Battle of Akhaltsikhe (1853) explained

Conflict:Battle of Akhaltsikhe
Partof:the Crimean War
Date:13 November 1853
Place:Akhaltsikhe Caucasus
Coordinates:41.6434°N 42.9934°W
Result:Russian victory
Commander1: Ivan Andronnikov
Commander2: Selim Pasha
Strength1:7,000
Strength2:18,000
24 guns
Casualties1:362
Casualties2:3,500

The Battle of Akhaltsikhe occurred on 13 November 1853 during the Crimean War when a Georgian-Russian force of 7,000 defeated a Turkish army of 18,000 men near the Akhaltsikhe fortress in the Caucasus.

At the outbreak of the Crimean War, Ali Pasha immediately launched a Turkish offensive to capture the Akhaltsikhe fortress. As the Ottoman force neared the city of Akhaltsikhe, the Turks were met by a Georgian-Russian detachment commanded by Prince Andronnikov.

Despite the numerical superiority of the Turkish force, Prince Andronnikov divided his cavalry into two columns and attacked. One of the Russian columns attacked the Turks head-on while the second column rode to the side and attacked their enemy in the left flank. After a fierce struggle, the Turks were beaten and retreated to Kars. The Russian force lost 361 men while the Turkish casualties amounted to 3,500 men killed, wounded, and captured.

The Battle of Akhaltsikhe was the first major Russian success in the Caucasian theater of operations during the Crimean War. After this victory, the Turkish ended their offensive actions in the Trans-Caucasus.

References

General references

Book: Bogdanovich . M.I. . Eastern War 1853-1856, Volume 1 . 1876 . Russian . none.