ABSTRACT
With the advent of Count Tormàzoff, Goudóvitch’s successor, in April 1809, the Russian position improved. Poti, for the first time, was captured by a brilliant feat of arms, the hero of which, Prince Orbeliani, was one of the many Georgians of illustrious family who devoted their valour and talents whole-heartedly to the service of Russia. Moreover, Tsar Solomon was deposed and Imeritia finally annexed; while Gouria and Abkhasia, with Soukhoum Kalé, voluntarily joined their fate to that of Russia, thus completing the unification of the Christian races (1810). In the main theatre of the war the threatened invasion of Georgia by the Turks was averted by the brilliant victory gained under the walls of Akhalkalâki by the Marquis Paulucci, an Italian in the Russian service. The Persians invaded and devastated Talish, but were eventually beaten back ingloriously by Tartar militia supported by General Niebolseen. Paulucci’s great victory is thus described by
the Emperor Alexander I. in an order of the day: “ The victory gained on the borders of Kartalinia on the 5th of September over 10,000 Turks and Persians is one hardly possible to any but Russian troops. Two battalions of the 9th and 15th Sharpshooters, with two light guns and a Cossack contingent, march for three days in cold and wet weather over mountains covered with snow, and such that the natives themselves deemed them impassable. At mid night they make their approach so quietly and in such good order that the enemy’s sentinels discover them only when within a hundred yards of their camp. Their un looked-for appearance, the sudden volley from musketry and cannon, followed by a headlong attack with the bayonet, spread hopeless panic amongst the enemy. The valiant Russian soldiers rush through the camp from one end to the other, and the terrified Turks and Persians seek safety in flight.”
