280 SIEGE OF 1828. 



left untouched when the works were destroyed, 

 as this is loopholed after the fashion of Turkish 

 forts. 



In the year 1828, the Russians besieged Varna 

 with a force of twelve thousand men, the Turkish 

 garrison amounting to only three thousand. These 

 received afterwards a considerable reinforcement, 

 but the defences being in a ruined state, and the 

 besieged suffering severely from privation and 

 disease, it was surrendered, after a little more 

 than two months open trenches, to the Russian 

 fleet, under Admiral Greig ; the desertion to the 

 Russians of Youssoof Pasha (second in command 

 of the fortress), when he considered the place no 

 longer tenable, contributing to hasten its fall. 

 Youssoof Pasha has been accused by some of 

 treachery, whilst the Russians maintain, that he 

 did no more than his duty in exercising his in- 

 fluence over his superior, to induce him to sur- 

 render when all further resistance was vain. I 

 believe it is not attempted to be denied, that when 

 on board Admiral Greig's ship with a flag of 

 truce, after having been unable to come to terms 

 for the surrender of Varna, he refused to return, 

 and the surrender of the fortress was the con- 



