Karamirzey Massacre
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Karamirzey, Circassia
Karamirza Aliy| Karamirzey Massacre | |
|---|---|
| Laba Massacre | |
| Part of the Russo-Circassian War | |
 | |
| Location | 44°05′42″N 40°57′28″E / 44.09500°N 40.95778°E Karamirzey, Circassia |
| Date | 17 April [O.S. 5 April] 1825 |
| Deaths | 1.700+[1][2] Karamirza Aliy |
| Victims | Circassians |
| Perpetrators |  Imperial Russian Army
|
| Motive | Russian imperialism |
The Karamirzey Massacre, or the Laba Massacre, was the destruction of the Circassian village of Karamirzey by the Imperial Russian Army during the Russo-Circassian War. The Russian forces carried out looting, and arson.[1]
The destruction of the village and the massacre of its inhabitants, although similar to what was done to other Circassian villages, resonated strongly among the Circassians because it was the home of the renowned military commander Prince Karamirza Aliy Misost and was 7–8 times larger (at least 200-250 households, 300 families) than an average Circassian village.[1][3]
After Kabardia came fully under Russian control in 1822, Kabardian princes who refused to accept Russian rule migrated—mostly to Besleney territory in Western Circassia—along with their subjects and established new villages.[3] These Kabardians were named the Hajret Kabardians, referring to the Hijrah. On April 1, 1825, General Veliaminov ordered to attack the villages of the Hajret Kabardians who settled in the Besleney lands.[1] The main target of the campaign was Karamirzey (or Karamirzahable), the village of Hajret Kabardian Prince Karamirza Aliy.[1][4] Aliy was from the Misost dynasty, took part in the wars against the Russians and was a famous commander with prestige among the Circassians.[1][5][6] Karamirzey was located near Mount Akhmet and was established on the upper bank of the Laba River, at an elevation that was difficult to access.[1][3][7][8]
Veliaminov planned a secret and rapid attack to catch the village people unprepared. On the night of April 1, the Russian armies gathered at the Prochni Okop fortress and started the campaign. 3 infantry battalions crossed the Kuban River with 18 cannons and Cossack cavalry regiments. Circassian-origin Russian Colonel Bekovich's army crossed the Laba River, they spotted a herd of horses belonging to the Hajret Kabardians. The herder, who tried to drive the herd away, was captured. He was beaten during interrogation and admitted that the village was located 22 kilometers away.[1][8]
In order not to be noticed by the Beseney villages on the way, they crossed rough roads at night under the guidance of the herder. They passed through difficult terrain and reached the village near the evening of April 4. Bekovich's army had arrived in the village before the infantry support from Veliaminov had yet reached. According to the Russian report, Bekovich's army consisted of 2 regiments, a total of 350 Cossack soldiers.[5][1][8]
According to the writing of the Russian military historian Vasily Potto, if Bekovich retreated, he would encounter the Besleneys, if he tried to return quickly from the pass, he would suffer losses, and since there was a village in front of them that was awakening, he had to attack the village.[1][8] According to the Caucasian historian V. H. Kazharov, this writing of Potto is a justification attempt.[9]
At the midnight, a Besleney cavalryman named Krimzheriy Dokhushoqo, who was serving in Veliaminov's army, approached Karamirzey, his face covered to avoid recognition. He knocked on Aliy's window and said he needed to speak with him. Aliy went outside, and Dokhushoqo told him that despite he is serving to Russian army, he felt pity for the villagers and that the Russians would attack either today or tomorrow. After the Dokhushoqo left the village, Karamirza gathered the village council. During the meeting, Aliy acknowledged the warnings he had received multiple times in the past, all of which had turned out to be false. The village leaders reasoned that in order for the Russians to reach Karamirzey, they would have to pass through Besleney villages, and if they did, they would likely attack the Besleney villages first, allowing them to be alerted in advance. Karamirzey said that if an attack occurred and he died, he instruckted everyone to tell others that Dokhushoqo had warned them. Consequently, they decided not to abandon the village.[1][7] Despite the conclusion, Kabardians were worried and stayed awake through the night. However, when no attack came, they fell asleep at dawn.[1]
Dokhushoqo returned to Veliaminov's army and reported that the Kabardians had learned of the attack and left the village, and that there was nothing left to attack. General Veliaminov was skeptical of his report. Another Besleney, Ali Shagur (Shavogur in some sources), who was a guide to Veliaminov's army, told Veliaminov that Dokhushoqo was a traitor and a liar, and that he would go to the village and find out the truth. When Ali Shagur returned and reported that the villagers were in their place, Dokhushoqo was arrested and beheaded.[1][5] Veliaminov ordered Bekovich to surround the village from all corners until reinforcements arrived, and then Bekovich's army deployed inside the pine forest around the village (except for the cliff leading to the river).[1][5][8]