Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-05-05
Their Struggles against Russia.
ANECDOTES AND IN,ID IDENTs-THE SLAVE
MARKETS.

The long and gallant struggle of the Cir
cassians against the gigantic power of Rus
sla, cannot but be regarded with interest,
by all who feel sympathy for the weak
when graphing with the strong, by all
who believe that might does not make
right, by all who rejoice in the triumph of
courage, determination, liberty and Justice.
a work on the Caucasus, comprehending
Circassia, has Just been published in Dres-
den, and has excited no little attention.
The author is DR.. Mortz Wagner, and we
find an elaborate review, with extracts in
the last number OF B,ackwood's Magazine,
The comparative relative strength of the
two parties-RuSsian and Circassians, is
estimated at 6O,000,0O0 against 6OO,O0O--
a hundred to one-a whole squadron against
a single cavalier, a colossus opposed to
pgmy. The odds are fearful, and vet the
struggle has endured, with occasional in
terruptions, for period Of twenty years.
The Circassians are described a. not ONLY
gallant and warlike, but remarkable for the
lofty bearing OF their men, the grace and
beauty OF their women. But it is not only
in our dav, that this unconquerable people
have distinguished themselves in freedoms
fight. The last five hundred years record
constant struggles against oppression.-
Often conquered, they never were fully
suhducd. Their obscure columns are illu-
mined by flashes of patriotism and heroic
courage. The interior OF Circassia is still
an unknown land. But few Europeans
have penetrated into the heart of the coun-
try-or, if so, have rarely returned alive.
One case, however, is mentioned by DR..
Wagner-that of the Russian Baron Tur-
nau.
1t seems that by the cmperor's command,
Russian officers acquainted with the Ian
guage are sent, from time to time, as spies
into Clrcassia, partly TO make Topographic
cal surveys OF districts previously unknown;
partly to ascertain the numbers, mode OF
life, and disposition of those tribes with
whom no intercourse is kept up. These
missions are extremely dangerous, and sell
dom succeed. Shortly before my arri, al at
Tcr'k, four Russian stah-ofticers were sent
as spies to various parts of Les5histan.-
They assumed the Caucasian garh, and
were attended by natives in Russian paw.
Only one of them ever returned the three
others were recognized and murdered.-
Baron Turnau prepared himself long before.
hand for his dangerous mission. He gave
his complexion brownish tint, and to his
beard the form affected by the aborigines.
He also tried to learn the language of the
Ubches, but, finding the harsh pronuncia-
ton OF certain words quite unattainable, he
agreed with his guide to pass for deaf and
dumb during his stay in the country. In
this guise he set out upon his perilous Jour-
ney, and for several days wandered unde-
tected from tribe to tribe. But one of the
,corks (nobles) under whose roof he passed
a night, conceived suspicious, and threat
ened the guide, who betrayed his employ
er'S secret. The baron was kept prisoner,
and the Ubiches demanded a cap-full of
silver for his ransom from the Rus ian COM
mandant Of Fort Ardlrr. When this off,
Ger declared himsplfready TO pay, they in
creased their demand to bushel of silver
ruoies. The commandant referred the
matter to Baron R,sen, then commander
in-chi-i OF the army Of the Caucasus the
baron reported it to St. Petersburg, and the
Emperor consented to pay the heavy ran-
som. But Rosen represented il TO him as
more iof ihe Russian interest to leave Tur-
nau lot while in the hands of the Ubi-
ches; for, in the first place, the p,ymant
OF SO large sum was bal precedent,
likely to encourage the mouniaineers to re.
new the extortion, instead of contentios
themselves, as they previously had DONE
with few hundred rubles; and, secondly,
as prisoner, Baron Turnsu would perhaps