Campaigns of Shymkent
Two Russian campaigns against Shymkent in 1864, the second successful.
The first attempt to besiege the city failed after ten days of daily battles, forcing a Russian withdrawal. A second campaign succeeded in capturing Shymkent, opening the way for further Russian expansion toward Tashkent.
Quick Facts
- Conflict
- Battle of Shymkent
- Location
- Shymkent
- Part of
- Russian conquest of Central Asia
- Date
- First campaign: 22 July; Second campaign: 14–22 September, 1864
- Result
- First Battle: Russian Retreat; Second Battle: Russian victory
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- During the first campaign, the Qing Dynasty supported the Russians against the Kyrgyz.
- After strengthening Shymkent's defenses, Mullah Alimkul put Mirza-Ahmet in charge of Tashkent and went to Kokand with the Kokand army.
First Battle
Chernyaev's expedition aimed to reconnoiter the citadel and prepare a siege, but upon approaching the city he found himself surrounded by a Kokand army of 25,000. He quickly formed a square and set up artillery. The Kokandans launched two attacks; the first was the largest and most dangerous, with shouts and noise that threatened to break the Russian formation, but artillery fire and Cossack counterattacks repelled it with heavy Kokand losses. A second, less determined attack three hours later also failed, forcing the Kokandans to retreat with up to 3,000 killed. Despite this success, Chernyaev withdrew due to lack of equipment and the enemy's strong garrison.
More in 19th-century Military History of the Russian Empire
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