NARRATIVE
Reading edition
OF THE
CIRCASSIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE AGAINST RUSSIA.
BY
J. MILTON MACKIE,
AUTHOR OF "COSAS DE ESPAÑA"
BOSTON: BY JOHN P. JEWETT AND COMPANY. CLEVELAND, OHIO: JEWETT, PROCTOR AND WORTHINGTON. NEW YORK: SHELDON, LAMPORT AND BLAKEMAN.
1856.
PREFACE.
The principal authors who have recently written on Circassia are Bodenstedt, Moritz Wagner, Marlinski, Dubois de Montpéreux, Hommaire de Hell, Taillander, Marigny, Golovin, Bell, Longworth, Spencer, Knight, Cameron, Ditson; and from their pages chiefly has been filled the easel with the colors of which I have endeavored to paint the following picture of a career of heroism nowise inferior to that of the most famous champions of classical antiquity, of a war of independence such as may not improperly be compared with the most glorious struggles recorded in the annals of liberty, and of a state of society perhaps the most romantic and the most nearly resembling that described in the songs of Homer which the progress of civilization has now left for the admiration of mankind.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
The Land of Schamyl1
Its History5
The War with Russia11
His Birthplace 15
His Parents, Atalik, and Teacher20
His Early Education 24
His Horsemanship29
The Circassian Games34
His Love of Nature39
Hunting43
Camping Out48
In the White Mountains54
Songs60
Dances69
Festivals76
His Religious Education81
His Marriage87
Maids94
Wives101
Female Slave-Trade108
Form of Government115
Religious Belief122
Occupations128
Manners134
His Predecessors.—Mahomet-Mollah141
Khasi-Mollah147
Hamsad Bey156
Circassian Mode of Warfare161
Russian Mode of Warfare174
His Personal Appearance185
Becomes Imam, and Continues the War193
Issues Proclamations201
His Head-Quarters at Akhulgo207
The Siege of Akhulgo213
The Expedition against Dargo225
His Domestic Life238
Prince Woronzoff at Dargo251
Schamyl's Proclamation to the Kabardians262
His Invasion of the Kabardas276
His System of Government283
Recent Events293