Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-06-08
sehsmyl the propi ot-waa,ior ofthe Caucasus.

sehamyl, the Propi et-waiior ofthe Caucasus
The Utstminister Reriete for April contains a
post interesting sketch Of the character aud eS-
/ ploit- If this remarkable man, who has 80 long
hafed all the efforts of Russia 10 subdue the har
/ DIV tribes of the Caucasus. For the twenty
years. during which he has been "llnain and sui.
| tan of the Eastern Caucasus" he has devoted
! himself with an energy and wisdom truly re.
mnrkabe, 10 the organization Of lhe various ana
scattered tribes of the land into II consolidated
empire. which might be welded prou pity
aud efficiently for the defence OF their liberties
And be hns succeeded. Where before anarchy
and division offered every hope, aud gave foot
hold to the invader union and discipline now defy
his efforts. sines 1915 Russia has made no pro-
eress towards the subjugaiion of the Caucasus
Army after armyshas been cut up IN the dehles
If maintains and the bodies of thousands of
Russians left behind. The food for wolves, have
attested the fierce vigilance which animates the
bosoms Of the people. An idea of the character
Of Scbamyl can be gathered from the foilowing
SenAMYL AND THE CAuoAsIANs.
"sehamyl is of middle stature, has fair hair
erav eyes. overshadowed by thick, well-marked
eye. brows, a regular well formed nose, and a
small mouth A peculiar fairness and delcacy
of skin distinguishes his conntenanca from that
IF his fellow conntrymen, and his feet and hands
moyabty of his arms in walking indicates the
determination of his character. His manner is
noble aud dgnfed. Perfectly master of him
self he exercises a$silent influence over all who
come into contact with him. A stern impassiy-
ity which is undi.turbed even in moments of
the greatest danger, is his Characteristic express
sion condemnation TO death falls from his
lips with the same eanness AS he shows in con-
ferrine on n brave Marid the sabre of honor won
ia fol frn N n
offenders, whose death he has once determined
upon, h, converses without maniiesting shade
of angry or reyengeful feeling. He regards him
self rs simply the instrument IN the hands of a
higher power, and holds, with the SUITS, that all
his thoughts and decisions are the immediate IN
spiration of God. His eoquence is AS fiery and
persuasive as his ordinary manner Is calm and
commanding. FLAMES sparkle from his eyes
and flowers IRE scattered from his lips, said Ber-
SEX Bey, with whom Schamyl lived n few days
after the taking of Akhulgo when he resided for
time among the chiefs of the Dsehighe and
Ubiche tribes, in the hope Of raising the West
ern Caucasians against the Russlnns.o
Scbamyl's body guard is composed of selec-
ton from the Murds, and its memNers are called
Muriosgators Only the hottest enthusiasts
among the Murds, men of whose entire devotion
Sehamyl is well assured are chosen for this post
which is considered among the Caucasians to ho
in the highest degree honorable. The Prophet
puts the most implicit confidence in those whom
he has once selected, and they on the other hand
renounce every tie, and place their lives IN his
hand If unmarried, they must remain so; and if
married they must strictly old their families
during their period of service. Like schomyl
himself, they must live frugally, and carry out
the Scharyat to the very letter1hey wear peeu-
liar ns'gnia.and receive regular pay,wlth share,
of all spolls;therc about one thousand OF them,
five hundred of whom always surround SchamyPs
person-acccss to which is very difficult. In
time of peace the Murtosigators are Schnmyfs
apostles and considerable sums are placed at
their disposal for the carrying out of their pro
pagaudn. At the same time they form most
efficient body of police, whose accusations nl9ht
at once destroy the most powerful Nab In
war they constitute the heart of Schamyfs troops
and the terror of the Russians, who have never
yet succeeded in taking one alive.
a stern aud even bonded justice eharaeterlzes
all Sehamyrs judgments and he would long since
Ike llamsnd Beg, have fallen II victim to the
blood-feuds thus ercated against himself, were
it not for the watchtul devotion of his body guard,
the Mnrtosigators, who constantly surround him
in public. The Imam gave once in his own per-
son a frghtful earnest ofhis determination TO
know no distinction of persons among the viola
tors of his laws. Early in his career, he made a
solemn VOW that he would put to death whoever,
under any circumstances proposed to him sub
mission TO the Giaour. The people of Teheteh-
enia were well acquainted with the lmams oath;
but in 1913, finding themselves threatened on al
sides by the Russians, and nj the same time left
without aid by Schnmyl, who was otherwise oc
/ eupied, they in despair sent messengers to the
/ latter, begging him either to help them, or allow
/ them TO submit. The office of the ENJOYS was
regarded as 81 hazardous, that their selection
was made by lot. 1t fell upon four men o
! the Aoul Gnn, who accordingly set out upon the
mission. Before reaching Durgo, Schamyl's res
/ idence, however, the prospect e success ap
pearcd slight, and the consequences of failure
50 appalling that they determined to 'eke thu
lions with the fox's skim, and without making
| any direct proposition to Sehnmyl himself. to en-
deuvor to influence him through his aged mother
the khaness who was known to possess great in
iluence over her son, and at the same time to be
like all the mountaineers. by no means msensi
bile to money. A large biibe engaged the Kha
ness To undertake the dangerous task; and in al
interview she opened the matter to the Imam
! What occurred between mother and son is un
known, but when the mon of Gunoi unxously in
qnired the result of the negotiation, the Khlness
pale and trembling, could only tell them that he
son had determined to inquire of Allah concern
ing their request--and even as they spoke.t wa
proclaimed hat the Imam had shut himself in tn
mosque, and had commanded that all the pcopl
should gather about it and remain fasting till h
reappeared. Three days and nights, it is said
did Schamyl remain invisible, the PROSTATE nul
ttud without, rising higher and higher in ia
natical exaltaton, as their bodily frames becam
exhausted. On the fourth morning, Schamyl ap
peared ON the Hat roof of the mosque. surrounde
by his Murids. All viewed with dignity his usual
ly impressive countenance, distorted and change
by the traces of some past inward agony Al
ter an interval profound silence, he directe
the nearest Murds to bring his mother into hi
presence, and when she had arrived he thus ad