 |
 |
People
Greek War Of Independence (1821-1829)
Markos Botsaris (1790-1823)
|
|
Markos Botsaris {Μάρκος Μπότσαρης} (1790-1823) [0.50 Drachmas]. One of the most glorious heroes of the 1821 Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule.
In Western Greece Mustai Paşa of Shkodra {Σκόδρα} with 8,000 Albanians was overrunning Evritania {Ευρυτανία} and Bryonis Omer Paşa (Albanian army officer in the service of the Ottomans) with 4,000 Ottoman-Albanians was marching towards Kravasara {Καρβασαρά} (Amfilohia {Αμφιλοχία}). Now, as in 1822, Markos Botsaris distinguished himself as the champion of Western Greece. His resistance to Hursit Paşa at Souli {Σούλι}, and his defence of Mesolongki {Μεσολόγγι} had earned him fame and the government had honoured him by awarding him the diploma of Commander-in-Chief of Western Greece.
This, however, gave rise to jealousy among the other military leaders, who asked for diplomas and got them. Botsaris then tore up his diploma in front of his rivals and said proudly, "Anyone who is worthy of a diploma earns it with his sword in the face of his enemy," and marched off to Karpenisi {Καρπενήσι}.
He had found out that Mustai Paşa with 4,000 men led by Jelaledin Bey was camped in the area. It was midnight on August 9th, 1823, when Botsaris and his 300 brave men stormed the enemy camp and the slaughter began. The Shkodrians were taken by surprise and ran into the thickets in a state of panic. Mustai Paşa's vanguard was dispersed, 800 Albanians were killed, and a number of pack animals and supplies came into the victors' hands. Despite being wounded in the thigh, Markos Botsaris leapt over a wall into the compound where Jelaledin Bey's tent was. But an Albanian had him in his sights and shot him in the forehead.
The Nation buried the dead hero with imperial honours. The prisoners of war went ahead of the funeral procession with the enemy's colours, then came the Archbishop {Arhiepiskopos ~ Αρχιεπίσκοπος} and a number of priests followed by the body of the dead hero covered with a navy greatcoat. Then came the family, the dignitaries, the ordinary people and superb horses with luxurious saddles formerly belonging to beys and agas, and mules laden with spoils.
Markos Botsaris (1790-1823)
Markos Botsaris Killed In Action
(by P. von Hess)
04-23-2004