Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-04-20
Progress Of the Cretan Revolution
Disastrous Defeats of the Turks.
Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune !

Correspondence OF the N. Y. Tribune !
CoNsTANTNoPLF, March 6, 1851
The news from Crete and about Crete
is more important than anything we
have had for several months. When I
wrote last week there were reports in
the city of important battles in Crete.
The Greek minister had received tele-
grams from Athens about them, but
these rumors so often prove false that
only alluded to them briefly. Now,
however, L have authentic accounts
from private sources in Crete which
cannot be questioned.
After the last attempt of Mustapha
Pasha to penetrate the Businesses of
Sphakia, he returned and concentrated
his troops chiefly at Canea and at Re-
thyme, announcing as usual that the
rebellion was at an end, and the whole
island quiet. But the Cretans pressed
down so near to these towns that he
found it necessary to send out two
strong columns to attack them and
drive them back to the mountains. The
troops sent from Canea were under the
command of Aah Pasha, and nUfghbered
some 1000 men. They marched direct
Iy upon Omalo, but on the 18th, 10Th
and 18th of February they suffered
heavy loss In vain attempts to force a
mountain pass. The next day they re-
treated, but soon found the passes oc-
cupied in their rear. They encamped
In a ravine and remained nearly week
unable either to advance or retreat.
The Cretans were not strong enough to
attack them openly, but they harrassed
them night and day, on two successive
nights forcing their way into the very
center of the Turkish camp. The Turk
ish troops suffered terribly, but were
at last relieved by large force sent to
their rescue by Mustapha Pasha. The
whole force then fell back to Canea,
making no attempt to advance.
At the same time a strong body of
troops started from Rethymo with a
view of penetrating into the district of
Amari and dispensing the rebels there.
On the 18th of February, when they
were still near Rethymo, the insur-
gents, under the command of Coroneos
and others, attacked them suddenly
from all sides. The attack was unex-
pected. The Turks were entaugled in
the narrow defiles of the mountains,
and after an obstinate battle they re
treated in great disorder to Rethymo,
the CretaLs pursuing them up to the
very walls of the town.
In this battle the Cretans captured
cannon, 3 flags, $50 mules laden with
provisions, and large number of
prisoners. In both these affairs the
Turks lost heavily in killed and woun-
ded. On the arrival of the flying troops
at Rethymo, the Mussulmans were so
exasperated that they commenced a
massacre of the Christians, which was
checked with great difficulty after five
or SIX had been murdered, Another
severe skirmish is reported, but my
private advices give no particulars
about it.
There had been no little discourage
ment of late among the patriots OF
Crete. The sHfferings of the people,
the fair promises of the Turks, the de-
spair OF obtaining foreign aid had
caused many especially of the Sphak-
totes, to give In their submission to
the Turks, but now are these things to
have been suddenly forgotten. The