The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-27

fleet, and is an exceedingly pretty and comfortable
craft. They are none OF them well fitted for the
shallow waters OF the Sir-Dara, as they aw toe
much water to run on the river except in the
high water of Spring and Midsummer, wher
the snow melts in the mountain ranges. Here
the Sr-Daria Is deep enough, and is wide
muddy stream. But near Fort No. there arc
many shadows which are constantly changing
But a few weeks ago. in coming down the Djaman
Daria from Fort Perofsky, the Samarcand an
chored for the night In deep water, but the next
morning was on dry ground, and 1t required the
labor OF 500 men for q week to cut channel and
bring her ofr-lortunately without serious damage
THE MODELS FOR THE RUSSIAN STEAMERS
on the Oxus and Jaxartes should be sought rather
on the rivers OF our Southern States than on the
Thames, and then we should see steamer after
steamer, drawing hardly six inches Of water, float
ing down to the Aral with lofty deckloads OF cotton
and SILK. Though 1t was Easter Sunday when
inspected the neet-the greatest holiday In the
Russian calendar-the river bank presented q
busy sight The barges and steamers were being
loaded as fast as possible with provisions, stores,
and ammunition; lot Lieutenant Sitnikof, the
Commandant. expects to sail for the mouth OF the
Oxus in three four days, to 60 up the river and
meet the expedition OF General Kaufman as near
as possible to Khiva. His nagsiipis the Samarcand.
The Khivan expedition occupies all minds here.
Not only the preparations for the departure OF the
fleet cause work, but a part OF the garrison and
most of the officers are gone, and there are con-
tinual c0uriers coming and going, and thousand
things have to be looked after and attended TO.
THE RUSSIANS WELL PREPARED.
l am not astonished to find that the Russians
are much better prepared for this campaign
than the world supposes them to be. The
first duty OF the Commandant Of from
tier post naturally is to reconnoitre
the surrounding country, and during the
last 1--WE years small bodies OF troops have been
sent out on Reconnaissance from Fort No. and
Fort Peroffsky, both Summer and Winter. and hav Q
penetrated the desert OF KILL Kun. more than
once as far as the Lake OF Astche-Tengz. In like
manner the eastern part Of this desert, from
Djizzak to Astche-Tengiz and Min Bulak, has been
several times reconnoitred-in 1869 by the expeil-
ton OF Major Bergbom, In 1871 by Major General
Goovatchen and In the Spring Of 1872 by Lieu
tenant Colonel Ivanof. 1t may be safely said that
there Is not a route nor q mile IN this desert that
the Russians do not thoroughly know. These ex-
petitions have accustomed the Kirgheez, who live
In The KiziKum, to the sight Of Russian soldiers,
and have taught the troops how bear the atigues
and privations OF Winter campaigns in the desert.
THE PRESENT EXPEDITION FROM KAzALA
is one division OF the Turkestan expeditionary
corps, and Is under the command OF Colonel
Gooff. the District Commander Of Kazaa. The adj
vance guard, led by His Imperial Highness the
Grand Duke Nicholas Constantlnovitch, left
Kazala on the 21st OF March, and on the 9Th of
April had reached the springs OF IrKimbai, some
two hundred miles south OF Kazala. The march
was SO successfully made that there only i've
men sick, In spite Of the very severe weather and
snow storms that were encountered. The troops
were, however, well provided with tents preserved
meats and provisions Of all sorts. The Grand
Duke had been entrusted by Colonel Color with
the duty OF choosing place for ratification at
Irkimbai and of tracing the plans. The work
was SO successfully and speedily done that in
twenty-four working hours fort was constructed
for $50 men, and on Sunday, the 9th OF April, the
festival OF the Annunciation (Blagouestchenie), the
fort was consecrated and the Russian nag raised.
In honor Of the day 1t will be known as
FORT BLAGOvESTCHENsKY,
AS soon as General Kaufman received the news OF
the construction OF this fort he issued order OF
the day thanking Colonel Golof and the Grand
Duke Tor their remarkable energy and speed. On
the 18th Of April the Kazala Expedition was at
KizllKak, and on the 14th arrived at the wells OF
Bakali, in the Bucan Mountains. The whole force
is now at the springs OF Min-Buak, on the othe r
side of these mountains where 1t was previously
from Tashkent, commanded by General Kaufman
in person. 1t appears now, however, that General
Kaufman has changed his route, and the two ex-
petitions will not meet before they reach the Oxus
near Shurakhana.
A REGULAR POSTAL COMMUNICATION
twice q week is kept up between KaZala
and the expedition, and there are also frequent
couriers to and from General Kaufman. The
postal communications OF General Kaufman with
Tashkend are also regular, and are directly across
the desert OF Kzil-Kum to Burdjar, near Tchem-
kent.
A courier from
THE EMBA EXPEDITION
arrived to-day on his way to General Kaufman.
He reports that the forces under command Of Gen.
eral verfkin had already crossed the Emba, and
were well on their way south. This expedition
consists OF one and half battaons four sotnias
OF Cossacks IA sotnia is $50 mem, four guns and a
command OF sappers. On their way from Orenburg
to Emba the troops suffered from the cold, but ar
rived in good health and good order. The trans
port train was, however, long delayed by unusual
snow storms and many Of the camels gave out
from the bad weather and want of food. This ex-
pedltion Is due by the 18th OF May at the Aibugir
Bay OF the Aral Sea, where 1t will unite with the
expedition OF Colonel Lomakin from Mangishlak,
which includes part Of the forces of Colonel Marko-
zof The movement from the Emba to the
Kashkar-ata Is in one column but further on to
Kasarma, on the Aral Sea, 1t Will be in two
columns on account OF the scarcity OF water.
From Kasarma to Aibugir the forces will again
move in column. In order to guard the road two
sot7ataS will be left at Karatamak, one company
and half sotntd at the Sands OF Sam, where
troops have hitherto been always kept during the
Spring and Summer. Besides this one sotnia will
remain at the wells of Djebyske The expedition
from Mangshlak had at first some difficulty, on
account OF the unwillingness OF the Kirgheezes of
that vicinity to part with their cames but sufll-
Gent number were finally obtained and everything
passed of well.
But, perhaps, the most important news have
obtained here concerning the Khivan war is that OF
the arrival here three weeks ago OF
AN AMBASSADOR FROM THE KHAN OF KHIvA,
the BIZ Murtaza-Khodj a-Abaskhodji with letter
from the Khan TO General Kauimann and with the