182 T U R 
and a large corps of cavalry; and immediately advanced to 
Vracori. 
Xeromeros, Valtos and Vracori, were now overrun, and 
there was but too much reason to fear, that others had fol¬ 
lowed the example of Varnachiotti, by joining the enemy, 
who now advanced to the heights of Stamma, about five 
miles from Anatolica, and from which he could at any time 
descend on the plain, to the very walls of Messolunghi. The 
loss of this place would have put the whole of Western 
Greece into the hands of the Turks, who might have then 
poured any number of troops into the Morea, 
The conduct of Prince Mavrocordato on this occasion was 
marked by a degree of firmness and resolution, which has 
since placed him deservedly high in the estimation of the 
Greek people. 
Having put the remnant of his forces in motion, he set 
out from Anatolica, as if he intended to retreat towards Sa- 
lona, but turning suddenly round, he returned by a flank 
march on the village of Therasova, and entered Messolunghi 
on the 17th of October. The difficulties which now pre¬ 
sented themselves, were, however, far greater than any 
hitherto experienced. 
The population of this place was now reduced to a few 
families. The fortifications consisted of nothing more than 
a low wall without bastions, and surrounded by a ditch 
seven feet wide, by four in depth, and filled up with rub¬ 
bish in many places. The parapet, which did not rise more 
than three feet above the counterscarp, was formed of loose 
stones, very much out of repair, and broken down in a 
number of places. For the defence of this extensive line, 
the Prince had now with him, including those found in the 
town, not more than five hundred men. The only cannon 
to be found within the walls, were four old ship guns, and a 
dismounted thirty-six pounder. As to ammunition, there 
was not sufficient for a month’s siege, and with the exception 
of maize, every kind of provisions was extremely scarce. 
When the president quitted Anatolica, it was agreed that 
Marco Bozzaris should occupy the passes through which the 
enemy would be likely to advance, between that place and 
the sea. The temporary occupation of this point enabled 
the Greeks to drive a quantity of cattle into Messolunghi. 
They were, however, obliged to retire in two days, upon 
which Bozzaris, followed by a small detachment of Souliotes, 
succeeded in reaching the town, all the rest having dispersed 
among the mountains. A large division of the Turkish 
army appeared before the walls two days after, and imme¬ 
diately commenced a cannonade and fire of musquetry, 
which continued with little intermission until the next day, 
■when it was only suspended, to propose a capitulation. 
Mavrocordato, whose only chance of safety depended on 
gaining time till succours were sent, replied in such a way, 
as to make Omer Vrioni imagine, that his proposal would 
be accepted, and the Greeks made considerable progress in 
their preparations for defence: such however was the total 
inadequacy of means and resources, that there seemed to be 
no hope of escape. Matters went on in this state of painful 
suspense until the morning of the 9th of November, when 
the Turkish brig and schooner which had been sent to 
blockade the place by Yussuff Pacha, were observed to steer 
towards Patrass, but the former being unable to reach the 
road-stead, owing to a strong southerly wind, bore up and 
stood for Ithaca, chased by six vessels, on board of which 
the Greek flag was seen flying. The ships were followed by 
the eager eyes of the prince and his brave followers, until 
night closed in, and they were once more left to ruminate 
ou the perils of their situation. Although the appearance of 
this small squadron filled every breast with hope, yet a 
vigorous attack during the night might enable the infidels to 
render all opposition fruitless: as it fortunately happened, 
no attempt was made, and their joy may be readily con¬ 
ceived on the return of daylight to perceive the whole of the 
Greek squadron anchored as near the town as it could be 
approached. Having chased the Turkish brig until she was 
run on the rocks of Ithaca by her crew, the Greek comrno- 
K E Y. 
dore came to announce that a body of Peloponnesians were 
ready for embarkation at Chiarenza and Katakolo, destined 
for the relief of Messolunghi. These long-wished-for sue* 
cours arrived on the 14th; they consisted of twelve hundred 
men, headed by Mavromichalis, who was accompanied bv 
Andreas Lundo, of Vostizza, and Deligianapulo, both dis¬ 
tinguished Maniote chiefs. A sortie was immediately made 
on the 27th November, in which a hundred and ten Turks 
were left dead on the plain, while the loss of the Greeks did 
not amount to more than twenty in killed and wounded. 
No sooner had the peasantry recovered from their con¬ 
sternation, than all those who had been able to retain their 
arms rose, and greatly harassed the Turks by interrupting 
their communications, and preventing the arrival of any 
supplies. 
In order to second these efforts of the people, it was de¬ 
termined that a part of the troops, sent from the Morea, 
should embark, and landing at Dragomeste, co-operate with 
the inhabitants of Valtos and Xeromeros, for the purpose of 
re-occupying the defiles, and thus effectually cut off the 
enemy’s communication with Arta and Vonizza. The com¬ 
mand of this expedition was assumed by Mavromichalis, who 
sailed for his destination on the 24th of December. His 
departure reduced the garrison so much, that Omer Vrioni, 
who had remained for two months without attempting an 
assault, now determined to take advantage of this circum¬ 
stance. The signal for commencing the attack was made at 
five in the morning of the 25th by firing a gun. A tre¬ 
mendous cannonade began along the whole Turkish line, 
and was as briskly answered by the Greeks. An escalading 
party contrived to approach within a few yards of the wall 
unperceived, and had even fixed some ladders, which en¬ 
abled a few of the Turks to pass the parapet; these were, 
however, instantly cut down; two standard bearers who 
succeeded in planting the crescent on the walls, shared the 
same fate; all, in fact, who attempted to mount the wall 
were precipitated into the ditch. Though short, the conflict 
which followed was both desperate and sanguinary, for 
when day-light broke, the whole of the glacis was seen 
covered with the dead. The infidels lost above twelve 
hundred men and nine stands of colours in this affair; while, 
incredible as it may appear, the utmost loss of the Greeks 
was only six killed and about thirty wounded. 
The immediate effect of this signal discomfiture, was that 
of making the rising general throughout the neighbouring 
provinces: those who had entertained any dread of the 
enemy before, were now quite disengaged from their fears., 
and bands were found in all directions, to cut off their 
retreat whenever they attempted to recross the mountains. 
Omer Vrioni having sent Varnachiotti to Xeromeros, in* 
order to procure provisions and forage, received a letter on 
the 31st, from the traitor, informing him that Rongo, whom 
Omer had sent into Valtos for the same object, had aban¬ 
doned the cause he had feigned to espouse, the more effec¬ 
tually to deceive the enemy; and placing himself at the head 
of three thousand men, was marching to cut off Omer’s 
retreat by Langoda; that the peop': of Xeromeros had flown 
to arms in spite of all his influence, and that the Prince of 
Maina, at the head of fifteen hundred men, had just driven 
the Turks from Dragomeste, and was advancing to occupy 
the defiles by which the Pacha could alone effect his retreat 
to Vonizza. The Turks were so panic-struck by this intel¬ 
ligence, that it had not reached the camp two hours before 
their retreat commenced, with the greatest disorder. This 
was so sudden and precipitate, that they left the whole of 
their artillery, consisting of eight fine pieces of brass cannon, 
with a complete field train and tumbrils; two howitzers; 
ammunition and camp equipage, together with a large quan¬ 
tity of provisions and all the baggage. To increase their 
embarrassment, the infidels were scarcely in motion, when a 
detachment of five hundred men sallied from the town, and 
overtaking their rear guard at Kerasova, killed a great 
number. On reaching the Achelous, its waters were so 
swollen by the continued rains, that the enemy could not 
pass 
