Pashkevich, in leaving Nakhichivan, had entrusted the area to Prince Eristov, a Georgian, with Muravyov as his lieutenant, giving them strict instructions to merely guard the province and make no aggressive move.

Abbas Mirza does the obvious thing.

Crossing the Aras unopposed he finds himself facing Eristov with four thousand men and twenty-six guns, far more than he had expected.

Abbas withdraws; Eristov chases him for a while and returns to Nakhichivan.

So far they are within their orders.

When they hear that the Persian army is in a state of complete demoralization the temptation is too great.

Setting off on September 30 they had reached a place called Maraud, Abbas got behind them, but when news of the fall of Yerevan reached them the Persian army was seized with panic and dispersed.

Muravyov now chooses to be bold, or foolish.

Concealing his plans from everyone including Eristov he leaves Marand on October 11 and heads south.