its obstinacy; and now both the Western powers, without previously declaring war, have sent their fleets into the Black Sea, proclaiming their intention to protect the Turks, and to impede the free navigation of our vessels of war for the defence of our coasts. After a course of proceeding so unheard-of among civilised nations we recalled our embassies from England and France, and have broken off all political intercourse with those powers. Thus, England and France have sided with the enemies of Christianity against Russia combating for the orthodox faith. But Russia will not betray her holy mis sion; and, if enemies infringe her frontiers, we CHAPTER V. THE WAR IN ASIA; THE CAUCASUS; SCHAMYL, THE PROPHET AND HERO OF THE CAUCASUS; CAPTURE OF FORT ST. NICHOLAS; DEFEAT OF THE TURKS AT THE BATTLE OF AKHALTZIK; THREATENED HOSTILITIES WITH PERSIA. IN the last chapter, we mentioned that the] Turks had suffered a defeat at Akhaltzik, a few days before the lamentable destruction of a great part of their navy at Sinope. To prevent confusion, we merely referred to the event in that place; and now the reader must imagine a change of scene from Europe to Asia-from the banks of the Danube to the wild, mountainous regions of the Caucasus. First, of the country.-" The great range of the Caucasian Mountains," says a contemporary writer, "which forms one of the highest and most inaccessible regions of the globe, runs in a south-eastern direction. across the whole of that country which divides the Euxine and the Caspian seas. To the north of it lies the boundless steppes of Russia, extending from Astrachan to the Sea of Azoff; to the south the Turkish pashalics of Kars, Akhaltzik, and Erzeroum, and the Russian province of Georgia, bounded Accounts of the war in Asia against Russian aggression have reached us in a very confused and uncertain manner. The by the Araxes. The intermediate and region, also, is so remote from England, that very imperfect ideas are entertained concerning it. The country of Circassia, bordering on the Black Sea, is commonly supposed to be the theatre of the war; while it is really Daghestan, or that portion of the isthmus which extends along the west coast of the Caspian. Schamyl is spoken of as the native hero of the war; but, to most English readers, Schamyl, the "prophet and hero of the Caucasus," is little more than a name. It will be to the purpose to give some idea of him, the region he inhabits, and his struggles in unison with the Ottomans. It will possess a further interest from the fact that Schamyl and his patriotic mountaineers are the barrier which has prevented Russia from extending its enormous and increasing bulk in the direction of our Indian empire. mountainous regions of Circassia and Daghestan, have been, for twenty years, the scene of the gallant struggle carried on by Schamyl, and the tribes which follow his standard, against the Russians. Three roads connect the Transcaucasian provinces of Russia with the rest of the empire. The first winds along the coast of the Black Sea by Anapa, Ghelendjik, and Soucham Kaleh, till it enters Imeritia, and reaches the valley of the Kour, in which Teflis lies. The second follows the shore of the Caspian to Derbend, an extensive fortified position, which has, in all ages, been regarded as one of the gates of Asia, and was captured by Peter the Great when he first turned his arms against Persia. The third road passes from Mosdoz to Teflis by the valley of the Terek and the fortress of the Duriel, through one of the most terrific passes in the world. The rest of the Caucasian chain is supposed to be wholly impassable by an army, though, in the course of the Circassian war, its valleys have been explored in every direction, and the Russians have constructed numerous forts to keep the country in check. Of these roads, the first is insecure if the Russians have not the absolute command of the coast and of the Black Sea. The third is probably impracticable in winter. The second is liable to interruption by the Lesghian tribes of Daghestan, who are the mortal enemies of the Russians; but Derbend, though a bad port, may be reached by the steamers which the Russians alone possess on the Caspian Sea." are called Trans-Caucassia, and comprise the countries situated between Turkey, Persia, the Caspian and the Black seas. Such is the natural love of liberty of many of these mountain tribes, and so bravely do they fight for their independence, that some Russian military authorities have expressed an opinion, that peace will not be restored to the Caucasus until all the inhabitants are killed. We presume, that if the Russians had the power to carry out such an idea, they would have too much humanity to attempt it. However, it is not in their power; and the probability is, that it will become still less so. Russia can only support the semblance of her authority by keeping up an enormous military establishment, distributed over the whole line of frontier. Still, the mountainous and least accessible portion remains unsubdued; and for sixty years the hardy Daghestans and other tribes, have continued the contest against the gigantic power of the north. Of course they are incapable of meeting the Russian troops in open battle, and their efforts have been chiefly directed to the surprise of outlying posts and forts, and to sudden forays and inroads upon the neighbouring Russian territory. Year after year a part of the Russian force attack Schamyl and the other beys in their strongholds, and almost invariably with the same want of success. Protected by these grand natural defences of their land-the mountains-the patriots of the Caucasus permit the