Year: 1873




numbly. The Colonel told them what We were
alter to which they replied ..that they were in .
very difcult position; tnat if>hey solo supplies 20
the Russians che Khan would cut on their heads.
and n they ala not the Russians would piilage
them" The Colonel told them to take whatever
they had to Sell to che camp, and that as the Rus
slams were Immediately going to occupy the
country he would see that they were protected.
They promised to obey, ana we advanced to the
next house, where the same Scene was repeated.


0KNrLR wARFARE


We only found q few houses deserted, but we did
not pilage them; indeed there was nothing to
piage, II we had wished. as there rarely remained
anything but the bare walls The Cossacks spread
themselves about through the country on each side
Of the road foraging. while the infantry marched
forward to reconnoitre. The country was most ad-
miraby adapted to defence and, if the Khivans
had known how to defend 1t, they might have made
formidable resistance. Every few rods there was
bridge. which might have been de-
stroyed, aud there were walls, hedges and
ditches clumps OF trees and houses in
such . grand number in which masses OF
men might have found cover and protection
that our cavalry would have been useless. and
would have reduced our artillery, IS well as
breech leaders. to level with that Of the Khivans
Their heavy brass pieces, charged to the muzzle
with slugs and iron, would have been quite as
effective at short range as the Russian Shells
Every house was fortress whose walls would
have to be battered down and stormed, with loss
to the Russians and little or none to the defenders
who could easily escape in time to avoid collision
with the bayoner The Russians would, Of course
have overcome every obstacle after fight and
smaller or greater loss; but they were. after ALL
comparatively few. while the Khvans were nu-
merous, ana war Of this kind carried on for few
days would have so reduced them that they
wdnd have been unable to take advantage OF their
victory.


MARCH AND NOT A CONFLICT.


But the Kaivans showed neither inclination nor
capacity for sefdeience, ana the Russian march
was almost unmolested. Our little column moved
forward through green fields or beautiful wheat,
jooeeric, rice and barley, which were in most
dourishing state. The road, which was very
crooked and tortuous, was lined sometimes with
mulberry trees from which the soldiers pucked the
ripe fruit in passing sometimes shut in by huge
mud walls, over which the branches of the apricot
trees hung in rich proiusion, bounded on either
side by deep canals with high banks. covered with
verdure, and full Of running water, and again
shaded by giant eims, whose thick cool shade fell
across the road in dark blotches. As 1t rarely
rains here the road was very dusty, and we raised
a cloud OF dust which rose high, making our
march visible for long distance and ominous to
she Khiyans Of approaching misfortune.


THE ENEMY IN SIGHT.


At length, after we had gone about six miles, we
commenced seeing signs OF the enemy. We began
to come upon abandoned houses in great number,
which their owners had been forced to desert by
the Knan's troops, and now and then horseman
would start out from behind wall and scurry Off
along the road, comet-like, leaving train Of dust
after him. At last the horseMsn began TO appear
more numerous and Yetommcnced to catch Gimp
ses Of them through the trees, galloping through
the gardens on either side OF Our skirmish line
was thrown out, and almost Immediately the
sharp, ringing report OF the rife broke on the still
afternoon air. The silence which had reigned
until then was instantly broken shouts and cries
were heard all around US, coming apparently rom
thousands or thr0ats and the firing on the skir-
mish line grew lively and rapid Before us the skir-
misners. dodging forward, sheltering themselves
behind trees walls or whatever else they found in
their way, firing their pieces at every opportunity,
and reloading and firing again; the Turcoman
cavalry, glimpses Of which we could catch scurry-
ing through the trees, with their tall hats and
beautiful horses in groups OF 10 or 20, while the
whole country for miles around seemed to resound
with their wild cries. To Judge by this latter nd.
cation one would have thought we were sur
rounded by thousands OF the enemy. l expected
we would be fired upon from behind the walls and
embankments; but If they had even had any such
design which is doubtful, they were easily driven
out OF their ambuscades by the sKrmishers and
the column steadily continued It's march. This
continued for about three miles.


A sKIRMIsH.


At last we came upon an open space or ground
about half mile wide, across which the road led
on very narrow embankment Beyond were
more trees, gardens and houses, and there massed
to the number Of several thousands, was the
enemy apparently waiting to give MS battle. They
were firing their ialconnettes. as the Russians
called them-a kind Of heavy matchbox. Some OF
these faiconnettes were mounted on wheels, like
q cannon. four and five together, and when fired ut
once produced something OF the effect OF mitra
leuse and were capable OF doing considerable ex-
ecution at short range. They too far Oh, how
ever to do US any harm. Our two little pieces 0fart
lery were brought forward and commenced throw
ing Shells Two or three exploded among them,
seeming to do considerable damage, as they scat
tered in every direction, but they took shelter be-
hind the walls and seemed disposed to stand their
ground, without, however, showing any disposition
to retreat Many an Officer in the place OF Colonel
Cherkovsky would probably have attacked at all
hazards; Dut our force was very small too small
to take by storm the fortress and town OF Hazar
Asp which we knew must be near, and battle
here would only have caused the loss OF men with
out any SUFFICIENT object. The Colonel had already
sent back word that he had engaged the enemy,
with a request for reinforcements, and he con-
cuded to await further orders before taking such
hazardous step. We, therefore, stood in front OF
each other for nearly hour, while continual
fire was Kept up along the sktrmish line. We were
in continual expectation OF their artillery opening
upon US, and at that distance not only
small shot, but sugs and stones fred
from their pieces might easily have reached us !;
but either because they were afraid OF our captur-
ing 1t or because they had confidence In IL they
did not bring II forward After waiting here about
an hour, and no reinlorcements arriving we COM
menccd retiring. The Khivans were Immediately
after u.s. and followed closely that the rear
guard was kept continually engaged. Several Of
the enemy were seen TO fall, bus we're Immediately