246 Br, Sandwith on the [April 21, 



EXTRA EVENING MEETING, 



Monday, April 21. 



The Duke of Northumberland, K.G. F.R.S. President^ 

 in the Chair. 



Humphry Sandwith, M.D. 



CHIEF OF THE MEDICAL STAFF AT KARS, 



On the Siege of Kars. 



On the breaking out of the war in 1854, Dr. Sandwith, residing at 

 Constantinople, left that city for the Danube, and went through a 

 campaign. In the autumn of the same year he was appointed to 

 the staff of General Williams, and shortly after joined him at 

 Erzeroom. In June, 1855, he accompanied him to Kars. They 

 found the defences of the city much strengthened by the exertions 

 of Colonel Lake, aided by Captains Thompson and Teesdale. On 

 June 18, General Mouravieff, with an army of 40,000 infantry and 

 10,000 cavalry, came in sight of the city. The army of the 

 besieged consisted of 15,000 men, with only three months' food, and 

 three days' ammunition; nevertheless in a short time, by the 

 energy, skill, firmness, and kindness of General Williams and his 

 staff, the enthusiasm of the defenders of Kars was so thoroughly 

 roused as to enable them to endure, with patient heroism, the 

 sufferings of this protracted siege, so greatly aggravated by disease 

 and deficient resources. 



The first skirmish with the enemy took place on June 14. 

 On July 15, Kars was thoroughly blockaded ; and the Russian 

 camp drew nearer and nearer. Mouravieff reconnoitred Erze- 

 room, but returned to Kars early in August. In his absence the 

 Russians attacked the place, but were repulsed with severe loss 

 (August 7) . On the 8th of September the suft'erings of the besieged 

 were greatly relieved by the discovery of a quantity of secreted 

 corn ; but on the 25th the cholera broke out. 



The grand assault on the place by the Russian army took place 

 just before break of day, on the 29th of September. The western 

 extremity of the works named Tahmasp was attacked simultaneously 

 with the line of forts in the rear of the town called the English 

 batteries. These last being entrusted chiefly to irregular troops 

 were carried, and the Russians commenced shelling the town from 

 this position. In about three hours, however, tlie enemy being 



