The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-05-07
MARCO BozzARls.
The story of His Heroism and His Death,

in 1921, and, after a contest of six vears
ended in the freedom of the Greeks Thai
the modern Greeks are worthy descend
ants OF the men who fought at Marathon
and Salamls was signally shown during
the whole course of that momentous
struggle Among the many who fought
and died for freedom and humanity, per
haps the most striking figure was Marco
Bozzaris, immortalized by Halleck. A
brief account of the fall of that immortal
hero may be found interesting at the
present time. Sa
| In 1928 the management of the war in
Arcanala was confided on the part Of the
Turkish government to Mustapha, Pasha
OF Scutari, with Isouf, the Pasha of
Series, as his second in command. The
found such difficulty in organizing a
sufficient force that the whole of June
and July was passed in preparing a corps
OF 5000 men at Preyessa. Isouf had taken
up position at Pouda, a village close
to the ancient Actima, there to await the
Pasha of Scutari. The latter was advanc-
ing with his own troops and large con-
tingent furnished by the Pasha of Thes-
sally. Marco Bozzaris was at Katocih,
between Massolonghi and Vonizana, with
Joncas of Agrapha, to whom he had been
reconciled after a long enmity Their
utmost force did not exceed 1900 men,
but with these it was decided they should
continue closely to watch the motions of
the enemy. While, however, Mustapha
was on his march from Agrapha to Vra-
corr, fully expecting to be Joined there
by the troops at Prevessa, the Albanians,
who formed the power of Isouf's army,
no sooner received the allowances usually
made before entering the field than they
mutinied, threatened the life of their
commander, and after committing nu-
merous excuses, withdrew to their re-
spective homes. Even Isouf's tent was
not spared on this occasion, while he
himself only escaped by embarking and
flying at Patras with few of his attend
ants.
The cause of this mutiny and desertion
was afterwards traced to Omer Vrioni,
another Turkish leader, who had become
jealous of Isouf's military fame and de-
termined to strip him of all means of CO.
operating with Mustapha in the present
campaign. He accordingly succeeded in
Ipersuading the Albanians to join his own
standard, and took post at Lepanore to
the right of the Acheron, with 1000 men.
On reaching Patras, Isouf Pasha sent
body of troops to be landed at Crionero,
not far from the position of Marco Boz
zar1s, with orders to attack the Greeks in
flank. Apprised of their landing, the
sSouliote chief fell on the Turks, and
having either killed or taken prisoners
more than two-thirds Of the whole num-
Der, the rest We're glad to escape to their
boats.
Hearing that division of 1000 men
was advancing ON the side of Valtos
Bozzaris sent a detachment in that di-
Tection to prevent their approach, while
he himself determined to dispute the en-
trance of Mustapha Pasha into Acarna-
mia. To effect this important object it
became necessary to undertake one of
those extraordinary forced marches which
had SO frequently secured victory to the
Greeks during the pending contest 1t
was this alone which enabled him to
reach Carpenisa in time to prevent the
consequences that must have followed
sudden invasion by Mustapha. The enc
myAs army reached the frontier Of Ar
canania on the 18th of August, and en-
'camped on an extensive plain near the
above place; it amounted to Ia, 600 men,
while the Greeks could with difficulty
collect 1000. Undaunted by such fearful
odds, Bozzaris, whose previous galIantry
had awakened the most fattering hopes of
his future heroism was now destined to
ftn -
his friends and admirers. A general
council of the chiefs and soldiery being
summoned, Marco pointed out the i'm
possibility of making a regular attack ON
the enemy, while on the other hand their
country and its cause We're irretrievably
lost if they did not take advantage of the
night, and endeavor by an act of bold
ness, required by the interests of their
country, to prevent the Turks from en-
tering the plains around Missolonghi
This opinion being acquiesced in by all
present, he addressed his companions a
second time, and having drawn a f1atter-
ing picture of the glory which awaited
those who took part in the intended at
tack, as well as the service they were
about to render Greece, the hero called
upon those who were ready to die for
their country to stand forward. The call
was answered by 400smen,, chiefly Souli-
otes, who according to the ancient prac-
tice of SOUL, when they were determined
to conquer or die, threw away their scab-
bards, and embraced each other Hav-
ing selected 300 to act Immediately about
his own person, Bozzaris directed that
the remainder of the troops should be
formed into three divisions for the pur-
pose of assailing the enemy's camp at
different points, while he penetrated to
the center with his own chosen band
Everything being prepared by midnight
on the 10Th of July, the last words of
Bozzaris, on assigning to each CHI ef and
soldier the part he had to perform, were
eff you lose sight of me during the COM
bat come and seek me in the Pasha's
tent. He then set forward, closely fol-
lowed by the sacred battalion, while the
three stratarchs, or minor chiefs, destined
to make their attack at separate points,
also proceeded to their stations. In order
that this should be simultaneous, it was
agreed that not a shot was to be fred or
a sword drawn until they hear bugle
sounded. Bozzaris was enabled to ad-
vance by addressing the Turkish senti-
nels in the Albanese language and tel
ling them he came with re-enforcements
from Omer Vrioni. On reaching the CEN
ter he sounded the bugle, upon which
the attack commenced on every side. The
arnn,v either llnDrnnarnd or manic -stricly-