The Nevada journal., 1859-11-18
aleuada County Official nress.
FRIDAY MORNING, Nov. is. 1859
Schamyl, the Cirsassian Chief.

the reported capture OF Tue IcHoWHou
Circassian. Schamyl. This chief has
occupied a prominent position in his
country, not only as warrior. but as
alawgiver. Ir the wars with Russia,
he has evinced the most indomitable
energy. aud the manner in which he
fought for the freedom Of his country,
has won for Eim most universal re-
gard.
Schamyl was born in the year 1779
Regarding his parents, little or MOTH
ing is known. According to the Gus
toms of the Circassians, he was at an
early age instructed in athletic labors.
In the contests with his associates, he
was always ambitious to excel, and
when defeated, would brood over his
disappointment even for days. With
such earnestness did he enter upon
the physical part of his education
that he soon excellcd his companions
in riding. throwing the djerrid, and
other manly sports. As he grew up
he was passionately fond of hunting,
and in climbing the rugged mountains
of his country, and in spending night
after night upon them, he soon bccame
Injured to the privations of hunter,
and prepared himself for the difficult
duties of warrior chief. He e1hib-
tied a marked sensibility TO the beau-
ty and suLlimity of nature. and it is
Said that he would often ascend a
mountain at the setting Of the sun, and
remain there loug after the shades of
night had fallen
While, however, he was thus edu-
eating his physical powers, his mind
was not neglected When quite
young. he was Instructed in Arabic.
and was made familiar with the con-
tents of the Koran. Afterwards. he
was instructed in Mohamedan litera-
ture and philosophy. His instructor
was Dcschebal Eddin. one of the most
learned of the Daghestan teachers OF
theology. By him, he was led thro'
all the subtleties of the Mohamedan
doctrines. The result of his teaching
appears to have been that he instifed
into his pupil habits of temperance.
ffugality, and perfect self-cun:rol.
On reaching manhood Schamyl be-
came member of the Government
Which was in fact a free Democracy.
lie belonged to the Lesghian tribe.
and by their system of government he
vas chief. wholly general consent led
:heir warriors to battle. In time of
peace. however, all were equal, tho
in fact, he who possessed the most
ability and was foremost in valor and
the exercise of all manly virtues, was
chieftain. The public affairs of the
tribe we're regulated in general as
sembly. The oldest and most expe-
rienced were heard first. but no one
could claim precedence as right
The assembly rarely made new laws,
the tribe being governed by custom
and ancient usage. When these
proved insufficient, an appeal was
made to the Koran. Offenders were
tried in council ring, and punish.
ments cansisted chiefly of fines.
Schmyls name is first heard of in
the wars for Circassian independence
in connection with the seige of Himri.
where he served as n disciple under
the Chleftain Khasi-MolIah. This
leader commenced his career in 1880,
having aroused his countrymen to
arms against the Russians by preach
ing a crusade in behalf of freedom
and the true faith. He asserted that
the first law Of Mahomet was tie
law of freedom, and the second was
that of Mosls:n shall be soldier of
Allah, and an enemy in arms to all
ihidels. At first his career was sue
cessful, but at Himri it ended. Dur
ing his ratrea: one ckieftain after
another deserted him, Until only a
faithful few were left with him
Among these was Schamyl. Ensconc-
ed behind the walls of Himri, they
awaited their fate. The Russian ar
tillery soon made sad havoc with
these walls. but those behind them
met their fates, gaily singing verses
from the Koran. Khasi Mollah was
killed. aud Schamyl. pierced by two
balls was left as dead. His appear
ance among his tribe was regarded as
miraculous. Krasi Mollah was suc-
ceeded7by Hamsad Bey and the lat
ter by Schamyl. In 1884 the Russ
ians again advanced upon Himri. but
Schamyl attacked them and defeat
ed them, though their forces were far
shpetior TO his.
In consequence of this ard other
successes. he was regarded as the
greatest chieftain since Khasi-Mollah
and many tribes that had favored the
Rnssians now rallied around the new
leader. On all sides was heard the
cry of "Schamyl is Imam, and the
second prophet of Allah" He issued
prociamati6ns calling upon his coun-
trymen to join him in the war upon
the Nussians. His headquarters were
at Akulgo, which is perced upon the
tcp of an isolated rock, rising ON one
side perpendicularly six hundred feet
above the riyef Koissu, which nearly.
surrounds it.. A narrow path winds
up the rock in which only two per-
sons can walk abreast. Assisted by.