The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-08-02
THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS.
It's Capture Three Hundred Years Ago by the
IL.

It's Capture Three Hundred Years Ago by the
Turks.
In 1870 (after Cyprus had been in the
hands OF Christians since 964), Selim II,
asked Venice to eede to him the Island
of Cyprus and upon her refusal he began
to make extensive preparations to take it
by force. This news spread consterna-
tion among all the Christian population
along the shores of the Mediterranean.
Pope Pious V. vainly attempted another
crusade by calling Europe to arms
much time was lost in conferences and
negotiations, and no energetic measures
were adopted. Venice, trembling, forti-
fed herself at home and forgot or was
unable to send troops to garrison the
fortresses repaired by Savorniani. The
Turks lost no time in sending from
Rhodes and Negropont feet OF 800
vessels to conquer Cyprus.
On the 1st of July, 1870, the Turks
landed in the neighborhood of Limassol,
without any opposition, an army of
100000 men, composed of 10000 infan-
try, 10000 cavalry, and 200 cannon,
under command of Lala Mustafa. While
the heavy artillery was being landed, his
irregular cavalry scourged the country
and ravaged all the towns. In the latter
part of July Mustafa Pasha, with his
whole army, had begun the siege of
Nicosia, garrisoned only by 10000 men
of different nationalities and religion.
The defense was badly conducted, yet
the Turks spent seven weeks in
capturing the city, entering it on the
sth of September, after several desperate
a,ssau1ss ole week The city was
gwen up to the ferocity of the capto7s,
and the scenes of horror which followed
beggar description. Twenty thousand
persons of both sexes were pitilessly
butchered, and 1000 youths carried
away into captivity. On the 18th of
September, Muhafa Pasha started to
besiege Famagosta, the last stronghold
which still defed the barbarous Osmanli.
The place was defended by Venetian
troops, who, though only 1000 in
number, resisted for long time, always
in the hope of receiving assistance from
their mother country. The efforts OF
Venice to help Famsgosta amounted to
next to nothing. On the 10Th of July,
after a siege of nearly ten months dura.
tion, when all the provision and am.
munition were exhausted, and most of
the troops manned or killed, the heroic
commander, Gen. Bragadino, displayed
the white flag, and proposed his condi.
tions of surrender.
These were eagearly accepted by the
treacherous Mustafa; hostages were ex-
changed; Turkish vessels, as stipulated
entered the port of Famagosts, and took
on board all those who wished to leave
the island; nothing remained but the for
mality of delivering the keys of the city
to the victor.
On the 5th of August Gen. Bragadino,
accompanied by his Lieutenants Ba-
glioni, Martinengo and Quirini, went to
the Turkish camp, and was politely re-
ceived by Mustafa. After the delivery
of the keys, and when General
Bragadino had risen to take
leave, the vile Turk asked him for special
hostages for the safe return from Canada
of the Turkish vessels which were to
convey him and his men thither !;
Bragadino refused this, as not having
been stipulated in the accepted condi-
tions of his surrender Then Mustafa
accused him of bad faith, and of having
put to-death fifty Turkish pilgrims after
he had surrendered, which was indig-
nantly denied by Bragadino. The pasha,
becoming enraged, ordered the four
Venetians to be put to death, and in a
few minutes Generals Baglion, Martinen
go and Quirini were executed in the
presence of Bragadino, for whom more
terrible death was reserved the execu
toner cut off his nose and ears; three
times he was made to lay his head OF
the DiOcK dS IL W DC DChCAASNj ehOA
heavily chained, was thrown into darl
dungeon and left for nine days In tina
miserable condition.
On the tenth day, by order of Mustafs
Bragadino was brought out of prison ant
made to carry earth for the repair of tn
Notifications during several hours, afte
which, more dead than alive, the heroi
soldier was tied to stake, and in tn
presence of the ferocious Mustafa wa
layed alive. His skin, stuffed with hay
was sent with the heads of the othe
three Venetians as presents to the sultaI
The same bleody scenes which had
CURED at Nicosia were repeater
Famagosta, though it appears tF
rage Of the Turks at this place
particularly directed against
Catholics; the people
Turkish vessels, instead
to Caudia, as it ha'
were landed at Co
as slaves.
Thus Cyprr
doomed to
empire ss
powers
l