On 1856-08-21, the paper “Šumadinka” published an article on the Montenegrin attack of Medun, Podgorica, Shestan, and Kraguje, regions which at the time belonged to the Albanian locals. When the Montenegrins had to surrender Medun to the Arnauts (Albanians), the Prince sent 5,500 men to attack Podgorica. These conflicts were eventually halted by the intervention of French and English consulants in Shkodër.
Cited:
“According to reports from Zagreb newspapers dated August 2 from the Montenegrin frontier, the following is written:
“We have already reported that the Montenegrins will have difficulty holding on to the fortified place of Medun, captured from the Turks. And so it was: the Montenegrin garrison had to surrender that place to the Arnauts (Albanians).”
When the Prince heard this, he immediately sent an army of about 5,500 Montenegrins into the Podgorica region, to drive the Arnauts out again and reclaim the position.
On July 26, a battle took place between the advance forces; in that fight about 20 Montenegrins were killed. It seemed that this would lead to a bloody war between the Montenegrins and the Turks, if mediation by the French and English consuls in Scutari (Shkodër) had not intervened, bringing about a temporary ceasefire lasting six days.
The terms of this truce were as follows:
- The Arnauts must withdraw within six days from the districts of Kučka Nahija and Medun, and hand them back to the Montenegrins.
- The Pasha of Scutari must pay compensation to the families of 40 fallen Montenegrins, in the amount of 5,200 ducats (about 130 ducats per man).
Reports from Scutari further state that on the northern side there are still skirmishes near the frontier, but that overall the ceasefire is being respected. The Montenegrins have reportedly taken positions near Kraguje and Šestari (Shestan) villages close to the Turkish border.
If this agreement were to be broken, war would certainly resume, since the Montenegrins are determined to hold those lands.”
Reference
Balkan Academia 