The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-01-04
The Canadian Notwithstanding of
the Action az tho Monastery OF the
MISUNDERSTANDING Of the House
Hcr0ism OF the Christians and
Cruelty of the Turks.
ATnENs, Decemher s. 1850.

ATHENS, December s, 1866.
The last advices from Gambia bring the
following additional details Of the mourn
ful catastrophe at Arcadion:
MuStapha Pasha entered the town OF
RethymaoS upon the 18th November, and
remained there several hours. lie col
lcctcd all The Turkish and Egyptian troops
OF the department., amounting, together
with those he had brought from Canea,
altogether to about sixteen thousand. Leav-
ing Episcopi, the Imperial Commissioner
arrived before the convent of Arcadion on
the night of the 10Th. This convent was
situated In the eastern part Of Rcthymnos,
in the midst OF rich, extensive plain,
about two hours Journey from tho south
crn coast of the island. Built in the reign
of the Emperor I}cracluS, it was famous
for its wealth, which il employed in re-
licving the poor and the oppressed. The
monks offered hospitality to all visitors,
without distinction Of nationality or creed.
The convent had been spared by all the
successive couqucrorS of the island, the
Spanish, Arabs, Ncnctians, and even by
the JauiSSaricS.
Since the commencement of the insur-
rection OF monks the Arcadion had given
refuge TO different families of the neigh
horhool. The inmates Of the convent at
the time Of MuStapha Pasha'S appearance
before its walls numbered $40 men, wo-
men, and children. About 1871 were men
capable Of bearing arms, viz: sixty-three
monks, three Greek volunteers, and l3l
Cgc:anS.
pun the morning Of the Goth the PaSha
summoned the CrctanS TO surrender, and
upon their refusal Immediately began the
hcmbardmcnt. In the afternoon mcssen-
gers reached RcthymnoS requiring fresh
artillery, men, and munitions; and all that
still remained in the town were at once
sent on, 50 that on the 2lst twenty-SiX
heavy guns and two mortarS were playing
OF The convent. The siege continued I'M
iuterruptellv two days and nights, when n
breach being effected, the Turks entered
. the convent court, and the Greeks con-
tiuucd firing upon them from the cells.
But this iucc>Sant firing terminated by
putting most Of the firearms OF the Chris
tiaus out Of order; many of their num-
Der had also been killed and wounded.
Tie remainder, men, women, and chill
drcn, then assembled in Il hall, under the
Leadership OF Father Gabriel, the superior
OF the convent, and determined 10 blow up
the binding. The powder was deposited
in tic cellars. 4 Young monk 20 years OF
age, Emanuel 7. Coula>, applied the match,
and the bulk OF the convent vas immcdi-
atcly hlu"u into the air. Ihirty-ninc men,
and sixty women and children, most OF
them wounded who were in the wing that
rcrnaincd intact, survived the catastrophe.
The greater part Of these are reported 10
have been massacrcd. The Turks applied
! lighted torches to the faces Of the wounded
stretched upon the ground, to see which Of
them still lived, aud then dispatched them.
The large and beautiful church of the con-
vent Wa, not shattered by the explosion.
Tie Tufks rushed into it to pillagc the
wealth Accumulated for ages, and after
ward. set fire - the building.
Tie Turkish wounded began to arrive at
Rrthymuos and the adjacent towns on the
I'D. The hospitals being insufficient to
accommodate the number, private houses
were transformed into. iuGrmaries. The
number Of 1000 Turks killed 10y the cX-
pIosion, stated previously, i below the
truth. The bodies Of insurgents i'll the
other parts Of the department FASTENED 10
tn. aid Of the hcaicgcd It, soon as they
head Of the attack but MuStapha PaSha
detached troops to meet them and hold
them in check.