Russians to penetrate into defiles where discipline and order are unavailing, and from whence they are compelled to retreat with loss and disgrace. The mountain range of the Caucasus extends to about 750 miles in length, and from 65 to 150 in breadth. Mount Elburz, its highest peak, rises to an elevation of 17,796 feet. The Circassians give to it the name of Dshin Padishah, or Commander of the Genii. Many superstitions are connected with it; and tradition relates that Noah's ark first rested on Elburz before it reached Ararat, and that the mountain was cleft in two by its weight. The summits of the Caucasian chain are covered with perpetual ice and snow; but the climate of the valleys is warm and healthy, though parts of it are exposed to burning heats in the summer. According to Greek mythology, the Caucasus was the scene of one of its grandest fictions. It was there that Prometheus was bound, for having made a man of clay, and animated him with fire that he had stolen from heaven. The punishment of the Titan was to last for thirty thousand years, during which period a vulture was to be continually gnawing his liver, which, though constantly "Notwithstanding," says an interesting devoured, was never diminished. Prome- writer, "the length of time the Russians theus, it is said, endured this agony for thirty have been making war in that country, years, when he was delivered by Hercules, they are deplorably ignorant of the ground, who released him and killed his feathered and no opportunity has been allowed of tormentor. The Circassians and Georgians making a map of the country. No one has, are considered the finest types of the human as yet, penetrated into their glens, their family; and the Caucasian race is the name ravines and mountains; and the knowby which the white population, distributed ledge of the Russians is very limited indeed. over Europe, America, and part of Asia and They are, therefore, obliged to creep timidly Africa, is distinguished. Those portions of along, while the natives act with a complete the Caucasian region which are situated in knowledge of the locality. They fall sudEurope are called Cis-Caucasia, and com- denly and terribly upon the columns that prise the provinces of Caucasus, Circassia, are sent against them, whenever they have and Daghestan. The inhabitants of these the superiority in numbers and position, and countries are nominally subject to Russia; then as rapidly disappear amid the clefts of but most of the tribes maintain a constant the rocks. They often hide among the life-and-death struggle against her authority. stunted wood along the banks of the river, The Asiatic parts of this interesting region and from their place of concealment, attack sometimes the head of the Russian columns, and sometimes the rear, which they almost invariably destroy; or, with a precision that never misses, bring down the officers. They then fall back through places whither pursuit is hopeless. They often take up their position in the dense forests which serve as one of their principal defences. The Russians, before venturing to enter, send scouts and skirmishers in all directions; but no enemy is discovered. Then, believing that the coast is clear, they penetrate into the forest, and in an instant, as if by magic, every tree is alive with men. Showers of bullets pour from above and below, and before the enemy can recover from his confusion, his men fall in masses or fly. In truth, there is scarcely a tree, the crest of a hill, a defile, a crag, a stream in the Caucasus, which is not steeped in Russian blood. The mountaineers defend every inch of ground with indomitable obstinacy. It is a war without quarter; a war to the knife. On the grave of each Circassian that has fallen by a Russian bullet a mark is affixed, which is never removed until the brother, the father, or some more distant relative, avenges his death by that of an enemy. The pretended civilisation of the barbarians of the north has no charm for the mountaineers, and they are regardless of anything which would put in peril the independence they prize above existence." Russia will probably lose the Caucasus. The army at present required in the latter, to support the authority of the czar, is enormous. The troops there, and those in the adjoining country under the same command, were stated, by Prince Woronzoff, in conversation with an English officer who visited his camp, as amounting to 300,000 men. Allowing, says the reporter of this incident, for the exaggeration natural to a loose conversational estimate, we may probably safely conjecture them to number 250,000. For ourselves, we cannot say we are inclined to endorse this statement: it savours of that extravagance which has come to be regarded as a characteristic of Russian statistics. One Schamyl was born in the year 1797, at the little village of Himri, near the mountain-fortress of that name in Tchetchentzi, the central country of the Caucasian isthmus. He received a religious education, and in early youth conceived an enthusiastic admiration for the Koran. He was also distinguished for an unbending spirit; a serious dignified manner; a love of knowledge; and a proud ambition. A sort of mystic religion, based upon the Koran, had for some years gained ground in the Caucasus. It was derived from Persia: those who held it were called Sefations, or Attributists, and believed that it was possible for devout men to enter into direct communion with God. of its most distinguished preachers was For some years past, Prince Woronzoff, Kasi Mullah, who was regarded as a progovernor-general of the Caucasian province, phet. This man demanded unlimited faith and