Events from Giurgiu to Kamara: The Battle Path of Botev"s Detachment

May 16, 1876, Afternoon
The Austrian passenger ship "Radetzky" arrives at the Danube port of Giurgiu. Hristo Botev boards with a group of rebels, accompanied by Dimitar Gorov and his wife.

May 16, Afternoon
The steamer docks at the port of Ruse. For security reasons, Hristo Botev does not appear on deck.

May 16, Evening
In Zimnicea, more rebels disguised as gardeners board the ship. Instead of hoes, their luggage contains weapons and ammunition.

May 17, Night
"Radetzky" spends the night in Turnu Măgurele. At dawn, more rebels board, including military commander Nikola Voynovski, staff member Spas Sokolov, and the voivode"s brother, Kiril Botev.

May 17, Morning
Around 30 rebels with six crates of weapons board in Corabia. Hristo Botev inspects his comrades and their luggage on deck. Unbeknownst to them, the Turkish patrol ship "Aziziye" follows "Radetzky."

May 17, Before Noon
In Oryahovo, Vratsa residents Stefanaki Savov and Sava Savov board. They inform Hristo Botev that the Third Revolutionary District is not prepared for an uprising. This is the first shock for the voivode.

May 17, Before Noon
In Bechet, around 40 rebels board, including Nikola Obretenov, Georgi Apostolov, Dimitar Ikonomov, Petar Vankov, and Sava Penev. Dimitar Gorov and his wife disembark. Gorov takes Botev"s farewell letters and a telegram to European newspapers.

May 17, 11:00 AM
Trumpeter Marin Arnaudov signals the takeover of the steamer. The engine room is secured, and the ship"s safe is guarded. Passengers are confined to first class. The rebels change into their uniforms and arm themselves. Hristo Botev hands Captain Dagobert Englдnder a manifesto letter and a document releasing him from responsibility.

May 17, 12:00 PM
"Radetzky" disembarks at the small bay of Malka Funia, three kilometers west of Kozloduy. A Turkish border guard is killed. The rebels kiss the ground, Father Sava Katrafilov blesses them, and Hristo Botev delivers a speech.

May 17, 1:00 PM
Part of the detachment enters Kozloduy, while the other part circles south for security. A Circassian is killed. Horses and carts are requisitioned for the convoy. Only two Bulgarians, Mladen Pavlov and Georgi Katardzhiyski, join the detachment. This is the second disappointment for the voivode.

May 17, 3:00 PM
The two parts of the detachment meet at Mateev Geran. A roll call is conducted. With their flag unfurled, they continue south. An Albanian guard is killed.

May 17, 5:00 PM
The detachment rests at Haidushkoto Kladenche in Tsareva Livada. They pass through the village of Glozhene.

May 17, 6:00 PM
The detachment enters the village of Butan and stops near Popovo Han. With few exceptions, the men have hidden. Marko Boshnakov, Vasil Valkov, and Ivan Tonev join. A few villagers also join the convoy.

May 17, 7:00 PM
The detachment leaves Butan. At Djurovo Branishte, they cross the Ogosta River using a pontoon bridge made of carts. They continue towards Rashkovo Bardo and the area of Kamaka. They cut the telegraph line on the road to Vratsa.

May 17, Night
Circassian patrols begin attacks. The detachment moves along an old village road. At Delnishka Padina and the Three Mounds, they descend towards the Burzina River. They cross the river and continue through Osmanchova Niva towards the village of Dobralovo.

May 17, Midnight
The detachment passes Dobralovo and enters the village of Borovan. Instead of the promised 200 fighters, the village is also deserted. "Is this the people who are waiting for us with open arms?" asks Hristo Botev.

May 18, Dawn
The detachment approaches the village of Banitsa. Circassian and bashibazouk raids occur. Following Nikola Voynovski"s decision, they bypass the village, release the convoy, and head towards the ridge of Milin Kamak.

May 18, All Day
A heavy battle ensues at Milin Kamak. In the heat of the battle, a cloud of dust rises from Vratsa. The detachment hopes for reinforcements, but it turns out to be regular Turkish troops. About 30 are killed, missing, or wounded. The flag bearer Nikola Simov-Kuruto and Sava Katrafilov are killed. Hristo Botev is mentally devastated and shares that he will poison himself.

May 18, Night
The detachment breaks through the blockade and retreats towards the ridge of Veslets. In a Circassian ambush, David Todorov, one of the voivode"s closest comrades, is killed.

May 19, All Day
The detachment settles at Kolova Polyana. Nikola Voynovski conducts military training. Hristo Botev sends a letter to the chief apostle Stoyan Zaimov in Vratsa. Two villagers from Dolna and Gorna Kremena arrive and promise help from 200 men at Kostelevo Bridge.

May 19, Midnight
The detachment goes to Kostelevo Bridge. "But besides the fireflies, there was no one," testifies Nikola Obretenov. Hristo Botev is finally convinced that he has been betrayed by the Third Revolutionary District.

May 20, Morning
The detachment wakes up in the area of Taushanitsa. They stop at Leskovo Kladenche to rest and eat. They take lambs from Dimitar Maznata"s pen. While roasting them, a patrol appears. The shepherd demands money. "And I came to liberate the people!" exclaims Hristo Botev.

May 20, Before Noon
The detachment takes positions on the peaks of Kamara, Kupena, and Okolchitsa. The enemy attacks from the peak of Tsareva Livada and the southern foothills of Vola Peak. More bashibazouk come along the path from the village of Pavolche. The battle continues all day.

May 20, Evening
The Turkish bugle signals retreat. The detachment descends towards Krushevski Izvor. Hristo Botev convenes a meeting on the southeastern slope of Kamara above the Yolkovitsa hollow. Around him are Nikola Obretenov, Georgi Apostolov, Petar Simeonov, Sava Penev, and Dimitar Todorov-Dimitroto. Here, under unclear circumstances, the voivode is shot.

L.M.  

AI Генерираният Сензор за Съдържание оценява вероятността този текст да е написан от човек на около 90%. Текстът е исторически, написан в официален тон, с високо ниво на детайлност и конкретни дати, имена и места, което предполага, че авторът е човек с опит в тази област.