The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-28
1914


bined movements from Tifis and Stawropol.
The two attacking columns were to meet in
the midst of Caucasus; but they were not al
lowed to get even within sight of each other
one being defeated by ShamTl in the Kuban
passes and the other compelled to return
without any advantages, except some spoils.
Shamyl On his part, undertook now some az
gressive operations into the enemy's country
lie defeated several Russian detachments, and
carried off from the allies OF Russia, the Ka-
mucks, 40 600 head of cattle, much other pro-
yisiop, and great quantity of ammunition.
But still greater rcverses did the Russians
safer, under the campaign of 1912. General
Grabbe, who had imprudsntly entered the
immense forest that extends at the sides Of the
Akfai, suffered an almost annihilating defeat
on the left bank OF that river. From this
event, until the year ls45, the Russians re-
manned On the defensive
Ia 1S45, the Russian forces In the Caucasus
were increased as much as to number 100 600
men, over whom the Car appointed General
Count Wo-onzow commandment chief 1t was
NOW announced, for the fourth or fifth time, In
the Russian journals, that the struggle In
Caucasus was TO be brought to a speedy end.
The Russians themselves were fully confident
that the mountainous would now have to SUBJ
nit The success which accompanied the
first movements on their part, confirmed their
hope Of accomplishing the so long in vain at
tempted subjugation Of Caucasus. The resist
ance Of the few mountaineer5 who dared to
oppose the invasion Of the Russians was very
feeble. This was interpreted ss an evidence
that the Circassians were In want OF powder,
and that Shamyl was occupied in quenching
the flames Of internal discord, which, it was
reported, had broken out in several places
Ruffh a cf a. DIR n
change, as soon as the Russian troops had
reached tine immense forest that extends In
TIE vicinity Of Dsrgo. A terrible and bloody
struggle ensued noW between the invaders and
TIA mountaineeIs, who, covered by the great
number Of trees which they had cut down,
aimed their shots ct their enemies, without
being much exposed themselves to the FIRE Of
the Russians Dargo itsslf had been laid in
ashes; but upon high mountain in the yicin-
ity had Shamyl, with 5000 of his best war
riors, taken up his position. Five times the
Russians attempted to force their way over the
obstacles which opposed their advance, but
wCrs compelled by the FIRE of the mountain
Gers each time 10 retrace their steps, leaving
behind them mere than half their number
dead or dying. But forced by their brave
lesder to renew the attack for the sixth time
tLo Russians succeeded at last in oTersteppiDg
al obstacles, and ascending the mountain
bat when they reached it, Shamyl and his
warriors had disappeared. SILL this struggle
ca the part of Shamyl wGs not undertaken
with the view of stopping the advance Of the
Russian army but with very different object
ii view. While he was thus occupying Count
Woronzow, the main body Of bis troops, under
the leadership Of tire brave U,abay Mullah,
attacked and captured the creates. part Of
Russian transport d provisions and ammuni-
WAS on ~ ID
The loss which he thus sustained compelled
WcroDz)w, who had 10 other means at hand
Tor the support Of his numerous troops, 10 turn
around and direct his steps towards the place
f-om which nc lad issued.
But his retreat YVES not left as unmolested as
had his advance been. 1t appeared, On the
contrary, as il the campaign had first low be-
gGn. Attacked il the rear and at the sides. in
the narrow passes and in the woods, Count
WorOIZ5w last every day great number Of bis
SELLERS, and saw with much concern that the
courage Of The rost began TO give away to des-
pair He would have been lost with the whole
OF lis army, if not at the most dangerous place
II The valley Of Akfli, where General Grabbe
three years before had suffered 20 terrible
defeat, General FTeltag had come TO his relief
with rev troops
After this experience, 80 dearly bought, the
Russians changed again their mode Of warfare
Expeditions to distant places, or Of decisive
character, have, since the time n question, sell
dom been undertaken. 1t has been onsidered
more advisable to attempt reducing the Cauca-
sian tribes, by attacking with axes and fire the
T3rimeval woods Of tHCir native mountains that
have hitherto TrOgcd their best protection, than
iy carrying on q systematic aggressive war
against themselves. The plan thus adopted, if
pursued with vicOr for a long series Ct years
aFtsht at te a.
mountaineers, should they be unable to prevent
Its systematic execution Still as long as Sha-
nyl Is allowed to remain alive, the Gar will
arcoiy ever enjoy the triumph CT calling the
Caucasian maintains his own
Daring the period which has elapsed since
$50, the possessions OF the Russians have IN.
questiCnsbiy been somewhat extended in that
qlaTter, chiefly by The prudent and able man
ugemcnt OF Count WorcDzow; still Shamyl has
shoEn himself equally terrible as ever. aud
adorned bis BROS with maUy new laurels &C
qI'rod IN battle against several Generals of the
Car, and ~ successful expeditions, undertaken
with wonderful daring, against towns villages
and settlements, protected by the Russian lines
Of Gordon and the armed Cossack co.onists.
Shsmyl is endowed with many Of the higb.
est military qualities, and especially with those
necessary FuceessfG. il 70 defend a mountainous
country, With small and irregular forces, against
tle successive attacks Of numerous and we'll
disciplined army. He knows when to retreat,
ana when 10 strike his blows which seldom
iaii &C cause destruction where they fall As the
chlvalrous Abdei Kader was peculiarly auahf-
Cd to lead the wild horseuen of tho african
deserts to tho most impstuous charges against
tae torm'dable legions of France. so is Shamvl
particularly fitted to turn to the best account
the means which tho nature Of his native coun-
tFy ciiers t;r resisting with a small number of
heroic men the large army to which the Gar
has assigned the task Of bonding the stiff neck
CT proud Caucasus under the Russian woke.
Equally enthusiastic for the freedom OF bis ma.
tive mountains as was the noble Bedouin chief
tain fo- the independence of bis arid deserts his
GASES, and his dadle groves, Shamyl has been
more favored by fortune Hence while Abdel
kadeT has to bewail the dominion of France
over the plains and shadowy recesses in defence
Of which he performed 30 many glorious deeds
OF arms SIS to immortalize his name. Shamvl
enjoys still the pleasure of defying the power
OF Russia, and of avengiDg, by new victories
over the hereditary enemy, the long suffcrings
OF his country. Even during this year, the Rue
san Generals, Nastorow, Dolgorucky Dsrgu-
linsky, and DsdianOf, have respectively suffer-
ed defeats from the hands of the indefatigabIe
Murschid whose late reveTss, of which spoke
in a previous letter, will probably soon be re-
paired by nov victory.
Shamyl has introduced many useful and
praiseworthy reforms among the mountaineers,
whose obstinacy and fondness to adhere to the
ancient usages and customs of their ancestors
he would scarcely have been able to overcome,
but for his spiritual authority as the vicegerent
of Heaven, and the Murschid or Pope of the
Su6 sect which now prevails in Caucasus 1t is
chiefly by the means of religion he has been