Narrative of a Pedestrian Journey Through Russia and Siberian Tartary (Volume 2); From the Frontiers of China to the Frozen Sea and Kamtchatka Perform - John Dundas Cochrane

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1824. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. Brief History of Western Siberia, and of its Conqueror Yermak--Imalak-- Ingeary--Kaminski--Kamisart--Islam --Tusnabolova--Tukalinsk--Omsk --The Kirgeese--Calmucks--Jeliezinskaya--Yamishersk--Poyanoyarsk --Ubinsk--Uvarova--Alexandrofsk-- Bouktourma-- Krasnojarsk--Maloi Narymsk--Chinese Frontier--The Irtish--Ustkamenegorsk--Ismayelova --Neighbourhood of the Koly van--Kalmanka--Barnaoule--Tomsk--Kioff --Krasnochinsky--Bagota--Atchinsk--Krasnojaisk--Kansko--Ingashe-- Nishney Udinsk--Irkutsk. THE early history of this part of the world is involved in much obscurity, little being known of it prior to the beginning of the sixteenth century, when the celebrated Yermak became at once the discoverer and conqueror of Western Siberia. He had originally been the leader of a numerous and well organized banditti, who committed great and distressful ravages on the Don and Volga, but which were put an end to after the victories of Ivan Basilovitch over the Tartars of Kazan and Astrakhan, when he devoted his attention to the peaceable establishment of his dominions. Yermak was thus compelled to fly, and sought refuge in the north, on the banks of the Kama, where the family of Strogonoff had a factory for the purpose of barter with the Siberians. The conduct of our hero proved so unlike that of a freebooter, that Strogonoff during the winter of 1577 provided him with necessaries to subsist his men, and with arms and ammunition to make an incursion upon the Siberians. The first campaign was in the summer of 1578. Yermak had from six to seven thousand men with him; but through his ignorance of the route, and want of guides, winter closed in upon him almost before the commencement of the campaign. His route lay along the Kama to the entrance of the river Silvar, where he p...