siege siege began ottoman army led besieged fortress failed ottoman expeditions albania confederation created headed decided march army order capture key fortress fortress lay important route macedonia albania occupation ottomans easy access albania force prepared largest force ottomans attacked planned fortress march interior capture main citadel crushing time war venice realizing magnitude challenge attempted relieve garrison engaging skirmishes ottoman army forces succeeded inflicting heavy casualties turkish forces guerrilla style attacks efforts use intelligence forces operating far constantinople gather information plans action near able defeat venetian force managed considerably weaken venetian presence albania despite efforts july garrison surrendered cut water supply garrison spared force ottoman stationed inside fortress instead years later march suffer heavy defeat prelude major princes point ottoman_empire united formed anti ottoman confederacy lead result ottoman_empire sought crush league establish control albania ottoman expeditions albania failed chose lead force person territory fragment league sultan decided capture fortress fortress served strategic purpose protecting eastern frontier allowing launch assaults ottoman territory late war began venice league escalated scale conflict declared war venice result diplomatic left open invasion east intelligence groups informed main leader revolt large ottoman army preparing march albania number reported high army likely contained soldiers marched army called material aid venice answer negative instead aid received came nonetheless soon marched valley traveling near response strengthened garrisons ordering populations fortress arms shortly ottoman siege began positioned cavalry miles turkish camp force included soldiers ordered lit order position secret ordered thirty horsemen dress peasants enter fortress plot discovered company attacked attackers driven returning main ottoman camp commanding saw plots sent horsemen find camping following band led ottoman force valley ready enterprise surrounded valley forces ottoman force distance sprung ambush ottoman force annihilated happened ordered siege begin siege ottoman arrival force contained approximately men cannons fire pounds balls army contained fresh corps fighting regain freedom count persuaded incorporate earth strategy destroying supplies ottoman army ottoman force fortress offered turkish currency open gate let ottoman army fortress fight proposing offers went fortress night time garrison commanders gave splendid dinner impression enemy prepared lengthy siege dinner offers rejected sent sultan size ottoman army troubled effects morale soldiers local population supported princes moved village village disguised common soldier invoked fighting spirit population result activity local agreed fight ottomans persuaded draw plans concert theirs guerrilla attacks relieve garrison continually harassed ottoman army attacks surprise isolated ottoman forces hoping evade ottoman patrols moved ottoman camp june led night attack ottoman camp disillusioned ottoman soldiers expecting quiet campaign soon taking afternoon sent moses men dressed peasants inside ottoman camp future assault spoke troops encouraging booty camp ottoman forces time react launch counterattack night launched attack noise armor horses complete surprise periphery camp thrown confusion bulk turkish troops gathered organized pushing camp suffering heavy casualties prevent attacks sort detached contingent troops watch prone thoroughly destroyed baggage train captured breach walls following infantry assault repulsed began hope sultan returning stalemate fighting reached stalemate contemplated advised countryside surrounding fields burned sultan decided stop chasing bodies men forests prevent casualties son proposed leaving strike rejected reasoning supplies wasted strongly defended sultan decided remain attempt garrison submission garrison leadership successful sorties ottomans order ease strengthen soldiers morale surrender fortress campaigning venetian forces managed inflict defeat july seriously weakening venetian power albania siege continued writes ottomans soldier throw dead dog fortress forcing garrison refuse drink likely ottomans cut water supply induced garrison surrender given promised surrender garrison allowed safe passage ottoman lines suggested garrison promised safe passage rejected son proposal fear rebellion intensified act decided instead return force july garrison surrendered aftermath fortress captured placed garrison ordered men repair walls soldiers came begging mercy pardoned soldiers surrender thanked holding long continued shadow ottoman army headed home hopes dealing damage forces strong risk provoking october year managed inflict defeat forces planned join offensive men able time blocking roads loss allowed ottomans easy access albania northeast launch coordinated invasions south southeast northeast albania weeks siege led men albania requested venetian rivals heavily defeated captured tried regain year proper artillery surrounded fortress realized position hopeless lifted siege early turks night time later year
Siege of Svetigrad (1448)