 Ilija, as the most experienced, was named "serdar" in 1648 after his own father, Petar Smiljanić had died.In 1650, Stojan begins to receive a payment of 4 ducats, in 1653 the pay is raised to 6.In February 1659, at the Cetina river, both leaders Janko and Ilija Smiljanić succumb to wounds after battling the Turks.