The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-30

with fatal precision, and when the Russian cannon
opened upon them they retired they took to
flight with one accord.
Upon the failure OF this expedition another was
immediately contemplated at st. Petersburg At
nrst was intended to send 1t across the Caspian,
from Astrakhan or Ghoarief to Novo Aexandrovsk,
and thence to the cultivated valley OF the Oxus.
This route, however, well as several others
which were proposed, was abandoned as impracti-
cable, either upon the represeD OF General
Perovski, or in consequence OF the want OF trans
ports on the Caspian and the obstacles which the
shadows OF the eastern coast OF that sea present
for the landing or artillery. Shortly afterwards
peace was re-estabished between Russia aud
Khiva, and all further attempts to penetrate into
the latter country were consequently abandoned
for the time.
THE PRESENT EXPEDITION.
The expedition now foot is therefore only
another attempt to reduce this refractory and bar
barous neghbor-tkls obstacle to civilization and
the trade between Europe and Asia--the last inde-
pendent upholders in Turkestan OF Mahommedan
barsarism.
PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
The total force intended to take the field, count
ing all arms is computed in ST. Petersburg at
$1,000 men.
The plan Of operations is that proposed by
Colonel Weniakon, by which the invading force has
been divided into three separate columns, whose
advance upon the capital from the north the south
west. and the east is simultaneous. owing to the
vast distances are which TO be traversed,
the troops reach their destination and
the scarcity OF provisions, water and forage
along the greater portion of the roates each OF
these columns was restricted to the smallest pos
sibe number compatible with fighting power and
with the attainment OF the object in view. The
base OF operations Tor the first Of these columns
viz, that advancing from the norti-s orenburg,
which is more than 500 miles ir0m i ava. A great
part OF this route, which is the which was fol-
lowed by General Perovski in the winter of ls39'4o
lies over desolate stePpes OF the most barren and
cheeress character. The second column-viz.
that which advances from the southwest under the
command of Colonel Markosof, and which IL to be
partly composed of troops taken from the army of
the Caucasus-has for its starting point the new
fort OF Chiklshlliar, in Hassan Ku Bay, about ten
miles to the north OF the mouth OF the Atrak.
From the latter place there are several practicable
routes by which the column can advance upon
Khiva. The most convenient Of these would prob
ably be the one called the Teke route, cia
Kisel Arvat, Chin Mohammed and Ortakui
BY this route the troops have aefore
them march Of SEQ miles, OF which O great
portion lies through the desert, before reaching
The command of General Kaufman, is to advance
from the east vid Tashkent, in Russian Turkestan.
Between 1t and its objective point, however, inter-
venes in direct line the wateress desert OF Kisel
Kani on this account the column will have to
carry great deal OF water from the last point on
its route at which water is found.
Although the troops thus move from three main
directions, they will march directly Khiva from
two secondary bases. One OF these is at Aibugir CA
on the map. the other Is at Bukar, in the hills be-
tween the deserts OF Kill Kun and Batkak Kun
(B on the map. At the former point will concen-
trate the columns from OrcnburS or Embensk
and the columns from Chikvhliar, Krasovodsk
and Mangishak, At the latter will concentrate
the columns from Fort Perovski. Kazala, Tasnkent
and Dlsak At Abugir the columns from the
north, the west and southwest win halt for neces-
sary rest from their arduous march to that point
They Will perhaps also receive there fresh
suppies-brought by the boats on the Aral Sea
which is an important depot At their point Of
concentration fort is to be built. The columns
which concentrate at Bukan have to march 1s0
miles across the desert before reaching the Oxus,
which they are expected u touch at Schurahan,
sixty miles from Khiva. This march will likely
take them not less than sixteen days, and tor this
period apparently they must carry water. They
doubtless get this final supply at Bukan.