First Balkan War Summary by Mary L. Matthews

Mary L. Matthews (1864-1950) was missionary to the Protestant American School for Girls in Bitola (Monastir).  She arrived in Bitola in 1888 and her post lasted for 32 years, in which she took only three short furloughs to the U.S., in 1893-1896, 1904-1905, and 1913-1915.

Mary L. Matthews (1864-1950)

She was a witness of the Ilinden upraise, the situation of the local population during Turkish Rule, the Young Turks' Revolution in 1908, Balkan Wars, First World War and she remained in Bitola until 1920.
During this time she kept a diary recording many events and also she personally took many valuable photos with her own camera.

Principal Events of the First Balkan War,  1912-13.

Oct. 8, Montenegro declared war.
“13, Graeco-Serbe-Bulgarian Note to Turkey.
“14, Montenegro capture of Touzi.
“15, Peace signed between Turkey and Italy.
“16, Berane captured by the Montenegrins.
“17, Turkey declared war on Bulgaria and Serbia, who accepted challenge.
Greece declared war on Turkey.
“18, Moustafa Pasha captured by Bulgarians.
Ellessona occupied by Greeks.
“20, Bulgarian advance on Adrianople.
“21, Greek landing in Lemnos.
“22, Prishtina captured by Serbians.
“23, Novi Pazar captured by Serbians.
Dedeaghadj captured by Bulgarians.
Heavy fighting at Adrianople.
“24, Capture of Kirk Kilise by Bulgarians.
“25, Bombardment of Adrianople.
“26, Capture of Uskup by Serbians.
“27, Capture of Ishtib by Serbians.
“28, Capture of Veria (ancient Berea) by Greeks.
“29, Battle in Thrace begun at Bunar Hissar.
“30, Capture of Thasos by Greeks.
“31, Rout of the Turks at Lule Bourgas by Bulgarians.
Capture of Ipek by Montenegrins.
Capture of Prisrend by Serbians.
Nov. 3, Capture of Preveza by Greeks.
Nov. 4, Bombardment of  (illegible) Montenegrins begun.
Nov. 5, Turks retreat on Chatalja.
International squadron comes to Constantinople.
Nov. 9, Capture of Salonica by Greeks.
“13, Negotiations for armistice.
“17, Bombardment of Chatalja begun.
Montenegrins entered San Giovanni di Medua.
“18, Fall of Monastir before Serbians.
“20, Hostilities suspended at Chatalja.
“21, "Hamidie” torpedoed by Bulgarian flotilla.
“22, Mitylene occupied by Greeks.
“24, Scio occupied by Greeks.
“25, Ottoman and Bulgarian Plenipotentiaries meet at Bakhahaishkeuy.
“28, Durazzo occupied by Serbians.
Dec. 3, Armistice signed with Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro.
“16, Peace conference met in London.
Naval engagement outside Dardanelles.
“20, Kortcha captured by Greeks.

1913
Jan. 16, “Hamidie” sinks Greek transport Makedonia” in Syra Harbor.
“17, Collective Note to Turkey.
“18, Naval battle off Tenedos.
"22, Ottoman National Assembly declares for peace.
“23, Unionist coup d’etat, Nazim Pasha killed.
Mahmoud Shevket Pasha Grand Vizier.
“30, Ottoman reply to Note of Powers delivered.

Feb. 3
Armistice ended. Bombardment of Adrianople renewed.
“10, Gunboat “Asar-i-Tewfik” stranded in Black Sea.
“ 8-10, Battle of Boular.

Mar. 6, Capture of Yanina by Greeks.
“11, “Hamidie” sinks Greek transports at S. Giovanni di Medua.
“15, Samos occupied by Greeks.
“18, King George I of Greece assassinated at Salonica.
“22, Powers send identical notes to Allies.
“23, Djavid Pasha surrendered to Serbians at Skumbi.
“26, Capture of Adrianople by Bulgarians and Serbians.

Apr.  2, Funeral of King George I of Greece at Athens.
“16, Cessation of hostilities at Chatalja agreed on.
“23, Schodra captured by Montenegrins.

May 14, Schodra evacuated by Montenegrins.
“21, Peace delegates meet in London.
“30, Peace preliminaries signed in London.

Full diaries and letters of Miss Mary L. Matthews at Mount Holyoke College, where she was in the class of 1885.   https://ascdc.mtholyoke.edu/exhibits/show/marymatthews

References
1. Peggy Hanson Website - grand niece of Mary L. Matthews

2. Mary L. Matthews Papers, 1863-1950 - Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections