The Shasta courier., 1868-01-18
SHASTA COURIER.
A CIRCASsIAN HERO.
SKETCH OF A REMARKABLE MAN.

| SAElCH VI A REMARKABLE MAN.
The struggle of the Circassians for free
oom and independence is without parallel
IN the history of the world. For centuries
they withstood every invader, and for the
last thirty years have, single handed, resist
ed one Russian army after another, until
at length, outnumbered, if not subdued,
they have been compelled to yield up theil
country to swell the already overgrown
dominiOns of the Czar.
| Of the numerous heroes which this grea,
contest developed, Schamyl, their last leader
and prophet was the most remarkable. He
was born in 1877, and in his early youth
was marked out from his playmates bv re.
serve, curiosity, infexibility Of temper, and
ambition. Solitary and alone, among the
lofty and barren rocks of Himri-regarded
as holy by the superstitions of the people,
| and which none other dared approach after
sunset-he used to spend half the night
buried In fanciful reveries. His naturally
tender and delicate frame he strengthened
by every kind of gymnastic exercise, and
under the instructions of revered teacher
he gained an intimate acquaintance with
Arabic, and acquired passion for glorious
deeds.
AT an early age Schamyl joined the
Murids IA body-guard) of Kasi Mullah, the
first reputed prophet of the Circassians,
who, like Mahomet, led his forces to battle
with the banner of revolt in one hand and
the Koran in the other. After achieving a
long course of victories by the most consum-
mate strategy, as well as the most deter
mined valor, Kasi Mullah was besieged in
the strong hold of Hinri. After a month of
obstinate resistance, in which the beseigers
suffered greatly, the place was taken, the
prophet slain, and all his Murids, with one
single exception, cut down. This one was
Schamyl, who, though wounded by bullet
and with a bayonet thrust in his side, es
capped from the hands of his enemies to make
the Caucausas ring with the glory of his
name.
Hamlah Bey took the place of Kasi Null
lab as prophet and general of the Caucasus,
and Schamyl became one of his Murids.-
After career as daring as that Of his pre-
decessor, the new leader perished by the
sword of his own race. AT the instigation of
their father, in revenge for the death of sew.
eral members of his own family, two sons of
the Khan of the Avarians murdered Ham
lah Bey, while praying in the mosque at
Chansak. One of the brothers was slain by
the Murids; the other escaped, and inflamed
the Avarians against the followers of the
prophet. Numbers of Murids were assas-
sinated in the mosque, while the remainder
took refuge in neighboring tower. The
surviving murderer, however, gave orders
to set five to the tower, and only two Murids
escaped from the confagration. One of
these was Schamyl. who again vanished
without leaving trace behind him.
These two almost miraculous escapes gave
a greater prestige than many victories would
have done. His followers and resources in.
creased from day to day, and he soon became
the acknowledged leader and prophet of the
Caucasus. His private and public character.
his hatred of the Russians, and his personal
bravery, well fitted him for the position
HIS eloquence was such that, in the language
OF Circassian poet, "lightnings flash from
his eyes, flowers falls from his lips" He
10 uniting beneath his banner tribes wht had
been at feud for ages, and showed great
wisdom by the way in which he organized
his army. His Murids. a chosen body
guard, were one thousand in number, and no
instance was ever known of one of them
falling alive into the hands of the Russians.
After variety of successes, however.
this great leader was destined to meet with
most serious reyerse-the details of which
are thus stated by a recent writer:
As Kasi Mullah had been bes;eced in
Hlnrl, SO Schamyl was blockaied in the
fortress OF Ackulko. Pursued by the Rus.
sian : army, who were immensely superior to
MN IN numbers, Sanamyl determined to
throw himself into this stronghold and there
await the attack of his enemies. Ackulko is
oy nature remarkably well adapted to sus.
rocks, 1t is protected on one side by preci-
plce. which sheers almost perpindicularly
ooo feet into the river Koissu .On the
other side 1t is guarded by deep and danger
Gus ravlnes. intercepted by swift mountain
currents. Schamyl, schooled by defeat un-
der the former prophets, had rendered this
position still stronger by art. After a
spirited resistance of three months, in which
the beseigers lost more than twice the total
number OF the besieged, Ackulko was taken
but Schamyl, the object of the expedition,
was neither among the slain nor the cap.
tured Some few Circassians were still to
be seen on the mountain peaks overhanging
the citadel. After a while some deserters
from their number came down to inform the
Russians that Schamyl was above their
heads, and intended to make his escape bv
letting himself down by ropes in the course
OF the night. The story was credited. and
accordingly some soldiers were set to guard
the spot indicated by the Circassians as the
place of the intended descent. At midnight
a slight stir was heard. Two Lesghis came
down the heights with cat-like activity
They seemed sent on before - reconoitre.
Before long third wrapped in a white cloak,
such as Schamyl was in the habit of wear
ing, descended noiselessly from above, upon
which the guards burst from their hiding
places, and at once conducted the three Cir
cassians as prisoners to the tent of the
Grabb, the Russian Commander-in-C Chief
Here, however, it was soon discovered that
they were mistaken in their man, and had
not caught the prophet after all. On the
instant that his enemies had left the precon-
certed spot the true Sehamyl descended
silently from hiseyrie, and made off in safety
through the darkness"
On Iearing of this third escape, the Cir
cassians more than ever convinced of the