Dimitrios Kallergis

Dimitrios Kallergis (Greek: Δημήτριος Καλλέργης; 1803 – 8 April 1867) was a fighter of the Greek War of Independence, major general, politician and one of the most important protagonists of the 3 September 1843 Revolution.

Kallergis was born in 1803 in Crete. Hailing from the distinguished Cretan Kallergis family, a historic family of Mylopotamos, the roots of which lay in the Byzantine Empire and which had risen to prominence under the Venetian domination of the island. He was left fatherless at an early age and he was sent to Russia to the care of the Tsar's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Nesselrode, who appears in some sources is mentioned as his uncle. After completing his general studies he went to Vienna in order to study medicine. On the outbreak of the Greek War of Independence went to the Morea and joined the insurgents.

On 19 January 1822 he disembarked with his relatives, Emmanuel and Nikolaos Kallergis, and the officer Valianos in Hydra bringing with them ammunitions, whose worth was 100.000 rubles and a recommendation letter of bishop Ignatius Oungrovlachias.

During the summer of 1825 he took on along with his compatriot Emmanuel Antoniadis the leadership of the campaign in Crete. On 2 August 200 revolutionaries occupied the Gramvousa’s fortress, in which many pirates assembled during the next months. The campaign failed while, according to the American Philhellene Samuel Gridley Howe, Kallergis was unsuitable for the leader’s position. Subsequently he participated in the Georgios Karaiskakis’ expedition in Roumeli and he was distinguished. In October 1826 he participated in the failed attack of Colonel Fabvier against Thebes (it was sent as reinforcement by Karaiskakis).

On January 30, 1827 he took part in the victorious battle of Kastella where he had significant contribution and on February 20 he defended strongly the area of the Three Towers, which was eventually conquered by the Ottomans but she had suffered several losses. He was captured by the enemy forces during the disastrous for the Greek troops battle of Phaleron, where he was leader of the Cretan fighters. Finally, he was released after paying a large sum of money from his family but during his captivity, his one ear was amputated.

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