Battle of Drăgășani(1821)
Approximate site. The pin marks a locally accepted site or a nearby anchor point, not a survey-grade position.
Drăgășani city on Olt River
Coordinate source: Wikidata Battle of Dragashani 44°39'40"N, 24°15'38"E
Background
Alexander Ypsilantis and the Etaireia had carried out an invasion of the Ottoman-dominated Danubian Principalities which coincided with an uprising in Wallachia. Ypsilantis, a general in the Russian Army and aide-de-camp to Tsar Alexander I, had hoped that his actions would cause the Russian Empire to intervene on behalf of the Greek insurgents, but the Emperor, a leading proponent of the Concert of Europe, disavowed any relation with him and effectively gave the Ottomans the "green light" to march into the Principalities to deal with the insurrection. At the same time, Ypsilantis clashed with the Wallachian Pandur leader Tudor Vladimirescu, who was ultimately tortured and killed by the Etaireia, causing the Wallachian rebel troops to withdraw from the conflict.
Campaign: Ypsilantis Expedition 1821
Forces Engaged
The Battle
The Sacred Band (~500 elite Greek fighters) was annihilated by Ottoman cavalry. Tudor Vladimirescu had been assassinated days earlier by Ypsilantis' allies.
The Battle of Drăgășani was fought on 19 June 1821 in Drăgășani, Wallachia, between the Ottoman forces of Sultan Mahmud II and the Greek Filiki Etaireia insurgents as a part of the Greek War of Independence.
“"The Sacred Band stood and fought the four times larger Ottoman cavalry, even though every hope of victory was lost." — Thomas Gordon, History of the Greek Revolution (1832)
Casualties & Outcome
~300 Sacred Band killed, total Greek losses 500–800; Ottoman casualties unknown
Ottoman Empire achieved victory over Filiki Eteria.
Despite its failure, the revolution in the Danubian Principalities helped inspire the uprisings in the Peloponnese. Another aspect of the battle's aftermath entailed Alexander Ypsilantis' retreat to the Austrian-ruled area of Transylvania, after having written a forged letter to his troops stating that he was summoned by Francis I, the Emperor of Austria, to discuss military operations against the Ottomans on the Austrian frontier.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Ended the Ypsilantis expedition but ignited broader Balkan independence movements.
The Battle of Drăgășani (or Dragashani) was fought on 19 June 1821 in Drăgășani, Wallachia, between the Ottoman forces of Sultan Mahmud II and the Greek Filiki Etaireia insurgents as a part of the Greek War of Independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Drăgășani?
- The Battle of Drăgășani took place in 1821. June 19, 1821.
- What was the outcome of the Battle of Drăgășani?
- The Ottoman Empire were victorious against the Filiki Eteria.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Drăgășani?
- Ended the Ypsilantis expedition but ignited broader Balkan independence movements.