January 17, 1862 is known as the starting date of the Kërnica war, a war that lasted “periodically” until February 23, 1862, when the Montenegrins had conquered Kërnica, an entirely Albanian regin, both in terms of population and territory. The Montenegrins wanted to use these Albanian lands as a strategic point for other invasions. The news of the conquest of Kërnica spread like lightning, in the form of a chant that was heard not only by Shkodra and Malësia, but also by Ulqin, Kraja, Dukagjini and beyond.

Montenegrin invasion of 1862

In order to liberate Kërnica from the Montenegrin invasion, 500 volunteers were immediately gathered, from Shkodra, Malesia and Ulqin who, without delay and without considering the danger, set off in 40 boats pulled by a steamer. It should be clarified that the centuries-old Turkish-Ottoman conqueror asked for help from volunteers to liberate and protect the Albanian lands, which were simultaneously “known” as the “own” lands of the Turkish-Ottoman empire.

But the help was almost zero, even often this empire of evil to save itself was ready to give away Albanian land. However, the Albanians of these lands, who had opposed the Turkish-Ottoman conqueror with weapons in hand, were ready to protect at any cost every inch of their lands.

Now these brave men, after sailing for some time, settled in Shestan village, where they would prepare to liberate the occupied Kernica. But the Montenegrins attacked Shestani.

According to M. Sirri’s chronicle, in the “Shkodra Almanac” of 1962, p. 143, (Quoted from “Shkodra and the Seasons, vol. I”, p. 415-420 of Hamdi Bushati, “Teacher of the People”, edition of 1998), the following are listed as martyred fighters:

Hysen Rrjolli, Zenel Egçi, Salih Ishaku, Oso Verçana and 20 people (without names) from Kopliku.

Sadly, these highlanders who shed their blood for the freedom do not have their names anywhere that deserve much more than that. After this battle in Shestan, the Montenegrin forces were defeated and retreated to occupied Kernica. During these terrible days, more than 600 other fighters who were from Shkodra and Dukagjini gathered in Lake Shkoder.

This force of fighters was already commanded by Hasan Hoti, but without delay other volunteers would be gathered from the above-mentioned Albanian vices, who would set out for the liberation of occupied Krnica. Upon arriving near Kernica, the war broke out between the Albanian volunteers and the Montenegrin invaders, where it should be noted that this war was somewhat unequal, as the Montenegrins were better organized militarily, had the most modern weapons, fortified their positions, but also much more in number.

Anyway, the battle was very fierce, but the brave Albanians fought with unparalleled heroism, even body to body, sword to sword and bayonet to bayonet. Unfortunately, the Albanians, despite all their bravery in this unequal battle, lost many freedom fighters during the fighting, but were also taken captive by the Montenegrins, including Hasan Hoti himself.

Even from the stories mentioned by Hamdi Bushati in “Shkodra and Motet, it is said that about 600 Albanian volunteer fighters were taken captive, as well as about 500 other Albanian volunteers fell fighting on the battlefield. Even in these writings, it is emphasized that according to the chronicle of M. Sirri, 105 Albanians were beheaded by the Montenegrins.

The defeat of the Albanian fighters goes so far that it is said that they escaped capture or death very little, and among the survivors were Halil Kopliku and Çun Mula of Hoti. According to M. Sirri, the names of these martyrs were:

Abdylla Agë Drishti, Hysen Begu i Beqir Begut, Hasan Beg Ulqini, Hyso Bordullaku, Jusuf Djepaxhia, Man Hil Hoxha, Salo Cani , Fetah Salo Texhali, Taro Dragusha, Gush Kruja (grandson of Can Kruja), Abdyl Rama, Kaso Shkreli (brother of Dasho Shkreli) and others.

Other martyrs were:

Lekë Ulja, Mirash Martini, Prelë Marku, Tomë Luli, Gjokë Martini, Gjon Ujka, Shyt Preçi, Prekë Mark Luci, Vas Bardhi. While wounded in this war, the brave are marked: Pjetër Pali, Prelë Marashi, Ulë Martini, Marash Gjeloshi, Mirash Hasi, Tomë Gjoni, Gjeto Preçi, Lulash Vuji, Prek Nik Vuli, Gjeto Preç Doka, Prelë Mark Toma and Lucë Marku.

Albanian fighters bravery according to Hamdi Bushtai p. 417-418:

“Separated” for bravery and who managed to slay Montenegrins were:

Lan Ula, Marash Ula, Gjelosh Nika, Lekë Ula, Gjon Nika, Marash Daka, Lekë Pëllumbi, Prelë Preka, Marash Leka, Dedë Vuji, Tomë Pashani, Prekë Gjeloshi, Tomë Preçi, Nikë Miculi.

Also in these legends or writings, including those of the chronicle of M. Sirri and Hamdi Bushati that we quoted above, we learn of the bravery of the Ulqin Albanians, where the name of the brave leader of the Ulqin Albanians, Mustafa Broçi, is known. It is said that after he fought with the Montenegrins and cut off several of their heads. When the moment came and this brave man was beheaded by the Montenegrins, he walked another seven steps.

Ceno Begu is mentioned for his bravery, who was printed Ulcinak, but also the brave Daut Pelinku and Halil Beci others. But even after this war, which can be called lost, Albanians – Malësorë, Shkodran, Ulqinakë, Dukagjinas and others did not lose their heart and bravery to take control of their ethnic lands, they even after that fought other battles in defense of the Albanian lands that the Turkish-Ottoman empire had already “left” them, while Europe had put them up for auction.

Montenegrin invasions continued thus forcing the Albanians of Malësia, Shkodra, Ulqin, Dukagjin and the wider area to fight dozens of other battles that continued from Shestani, Muriqi, Plava, Gucia, Tivari, Hoti, Gruda, Ulqini, Shpuza and other parts of Albania.

References

Albanian paper “Dituria”. Volume 2. QERSHOR, 1927 Numb. 8 “DITURIJA E PERKOHESHME SHQIPETARE. Libraria Lumo Skendo. “Disa doreshkrime shqip me germa tyrqishte. Editor: Lumo Skendo. Published 1927.

https://gazetadielli.com/2022/01/page/18

https://web.archive.org/web/20180220212448/http://www.albdreams.net/koplikasit-me-rrethinat

https://web.archive.org/web/20180220212450/http://www.shqiperia-etnike.com/she34/she34shqip.htm