The Battle of Aldy, also known as the Battle of the Sunzha River, was a failed military expedition launched by the Russian Empire with the aim of capturing Sheikh Mansur, who, through his speeches and teachings had gained a wide following the North Caucasus, especially in his hometown Aldy. His teachings on Jihad ("Gazavat") and his idea of the unification of the North Caucasian tribes under a single Islamic state concerned the Russian administration, who, as a result, sent a 3,000 strong force under Nikolai de Pieri in order to capture him.
The Russian force was led by Colonel Nikolai de Pieri. It was approximately 3,000 men strong and had 6 cannons. The detachment arrived in the Chechen village Aldy on July 6, 1785, which it captured after a short skirmish with Chechen fighters. The Russians burnt the village down and began retreating to the Sunzha River, where, in the forest of Aldy, it was ambushed by Mansur's fighters, and as a result, the detachment was destroyed and dispersed. In total, 745 soldiers, including Pieri himself and several other commanders were killed and 162 captured. Additionally, hundreds of soldiers were wounded, and the detachment lost both of its cannons. According to Sheikh Mansur, the Chechen side only suffered approximately 100 killed and 200 wounded.
Names
The event is mainly known as the Battle of Aldy, Battle of the Aldyn forest, Battle of the Sunzha River or just Battle of the Sunzha. Russian authorities at that time referred to it as the Aldy Operation, Aldy Expedition or the Aldy Insurgency.
Background
Sheikh Mansur
Sheikh Mansur, born Ucherman, was an ethnic Chechen from the Elistanzhkhoy teip. He was born into a peasant family in Aldy, a large village situated on the Sunzha River. Local traditions recount that in his youth, he studied the Quran and Arabic, but due to his family's lack of wealth, he could not pursue an Islamic education. Instead, he spent much of his childhood herding livestock and engaging in agricultural work.
In 1783, Mansur reappeared among his people dressed in distinctive clothing, sparking rumors about his religious and spiritual practices. These rumors led the inhabitants of Aldy to begin referring to him as an Imam. By 1784, news of the new Chechen Imam had spread beyond his home village.
In March 1785, Mansur delivered his first public speeches, calling on the Chechens to forsake their customs of raiding, robbing, and murdering, as well as to cease smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol. He urged them to forgive others, give alms to the poor, and adhere to Islam. His teachings rapidly gained popularity, attracting people from across the North Caucasus to Aldy to hear him speak.
Mansur's teachings eventually extended into the political realm. His objectives included a return to pure Islam, the abolition of adat (traditional customs), Jihad against the North Caucasian pagans, and ultimately, Jihad against the Christians Russian Empire. Additionally, he sought to unite the North Caucasians under the banner of Islam. These ambitions alarmed Russian authorities, prompting them to organize an expedition to arrest Sheikh Mansur. Russian fortresses on the North Caucasus Line were also reinforced.
Plan
In late June 1785, following unsuccessful ultimatums issued to the North Caucasian peoples, Pavel Potemkin, the commander of Russian forces in the North Caucasus, resolved to deploy a military force under the command of Colonel Nikolai de Pieri to Aldy with the objective of crushing the insurgency and capturing Sheikh Mansur.
The plan involved dispatching a Russian force under the command of Colonel de Pieri, who was tasked with penetrating the stronghold of the rebellious mountaineers in the village of Aldy. He was instructed to approach Aldy from the southwest, a direction deemed by Russian authorities as an unlikely avenue for an attack. From this position, the Russian troops would discreetly encircle the village, proceed to infiltrate it, and subsequently locate Mansur's residence. Their objective was to apprehend Mansur and capture all Chechen guards present. The objective was to surprise Sheikh Mansur and the Chechen insurgents and capture Mansur alive. Upon successfully apprehending Mansur, de Pieri was instructed to deliver him to the headquarters of the Russian authorities.
