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Engagement at Zavideni(1821)

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May 20, 1821·Ottoman Punitive Column victory·land·wooded hills

Background

After Vladimirescu's execution on May 27, 1821, the Eterist officers who killed him also surrendered shortly after. The pandur resistance continued briefly under local captains but without any hope of external support or strategic purpose. Drugănescu's stand at Zavideni was the last flicker of organized military resistance.

Campaign: Vladimirescu Uprising 1821

Forces Engaged

Defeated
Wallachian Pandur Militia
Commander: Preda Drugănescu
Strength: 600
Victor
Ottoman Punitive Column
Commander: unknown
Strength: 2,500

The Battle

Historical illustration from the 1821 uprising period — Engagement at Zavideni (1821)
Historical illustration from the 1821 uprising period — Engagement at Zavideni (1821) (c. 1821) — Dahn. CC BY 4.0.

Last organized pandur resistance in Wallachia. Drugănescu's band fought briefly before dispersing into the hills.

The Battle of Drăgășani took place near Drăgășani, Wallachia, between Ottoman forces and the Greek Phanariote forces led by Alexandru Ipsilanti. In reality, Ipsilanti kept his distance from the battle and did not participate in the fighting in any way. The number of Phanariote fighters was significantly larger than that of the Ottoman forces. Nevertheless, the battle ended in favor of the Turks due to general disorganization and serious incompetence among some Phanariote officers. Ten days later, another Turkish victory occurred in the Battle of Sculeni. The last episode of the Greek Revolution organized by the Phanariotes in the Principalities took place in Moldavia at the end of August 1821, through the Ottoman siege of Secu Monastery, where several hundred Phanariotes led by Iordache Olimpiotul and Ioan Farmakis had barricaded themselves.

Casualties & Outcome

150
Wallachian Pandur Militia
casualties
30
Ottoman Punitive Column
casualties

~150 pandurs killed; ~30 Ottoman casualties

Ottoman Punitive Column achieved victory over Wallachian Pandur Militia.

Drugănescu and remaining pandur captains fled into the Carpathian foothills. The Ottoman army completed pacification of Wallachia over the following weeks.

Historical Record

Historical illustration from the 1821 uprising period — Engagement at Zavideni (1821)
Historical illustration from the 1821 uprising period — Engagement at Zavideni (1821) (c. 1821) — Dahn, Rowanwindwhistler. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance & Legacy

Effective end of the military phase of the Wallachian uprising.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Engagement at Zavideni?
The Engagement at Zavideni took place in 1821. May 20, 1821.
Who won the Engagement at Zavideni?
The Ottoman Punitive Column were victorious against the Wallachian Pandur Militia.
What was the significance of the Engagement at Zavideni?
Effective end of the military phase of the Wallachian uprising.

Related Battles

Clash at Motru Valley1821 · Ottoman Punitive Force victorySkirmish near Slatina1821 · Ottoman Advance Guard victoryRaid on Galați1821 · Filiki Eteria victoryTudor's March to Bucharest1821 · Wallachian Pandurs victoryBattle of Drăgășani1821 · Ottoman Empire victoryBattle of Sculeni1821 · Ottoman Empire victory
View all Wallachian Uprising battles →

Sources

  • Hitchins, K. — The Romanians 1774-1866
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