc instruments to- sound.
impclled onward, by act and gesture, his
iIaniZaries, fresh, vigorous, and invinCible.
Similar to lions in chase of their prey, the
Turkish writer's describe, they assembled the
breach, regardless Of the storm of arrows.
balls, and musket balls, showered on them.
the dust of the combat darkcned the hea-
vens, and as Il heavy veil filed the azure sky,
The cannon Numbered on the walls, AMI the
tall OF the queen of nations evidently drew
on. The immediate loss Of C~onstantinople,
however, as Gibbun iudic:ousIy states may
be ascyibcd TO the bullet, or arrow, which
: pierced the r~aunt!ct OF John JuStiriana.
The sight of his blood, and his exquisite
pam, appalled, the courage of the chief
whose arms and councils were the firmcSt
rampant of the city. As he withdrew from
las station In search of a surgeon, his flight
was perceived and stopped by the indefati-
Painologus, sis slight! the danger is press
ing your presence is necessary and with
or will you retiie - Il VIII retire" said the
trembling Genoese, ''by the same road
which God has opened for the Turks" and at
these words, he hastily passed through one
the breaches ofthe inner wall. BY this pu-
silanlmous act, he stained the honors of a
military life; and the few days which he sur
vived at ChiOs, were embittercd by his own
and the public %reproach. His example was
followed by most Of the auxiliaries-thc de-
fence sIackened, and the assault was pressed
with teniold yigor; the adverse balance vi
brated so strongly, if the besiegers could pen
citrate Icy d single spot, the city was ire
%trlevcly lost. That fatal spot, at length, was
the very palace of Constantine While the
Emperor guarded the breach, thus left ex-
posed by the retreat OF Justiuini, the Turks
percciyinga door ofthe palace open, bywhich
the Greeks made their saliics with security, (t
being under ground) fifty janizarics rushed
In, and mounting the walls, cut those who
defended them to pieces; after which the en-
emy found no difficulty. Hasson, a ianiza-
~ of huge stature, was the first who asccn-
ded the walls amid the confusion Of this "a
tai event; he was followed by all the assail-
ants, and the Greeks were driven from them,
or buried under overwhelming multitudes.
Amid these multitudes the Emperor, who
accomplished all the duties Of a general and
a soldier, standing in The breach with his
sword and Duchlcr in his hand, was heard TO
utter these mournful words;-"ls there no
Christian left alive, to strike off my headl'.
To prevent his falling alive into the hands of.
his enemies, he laid aside his gilded arms, and
fell amid the tumult, unknown and unnoti.
ccd, his body being buried under "A noun
tain Of the slain. DR.. Walsh, when viewing.
the spot, observes; "the breaches which re-
main in the wall for Il considerable extent,