HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
uses Google technology and indexes only and selectively internet - libraries having books with free public access
 
  Previous Next  

GIOVANNI MARITI
Travels in the Island of Cyprus
page 185

View PDF version of this page

ment. Under the guidance of Captain Marco Crivelatore and of Cav. Maggio flanked redoubts were added to all the points attacked, and where mining could be heard we set barrels full of wet earth, boxes, mattresses and sacks full of wet earth— (for the Greeks with great promptness had brought all they had, for when the canvas was used up they brought hangings, curtains, carpets, and even their sheets to make these sacks) an excellent and speedy way of rebuilding the parapets which were wrecked by the fury of their artillery fire, which was never silent. All that was destroyed at night was rebuilt by day, for the soldiers got no sleep, and were always alert on the wall, visited continually by their chiefs, who slept only during the hottest hours of the day, for they had no other time for rest, as the enemy were calling at every moment to arms, to leave us no respite.. SECOND ATTACK. On June 29 the mine made in the stonework of the ravelin was fired, shattering everything and doing immense damage, besides giving an easy ascent to the enemy, who rushed wildly to the crest, Mustafa being present throughout. Count Hercole Martinengo and his company met the first shock, and so the Turks were repulsed by our men, who fought in the open, for the parapet was destroyed by the mine. On our side there fell Captain Meani, Sergeant Major, Captain Celio of the Grenadiers, Captain Erasmo da Fermo, Captain Soldatello, Antonio d' Ascoli, Captain Gio. d' Istria : many ensigns and officers were wounded, and about 30 soldiers killed. At the Arsenal the Turks were repulsed with greater loss on their side and less on ours. Five only were killed, among them Captain Giacomo da Fabiano, and I was struck by a musket ball in the left leg. The attack lasted six hours, and the bishop of Limasol stood there with the cross cheering on the soldiers, and there were brave women with arms, stones and water to help the combatants. The enemy, seeing the great losses 182 The Siege of Famagusta

View PDF version of this page


  Previous First Next