Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-05-01
FROM THE SEAT Of WAR.
The Retreat of the Greeks After the Bat
tie of Mati-Later Developments.


The Retreat of the Greeks After the Bat
tie of Mati-Later Developments.
Full details Of the battle of Matt, on
the 23d instant, were not published in
the United States until Thursday last.
The delay, it seems, was due to the
general decentralization and panic into
which the Greeks were plunged as the
result of the battle.
The fighting, as already stated, last
ed all day until nearly sundown. The
Turks had the advantage at first but,
later in the afternoon, the Greeks be-
gan to beat the Turks back. Not only
this, large re-inforcements were to be
seen approaching from the rear, and
there was every reason to believe that
a Greek victory was inevitable.
Just about this time, the Greek bu-
glers sounded the call to cease firing.
The order produced CONSERVATION !;
but was obeyed. Then followed bugle
orders to retreat. The soldiers could
not understand it, and after some hesi-
tation, sullenly obeyed. The Turks
were quick to see their advantage and
quickly rushed to the charge. Unable
to defend themselves, the Greeks could
only fall back. The front lines met
rear lines going to the front. The near
lines had misunderstood orders, and
mistaking their retreating comrades
for charging Turks, fired. 1t was some
little time before an explanation was
reached. Then all were forced back
before the advancing Turks. Each
moment added to the decentralization,
and what was intended only as an Or
derly retreat, quickly developed into a
most disorderly rout.
Some of the Greek officers lost their
heads and were as badly demoraized
as the soldiery. Others, however, re-
mained cool and did their utmost to
check the flight Of their men. They
even stood before them with revolvers,
and threatened to shoot; but their
efforts were without avail. The panic
lasted for several hours, until by the
light of the rising moon, the soldiers
became able to distinguish objects
about them, and finding that the Turks
were not pursuing, quieted down.
Then the officers managed to restore
something like order to the main por-
ton of the army, and the retreat was
continued on to Pharsala in a some
what more orderly manner.
While some of the retreating soldiers
retained their arms and baggage, others
threw down everything and the road
was literally strewn with rifles, KNAPP
sacks, blankets, ammunition belts and
other articles. To add to the terrible
confusion, the citizens of Larissa, in
Guiding women and children, upon
learning that the city was to be aban-
doned, also sought to save themselves
by flight. They were in great state
of terror. This was particularly the
case with the women, who were more
than horror stricken at the idea Of
falling into the hands of the dreaded
Turks. AS they ran they would draw
their hands across their throats by way
of illustration of what they expected
in the event of capture.
But the Turks failed to follow. Just
why, has not clearly appeared. In
stead they occupied Larissa and
camped about at different spots on the
plain of Thessaly. During the next
few days, quiet was somewhat restored
to the panic stricken cities of the vi
cinity, and while Athens was passing
through turmoil of excitement which
threatened revolution and the depo-
sition, if not the assassination of the
king, defenses about Pharsola were
strengthened, the scattered army was
collected as well as possible, and every
thing was gotten in shape for another
final effort to check the Turkish ad
vance.
NEWS OF YESTERDAY.
The daily papers of yesterday
brought budget Of news which
seemed to indicate that events were
shaping themselves for new and inter-
esting developments; but whether in
the direction of more fighting or diplo-
matte conferences, does not yet clearly
appear.
Yielding at last to the persistent op.
position Of the existing government,
King George requested the resignation
of Prime Minister Delyannis, and COM
missioned NJ. Ralli to form a new
ministry. Delyannis, who is response
BILE for the conduct Of affairs up to the
present time, refused to resign; but
agreed to sign an order for the forma-
ton of new ministry upon condition
that there be no reflection upon his
own management of affairs. The
king made this concession and the
new ministry was duly organized and
accepted by the king. 1t has not yet
been accepted by the legislative as
sembly, though there seems to be no
reason to anticipate hostility from this
body. The change in the ministry is
said to have brought about quiet in