The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-07
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE
From our regular correspondent
New YoRx. Oct. a. n

New YoRx, Oct. A, l645.
The news of the Cambria is doubtless, ere this,
all before you. Here, il is not considered very
important. Cotton had maintained its advance
American provisions were dull. The fine weather
had lasted just long enough for the English TO gath
or the greater part Of their corn (wheat crops in
safety Rain, however, had again freely fallen.
TOUR facilities for political news will enable you
70 supply your readers with full summary on that,
as well as on other subjects
A striking piece of news is that Of the great bat
tie between the Russians and Circassians, at the
town OF Dargo, in which 5000 Russians, with 8
generals Az subordinate officers and aides de-camp
to the commander-in-chief Prince Worenzoff. were
slain. The Russian army consisted of SO. 600
strong. Notwithstanding they drove the Circas-
SLAMS from Dargo, who made safe retreat with
their artillery and baggage into their mountains,
they, in turn, were compelled to retire to Tifis-a
town in Georgia, south of the Caucasian range--to
repair damages, &c. If the ammunition of the Cir
cassians had not failed, they would probably have
totally defeated the Russians. 1t is possible the re-
suit to the Cars troops has been worse than is repre-
sented, as the news comes by the way Of Odessa, a
Russian port.
The Circassisns are fighting for their homes,
while the Russians are fighting for conquest One
naturally feels inclined TO know something ab6u:
these brave mountaineers, who so vsliantly defend
their country against Of the greatest empires of
modern times.
~ uHuCiStuHu uiC SCoSfupHichi pOoluOu VI Su-
cassia il is necessary to bear in mind the position
Of the Black sea towards that of the Caspian. The
former, with its western extremity lying Just north
Of Constantinople, pushes its eastern and southern
projection far towards the Caspian; being 700 miles
long by 400 wide, with an area Of about l60, 900
square niles At right angles to the Black sea, and
at GOO miles from 1t in straight line, lies the Cas-
piasi sea- stretching north and south from latitude
3Soto 47o or 49, On the northeastern shore of the
Black Sea, at .9nape, the great Caucasian chain Of
mountains commences, which runs from northwest
to esst-southeast to the Caspian sea- measuring in
its curve 800 miles in length. The highest peaks
are nearest the Black sea- the highest being 17,755
feet above the level of the sea.
The mountains of Caucasus divide the Russian
empire on the north, from Georgia and the Persian
and Turkish empires on the south; beyond which
lies central Asia, stretching away 10 British India
and 10 China. The northern apd southern slopes Of
these mountains are inhabited by number Of dis
tinct races or remnants of races, who have, no
doubt, in different ages Of the world, sought the
mountain fastnesses places of refuge from con-
quering enemies. E
The most ancient as well AZ the most warlike and
powerful ofhese varieties the Circassians, who in
habit that portion of the northern Northeastern slope
of the Caucasus nearest the Black sea. Their
country runs parallel with the Caucasus, beginning
at the mouth Of the river KbaM, which rises in the
Caucasus far to the southeast II first runs north
for or two hundred miles; then turns wes-north
west, continuing in this till it reaches the
Black sea- not far south Of the straits which connect
it with the sea Of Azof This river divides Circas
STA from the Tartar country to the north, which is
under the dominion of the Russians. This river,
Also in its northern circuit receives above fifty rib
utaries running into it the south, and from the
northeast slope of the mountains.
The other river peculiar to Circassia is the Ie-
reck, which is from the Caucasus beyond the
sources of the Kuban. II at first runs north some
fifty or one hundred miles-or rather, this branch,
when it reaches the Tartar country Tor Caucasus)
then turns east--soon after, it becomes united to
the main stream, flowing in from the south, having
cut its way through an immense cleft in the noun
tains From the confluence, the Ineck pursues an
eastery course to the Caspian, uniting with 1t (by
two mouths) near Kisliar.
While both the Kubsn and Iereck receive great
many tributaries from the mountain ranges on the
south, the country north of them being flat
seppes, they scarcely receive single stream on
that side.
The country Of Circassia, which lies parallel with
the Caucasus, having it's greatest length from north
west to southeast and its greatest width from the
highest peaks of the mountains to the extreme
northern curve of the Kuban, measures about 40
miles in length, by 100 in width. Its greatest
width at any one point is 400 miles; average width
10 miles: area about 80 900 square miles The pop
uation Of Crcassia is estimated at from 1900, 900 TO
600 600.
Immediately south of the Caucasus is Georgia,
one ofthe principal towns of which is Iifs. To il
the Russian army recently retreated | cannot hnd
Dargo on the map, but suppose i must be in the
mountains, near the southern border Of Circassia;
and that the present Russian campaign is carried
on against the Crcassians through Georgia on the
south, while they are probably leading other forces
against them on the north. Their position, their
contumacy, and bravery remind one strongly Of
the WEIGH. For centuries, the Circassians, like
tb have maintained indeDend-
cnce against all the Kingdoms Of the word-from
the Greeks Romans, Turks, and Russians, down
to the present time. They have at times, as now,
been hard pressed; and were by the Turks and Tar
tars once forced into nominal submission. Yet, in
point of fact, they remained Independent ever.
There is distinct and conquered race in Circassa,
inhabitng portion Of country near the Black sea,
called the .dbasses which the Circassians at re-
mote period, conquered and reduced to servitode.
These, about the year 1855, revoltcd-many OF them
passing over to the Russians. The Circassian
princes soon after were forced by the Gar hoan
Tassaiie,oich to yield nominal submission but in
atty, il resulted in no change to their independ-
ence whatever. Ever since that period, Russia has
aimed at the conquest of the country. Her main
purpose being TO open permanent and safe pas
sage through the Caucasian mountains from her
vast northern dominions to the central plains OF
Asia; and from whence, il disposed she could east
ly push on to British India. Hence England has
always regarded this Circassian war, the part of
Russia, with much jealousy, end has been suspect
ed by Russia in secretly aiding the Circassians in
their brave and fatal resistance.
There are only two passes bearing north and
south, through the Caucasus, called gates. The
main one--and indeed, the only one which is con-
sdercd useful for the passage OF troops-is the
cut by the Tsreek, called the 'gaie Of Caucasus" II is
a vast avine cut by the action Of the water near
the base of the Kesback, the highest peak of the
range. The commencement Of the cleft on the
south s 1000 feet il continues to rise ill, at the
neck of the pass, it is 5000 feet above the level Of
the sea. Perpendicular walls Of porphyry and slate
rise TO the height of 5000 feet on either side, while
awful abysses open below, on either hand-to the
depth, it is said instances of 10000 feet
Avalanches are frequent, which often not only
carry off passengers, but sweep away the road itself
The melting Of the SHOWS in spring also destruc-
tive, rendering the pass extremely dangerous. The
direct length of the pass from Masdok to Cory is
100 miles. This pass was known to the Romans,
and described by Plny. Strabo states that it took
four days to cross il. Az its highest point is found
the old castle Of Darrell, which some suppose to
occupy the ancient site Of Pile Caspie of the Ro-