JANUARY 2014

132 Days to the Circassian Genocide 150th year Commemoration

Document 307

8 July 1864 – Letter from Vice Consul in Trabzon Moshanin to the Caucasian Army Chief of Staff Katsariov, about the difficulty of the situation of the Circassians and their desire to return, which is only possible if they convert to Christianity.
It is my duty to convey the message to your Excellency that includes the report of Dr Barutse concerning the Circassian issue, which is realistic to a large extent, although there is some exaggeration in the numbers of deaths. As with regard to the orders of local authorities it is an absolute fact.
Conditions of mountaineers become worse day by day, shortly before the Governor General received an order from Constantinople by telegraph to interrupt sending them to the capital and the need to keep them in Anatolia, the governor replied that the funds have been implemented, and he required to ...

133 Days to the Circassian Genocide 150th year Commemoration

Document 10

12 December 1804

Cossack Commander Bursak’s Mission to Shabsugia

On the 12th of December, when the rivers froze of severe cold, Bursak progressed again against the Shabsough. The task force crossed Obun River on the same date at night and hid all day between the forests and canes until the following night. The following night it snowed heavily and a severe storm struck to the extent that the spies strayed from the road several times. At eight on the morning of the 14th of December the task force approached the Shabsough houses. As the Shabsough were cautious they rushed to the forest. But Cossack horsemen chased them and a battle revolved. The Circassians were defeated and they lost more than 500 dead and 4 prisoners. The Russian task force robbed 50 head of cows and 2000 head of sheep, and burnt buildings, grain and ...

134 Days to the Circassian Genocide 150th year Commemoration

Document 6

In 1800 The campaign led by Major General Drashkevich

Major General Drashkevich, who was leading the entire mission, gave Bursak the news that on the 16th of May, he and his faction launched a campaign against the Circassians through the Temryuk lands and brought artillery across Tshorni(1). Bursak wrote to Drashkevich on May 28 that they had prepared 1500 Cossacks for the Zakuban(2) campaign against the mountaineers, and on the second of July he crossed the Kubna River through Ikatirinowsk station accompanied by a faction of 2005 men and began chasing the mountaineers.
The third faction consisted of two troops: the Cossacks troop and Likhner’s private cavalry troop which was led by the Black Sea troops Lieutenant Colonel Yermeyev. The military operations started, and on the fifth of June Bursak notified Drashkevich that in the early hours, the Cossacks ran into small groups of ...

135 Days to the Circassian Genocide 150th year Commemoration

Document 128

12 July 1860, a communiqué from Evdokimov to Orbeliani about providing information on the deportation proceedings and how it’s inappropriate to retain a single Kabardian of those who wish to leave to Turkey.

- Wishing to be able to have specific and comprehensive information as possible, about the situation that is currently in concern in which there is now a case of relocation of residents -entrusted to your district-to Turkey. I appeal to you and I deeply appreciate your informing me exactly on the number of families who recently proceeded to Turkey and whether there are still more wishing to leave together with the fanatics who will be uprooted and what are their numbers. I also think that it is my duty to request Your Excellency not to delay the departure of any of the natives who wish to leave urgently, and ...

136 Days to the Circassian Genocide 150th year Commemoration

Document 130

15 July 1860 – Military Order of the Minister of Russia, the assignment of the fourtypes of fortifications Neberdzhayskoe, Il’sky, Grigoriev and Hamketskoe

The Emperor has approved on the tenth of July, following the solicitation of Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasus front line, for the following names to be launched at the four forts that are under construction in the Kuban Territory:

1) In the land of Natkhowaj at 15 ferest distance from Karemskoi fortress at the entrance of Neprdjaysk narrow valley, will be called Fort Neberdzhayskoe.

2) In the land of Shabsough, on the River Ile, 30 Ferest from River Kuban, in the place of yempsehyaqo, and will be called Il’sky.

3) In the land of Shabsough also, on the Shepsh River, about 7 Ferest North of Fort Ivanova – previously Ashipskoy, and will be called Grigoriev.

4) In Hamket at the tops of Gubsa Psefira, ...