In case of strong unexpected Chechen resistance, Major general Nikolai Shemyakin, who would be stationed at Alkhan–Yurt, would go to Aldy to support Pieri.
Prelude
Russian troops and strength
The Russian force under de Pieri was made up of the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment, the Tomsk Infantry Regiment, one battalion from the Kabardian Jaeger Regiment, two grenadier companies, 100 Cossacks and several hundred cavalry and 6 cannons.
As for the strength of the Russian troops, they originally numbered 3,000, but only 2,000 were present during the battle. The remaining 1,000 were stationed along the Russian escape route, guarding it, for example the Wagon fort that was established approximately 2,1 kilometres above the Sunzha River that was guarded by 400 Russian troops under Captain Shurinov.
Beginning of the expedition
On July 3, 1785, Russian forces arrived at the Cossack village of Kalinovskaya. The following day, they crossed the Terek River. On July 5, at 4 PM, the Russians commenced their march towards Aldy. Pieri had planned to cross the Sunzha River that same night. However, Sergei Komarsky, one of the Russian commanders, along with a local Chechen from Alkhan-Yurt, cautioned him that reaching the Sunzha River that day was impossible and would exhaust the Russian soldiers. Pieri however ignored their advice and continued the march.
On July 6, at approximately 5 AM, Colonel Pieri's detachment reached the Sunzha River. Before entering the forest adjacent to the river, they established a defensive Wagon fort two versts from the crossing, leaving their supply train protected by 400 musketeers and two cannons under the command of Captain Shurinov.
Alkhan–Yurt skirmish
As the detachment approached the river, they were observed by inhabitants of Alkhan-Yurt, a Chechen village located on the right bank of the Sunzha, 3.2 versts upstream from Aldy. A skirmish ensued between Pieri's forces and the villagers. Despite this encounter, Pieri's detachment, consisting of the Kabardian Jaeger Battalion, two grenadier companies from the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment, and two cannons, proceeded towards the river crossing. Vasily Tomara, one of the Russian commanders, reports: «A firefight began at the river and in the wagon fort behind us. From the moment our detachment arrived at the Sunzha, the Chechens attempted to seize our passage out of the forest. From 5 AM to 11 AM, they continuously engaged us in skirmishes, and their numbers steadily increased.»
The people of Alkhan–Yurt sent for help from Aldy, and soon, fighters from Aldy began arriving in Alkhan–Yurt and joined the skirmish.
The Russian plan had failed — The approach of Russian troops now spread in Aldy. Mansur took charge of the Aldy fighters and moved to the forest. There is another version as well, according to which Mansur already knew about the Russian invasion and even provoked it by telling Russian authorities that he wasn't prepared for an attack.
Eventually, the Pieri detachment crossed the Sunzha River, but as the Russians advanced further into Chechnya, skirmishes with Chechen fighters intensified, soon escalating into a full-scale battle. Consequently, Pieri stationed Vasily Tomara with a number of troops near the Sunzha River to guard the bridge.
The Russian troops proceeded to the forest of Aldy, where they encountered narrow roads. During this movement, Pieri received reports of increased Chechen attacks on the Wagonburg fort. Sergei Komarsky advised Pieri to retreat and reoccupy the Sunzha bridge, a suggestion Pieri declined. Nevertheless, adjustments were necessary: Captain Kugaevsky, initially guarding the Sunzha bridge, was replaced by Tomara, while Kugaevsky was dispatched to support the Pieri detachment. From the opposite bank of the Sunzha, the Chechens engaged in a firefight with approximately 100 Greben Cossacks.
Battle
Aldy Skirmish
While intense fighting was going on between the detachment of Tomara with the Chechen rebels at the Sunzha River, the main Russian forces advanced towards Aldy. Captain Kugaevsky, leading a contingent of 120 soldiers, had already passed the Aldy forest and was ambushed by Chechen fighters. The engagement resulted in a Russian retreat as Chechen fighters inflicted heavy casualties, including 60 deaths and the capture of Captain Kugaevsky himself, who sustained injuries. Survivors of the encounter managed to retreat under the cover of heavy artillery fire.
