The History of the Maritime Wars of the Turks. Chapters I. to IV. — John Shaqi
The History of the Maritime Wars of the Turks. Chapters I. to IV.Kâtip Çelebi
History
The History of the Maritime Wars of the Turks. Chapters I. to IV.
Kâtip Çelebi
Turkey -- History -- 1453-1683; Turkey -- History, Naval
When the Arab tribes and the infidels heard that Oruj Reis had obtained
possession of Algiers, the latter prepared to attack that place with
a fleet of forty galleys and one hundred and forty barges, containing
fifteen thousand men. The Arab troops likewise, having marched by land,
arrived before the infidels in the neighbourhood of Algiers. Oruj Reis
with his followers being prepared for battle, first attacked the Arab
troops on the land side, and killed great numbers of them. By the
favour of God he was victorious, and the Arabs were routed and obliged
to fly, leaving behind them nearly twelve thousand camels. After this
the infidel fleet arrived, and having anchored near the castle, they
began to land their men and take out their cannon. The castle being
in a dilapidated state, Oruj Reis was repairing the breaches when
the enemy made a sudden assault, and erected their standard on the
fortifications. Oruj Reis now led on his heroes against them, and a hot
engagement ensued. By the favour of God they were again crowned with
victory, and succeeded in taking the standard of the infidels, whom
they pursued and killed whilst flying to their ships. Only one thousand
of them escaped, who, entering their ships, set sail and departed.
After this Oruj Reis settled in Algiers, and the infidels were
constantly harassed and routed. He then sent information of his victory
to Khair-ad-din, to whom he offered the charge of the castle, as also
that of Jajl. Khair-ad-din accordingly went to Jajl, and securing the
sheikh-al-balad, made him engage to pay the annual tribute which he was
in the habit of transmitting to the infidels. After this he departed
and joined his brother.
THE CAPTURE OF TUNIS.
Previously to the above affair, the beg of Tilmisan’s brother had
gone to Spain, and returning with assistance, had taken Tunis. The
inhabitants of that place having sought redress from Oruj Reis, he
sent his brother Khair-ad-din to their assistance. On the arrival of
Khair-ad-din the infidels had left their ships, and taken possession of
the castle. He then secured their ships, landed his men, and after a
siege of two days, the enemy capitulated, and gave up the castle. Hefs
Zadeh also fled, and Khair-ad-din, not being able to find him, enriched
himself with plunder, and returned to Algiers. The two brothers then
divided the castles belonging to Algiers and Bajaia. These were ten in
number; five on the east side of Algiers, and five on the west. Those
on the east were assigned to Khair-ad-din Beg, and the others to Oruj
Beg; a census being taken of the population of each division.
THE CAPTURE OF TILMISAN.
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