Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-21
schamyI, the Circassian Chief:

bands of Lesghians, Tehetchentzes, ,and 9TH
er tribes of the eastern chain and the step
pes abuttng on the Caspian and traversed
by the Koisu. Kasl-Mollah's reputation
for sanctity was greater than that which he
acquired for the higher military qualities,
although dashing leader, and individual
ly one of the bravest of the brave. He
was brought to bay in 1882 by General Ro-
sen, at place called Gumri. Encircled
on all sides, almost the last scrap of food
devoured, nothing remained, in the opinion
of Kasi.Mollah and about thirty of his most
jealous disciples, but to hew for themselves
path through the Russian bayonets, to
freedom or to Paradse-either alternative
a welcome one! This resolution finally
taken, they suddenly emerged from the
fastness they could no longer hold, and
burst upon the Russian troops with the
shock of an avalanche, and the furious, dis
cordant yells of troop of madmen. For
one or two brief moments. 1t seemed that
they must escape, so far through the belea-
guering circle of their foes did they cleave
their desperate way, before the momently-
recoillng ranks re-closed around them, and
they fell by twos and threes, wildly fighting
to the last, riddled by musket-balls and bay
onet stabs. Kasi-Mollah "dled with his
hand on his beard, and last prayer mur-
muring from his lips" )" and his pupils per-
ished with him, all save one, and he the
bravest and fiercest of them all, who broke
through the encircling bayonets, dashed at
headlong speed past the more distant lines
of running fire unharmed-reined suddenly
up as he reached the angle of mountain
gorge, into which he knew none dared to
follow, shook his red scimitar, and hurled
a defiant execration in the faces of his bal
fled foes, and the next moment, with an
exultant shout of "Allah II Allah - dis
appeared in the dark mountain pass.
This fortunate horseman was Schamyl,
the future Imam, (preacher,) the prophet
soldier of the Caucasus, whose escape, as
Just described many of his followers to this
day firmly believe was due to the direct In
terposition of the angel Gabriel Schamyl,
who is one of the dark-eyed, dark-haired,
partly Tartar race of Tchetchentzes, was
born a! Tschirskei, place of about 5000
inhabitants; and after his escape from Gum
ry, he employed several years in perambu-
lating the mountains of the Lesghian chain,
preaching wherever he went with fervld
eloquence upon the sacred duty, devolved
6y God upon all true believers, to ext:rpate
the intrusive lnfdel, and the paradlsal re-
wards which death in so high and holy a
cause must infallibly insure. This prophet
call, as it was deemed, to battle from the
cupolas and minarets of the sublime and
towering Alps, gradually kindled the latent
tanaticism of the mountaineers to flame,
which soon communicated itself to the
dwellers in the cities and steppes of Dag
histan, and the adjacent valleys and plains.
The story of Schamyl's miraculous escape
from Gen. Rosen, by favor of the archangel
Gabriel, was repeated from mouth to mouth
with endless variations and additiens-his
daring. skill and success as a soldier con-
frmed the illusions of credulous bigotry ;
and he gradually drew around his standard,
and bent to his sway, the multitude OF rug
ged warriors whose swords have inscribed
so many victories upon the backs Of the
Russian armies, and to this hour present an
inyincible front to their dlsmayed, ,and prac-
tically discounted adversaries.
Many we'll authenticated instances of his
daring are related One or two of these
may interest the reader at this juncture.-
In 1880, Schamyl found himself surround
ed by General Grabbe, ard $4,000 veteran
Russian troops, at Achulko, kind of mud
encampment perched upon the .op of a rock
off the banks of Koisu. The position of this
place was so strong, that the attempt to
storm it was abandoned after the loss OF
1900 men, but Schamyl had soon dead
lier foe than General Grabbe and his army
to contend with-hunger hunger, verging
upon famine, came before week had pas
sed This was known in the Russian camps
and the place having been strictly invested
on all sides, it was certain the surrender
could not long be delayed. On the last day
but one of August, General Grabbe learned
from an emancipated Lesghian whom his
soldiers had caught whilst attempting tc
crawl past the blockading lines, that not a
particle of food was left in Achulko, that
Schamyl Bey proposed to escape that very
night with one or two chosen comrades, by
means of rope lowered down the face
of the rock to the Koisu; and Achulko
he added. would be surrendered immedi-
ately afterward. A strict watch was I'M
mediately ordered to be kept at the indica.
ted spot, and directions were given to a.
waken the General at whatever hour of the
night the capture of the redoubted Scha-
myl might be effected.
Just, before dawn, one--two-three men
were seen to cautiously descend by rope
let gently down on the river side, as pre-.
dicted, who were of course instantly secu-
red, and hurried off to the generals tent
One of the captlves admitted, IN the furry
of the surprise, as was supposed, that he
was Schamyl; and this was confirmed by
the Losghain, through whose information
the important prize had been secured. Gen.
Grabbe was delighted, and an Pstafene was
forthwith dispatched with the tidings, that
the notorious rebel, Schamyl Bey, had
been caught, and ordered to be shot out Of
hand. Whilst all this was going on, the
rope, which had been quietly drawn up a
gain, was once more lowered, and this time
only one man descended by it, who reached
the river unobserved, leaped upon a raft
that lust at that critical moment swept by,
and the too hastily exultant Russian gene
raj was aroused to knowledge of the trick
that had been played him by shouts Of
"Schamyl Schamyl !" from the mud walls
of Acbulko, IN exultng reply to the waving
of small green flag, by the true Schamyl,
as he swept down the swift Koisu IN the
dawning sunlight, presently to frd himself
amidst hills and amongst friends, that would
render successful pursuit, if attempted, i'm
possible. Achnlko surrendered at discre-