d Subtitle - NPS Publications - Naval Postgraduate School

ecame more popular. As a result of the heavy Russian
casualties Prince Shernejskev, the Russian War Minister,
was sent to the Caucasus to investigate. He ordered all
military action against Shamil to cease until a successful
strategy could be devised.
In 1843 Shamil went on the offensive and again
threatened Russian positions throughout the Caucasus.
Count Michael Vorontsov was appointed Viceroy of the
Caucasus by Tsar Nicholas in 1844. Vorontsov advocated
a policy of slow and steady encroachment on Shamil's terri-
tory, pacifying each area with a series of mutually supporting
forts with secure lines of communication between them. The
Tsar however pressured him for quick results and a disasterous
campaign was launched in May 1845. A force of 18,000 men
was sent into Chechnia to close with and destroy Shamil's
forces. The mountain soldiers of Shamil retreated without
contact and when Vorontsov retired his forces they struck
at his rear. When Vorontsov eventually reached Grozny he
48
had sustained losses of over 4,000 men. In 1846 Shamil
again went on the offensive and it appeared he would
militarily unite the eastern and western Circassian tribes
but this was prevented by General Frutag commanding the
line along the Sundja river.
48 Seton-Watson, p. 29J.
JJ