The situation in Missolonghi was dire. The town was hardly prepared to face the onslaught of the victorious Ottoman forces, but Botsaris and his 35 soldiers refused to abandon it. They evacuated almost all the civilians to the Ionian Islands and waited. The Ottomans failed to realize how weak the garrison was and preferred to attempt to secure the surrender of Missolonghi through negotiations. Botsaris embarked on a series of negotiations with the enemy that went on for days. This enabled the defenders to strengthen the wall while Greek ships were able to supply them with victuals. Botsaris had saved the town but he did not live long. In August 1823 he died during a celebrated attack against 3500 Albanian troops. The statue that honors the saviour of Missolonghi was unveiled in 2014.