Capture of Aldy and its destruction
Eventually, the principal Russian force traversed the Aldy forest and positioned themselves approximately half a kilometer from Aldy. According to Turkish sources, emissaries sent by Mansur approached Pieri, appealing to the Russian forces to not attack and that Mansur's had not gotten permission from Allah to wage war. If this meeting took place, it had no effect.
Subsequently, under Pieri's command, artillery bombardment was initiated on the village, paving the way for the Russian troops to occupy it. Following a fierce engagement with Chechen fighters that resulted in the death of Mansur's elder brother, the village fell under Russian control. Between 10 and 11 AM, amidst continuous skirmishes with Chechen fighters, Russian forces launched an assault on Mansur's house, but found no one except his Standard-bearer, who was killed by Russian troops. But Mansur had long left. The entire village had been evacuated; women, children, and the elderly sought refuge in nearby forest shelter, while Mansur took command of the Chechen fighters, departed from the village, and strategically cut off the Russian retreat routes. This maneuver effectively trapped the Russian forces within Aldy, unbeknownst to Pieri.
Meanwhile, Pieri directed the Russian troops to burn down Mansur's house. Subsequently, the Russian army withdrew half a kilometer from Aldy and halted to rest and replenish their ammunition. However, the Chechen fighters disrupted the Russian troops' rest: By using Hit-and-run tactics, groups of Chechen fighters emerged from the forest, fired at the Russian troops with gunfire, and swiftly withdrew back into the cover of the woods. After suffering 20 deaths, Pieri ordered cannon fire against the Chechen fighters. Despite this measure, the unpredictability of the Chechen fighters' movements rendered the cannon fire useless.
Pieri issued an order to seize all livestock from the village, a decision opposed by Sergei Komarsky on the grounds that the troops were tired from a long march and intense battle. Despite Komarsky's objection, Pieri insisted on his decision and threatened to remove Komarsky from command.
For some time, Pieri awaited the arrival of local elders, anticipating their request to spare the village and return the seized cattle, after which he would demand from the elders to hand Mansur over. However, no delegation from Aldy arrived, and instead, attacks from the Aldyns intensified. In response, Pieri took command of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Companies of the Kabardian Jaeger Regiment. He invaded Aldy again, expelled the remaining villagers, and ordered the village to be burnt to the ground. Following Aldy's destruction, Pieri gave the order to retreat.
Retreat and main battle
Begin of the retreat
As the Russian forces commenced their retreat, they discovered that Mansur's fighters had cut off their escape route. Komarsky proposed to Pieri that they adopt a defensive Square formation and await reinforcements. Pieri, however, dismissed Komarsky's suggestion, ordering him that his "orders be obeyed without further ado".
During the retreat, the Russian troops were organized as follows: leading the vanguard was the grenadier company of the Astrakhan regiment, accompanied by the first cannon. Following them was Lieutenant Myznikov with the 1st company of the Kabardian Jaeger Battalion, alongside Second Lieutenant Lyakhovich. Behind them marched the second grenadier company of the Astrakhan regiment, positioned with the second cannon. Bringing up the rear was the 6th company of the Kabardian Jaeger Battalion, responsible for safeguarding the flanks of the retreating Russian army. The remaining Kabardian Jaeger companies were positioned along the flanks.
The Russian troops initially withdrew from the village with ease, though occasional gunfire could still be heard coming from the burning houses. However, upon entering the forest, the situation dramatically shifted into a full-scale battle.
As the Russians advanced further into the dense forest, they found themselves encircled on all sides by Chechen fighters. Using Guerrilla warfare, the Chechens emerged from behind trees, unleashing a relentless barrage of rifle fire on the retreating Russian forces, resulting in heavy casualties. Pieri himself sustained a wound in the left eyebrow during the engagement.