Battle of Akhaltsikhe (1853) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Akhaltsikhe
Part of the Crimean War
The scheme of the battle in Russian
Date 13 November 1853 Location Akhaltsikhe Caucasus 41°38′36.35″N 42°59′36.40″E / 41.6434306°N 42.9934444°E / 41.6434306; 42.9934444 Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Russian Empire	Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Ivan Andronnikov	Mehmed Ali Pasha
Strength
7,000	18,000 24 guns
Casualties and losses
362	3,500

The Battle of Akhaltsikhe was an important fight that happened on November 13, 1853. It was part of a bigger conflict called the Crimean War. In this battle, a smaller group of Georgian and Russian soldiers, about 7,000 strong, won against a much larger Turkish army of 18,000 soldiers. The battle took place near the Akhaltsikhe fortress in a region called the Caucasus. This victory was a big deal for the Russian side early in the war.

What Was the Battle of Akhaltsikhe?

The Battle of Akhaltsikhe was a key event during the Crimean War (1853-1856). This war was fought between the Russian Empire on one side, and the Ottoman Empire (also known as Turkey), France, the United Kingdom, and Sardinia on the other. The battle itself happened in a mountainous area called the Caucasus, which is between Europe and Asia.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

The Crimean War began in 1853. One of the main reasons for the war was a disagreement over who had control and influence in certain parts of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire was a large empire that included many different lands and peoples.

When the war started, the Ottoman military leader, Ali Pasha, quickly decided to attack. His goal was to capture the important Akhaltsikhe fortress. This fortress was a strategic point in the Caucasus region.

Who Fought in the Battle?

As the Ottoman army, led by Ali Pasha, moved closer to the city of Akhaltsikhe, they met a group of Georgian and Russian soldiers. This group was commanded by a brave leader named Prince Andronnikov.

The Ottoman army was much larger, with about 18,000 soldiers and 24 cannons. Prince Andronnikov's Georgian-Russian force was much smaller, with only about 7,000 soldiers.

How Did the Battle Unfold?

Even though Prince Andronnikov's forces were outnumbered, he decided to attack. He split his cavalry (soldiers on horseback) into two groups.

One group of Russian cavalry charged directly at the Turkish soldiers. At the same time, the second group rode around to the side. They then attacked the Turkish army from their left side, surprising them.

After a very tough fight, the Turkish forces were defeated. They had to retreat all the way back to a city called Kars.

What Was the Outcome?

The Battle of Akhaltsikhe was a clear victory for the Georgian-Russian forces. The Russian side lost 361 soldiers. The Turkish side had many more losses, with about 3,500 soldiers killed, wounded, or captured.

This battle was the first major success for the Russian Empire in the Caucasus region during the Crimean War. After this important win, the Turkish army stopped their attacks in the Trans-Caucasus area for a while.