commander-in-chief of the Russian and obedience from his followers; from armies there, has contented himself with amongst whom he selected a few, who were confining the inhabitants of the unsubdued called Murids, who pledged themselves to territory within a strict cordon-within a die, if necessary, in the defence of their circle which has been growing gradually religion. Schamyl had been a pupil of this more and more narrow. Within that circle man, and became one of his most disthe spirit of the people, and their heroic tinguished Murids. Kasi Mullah was a devotion to independence, has been upheld patriot, as well as a religious man; and he, by the bravery and religious fanaticism of his Murids, and their forces, had thrown the great warrior and law-giver of the Cau- themselves into the mountain-fortress of casus, Schamyl; with whom, since the out- Himri, which they supposed inaccessible. break of the war with Russia, the Sultan of There they were besieged by the Russians, Turkey has wisely entered into an offensive under General Rosen, in the autumn of and defensive alliance. The sultan resolved 1832. After twenty-five days, the Russians to retaliate on the emperor by an attack took the last redoubt; Kasi Mullah and all on the Russian provinces in Asia. The his Murids perished save one, who conresult was, that a Turkish army of about trived to escape with a bayonet-stab, and a 70,000 men, was sent into Asia; the struggle bullet in his side. That one was Schamyl: between the sous of the mountains and their and when he again appeared at the head of would-be enslavers, was renewed with fresh his countrymen, he was looked upon almost vigour; and that which so long seemed as one raised from the dead. The patriots hopeless, may at length be crowned with he commanded regarded him as a special success. By grasping at Constantinople, | favourite of heaven; and he became the first of the Murids. His piety and bravery, until it was completely in his power, when added to the mystery attaching to him from the mountaineers suddenly dashed down other escapes from situations where death seemed inevitable, led to his appointment as successor to Hamsad Bey, the chief of the Murids and patriots of the Caucasus. upon it with surprising fury. The Russians, hemmed in and attacked on every side, nearly all perished. General Grabbe himself escaped with difficulty, accompanied So great was the reputation and daring by a miserable remnant of his dispirited of Schamyl, that the czar sent General men. The czar, in displeasure, recalled the Grabbe to the Caucasus, with orders to baffled general, and appointed another in pursue him wherever he might be. The his place. Schamyl, in return for the ingeneral attacked Schamyl in his strong juries inflicted on him and his adherents, retreat the fortress of Alkucho, which was invaded and ravaged Awaria, which was in described as a rock-nest, and supposed to alliance with Russia, and compelled a Rusbe inaccessible. The siege lasted for four sian garrison there to surrender at discremonths; and, after the shedding of much tion. A body of troops had been sent to Russian blood the fort was taken. The its relief; but Schamyl, hearing of their Russians, who were in the proportion of approach, waylaid them and massacred thirty to one, murdered every person they every man. General Kluke then arrived found, not sparing even women or children. They then eagerly turned over the ghastly and blood-dripping bodies, in search of the corpse of Schamyl. It was in vain; for, in some mysterious way, the patriot had escaped. Schamyl and a few faithful Murids had retired to a large cave in the side of a neighbouring mountain, at the foot of which ran a river. In a little while the Russians were upon their track, and death from the sword, or from starvation, seemed inevitable. In this position the Murids resolved to put their doctrine in practice, and lay down their lives to save that of their prophet. Accordingly, they lashed together the trunks of some trees so as to form a raft, and then launched themselves upon the stream. The Russians soon perceived the devoted little party of patriots, and called out, "There is Schamyl!" Hurried orders were given; a party of mounted Cossacks dashed into the river, reached the raft, and massacred every one upon it. Returning from this work of butchery, they exulted in the thought that at last the orders of the czar were obeyed, and Schamyl was no more. They were deceived: while the attention of the Russians had been fixed upon the raft, the hero plunged into the river unobserved, swam across, and soon disappeared among the mountains on the opposite side. Schamyl retired to Dargo, a town and fortress situated in the midst of steep rocks, on the top of a mountain, to which there is no approach except by tortuous defiles and through immense forests. Again General Grabbe pursued him, bent upon the destruction of the patriot. Schamyl permitted the Russian force to approach Dargo unmolested in Awaria with a force thrice as great as that of Schamyl; but the latter encountered and utterly defeated him. After the Russians had suffered many other reverses from the brave mountaineers, Prince Woronzoff was appointed commander-in-chief of the Caucasus, and adopted a different policy for the subjection of Schamyl and his hardy patriots. To an interesting little work, entitled Schamyl and Circassia, by Dr. Friedrich Wagner, we are indebted for the following description of the appearance and manners of this famous mountain-chief: "Schamyl is also the worthy head of the fiery sect whose prophet he has been chosen. He is of middle growth, fair, almost redhaired—especially in his