May 18, 1876: Even before reaching Milin Kamak, the detachment was attacked by Circassians near the village of Banitsa. Voivode Botev and the strategist Voinovski managed to lead the Chetniks, putting up a successful resistance and entrenching themselves in three rows of shallow trenches on the summit.
Even before reaching Milin kamak, the detachment was attacked by Circassians near the village of Banitsa. Voivode Botev and the strategist Voinovski managed to lead the Chetniks, putting up a successful resistance and entrenching themselves in three rows of shallow trenches on the summit. Dimitar Ikonomov tells that the biggest battle with the age-old tyrant took place here. Circassians, Bashibozuk and regular Turkish troops from Vratsa attacked fiercely throughout the day. Chetniks fight bravely, despite fatigue and thirst. They gave about 30 killed or wounded, including the standard-bearer Nikola Simov, but they won the battle. Botev was devastated by the casualties and the lack of support from the Bulgarian side, but it was decided to continue to the Balkans. Under the cover of the moonless night, the exhausted Chetniks broke through the blockade ring and headed for the mountain hill of Veslets.
