SCHAMIL, THE LEADER OF THE CIRCASSIANS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 907, 12 April 1854, Page 4

SCHAMIL, THE LEADER OF THE CIRCASSIANS.

It is almost certain that the Circassians will take an active part in any war accepted by Turkty against Russia, and it is as certain that in sucb an event we should bear of daiiDg exploits

on the part of Schamil, their bravt chief. We hare every reason to believe that Schamil has succeeJeilin bringing about a defensive union between all the tribes of the Caucasus, and that he possesses their -unrestricted confidence. Some accounts represent him as-being almost an idol, ■ and the people as imagining him to have a charmed life. Their enthusiasm, indeed, may well hare been stirred by Ms past career. The first time we bear of Schamil is in 1832. In that year, a devout Mussulman, Kasi-Mollah held a chief command in the bands cf Lesghians, Tcbetchentzes, and ether tribes of the Eastern chain and the steppes abutting on the Caspian and traver&ed by the { Kuisn. *Kasi-Mollah's reputation for sanctity was greater tbao that which he acquired for the higher military qualities, although a dashing leader, and individually one df the bravest of the brave. He was brought to bay in 1832 by General Rosen, at a place called Gururi. Eucircled on all sides, almost the last scrap of food devoured, nothing remained in the opinion of Kasi-Mollah and about thirty of bis most zealous disciples, but to htw for themselves a path through the Russian bayonets, to freedom or to Paradise — either alternative a welceme cue. This resolution finally taken, they suddenly emerged from the fastness they could no longer hold, and burst upon the Russian troops with the shock of an avalanche, and the furious discord and yells of a troop of madmen. For one or two brief moments, it -seemed that they must escape, so far through the beleaguering circle of their foes did they cleave their desperate way, before the momently-recoiling ranks reclosed around them, and they fell by twos and threes, while fighting to the last, riddled by musket-halls and bayonet stabs. Kasi-Mollah " died with his band on bis beard, and a last prayer murmuiing from his lips V' anu " his pupils perished with him, ■ all save one, and he the bravest and fiercest of them all, who broke through the encircling bay- | onets dashed at headlong speed past the distant lines of running fire unharmed — reined suddenly up as he reached the angle of a mountain gorge, into which he knew none dared to follow, shook bis red scimitar, and hurried a defiant execration in the facts of his baffled foes, and the next moment, with an exulting shout of " Allah ! II Allah !" disappeared in the dark mountain-pass. This fortunate horseman was Schami], the future 1 Imam (preacher), the prophet-soldier of the Caucasus, whose escape, as just described, many of his followers to this day firmly believe, was due to the direct interposition of the angel Gabriel ! Schamil, who is one of the dark-eyed, darkhaired, partly Tartar race of Tchetcbentzes, was born at Tschirskei, a place of about 300 inhabitants ; and after his escape from Gumri, he employed several years in perambulating the mountains of the Lesghian chain, preaching wherever he went with fervid eloquence upon the sacred duty, devolved by God, upon all true bel'evers to estirpate the intrusive infidel, and the paradisal rewards which death in so high and holy a cause | must infallibly insure. This prophet call, as it was deemed, to battle from the cupolas and mina- ' rets of the sublime and towering Alps, gradually kindled the latent fanaticism of the mountaineers to a flame, which soon communicated itself to the dwellerain the cities and steppes of Daghistan, and the adjacent valleys and plains. "The story of Schamil's miraculous escape from General Rosen, by favour of tke archangel Gabriel, was repeated from mouth to mouth with endless variations and additions — his daring, skill, and success as a soldier confirmed the illusions of a credulous bigotry ; and he gradually diew around his standard, and bent te his sway, the multitude of rugged warriors whose swords haTe inscribed so many victories upon the backs of the Russian armies, an>l to this hour present an invincible front to their dismayed, and practically discomfited adversaries. Many well authenticated instances of his daring are related in a number of -Chambers's excellent Repository, published some months since. One or two of these may interest the reader at this juncture.— In 1840, Schamil found himself surrounded by General Grabbe, and 12,000 veteran Russian troops, at Achulko, a kind of mud encampment perched upon the top of a rock on the banks of the Koisu. The position of this place was so Rtrong, that the attempt to storm it was abandoned after the loss of 1500 men, but Schamil had sooti a deadlier foe than General Grabbe end his army to contend with — hunger : hunger, verging upon famine, came before a week had passed. This was known in the Russian camp : and the place having been strictly invested on all sides, it was certain that the hour of surrender could not be long delayed :—: — " On the last day but one of August, General Grabbe learneiJ, from an emaciated Lesgbian, whom his soldiers had caught whilst attempting to crawl past the blockading lines, that not a particle of food was left in Achulko ; that Srhamil Bey proposed to escape that very night, with one or two chosen comrades, by means of a rope lowered down the face of 8 rock to the Koisu : and Acbulko, he added,- would be surrendered immediately afterwards. A strict watch was immediately ordered to be kept at the indicated spot, and directions were given to awaken the general at whatever hour of the night the capture of the redoubted Schamil might be effected. Just before dawn, one — two — three men were seen to cautiously descend by a rope, let gently down by the river side, as predicted, who were of course instantly Becured, and hurried off to the general's tent. One of the captives admitted, in tbe flurry of surprise, as was supposed, that he was Schamil j and this was confirmed by the Lesghian, through whose information the important prize had been secured. General Grabbe was delighted ; and an estqfette was forthwith despatched with the tidings that the notorious rebel, Schamil Bey, had been caught, and ordered to be shot out of the hand. Whilst all this was going on, the rope which had been quietly drawn up again, was once more lowered, and this time only one man descended by it, who reached tbe river unobserved, leaping upon a raft that just at th*s critical movement swept by ; and the too hasty exultant Russian general was aroused to a knowledge of the trick that had been played him, by sbouts of ' Schamil ! Schamil !' from the mudwall of Achulko, m exulting reply to the waving of a small green flag by the true Scbamil, as he swept down the swift Koisu in the dawning of tbe sun-light, presently to find himself amidst hills and among friends, that would render successful pursuit, if attempted, hopeless — impossible I Acbulko sunendered at discretion ; the huts were burned ; and General

Grabbe retraced his steps in very angTy mood, which a daring attack upon his rear-guard, by the übiquitous and indefatigable Scharail.at the head of a large body of horsemen, exasperated to fury. The Imam was beated off with some difficulty ; and the victorious general's march was sullenly resumed, and concluded without further molestation. 1