Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-11-11
An Inside JicU Of tie var al
CTetp.

A correspondent of the New YORK
Herald, who saw the Turkish blockade
and visited the camps of the insurgents
in Crete, gives the following interesting
account rof the strength of the con-
tending parties, derived from an Eng
fish volunteers
"rhe insurgents number between ~,
600 and 12,0OI now in arms anu are Ill
vided as follows: At Psariiordo, Capa
Taniana and Calousleneeves there are
34OO. On the Southern coast there are
at Melissa, the monastery OF reNe,l,
Rhodakino and Polirisso 5000 men. In
the western provinces scattered through
Roumeli. Trebita, Souga, Cavo kirlno,
Caya Spartha, Stoumeon, there are 2oou
men. In the North and in close proX-
unity to the Turks, there are now at
Bali.Todeli. Ja-Polea, 2O0O men.
While the Cretens occupy the whole
interior. and are likely 10, from all L
con hear or sec. the Turks content them.
selves by occupying the fortresses ana
walled towns of Canea, Ritthymos, Can
iii or Heracleum, Spinalonghl, EVapal-
ra. Castle of Kisamos and cham OF
block houses which run III dlrect ilhe
from Canea, on the North, tothe plateau
of Amalio and Lula, on the SCUM. AZ
together the Turks have force OF about
10000 men including the navy, employ
ed in actual war in Gre e.
The provisional government over Gre
te is Mt Amali, where the major part OF
the insurgents is at present. The mem
beers of it are seven in number, to whom
the four committees immediately con-
trolling the twenty-four provinces OF
Crete make their reports. At Amarl are
the ger eral hospitals for the sick and
wounded under charge OF Mr.. Hllray
Skinner, the eX-correspondent OF the
D0;iy Neaps of London. Also the prin-
cipai depots from whence the insurgent
army is supplied with arms. ,
1t is very strange how very llttle out
siders know of what Is being done IN
Crete. Battles and skirmishes take
place every week. While your cores
pondent was at Askyfo, he was invited
to accompany party down Few miles
in the direction of Pemonla. lhere Is
small village near Pemonia, named
Rithymos, where Il party OF Turks We're
found. The Cretans, numbering l0o
men. we'll armed, Immediately set upon
the Turks, WHO probably were of the
same numerical strength. The patriots
threw themselves behind the houses and
behind trees in skirmishing order. III
was here that the superiority of the
Greeks over their foes was readily
perceivable. After few rounds had
been discharged, the Crctans advanced,
and SO deadly was the volley they pour
ed into the enemy that they became de-
moraliZed and fled ANONYMOUSLY from
the field. Over 20 Turks We're killed IN
this little engagementofa an hours AURA,
ton. Fhad not the slightest idea that
inin n fUhI
such is the life they lead. Sometime
for two or three weeks in succession they
fight daily.
These people have no regular uniform
but are clothed in the picturesque cos
tune of the island, which is certainly
the most convenient. They are mostly
armed with double-barreled shot guns
and Enfield rifles, and are rarely prac-
ticed riflemen. The Turks are picked
off wherever seen. For days a gang OF
Cretans, under desperate young Cap
tain will hunt the vicinity of block
house unsupported by the enemy. The
opportunity sought for arrives at last
and no quarter is given nor is asked by
the Mussulman, for he knows how ut
terly useless is the prayer for mercy; fol
the enemy shows no mercy to man OF
woman, boy or girl. The Cretans have
plenty of ammunition, for the good peo-
Die of Boston, under direction o. Dr.
Howe, take care they are well supplied
Daily evidences of the large-hearted'
ness of the BOstonians were visible il
the hickory shirts and American army
overcoats which many of the Cretans
wore, and seemed to prize much. Being
an American, | was treated very cour
teOusly
Winter is coming, and ofcourse moth
ing will be done, at least in the way o
fighting. Some suffering is anticipated
and it will be well for them if DR.. Howe
can continue his supplies, especially il
the way of blankets, provisions, rifles
and ammunition. Money is OF no use t.
them and would only cause trouble, bu
such articles as man can eat and wea
would be very acceptable.
All the chiefs l met have desired mt
to state through your columns how
thankful they are for what has already
been done to them, and that they viii
pray for ever and ever for the prosperit!
of the American people.
The Cretans will never give up til
Crete is redeemed or they are all killed
Such unanimity of feeling as prevails
among the insurgents is not to be fount
elsewhere.