After the declaration of war between the Russian and Ottoman Empires in October 1853, both countries amassed armies on the two primary fronts, along the Danube and in the southern Caucasus.

In November 1853, the Turks assembled an army of 36,000 men and advanced from Kars to Baş Şüregel on the Akhurian River which served as the border with Russia.

[3][6] On 13 November, the Ottoman Anatolian army under the command of Abdi Pasha easily drove 2,000 members of the Russian irregular cavalry out of Bayindir and took control of the garrison.

Ultimately, however, Abdi Pasha became concerned that his army was not large enough and lacked adequate provisions to begin a major offensive especially with the coming of winter.

Russian General Bebutov, on the other hand, seemed to sense an opportunity to strike at his enemy and made the decision to pursue the retreating Turks.

[2] On 26 November after Abdi Pasha and his retreating army had reached Başgedikler, news was received that Russian forces had defeated the Turks at Akhaltsikhe in Georgian territory.

Part of the blame for the defeat at Akhaltsikhe was attributed to Abdi Pasha and his decision not to conduct an offensive campaign against the Russians.

Although the size of the Turkish army had shrunk somewhat from the start of the expedition, most notably from the loss of 3,000 members of the irregular cavalry that returned to their homes and Kars, Ahmed Pasha believed that he still held numerical superiority.

Shortly thereafter, Bebutov followed his original battle plan and sent infantry from the first line commanded by General Kishinsky in an attempt to climb the ravine and attack the Turks on their left wing near the village of Oğuzlu.

[2] At approximately 1 pm, Bebutov changed his battle plan and decided to attack the Turk's right wing where the main artillery battery was located.

After the Russians reached the top of the ravine several guns were initially captured, but Turkish reserves counterattacked and quickly reclaimed their armaments.