Battle of Krusi
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Krusi took place in 1796 between Old Montenegro
and the Ottoman Empire
near Krusi. Following his defeat in Martinići (see Battle of Martinići), Mahmut-pasha Bushatli
began compiling new plans to attack Montenegro. With his main army in Scutari
, Bushatli advanced to Podgorica
, in the meantime, near the Montenegrin borders, a rather large number of forces were stationed due to the concentration of attacks towards Montenegro and Brda
. From Podgorica, the Turks move onto Lješkopolje because Bushatli's goal was to use the Lješkopolje-Krusi-Carev laz-Rijeka Crnojevića
to his advantage to carry out a raid toward Cetinje
.
Peter I, Prince-Bishop
of Montenegro, was informed of the Turkish plans and had organized defenses beforehand. He then took control of the majority of the his forces and set-up an encampment beneath Mount Sađavce, on the right hand bank of the Matica River. Another, larger, unit, under the command of Jovan Radonjić was beset under Mount Busovnika near the village of Krusi.
The battle occurred on 22 September 1796 when Bushatli ordered his troops to cross the right hand bank of the Sitnica River
and attack Montenegrin positions. Krusi was directly in the path of the Turkish army. Intensive fighting would occur when the Turks met with the Montenegrins. After a whole day of fighting, the Montenegrins were able to defeat the Turks. Bushatli was killed by the Montenegrin army during the battle. Legend has it that it was truly Bogdan Vukov from Zalaze who managed to kill Bushatli. The remains of the broken Turkish army were forced to withdraw to Podgorica.
Old Montenegro
Old Montenegro is a geo-historical part of the modern Republic of Montenegro. It refers to the territory of the Principality of Montenegrin prior to its expansion and the proclamation of a kingdom during the Balkan Wars...
and the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
near Krusi. Following his defeat in Martinići (see Battle of Martinići), Mahmut-pasha Bushatli
Kara Mahmud Bushati
Kara Mahmud Bushati was a noble of the Bushati family in Ottoman controlled Albania near the city of Shkodër. In the 1780s his rebellious character brought him into conflict with the Ottomans. This conflict is regarded in Albanian historiography as a bid to create an independent principality...
began compiling new plans to attack Montenegro. With his main army in Scutari
Scutari
Scutari may refer to:*Üsküdar , in Anatolia, Turkey*Scutari Barracks in Üsküdar; former hospital where Florence Nightingale worked*Shkodër, in Albania; also known as Scutari in antiquity...
, Bushatli advanced to Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
, in the meantime, near the Montenegrin borders, a rather large number of forces were stationed due to the concentration of attacks towards Montenegro and Brda
Brda
Brda, meaning Hill, may refer to:* Brda region, Montenegro* Brda, Slovenj Gradec Slovenia* Brda, Slovenia, a municipality* Brda, a municipality in Croatia* Brda , a river in Poland*Brda, Pomeranian Voivodeship...
. From Podgorica, the Turks move onto Lješkopolje because Bushatli's goal was to use the Lješkopolje-Krusi-Carev laz-Rijeka Crnojevića
Rijeka Crnojevića
Rijeka Crnojevića is a city settlement in Montenegro beside the river of Crnojević - near the coast of Skadar lake.It is part of Old Royal Capital Cetinje.With 300 citizens, Rijeka Crnojevića is seat of Riječka nahija....
to his advantage to carry out a raid toward Cetinje
Cetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
.
Peter I, Prince-Bishop
Prince-Bishop
A Prince-Bishop is a bishop who is a territorial Prince of the Church on account of one or more secular principalities, usually pre-existent titles of nobility held concurrently with their inherent clerical office...
of Montenegro, was informed of the Turkish plans and had organized defenses beforehand. He then took control of the majority of the his forces and set-up an encampment beneath Mount Sađavce, on the right hand bank of the Matica River. Another, larger, unit, under the command of Jovan Radonjić was beset under Mount Busovnika near the village of Krusi.
The battle occurred on 22 September 1796 when Bushatli ordered his troops to cross the right hand bank of the Sitnica River
Sitnica River
-References:...
and attack Montenegrin positions. Krusi was directly in the path of the Turkish army. Intensive fighting would occur when the Turks met with the Montenegrins. After a whole day of fighting, the Montenegrins were able to defeat the Turks. Bushatli was killed by the Montenegrin army during the battle. Legend has it that it was truly Bogdan Vukov from Zalaze who managed to kill Bushatli. The remains of the broken Turkish army were forced to withdraw to Podgorica.