New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-26

The struggle between the tribes Of Daghestan and
Russia may be traced back far as the TENN cen
tury when Swatoslaw, Grand Duke of hLen, seizei
urou the ancient kingdom OF the Bosphorus In the
sixteenth century. Ivan Wasilewtch, Grad Duke OF
Moscow invaded the western region of the Caucasus,
and established military posts all along the shores of
the Caspian. In 1894 Alexander, King Of Georgia,
recognized the supremacy Of the CzArs of Moscow,
on condition that he should be protected against the
Tartars and Mongols Toward the end of the
eighteenth century Heraclius, King of Georgia. being
nenaced by the Turks and Persians signed treaty by
which the kings Of that country were always to be
confirmed by the Russian Emperors. Finally in the
year 1900, the widow OF Hersclius abandoned her
rights and lands TO the Cars, and bya ukase pub
lished by the Emperor Paul, Georgia became incOr-
porated into Russia
With this absorption, began the fierce conflict be-
tween the mountaneers Of and the Russians
1t was formerly interrupted from time to time, but
has now ragged without respite for nearly tSenyfOur
years On the Russian side ZzianOa, prince OF
Georgian origin was of the first who, nearly forty
years ago. struck the TschetschentzeS with awe. Oae
of bis most able successors YermOlOf equally re-
spected and dreaded by the Caucasian tribes He now
lives in Moscow, more than eighty years old, and in a
kind silent disgrace with the Emperor. Psshkewitch
replaced YermOlsff for few years and in 1882 was
followed by Baron Rosen to whose administration are
sseribed the disasters suffered BY Russia from 1892 to
1856
About the year 1923 sect of religious enthusiasts
sprung up among the Uemas or MahOmetan clergy OF
the Caucasus. Sheik Mansour mentioned above, was
tie forerunner of this sect Nearly thirty years his
death Khasi MuIlah or Khasi-MOhamet standing upon
the new creed raised the standard of religious anst
icsu for the defense OF the national independence
The principal feature of this theology is the belief
in certain perfectibility of the worn out forms of
Islanism Rhas Nullah claimed to be Immediately
inspired and advised by GOd-and the revelations thus
received were communicated by him to his immediate
companions called Murides or Murs'ides, who formed
warlike priesthood and kind Of bodyguard Tor the
prophet He was soon surrounded by numerous be-
levers from all the parts Of Daghestan and especially
from among the Lesghians and Tschetschentzes
KhasiMullah warred for two years against the Rus
SLAMS but finally at the storm Of the village OF Himry In
1892 be met the death of a hero and of prophet,
fighting to the last and even after he had fallen, excit-
ing his companions By inspiring songs All the Mu-
rides fell with him on the battlefield Among them
was young man named Shamyl Struck by two balls
and pierced by bayonet he lay there bathed in his
blood among the corpses of his companions.
The history of Shamyls escape after this battle is
still unknown. A few months from the catastrophe
of Himry, be was the first Murde near the new Imam
named Hamsad. Bey who assassinated by some OF
his rivals IN 1894 Shamyl succeeded him, raised the
standard of Khasi. Muah, and the war OF extermina
ton began. He was born in 1871 at the same village
of Hmry, and at the age of q became the chief of
the Tschetschentzes In person he is of medium size
with light hair his eyes covered by long and bushy
lashes are full of fire his beard though white does
not give him the appearance of age He is very abb
stemious, eats little, drinks water aud sleeps but
few hours. For long time the fastness of Akulcho
was his residence, whence he darted upon the foe
MaLomet was the first Shamyl the second prophe.
of Allah =! is the war cry Of Daghestan.
In 1889 the Russian General, Grabbe attacked Sha-
myl in his retreat of Akucho The fortress was dis
mantled by heavy artillery. but the Tschetschentzes
did not suffer at all Sheltered in vaults and creyces
they rushed to fire their deadly rifles and then dis
appeared. Several assaults were thus repulsed by
them but finally the rocks mined and at tle fourth
assault after horrible blOodshed the Russians took
the fortress on the 22d OF August Blu. Shimyl was
not to be found among the dead. With few Mu
rides he had retreated to the caverns of the mountain
There they constructed a kind of raft which they
threw into the stream at the foot Of the rocks They
sprang on this floating conveyance, while they were
fred at from both banks Of the river All persisted
but one who leaped into the current, reached
spot and disappeared in the mountains This was
Sbamyl After this defeat he visited the western tribes
of the Caucasus, and preached among them the holy
war against Russia, but without success. On his
return he selected a abode in the fortress of
DargO situated in on almost impregnabe position.
Grabbe attacked him there in 1912. When the Russian
army had completely entered the primitive forests and
Of Shamyl and more than hall of it destroyed. This
was the most terrible defeat sustained by Russia dur
ing this whole protracted contest.
The war continued to be disastrous for the imperial
troops The commanders changed again and again,
aud finally Prince Worontzof sent there with un-
limited powers. At that moment the power Of Shamyl
was absolute and extensive. He ruled the Leeghians
the Tschetsebentzes, the Awars, the Kists and tho
hunks. Shamyl, not only warrior but a legislator,
had esabshedoyer the unruly princes of these tribes
kind of theocratic monarchy; he had united tribes
hitherto hostile to each other, organized a numerous
military force and in 1543 commanded above 5000 of
the best cavalry in the world. His boly-guard was
then goo men. When WorontzOf took the command
of the Russian army, his first idea was TO
aveDge the defeat sustained at DargO. He cut
roads through the forests and indeed feed the
trees entirely for miles Of country. Heroic feats
signalized this campaign both sides but Darg6
\ =. A.