beard, where there are also a few grey hairs,-has grey eyes, a well-formed nose, and a little mouth. A marble calmness, which least deserts him in the hour of danger, governs his whole behaviour; and his speech is totally free from excitement, whether conversing with friend, foe, or traitor. He is convinced that his actions are direct inspirations of God: he eats little, drinks water only, sleeps but few hours, and passes all his leisure time in reading the Koran, and in prayer; but when he speaks, he has, so says Berek Bey, the poet of Daghestan,— "Lightnings in his eye, and on his lip, flowers.' "He is, in fact, master in the highest degree of that Oriental eloquence which is so fitted to rouse the sleeping souls of the faithful; and he manages to outbid the Russian generals in their metaphorical language. If the Russians say that they are numerous as the sands of the sea, Schamyl surances. I will come with bloody footsteps; desolation and fear shall follow and precede my hosts; for what the might of eloquence may not do, shall be effected with the edge of the sword.' "The Kabardians, however, more terrified at the Russians than at Schamyl, remained unmoved, notwithstanding this proclamation; and when Achwerdu Mahommed, Schamyl's general, entered the country, he was killed by one of the Russianized tribes. Schamyl kept his word, left the Russian forts alone, and fell upon their auls with fire and sword. More than sixty villages of the Kabardah were burnt, and he carried off an immense booty, together with a considerable number of prisoners. Schamyl resided in the little fortress of Achulko, where he had himself a European house of two stories, constructed by Russian deserters and prisoners. At first his government was so poor, that the soldiers had to supply him with the means of existence; and yet religious enthusiasm had rendered him powerful as if he had possessed tons of gold. His slightest word was sufficient, and his Murids were ready to go to the death for him. None of the chiefs of Daghestan before his time had wielded such authority. Even Sheikh Mansoor, who carried the standard of revolt through the whole of Circassia-the mighty hero, the high-minded sower in the fertile field of faith-was only a famous and dreaded warrior; but Schamyl is not only general and sultan of the Tshetshenzes, but also their prophet; and since 1834, Daghestan's war-cry is:-Mohammed was Allah's first prophet; Schamyl is His second.'" as replies that the Circassians are the waves that wash away the sands. In his proclamation to the warriors of both Kabardahs, he says: Believe not that God favours the greater number; God stands arrayed in the cause of the good; and the number of the good is less than that of the wicked. Look around and behold proof everywhere of what I tell you. Are there not fewer roses than weeds? Is there not more mud than there are pearls-are there not many more vermin than useful animals? Is not gold rarer than less noble metals? And are we not of more account than gold and roses, than pearls and horses, and all the useful animals upon the earth?-For all the treasures of the earth are perishable, while to us an eternal life is reserved. But, if there be more weeds than roses, shall we, instead of rooting them up, wait until they have overgrown and destroyed the nobler flowers? And if our enemies be more numerous than are we, is it a wise thing in us to be snared in their nets? Say not: our enemies have overcome Tsherkey, stormed Achulko, and conquered the land of Awaria! If the lightning strike a tree, do the other trees bow their heads in fear, lest they also should be stricken? O ye of little faith! follow the counsel which the trees of the forest give you, that would shame you if they had the gift of language and could speak! And if one fruit is eaten by worms, do the rest of the fruits putrify in fear, lest they should also be food for the worms? Therefore, be not afraid in that the unfaithful so rapidly multiply, and ever bring new warriors to the battle-field to replace those whom we have destroyed. For I say unto you, a thousand poisonous things When, in 1845, Prince Woronzoff was shoot up out of the earth ere a single good appointed by the Emperor Nicholas to be tree reaches maturity. I am the root of commander-in-chief of the Russian armies. the tree of liberty; the Murids are the in the Caucasus, he found Schamyl no trunk; and ye are the branches. But believe not that the withering of one branch will cause the destruction of the entire tree! God will cut off the foul branches, and cast them into the flames of destruction. Therefore, return ye sorrowfully, and place yourselves among those who fight for our faith, and ye will obtain my favour, and I will be your shield. But if ye continue to give more belief to the deceitful words of the infidels than ye do to my speech, I will do that which Kasi Mohammed formerly had it in his mind to do. My bands will overwhelm your villages like a storm-cloud, to compel that which you deny to my friendly as longer chief of a few small tribes only, but ruler over a whole nation. His bravery as a warrior, his eloquence as a preacher, his wisdom as a lawgiver, and his reputation as a prophet, enabled him to found a sort of barbarous monarchy among the rude sons. of the mountains. Various tribes and races united under his rule in the cause of their religion and liberty. His income, at first derived from the plunder of his enemies, was at length raised in a more legitimate way by taxes levied on his people. He has a thousand picked soldiers for his bodyguard, and never leaves his dwelling without being followed by a train of five hundred men. |