1856.] Siege of Kars. 247 



attacked in both flanks, and menaced in front, was obliged to retire, 

 having suffered severely ; but he still persisted in his attacks on 

 Tahmasp, which continued almost without intermission for seven 

 hours. This position was defended by General Kmety and Major 

 Teesdale ; and the troops were mainly riflemen, armed with the 

 carabin d, tige. About noon the enemy retired, leaving upwards of 

 6000 dead under the breastworks and batteries of Kars. General 

 Williams, from the centre of the camp, directed each grand move- 

 ment during the day. 



Dr. Sandwith stated his belief, that if General Williams had 

 had 2000 cavalry, the enemy would have been totally defeated and 

 dispersed. 



The Russian cavalry, 10,000 strong, having scarcely suffered 

 during the assault, was enabled to keep up the blockade ; so that 

 the state of the garrison, suffering from cholera and famine, became 

 hopeless. In the later days about 100 of the troops alone died of 

 famine, while the condition of the townspeople was desperate in the 

 extreme ; the carcasses of dead animals were torn from their graves 

 and devoured by the men, women, and children, while the grass in 

 all the open spaces was torn up to be eaten. When human nature 

 could endure no longer, it was resolved to capitulate. 



On November 25, General Williams and his aide-de-camp 

 Teesdale, rode over, under a flag of truce, to the Russian camp. 

 They were well received by Mouravieff". General Williams told 

 his chivalrous enemy that he had no wish to rob him of his laurels ; 

 the fortress contained a large train of artillery, with numerous 

 standards, and a variety of arms : but the army had not yet sur- 

 rendered, nor would it without certain articles of capitulation. 



** If you grant not these," added the General, " every gun shall 

 be burst, every standard burnt, every trophy destroyed, and you 

 may then work your will on a famished crowd." "I have no 

 wish," answered Mouravieff", " to wreak an unworthy vengeance on 

 a gallant and long-suffering army, which has covered itself with 

 glory, and only yields to famine. Look here," he exclaimed, 

 pointing to a lump of bread, and a handful of roots, " what splen- 

 did troops must these be, who can stand to their arms in this severe 

 climate on food such as this ! General Williams, you have made 

 yourself a name in history ; and posterity will stand amazed at the 

 endurance, the courage, and the discipline which this siege has 

 called forth in the remains of an army. Let us arrange a capitula- 

 tion that will satisfy the demands of war, without outraging 

 humanity." 



The terms of capitulation were briefly as follows : — " The 

 officers and soldiers of the regular army were to pile arms in camp, 

 and march out with their music and colours, and surrender them- 

 selves prisoners of war to the Russian army, retaining their swords. 

 All private property, the castle, mosques, and other public build- 

 ings, are to be respected, and the inhabitants protected from pillage 



