The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-29


One of the most remarkable men Of the
present century is the hero-cLief of the Cir
cassians, who has already immor,alized
himself by his gallant proves in battling
with the Russians. A brief biographical
skecth OF this wonderful man may not be
embarrassing.
The first time We hear Of Schamyl is in
1882. In that year, dcvout Musselman,
kasi- Molah, had q chief command in the
bands Of Legshians, Tehetchentzcs, and other
tribes Of the eastern chain and the stcppcs
abutting on the Caspian and traverscd by
the kOisu. si.Mollah's reputation for
sanctity was greater than that which he ac-
quired for the higher military qualities, al.
though dashing leader. and Individually one
Of the bravest of the brave. He was brought
to bay in 1892, by General Rosen, at a
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 10
hew for themselves "A path through the
Russian bayonets to freedom or to Para
dise-eithcr alternative 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 mn avalanche, and
the furious, disccrdant yells of troop Of
madmen. For one or two brief moments,
il seemed that they must escape, 10 far
through the beleaguring circle OF their foes
did they ccavc their desperate way, before
the momently .rccoiling ranks reclosed
around them, and they fell by twos and
,.,s;es; ly TX hang to- ,'su last, ridfMtf ty
muslet balls and bayonet stabS. kasiMol.
lah died with his hand On his beard and n
last prayer murmuring from his lips !" and
his pupils persisted with him. oil save one.
and he the bravcst and Gercest of them al,
who broke through the encirclng bayonets
dashed at headlong speed pas, the more dis
tant lines of running fire unharmcd
suddenly up a. he reached the angle OF n
mountain gorge, into which he knew none
dared to follow, shook his red scimo,ar, and
hurled defiant execration into the faces OF
his baiied foes, and the next moment with
an exulting shout Of A lah II Allah -
disappeared in the dark mountain pass.
The fortunate horscman was Schamyl, the
future Imam, (preacher,) the prophct.soldier
Of the Caucasus, whose escape, Us inst de-
scribcd many Of his followers to this day
firmly believe was due TO the direct lnterpo-
ton Of the angel Gabriel Schamyl, who
is one of the dark-cyod, dark-Laired, partly
Tartar race Of Tehetchentzes, was born at
Tschrskei, place of about three thousand
inhabitants and after hls escape from Gum
hibc he employed several years in pcrambu-
lating the mountains Of the Insghian chain,
preaching wherever he went with fervid co-
qucnce upon the sacred duty devolved by
God upon all true believers, to extirpate the
intrusive infde, and the pa.adisal rewards
which death in so high aud holy cause
must iniallibly insure. Tbis prophet-call, ns
il was deemed, to battle from the cupoas
and minarcts OF the sublime aud towering
Alps gradually kindcd the latent fanatiesnl
Of the mountanecrs 10 flame, which soon
communicated itself 10 the dwellcrs in the
cities and stcppcs of Daghis'an, and the nd.
iacent valleys and plains. The story Of
Schsmyis miraculous escape from General
Rosen. by favor Of the arcbangel Gabriel,
was repeated from mouth to mouth, with
,u,Ilees variations aud additions his daring.
skill and success as soldier confirmed the
illusions of n crcdulous bgD'ry and he
gradually drew around bis standard, and bent
=, his sway, the multitude OF ragged warri-
ors whose swords have inscribed so many
vctorie- upon the backs of the Russian ar
mics. and TO this hour pre~nts an lnvincihle
front to their disniayed and practically dis
eomitcd advcrsaries.
Many well authenticated Instances Of his
daring are related One or two of these
nav interest the reader. IN $40, Schamyl
found himself surround by General Grsbbe
and 1900 veteran Russian troops at
Achulko, a kind ofmud cncampmeu, perched
upon the top OF rock IN the hanks Of
koisu. The position Of this place wa 80
strong that the attempt 10 storm 1t was
abandoned. after the los. Of 1900 men but
Scbatny had -oon deadlier foe than Gene
raj Grnbbe and his army 10 contend with
hunger hunger, yerglng upon famine. came
before week had PACED. This was known
in the Russian camp and the place having
been strictly invested on all sides, II WINS cer-
tain that the surrender could not long be de-
Iayej. On the last day but one Of August,
Gtneral Grabbe learned, from All snaciate'i
Lsghian whom his yoldiers had cangbt
whilst attempting 10 crawl part the blocka-
ding Inns, that not particle Of food was
Iei, in Achulko that Schsmyl Boy pro
po.ed to escape tina, very night. with one OF
two chosen comrades, by means Of rope
lowered down the face Of the rock 10 the
Ko,.u sbI AchuIko, he aided, would bc
surrendered afterwards. A s,rid watch
was imnpdiately ordered ~ BE- kept Of the
indicated spot, and directions were given 70
awaken ,b. General at whatever hour Of thu
night the capture Of the redouotd schany
might be ciiected.
Ju-t before Iawn, one two-thrce mn
were -cen 20 cautiously d'-ceDd lay rope