Karyagin's Raid

Did You Know?

• Karyagin's detachment suffered 197 casualties in the first attack by 3,000 Persians on June 24.
• Karyagin received the Order of St. George and a golden sword personally from the tsar.

Background

In 1805, the Treaty of Kurakchay brought Karabakh under Russian control. Russia, engaged in the War of the Third Coalition in Europe, could not station large forces in the Caucasus. Iran planned to exploit this weakness and raised up to 100,000 troops to retake Karabakh. Pavel Tsitsianov formed two detachments, Lenevich and Karyagin, to counter the threat.

Campaign

Karyagin set out on June 21. Three days later, near Shah Bulakh, a Persian force of 3,000 attacked; the Russians repelled them but lost 197 men. On June 28, Abbas Mirza attacked with 15,000 soldiers. The Russians held for a day, though Lieutenant Lisenko and 32 men defected to the Persians. Further attacks were beaten back, with Russian deaths reaching 90. A small sortie seized Persian supplies, and the main body captured Shah Bulah castle, killing its garrison. Karyagin then bought time for Tsitsianov to gather troops and negotiate. The Russians slipped away at night; Persian advanced detachments were repelled. Karyagin reached Elisavetpol on July 22. Abbas Mirza, now commanding 30,000 men, attacked the remnants. Karyagin assembled 570 soldiers and defeated the Persians, securing Tiflis before linking with Tsitsianov.