The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-27
THE WAR IN CRETE.

The Battle or Heraclcum Between the Turks
and Chrisflans-Scenes in n Volunteer En-.
campmens-Tho Cross and Crescent-Iu the
Denic, and a Guerilla Positiou-Assauit ON
the Inndcl-ShclIs from the Turks, and \
Drawn Fight. &c.
Headquarters Of the nsurgent forces Heracsum
tApril 20) correspondence OF London Times
yond the walls OF their fortresses the Turks
have little hold upon Crete They may profess 70 be-
eve the insurrecton at end but they have fight
their way like foreign invaders when they would visit
the pached districts. Only yesterday they OF
these visits, with what result Will presently relate.
Lot me rs however, speak OF the excellent system or
defence by villages and dstricts which enables the
Cean patriots TO struggle against superior numbers and
And now for brief account OF yesterdays battle.
On April Is we marched down 70 the plain Of Herac-
leum Candia with strong body OF Crctans aud Greek
volunteers under the chiefs Petropouaki and Korakas
II had been rumored that the Pacha Of Heracieum
would attempt 70 entcr the districts between that
city and Rethymn It was resolved sraightway
draw him into action, and 70 have this matter settled
taken post tho last OF rocks overlooking the
plain and had waited some time In hopes OF attack
but no attack was mae Therefore we descended TO
the plaln LEFT the dehe by which had tempt
ingly open, and occupied village named Krnsonas at
the OF another deGe, little further south.
The Turks fired cannon shot from the village OF
Agios Meron in our 'front.' and night drew on there
was a slight skirmish before Krusonas But next morn
IND ali WAS quiet The beautiful view across the plain OF
Heracleum towards the mountains OF eastern Crete
lt up by glowing sunshine, while pleasant breeze ut
tered standards and made ths white cross upon
msbeevcrs 70 behold. Il was fair scene, that which
spread out before MS Yet had its darker side, and
less families came toiling up from the pain 70 sock
safety among the gray rocks and yellow gcrsc We
in presence Of cruel ensmy. whose Ugh. troops
make like red Indians and these families did well
to seek the rocks and gorss bushes
During the earlier part Of the day reports brought
10 chiefs that Turkish detachment had appeared in
the deAie, left open 70 tempt them. We accordingly
marched westward through the dshle behind Krusouas
hsI,sd until brssshess msssnesr came running % sun
mon our aid The Turks had advanced In force. There
was :ns nox going On N, o. ~. :h:, ysn
The villagers In the denie Not moment should be lost
for II quick enough could take the enemy in flank
and hey resumed their march with ali the eagsnss Of
men forty years younger The assd soldier:
cbeersd forward his veil tried volunteer; Korakss
urged his hardy Cretans, and scrambled
most impossible paths with marvellous rapidity We
slipped rocks and ampled through prickly busheA
until the troops had fairly dstanccd their commaudsrs
uccs S way o. % .hs
right paotsl" or some such practical direction. Then
was refugee family Which cried out % " from the
the Christian arms" We could presently hssr
sharp fusilads cracking and echoins in the dsnls
mur rather than distinct cheer passing from end end
Of the column. Pstropoulaki's son, Leoudas Was -
ass himself Ss
flank Just force reached the edge Of val
ley. few stray bullets he'd come sInsing over The
rocks far rear but now, ali once We entered upon
the Of action, and took up the are
skirmishing fashion. me head Of column had de-
hversd voiey % lot friends and foes know that
bad arrived. But thsnesforward W haA independent
nrfpR.
cannot easily describe the 6sld Of battle nor can
give ron any clear nosion Of the movements either
side while We could see Hsrscsum on the Shore
seemingly 81 our very fset and could distinguish mountain
tops at immerss distance, thers great difficulty
In making out the combatans, who engaged Gloss
before a. What with rocks and buahsz win tas urog