The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-09
STURDY MOUNrAlNEERS.
How the Montenegrins Fought for 1nde-
pendence Against Incredible Odds.

pendence Against Incredible Odds.
''The ever-glorious mountaineers OF
Montenegro" were the only people who
lid not succumb to the attacks of the
Turks in the fifteenth century. During
the four centuries which have inter-
vened the Montenegrins have preserved
their autonomy, and, in the midst of the
mountains which surround them, they
have kept inviolate their Christian faith.
The principality of Montenegro is about
sixty miles in length by about thirty
i've miles in its widest part. 1t is within
She limits of this small territory that
comparatively few thousand have been
able for long time to withstand the
encroachments of the many millions by
whom they have been surrounded. AS
an illustration of the valor which these
rugged men have ever displayed, the
following dispatch from the Montenegrin
Commissioner-in-C to his brother,
Prince Daniel, sent from the field of
victory in their resistance to the Turks
In 1858, is uniqe: Great Conqueror,
Prince of the valiant Montenegrins!-
In the name of the Lord Almighty, and
In honor of my Prince and well-beloved
brother, / disposed my troops on Assem-
sion Day, May 18th, before sunrise, for
general assault on the Turkish en-
trenchments. Immediately the columns
Of attack were formed | opened fire in
the valley, here were massed the
guards of your Highness, to cut off the
retreat of the Turks. At the same
moment our faithful and brave falcons
1arted on the foe, brandishing their
yatagans and shouting with an un
speakable enthusiasm, Glory to God in
the Highest and honor TO our Prince! |
beheld, then, o my chieftain and
brother, prodigies of valor, of
heroism, of love, of liberty. Thanks be
rendered to the Lord Almighty, our
boys fell on the ranks of the enemy as
though we had been telling the trees of
the forest. OF the thousands of which
the Turkish army was composed, scarce
few hundreds have escaped to tell how
the Montenegrins can fight for their
country. Your soldiers have slain seven
thousand Turks, taken eight pieces of
artillery, twelve hundred caparisoned
horses and five hundred tents. At this
moment it is impossible to enumerate
the arms captured and all the rich booty
which we have acquired. The field of
battle presents the spectacle of a forest
laid low, and the mutilated corpses of
Turks are sight of horror. 1t is thus,
o my Lord, that the Montene-
negrins have in part avenged the
defeat of their Servian ancestors
On the plain of Kossovo on June
Is, 1889. They rushed onward, one
over the body of another, Drawing
wounds and death to distinguish them
selves in your eyes. In this action we
had forty-seven killed and about sixty
wounded. On the side of the Turks
two Pashas were slain. The head
of one was taken by the brave Captain
Djukanor; the other fell by the sword
of the standard-bearer of your High
ness guard. In the struggle of man
against man our officers were not to be
distinguished from the common soldiers
all behaved as true heroes. Honor to
them all before God and before you, my
Prince! When we shall have paid the
last honors to the dead, tended the
wounded and distributed the booty, |
will repair to your Highness. Chris
tian at Work