SIEGE OF CORFU.
Accordingly, the expedition to Puglia having been abandoned, the imperial fleet was ordered to lay siege to and plunder the castle of Corfu, whilst the emperor left Avlona, and took up his quarters over-against the island. According to one account, a bridge of boats was constructed across the channel where its width did not exceed half a mile, by means of which the armies of the faithful passed over to the island. One hundred and forty villages in the neighbourhood of the town were all pillaged, so that the town alone remained, against which the artillery was drawn up, and the siege was regularly commenced. But it being almost entirely surrounded by sea, they attacked it on the land side for full forty-three days and nights. When however they had opened the sally ports, and had several fierce engagements, they found their time for warlike operations was exhausted, the setting in of winter having commenced, and heavy rains falling, accompanied with extreme cold,—added to which, the sailing season was past. The emperor therefore, out of compassion for the army, sent Eias Pasha over to the island with orders to raise the siege. Lutfi Pasha and Khair-ad-din Pasha, however, remonstrated against this step, saying that so much labour ought not to be thrown away, and endeavoured to make the matter appear feasible: but there is an adage, “What is ordained must come to pass,” and therefore their counsel did not meet the royal approbation. One history relates that when it was reported to his majesty that a cannon ball had killed four of his men, he declared he would not exchange one of his brave warriors for a thousand such castles, and immediately gave orders to raise the siege. In short, the reduction of this place having been so long attempted without success, a divan was held about the end of the month Rabi-al-akher, and after robes of honor had been given to the nobles, presents to the naval capudans and reises, two pieces of money to each of the cavalry, and one piece to each of the infantry, on the 24th of the same month the troops retired from the siege, and his majesty, passing through Perpol, Kortsha, Prespa, Monaster, Florina, and Salonica, after a journey of twenty days, arrived at Adrianople.
Lutfi Pasha and Khair-ad-din Pasha on their return landed at Cephalonia, which they attacked and plundered, taking immense booty.