Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-06-11
THE CRETAN WAR BATTLE OF
IIERACLEUM.

tthkAOAhOms
A correspondent of the London Times, who |
dates his letter from the headquarters Of the
Cretan insurgents, near Heracleum, April ~,
describes the battle Of the previous day between
the Creans and Greek volunteers, and the
Turks on the plains of Heracleum. as follows :
"During the earlier part of the day reports
we're brought to our chiefs that Turkish de-
tachment had appeared in the defle left open to
tempt them. We accordingly marched west
ward through the deile behind Krushnas, to q
central position among the mountains. Here
We halted until breathless messenger came
running to summon our aid. The Turks had
advanced in force. There was q sharp contest
now going on between their vanguard and the
corps Of Koroneos, who had already Joined the
villagers in the defle. Not moment should
be lost, for, if quick enough, we could take the
enemy in flank. This was what cur chiefs had
been naneuVring TO do, and they resumed their
march with oil the eagerneas of men forty years
younger. The aged soldiers also gained vigor
with the occasion. PetroPoulaki cheered for
ward his well-tried volunteers; Korakas urged
| Ou huiuJ S-Niuu9t hhA Nv oSAoAA|ASN WV
almost impossible paths with marvellous rapidly
We dived into one ravine and cimed out of
another, slipped over rocks, and trampled through
prickly bushes, until the troops had fairly dis
tanced their commanders. Now some little shep-
herd boy high up above US cried in shrill voice,
This way, patriots ? or Turn to the right,
patriotsl' or some some such practical direc-
tion. Then it was q refugee family which cried
out to us from the rocks with all their might,
saying, God bless the Christian arms We
could presently hear sharp fusade, cracking
and cchoing in the defle of Monsorus. Faster
ran the men, with warlike murmur rathei
than distinct cheer passing from end to end o
the column. PetrOpoulakis son, Leonidas, was
as usual among the very first, and, with a stronl
body of volunteers, he had thrown himself upoi
the enemys flank just as our main force reached
the head of the valley. A few stray bullets ha,
come singing over the rocks far in the rear, bu
now, all at once, we entered upon the scene o
action, and our men took up the fire in loos
diminishing fashion. Tho head Of our colum
had delivered a volley to let friends and foe
know that we had arrived. But thsnceforwar
we had independent firing.
"What with rocks and bushes, with the irregr
lar formation of even the so-caed plain, an
with an atmosphere which made objects at fN
thousand yards look as though only at five hui
dred, we were often puzzled as to where ii
Turks had gone or whittier the Christians we
following them. Nevertheless, it was an excl
ing spectacle. Up the opposite hillside the
moved column of Turks with red banne
L clearly to be distinguished at their head.
the stony roadway of the defle were other Tur
pressing forward, and We could hear their furio
III shouts above the crash of musketry. Sol
the skirmishers fired in our direction when we fl
ner appeared, but very soon lost heart as PetropC
ter laki's men poured a steady fire upon them. I
aas detachment under Leonidas Petropouaki q
his the Cretans of Korakas had meanwhile
,ly, cended to tue bottom Of the gorge, and WI
Ind climbing swiftly towards the enemy's posit
re- Koroneos recovered the ground which he
ter, lost, there was louder and louder discharge
ter, musketry from our rocky vantage point, and
IS Of advance of Christians along the roadway v
pom ringing cheers. We can see the Turkish b
lied ners wayer and fall back rapidly.-faser
her faster. They ore in full flight. There is sh
the of triumph from every side, Victory to
lese CROSS = And now our fire ceases for we cau
opg, longer distinguish friend from foe, while Dc
her, toward the plain goes cracking brisk fusilu
and The Turkish irregulars fly with goat-like activ
nan but their disciplined troops behave we'll,
with fire at intervals during the retreat. We
you, are high up can sec that our friends below
better stop and pursue no further. We
stion ol'afiy 'uaAe 0u' '''s' ts''''' u
,.1, the plain, with cavalry and cannon. 1t is
sha less to descend. But the Cretans have war
fra to their work, and they push forward with
rsot shouts until they have reached the lower
er, range of rocks. Here they must pause, a
vou can well discern, for the guns and cavalry
ptiOn oar 'ne'r progress % II turns out III
few minutes. There are white pulls of sm
aud there is whzzing of shells from
COMIC Turkish reserve; then some horsemen l
true quickly forward, and some Egyptian infant
white uniforms come charging up toward
drate soros. The Christians fall back before
men new assalants, though not without murdt
Wneh fire to protect their retreat. The Egyp
tley's charge resolutely on. and there is again a
leVed charge from our side of the valley. Vie
rhe's atep by step KorOneos and Korakas
It she slowly out of reach. No bayonet charg,
Iother last all NIGHT. and when the enemy has lol
nds." hroatb md our man have spent their ami
ANITA tion the battle is over. The Turks return
.store ueracleum without any further attempt
per in plOrc the mountains
iecary ohN " "As'''NOi0N i-'s' Nv -
IS the Oh his0ouu'ry "'' 0OusOie"'Ou' :" '"' '.'o