Battle of Karpenisio: Sultan Mahmud II, after his failure to suppress the Greek Revolution in 1822, organized a new campaign in 1823. It was led by Mustafa Pasha of Shkodra and used Albanian mercenaries. With the ultimate goal of capturing Messolonghi, in August 1823 the pasha's forces camped at Kefalovrysos, near Karpenisi. A body of Souliots under Markos Botsaris and Kitsos Tzavelas moved against them from Messolonghi. As the Souliotes were greatly outnumbered, Markos Botsaris decided to surprise the Albanians by attempting a night attack on their camp. During the conflict that followed, the Souliotes inflicted great losses on the opponents, but Markos Botsaris was mortally wounded. His funeral was held in Messolonghi with great honors. With the battle of Karpenissi, the Greeks managed to stop another attempt by the Ottomans to suppress the Revolution, but in the person of Markos Botsaris, they lost a great military leader.
