[8] General Georgy Bergmann, commander of the 1st Caucasus Army Corps, took the initiative against the Ottoman Empire.

Russia equalized numbers by starting to bring in the Turkistan Army Corps on 16 November.

At the outbreak of war, the Russians decided to occupy the Eleşkirt valley as a defensive measure to prevent the incursion of Kurdish Hamidiye units.

[9] On the left flank a Cossack division under Baratov moved into the Eleșkirt valley towards Yuzveran, after it crossed the Aras River.

By 6 November contact was made between the opposing armies, and heavy fighting continued into the 7th, with temporary Russian successes.

On 16–17 November Przevalski crossed the Aras river and at dawn attacked part of the Turkish XI Corps, halting their advance.

Turkish forces then crossed the border and, advancing into the lower Choruh valley, destroyed on 15 November a Russian column sent to protect the copper mines at Borçka, forcing the Russians to evacuate Borçka, Artvin and Ardanuç.

[14] Turkish success during these first engagements encouraged Enver Pasha in his plan to attack at Sarıkamıș.

[9][15] Muratoff and Allen describe Bergman as "an officer who liked to imitate in appearance and manner the type of the old Caucasian hero-leaders", but who had "none of the qualities which are necessary as a commander; he had no experience of field operations, and was merely blindly obstinate when he thought to show strength of character".

They said that "at an average of 1000 men per battalion, Caucasian Army amounted to about 100.000 infantry, 15.000 cavalry (117 sotni) and 256 guns".

[18] 3rd Army commander Hasan İzzet Pasha assumed that a Russian offensive with superior forces had started.

He ordered XI Corps to retreat Erzurum without learning the magnitude of the Russian army.

On 4 November, Cavalry Division's commander lieutenant colonel Yusuf İzzet fought against Russian troops successfully in Köprüköy village.

[18] On the same day, Enver Pasha recommended Hasan İzzet to attack and annihilate separately moving Russian troops.

Because of this, Hasan İzzet Pasha underestimated the Russians and sent back XI Corps in a similar hurry.

Hasan İzzet planned to rout this vanguard force and retreat again to the Erzurum fortifications.

One regiment of XI Corps fell into heavy Russian rifle and artillery fire.

If Russia attacks us with superior forces, it will be hard to hold in these trenches and retreat to Erzurum".

Ziya Yergök said: "If Russia would make use of this retreat, they could capture all our army with just one cavalry division".

IX Corps commander Ahmet Fevzi Pasha criticized Hasan İzzet for this unnecessary retreat.