MacGahan, J A. Campaigning on the Oxus, and the Fall of Khiva. Harper and Brothers, 1874. reprinted by Arno Press, 1970.

Large Map of Khiva area (slow: 158K)

By the time Kaufmann and the Russians reach Khiva they had been on half rations for a month. Kaufmann promised not to destroy the city if they would open their gates which they did and the Russian soldiers responded by purchasing everything they could eat for three to four times its worth. They did not sack the city.

183-184

"We had been three days at Shiek-Arik when suddenly the Khivans ceased bringing in provisions. As this was the only dependence the army had for food, it became necessary to take active measures for procurring supplies, and Kaufmann prepared to put his threat of foraging into execution. It appeared that the troops of the Khan, having recovered from their fright (of the Russians) had returned to the neighbourhood, and threatened with death anybody who should bring in supplies to the Russians.

"Kaufmann sent out a reconnoitring and foraging party, under the command of Colonel Cherkovsky, consisting of 300 infantry, two little four-pounders, and 250 cossacks. The latter were to forage, but not to take anything by force which could be had for money. They had permission to pillage any abandoned houses they might find, and the officer in command was to inform the inhabitants that if they did not immediately bring in supplies for money, he would send and take them for nothing. The infantry were to advance into the country, reconnoitre the ground, and endeavor to find and feel the enemy.

"We marched out of camp about noon ... Up to this point we had seen little of Khiva and the Khivans; for the right bank of the river was uninhabited here, and the gardens on the left bank did not quite extend to the river. We had seen nothing, therefore, but the still and silent trees that seemed to hide the secrets of the place so mysteriously...After crossing the short space of country between them and us, which was cut up in every direction by canals, we passed over a bridge that spanned a deep and narrow ditch; and, advancing along a broad, well-kept, but dusty road, soon found ourselves among the trees in the mysterious confines of Khiva...battlemented walls of houses and farmyards peeping out from among the trees."

185

This part of the country is inhabited by Uzbegs. Their houses and farmyards are inclosed by heavy walls, from fifteen to twenty feet high, strengthened with buttresses and strong corner towers. The entrance is through an arched and covered gateway, closing with a very heavy wooden gate. Built on the same rectangular plan, from twenty-five to seventy-five yards square, each farmhouse is a little fortress in itself...The walls are composed of mud, but of a kind that gets comparatively hard. It is not worked up into small bricks...but into huge blocks like granite, three or four feet square, and as many thick. Within the inclosure are contained the stables for horse, cattle, sheep, and all the live stock, as well as the dwelling of the inhabitants. Near the dwelling is always a little pool of clean water, thirty or forty feet square, shaded by three or four large elms.

186-187

"We rode into the first farmhouse we came to...The Colonel told them we were in search of provisions, and required to know why they had ceased bringing in supplies. To this they replied, that the Khan had threatened to cut off their heads if they sold anything to the Russians. The Colonel told them to take whatever they had to sell to the camp, and he would see that they were protected.

"We found a few houses deserted, but did not pillage them; indeed there was nothing to pillage...as there remained nothing but the bare walls. The Cossacks meanwhile spread themselves about through the country on each side of the road for the purpose of foraging, while the infantry marched forward to reconnoitre.

"The country was most admirably adapted for defence; and if the Khivans had know how to avail themselves of its advantages, they might have made a formidable resistance. Every few yards there was a bridge, which ought to have been destroyed. Everywhere there were walls, hedges and ditches, clumps of trees, and houses in great numbers, in which masses of men might have found cover and protection. Our cavalry, would have been practically useless; our artillery as well as breech-loaders reduced to equality with those of the enemy; while their heavy brass pieces, charged to the muzzle with slugs and iron, would have been quite effective at short range as the Russian shells. Every house was a fortress, whose walls would have to be battered down And stormed, with loss to the Russians, and little or none to the defenders...

"But the Khivans showed neither inclination nor capacity for self-defence, and the Russian march was almost unopposed...

"At length, after we had advanced about six miles, we began to see signs of the enemy. First we came upon abandoned houses in great number, whose owners had been forced to fly by the Khan's troops. The a horseman would start out from behind a wall, and scurry off along the road...

188-189 "

At last cavalry began to appear in numbers, and we caught glimpses of them through the trees, galloping among the gardens on either side of us.

"Our skirmish line was thrown out, and almost immediately the sharp ringing report of the rifle broke on the still afternoon air. The silence which had reigned until then was instantly disturbed. Shouts and cries were heard all around us, coming apparetnly from thousands of throats, and the firing on the skirmish line grew lively. The skirmishers dodged forward, sheltering themselves behind trees, walls, or whatever else they found in their way, and firing their pieces at every opportunity. We could catch glimpses of the Turcoman cavalry scurrying through the trees, with their tall hats and beautiful horses, in groups of fifteen or twenty, while the whole country for miles around seemed to re-echo their wild cries. To judge from the noise, one would have thought we were surrounded by thousands of the enemy. I expected we should be fired upon from behind the walls and embankments; but if they had ever had any such designs, they were forced to relinquish them by the skirmishers, and the column steadily continued its march. This went on for about three miles.

"At last we came upon an open space of ground, about half a mile wide, across which the road led on a very narrow causeway. Beyond were more trees, gardens, and houses, and there, massed to the number of sveral thousand, were the enemy, apparently waiting to give us battle. They were firing their falconnettes, as the Russians call them -- a kind of heavy matchlock. Some of these falconnettes were mounted on wheels, like a canon, four and five together, and when fired at once reminded one somewhat of a mitrailleuse. They were capable of doing considerable execution, too, at short range; but were too far off now, however to do us any harm.

"Our little pieces of artillery were brought forward, and commenced throwing shells. Two or three exploded among the Khivans who scattered in every direction. Then they took shelter behind the walls and seemed disposed to stand their ground, without, however, showing any disposition to attack...The Colonel had already sent back word that he had engaged the enemy, and that he wanted reinforcements; and he concluded to await orders before taking any further steps.

"The two armies, therefore, stood confronting each other for nearly an hour, keeping up a lively fire the while on the skirmish lines. I was astonished that the enemy did not open upon us with their artillery, as at that distance, not only small shot, but slugs and stones fired from their pieces might proved very effective; but either because they were afraid of our capturing their pieces, or because they had no confidence in them, they did not bring them forward. As it was now growing late in the afternoon, and we were some six miles from camp, Colonel Cherkovsky thought it prudent to retire. The Khivans were immediately after us, and followed so closely, that the rear-guard was kept continually engaged. Several of them were seen to fall, but were immediately picked up and carried off by their comrades. We were fired upon once from a house on the side of the road, and an officer was so severely wounded that he afterwards died -- the only loss we sustained during the day."

Halfway back to camp they were met by Grand Duke Nicholas with reinforcements.

More Part 2: Russia in Asia

Kaufmann and Supplies
Surrender of Hazar-Asp Fortress
Col. Markosoff's Expedition
Gen. Verevkin's March to the Capital
Fort Siting
Large Map of Khiva area (slow: 158K)

Part 1: Russia in Asia (in Heliograph #102)

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