Battle of Murino

On the third day of Serbian Christmas, January 8, 1880, about a month after the battle of Novšiće, around 10,000 pro-Ottoman Albanians attacked the Montenegrin forces numbering 3,000, led by commanders Marko Miljanov and Todor Miljanov and priest Đoko, in Murino. At this battle, the Montenegrin forces were made up of the Bratonožići, Vasojevići and Moračani. The Albanians, among whom were Ottoman regulars (as in previous battles), had 1,400 casualties (dead and wounded), the Montenegrins 36 dead and 70 wounded.

According to the Montenegrin Prince Nicholas, the defeat of retreating Ottoman forces was so devastating, that Montenegrin forces finished the battle before the night had fallen, which is something they usually don't do. The Albanian irregulars burned down several villages, among which several (Velika, Ržanica and Pepić), belonged to the Vasojevići tribe. This battle was considered as Montenegrin revenge for their defeat in the battle of Novšiće. Right after the battle of Murino, Marko Miljanov received a report that Albanians were boasting for keeping Plav and Gusinje, not for the battles they fought with the Montenegrins. Some reports say that Montenegrin soldiers brought 221 noses they cut from the dead bodies of Ottoman Albanian irregulars.

Sources

• Istorijski institut u Titogradu 1982, p. 66.
• Dva Petrovića Njegoša: Vladika Danilo Petrović
• King Nikola I 1969, p. 567.
• Ippen 1916.