The New York herald., 1873-11-26
KHTVA-.-NO. D.
Russian Organization of the Army Corps
of Invasion and Rapid Execution
of the Orders of the Gar
A Thousand Miles in
the Desert.
ATTACK on THE TURCOMANS.
BoMBARDMENT OF KHIvA.
The Russians Enter the
Town
ATTACK on THE TURCOMANS.
BOMBARDDGENT OF KHIvA.
The Russians Enter the
Town.
KHIyA. sent. j. 1873.

KHIvt, Sent !, 1873.
The purpose OF this letter is TO give you an ac-
count OF the Russian forces engaged ~ the cam
paign against the Khan oi Khiva briei narrative
OF the march of General Perioykin, the arrival oc-
fore Khiva and the events which ed 10 its IAN.
General Kauimann's division had very htte hght-
ing to do Although the honors Of the surrender
came to Kaufman, the fail OF the city was really
the work OF General Periovkin. Il Is not commonly
known that General Kaufmann had been preparing
for this expedition for two years before 1t was an
nounced i'll st. Petersburg last September, and
when ne vent TO s. Petersburg to ask the perms
sion OF the Czar 10 Invade the Khanate every
thing was ready in Turkestan for the opening
OF the campaign but as there were many
counses in the Russian capital as to which
was the best route for invading Central ASIA
the Emperor decided to send three expeditions,
one from the Caucasus, under General MurOksor; a
second from 0rcnburg under General ReYsan-
obsky-the government 0! its departure he con-
ided to General Pertoykln; and the third from
Turkestan, under the command OF General kauf-
mann, which your correspondent accompanied.
MuroksofTs expedition failed, as you know. Rey
sanobsky received his orders in January, and the
fact that everything was ready-transports, arma-
ments, forage, provisions tents and clothing
sufficient for the campaign in the coldest OF winters
and over !, 100 miles Of country-within six weeks
alter the order OF the Car was given, shows what
the Russians can 90 in the way OF rapid prepara-
tion for war.
THE KNDERuE DETACHMENT.
OF the adventures OF these various detachments
will not speak now, except to dwen upon wnat
beeil the Kindere detachment, winch LETT the Bay
OF Kinderlie the northeast coast Of the Caspian
sea, and was composed or nine companies Of IN
fantry-n all l,4o0 men-30O Cossacks and two
four-pounders, with a small train, few
camels ana no means for carrying water. The
Cossacks were dlsmounted and their horses |
used beasts of burden. With this detachment /
marched Lieutenant Stunm, the military envoy OF I
tue German government, the only other fore gner |
who was in Khiva besides your correspondent, and |
who came perishlng FOR want OF water. The /
troops at part Of their route marched 50 miles
without water. under a scorching sun. Many had |
thrown themselves down on the sands to die, and /
were only saved by cavalry advance, which
brought small supply Of water in bottles They
joined the 0renburg detachment after a 40 days
march in the wilderness. This was remarkable
march, being the longest ever made in history. IL
is not less than 1000 miles from Oreuburg
to Khiva. on the 1st OF June PeTioyKin en-
tered Koomgrad which the Khiyans mad aban-
doned in ruins. The town and fortress had fallen
into decay from the wars OF rival khans, and
mainly from a siege imposed upon it Is years
ago by the Khan OF Khiva. From here PerioyKin
continued his march until the 4th OF June The
Knivan forces had shown themselves now and
then, but had made no resistance. They simply 4
sent messages 10 the Russians requesting them TO
return to ST. Petersburg at the earliest moment,
under pain OF the Khans high displeasure. On one |
occasion the hhivan Governor sent message to |
the Russian General asking him to wait three days
until the cannon should arrive, when he would
give him battle; but that, if the Russian General
insisted upon advancing in spite Of his admonition
he wouId simply refuse TO 6phr-and was
good as his word Further on the route, alter
leaving Koomgrad, the Turcomans commenced
showing themselves in large iorces and from tnat
time forward there was scarcely a night or day
when the Russians not harassed by
skirmisn or alarm The Turcomans hung on
the tanks of the army an day, uttering shouts,
felgning attacks the trains, sometimes max
ing real assaults firing from behind walls and
trees, now harassing the and again the ad-
vance at all hours OF the day and night SO that
the troops were indeed always the alert and
could find no rest. This is the Turcoman plan OF
warfare. Although there did not occur during
this whole campaign single pitched battle there
took place several interesting contests, in which
the Russians lost from 10 to 15 killed and 25 or 80
wounded. Before reaching the village OF Murgt,
June 8, the Russians were fired upon The soldiers,
who supposed the village had surrendered, and who
had been incensed beyond measure by the dis
covery a few days before of the headess bodies OF
eleven Russian marines, who had been decoyed
from their nota TO their death, Immediately
put the whole vilage-men, women and
chldren-to the sword, and applied the torch.
1t was indeld a scene OF horror, and many
officers who were present spoke OF il to me after
wards with shudder allude to IL more par
ticuarly. not so much to Illustrate the character
or the as to state that 1t was the only
incident OF the kind that occurred during the whole
or the campaign.
ATTACK BY THE TURCoMAys.
On the 7th OF June, when the army approached
Khva, the Turcomans made another attack on
their trains, which almost proved successful The
army had camped for a noon rest; all except those
on guard were lying on the ground asleep. Sud |
denly body OF Turcomans on horseback made a |
descent on drove OF cames and carried them OF. |
ii tue enemy had succeeded n their attempt OF |
course the army would have died from want Be. |
fore the infantry could get under arms the camels |
were almost out Of reach. The colonel i
who led The advance had however been
making reconnaissance with some Cossaeks /
from the Ural and another company OF Cossacks /
from the Caucasus. on their return thev han. /
pened to take the very read by which the Turco. |
mans were hurryng OF with their prey THIS |
Colonel, Scobclon by name seeing the Turcomans
advancing towards him driving the cames, imme-
diately charged them. Although they were twice
his number, taken completely by SURPRISE the Tur.
comans fed like geese leaving nearly 100 dead on
the neld most OF whom had fallen by the sharp
cimeters OF their brother Mussulmans. 1t was
kind OF hap-hazard contest, not requiring science
or tactical evolution. In fact, nothing OF this was
required during the whole OF the campaign;
for 1t was never possible TO know what
the Khiyans would do, because they never
did what they ought to have done.
The Russians compelled to ignore the ele-
mentary rules OF warfare and to gain victories by
committing what would be called the grossest mil
itary faults. Their whole military science was en-
braced in simply Keeping discipline marching
straight ahead ana protecting the camp from
ambuscades.
THE MARCH on KHrvA.