Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 146 Bad News on Multiple Fronts
Vorontsov, upon learning of the Iranian capture of Gyumri and the killing or capture of 8 soldiers in Tbilisi, fainted again. This further aggravated his already ailing health.

Moreover, because he placed most of his elite troops in Gyumri, the defenders in the Baku area suffered even greater losses from the Iranian army. The garrison in the Baku region numbered less than 40,000. Furthermore, some officers, seeking higher pay, falsely reported troop numbers, resulting in an inflated troop count, a weakness that became apparent during the battle.

Meanwhile, anti-Russian demonstrations erupted in Baku and other areas, and Iranian troops advanced rapidly, finally entering Baku in early August.

The local people welcomed the arrival of the Iranian army, and Baku returned to Iran's embrace after being forcibly incorporated into Russian rule for more than 20 years.

The outcome of the Battle of Gyumri was reported back to Tehran by war correspondents and published in major newspapers, making the whole country aware of the Russian army's crushing defeat. Britain and France also learned of the frontline news through newspapers and had their important newspapers publish the reports.

The Times reported that the Battle of Gyumri was a disastrous defeat for the Russian army in the Caucasus, shattering the myth of Russian military might since the Napoleonic Wars and boosting morale at the front.

This made Downing Street realize that Iran was a country worth courting; if Iran were appropriately strengthened, India could avoid Russian attacks. Palmerston proposed aiding Iran in the same way that aid was given to Russia during the Napoleonic Wars, a proposal that received unanimous cabinet approval.

Not only Britain, but France is also preparing to improve its relations with Iran. Having more friends is never a bad thing.

But Russia was in a bad situation. The loss of 80,000 troops was unprecedented. Nicholas I was so angry that he smashed things in the palace, even breaking one of his favorite porcelain pieces.

But with things already done, the Tsar could only order continued conscription, sending 30 soldiers south to the Caucasus. He also ordered Vorontsov to hold the remaining territory, or else face the gallows.

But now the Caucasus region is in chaos, with pagan uprisings in the north disrupting local order. Sixteen thousand Circassians successfully broke out, burning everything in their path as they marched south. The Russian army relentlessly pursued and intercepted them, but nothing could deter their determination.

Before leaving, Muhammad delivered a mobilization speech, saying that if they did not break free from the control of Tsarist Russia, young soldiers would continue to die in war, their families would become slaves, and the nation would have no hope. This mobilization ignited the flames of hope in the people's pursuit of a brighter future.

Amidst roars of fury, the Circassians set out in droves, with elders leading the way by setting their own homes ablaze. The entire village was reduced to ashes, a desperate act demonstrating their resolve to break away from Tsarist Russia.

Meanwhile, the Ottoman army, together with British and French forces, moved north.

Russians along the coast fled in panic, followed closely by Greeks. The roads were crammed with civilians, vehicles, and livestock fleeing north. Menshkov, caught off guard by the arrival of the Anglo-French forces, had not anticipated an attack with winter approaching and therefore failed to mobilize troops in time to defend Crimea. The Russian army had 38,000 soldiers and 18,000 sailors along the southwestern coast, and approximately 12,000 troops in Kerch and Siodosia. In the minds of the terrified inhabitants, this force was far outnumbered by the invaders, while Simferopol was defended by only one battalion.

September 14th marked the anniversary of the French entry into Moscow in 1812. On this day, the Allied fleet anchored in Karamita Bay. Meanwhile, on the Alma Heights to the south, Menshkov deployed his main force to block the Allied advance southward towards Sevastopol.

The French army landed first. After the advance troops rushed onto the beach, they set up tents of different colors at fixed intervals. By nightfall, all the French troops and their artillery had landed.

Compared to the French, the British landing was chaotic. Because they assumed resistance would be inevitable, the British hadn't devised a plan for an uncontested landing. The infantry landed first, when the sea was still calm. However, by the time the cavalry landed, the waves had become large, forcing the horses to struggle in the rough seas.

It took the British five days to finally get all their infantry and cavalry ashore. Many soldiers had to be carried off the ships due to cholera. Lacking tools for transporting baggage and equipment, they had to requisition carts and wheelbarrows from local Tatar farms. The soldiers carried only three days' worth of rations issued in Varna, with no food or water. Because their tents and backpacks had not yet been unloaded from the ships, the British soldiers spent the first few days without shelter, suffering from torrential rain at night and scorching heat during the day.

Menshkov's strategy was to commit his main forces to defend the Alma Heights, as this would be the last natural barrier to protect Sevastopol.

The road to Sevastopol crosses the Alma River four kilometers from the coast. On the high points along the road, the Russian army positioned its heaviest artillery on a series of gun emplacements. However, no artillery was placed on the cliffs facing the sea. Menshkov believed that the cliffs there were too steep for the enemy to climb.

To make themselves more comfortable, the Russian soldiers stationed at the fort drove away the Tatar residents from the nearby village. They carried the villagers' beds, doors, planks, and even some branches back to the high ground to build themselves makeshift wooden huts. Inside, they ate all the grapes they had looted from the village. They also stuffed the villagers' houses with straw, preparing to burn them down when the enemy arrived.

Russian commanders believed they could hold out for at least a week, with Menshkov even assuring the Tsar they could hold out for six weeks, buying valuable time to reinforce Sevastopol's defenses and dragging the war into winter, a harsh winter that had always been the Russian army's best weapon against invaders. Many officers believed victory was in sight and mocked the British for only being able to show off against the barbarians of the colony.

They also toasted to their victory in 1812, declaring they would drive the French back to the sea. Menshkov's confidence was at its peak; he even invited socialites from Sevastopol to the Alma Heights to witness the battle.

Almost none of them had ever fought against the British and French armies. Seeing the enemy fleet anchored nearby, its guns ready to support the ground forces, some Russian soldiers realized they were facing an army far superior to their own. Most senior officers could rally themselves with memories of fighting Napoleon's army, but the soldiers who would actually face the enemy were mostly young and inexperienced.

(End of this chapter)