The Press.
London, England, 1856-09-13 00:00:00

THE EVACUATION OF KARS.

A LETTER from Erzeroum, this week, dated August
the 16th, gives some interesting details of the sur-
render of this fortress into tits hands of the Turks.
The Russian generals appear to have treated the
English officers, Major Frazer, Major Peel, and
Capt. Evans, of the 9th Lancers, with distinguished
hospitality. The day fixed for the ceremony of
restoration was the 6th of August. The three
officers, accompanied by the correspondent of the
Times, arrived at Kars on the 3rd :
On reporting our arrival to the Governor, every atten-
tion was immediately shown that respect and hospitality
could suggest; General Boutiloff insisted upon giving us
his room for our accommodation; we were pressingly in-
vited to dine with the Governor during our stay ; horses
were at our disposal, and a Cossack escort told off to
attend upon us.
These civilities, which pslicy, if not a better motive,
would have dictated, were perhaps in some measure in-
tended to repay the friendly reception which Lorismelikoff
and suite experienced from the officers of the British staff
on the occasion of his recent visit to Erzeronm. Bat I
would not attach much value to this remark, for since the
establishment of peace the meeting of British and Russian
officers in these parts has in every instance been charac.
Wised by feelings worthy of gallant gentlemen and
soldiers.

On the 4th we visited the scene of the bloody fight of
the 29th of September, being accompanied by a Cossack
officer who was himself engaged in that memorable
struggle. His account of the whole affair was clear and
circumstantial ; he related every incident, and pointed out
every spot of special interest; and it was impossible not to
admire the composure—l may say the stoicism—with
which he thus detailed for our information the particulars
of as signal a defeat as his countrymen sustained through.
out the war. _ _ . _

On the sth we dined at the Russian camp with General
Kruloff, who invited a large party of his friends to meet
us; toasts were the order of the day, and General Wil-
liams's health was drunk three times with enthusiastic
cheers, in whish the troops, who had gathered in force
round the tent, joined to the full stretch of their voices.
After dinner, which was over at three o'clock, there was
a parade for all hands. We had an opportunity of wit-
nessing some beautiful Cossack drill, and then went down
the ranks of the infantry. In stature the men were below
the average height, but they were well appointed and
drilled. The Russian camp, I should observe, is about
four miles from Kars, on the road to Gumri, and oom•
prises about 5,000 men of all arms.
On the oth the Turkish troops under Hussein
Pacha were advancing on the road from Erzeroum :
They consisted of two battalions of infantry, two com-
panies of Chasseurs, one troop of Lancers, and two guns—
the force which, until further orders, is to constitute the
garrison of Kars. Joining them a few miles from the
town, wo accompanied them for the remainder of their
march in, and, tell it not in Gath, on the way Hussein
Pacha was glad to learn a few hints as to the manner in
which he was to act his part. Approaching the fortress
we found the Russian infantry, under Lorismelikoff,
formed in line to receive us, outside the works, on the

871

Erzeroum•road. At the distance of about ten yards from
them the Turkish column halted, and deployed into line,
parallel to and facing the Russians. General salutes were
exchanged, after which the lines broke into contiguous
columns of sections, and marched side by side into the
fortress. The Turkish flag was hoisted on the citadel,
salutes were fired, the Russian guard and sentries were
relieved by Turks, and the old fortress was once more in
possession of its former owners. There was no cheering,
no expression of popular feeling; but the whole affair was
as inanimate and formal as can well be conceived.

During the short time the Russian and Turkish troops
were drawn up face to face we were struck with the supe-
rior personnel of the latter; in every other respect the ad-
vantage was with the former.

At nine a.m. on the following day the Mushir arrived ;
either personal feeling or national etiquette forbade his
entering the fortress until it had been evacuated by the
Russians ; he rode without any display into the town, and
retired at once to the quarters which had been provided
for his reception. We went out several miles to meet him,
accompanied by our band of faithful Cossacks, who, plain
as they were in dress and appointments, contrasted most
favourably as soldiers with the gaudy troop of Bashi•Bazouks
that escorted his Excellency.

All along the road the Cossacks and Bashi•Bazouks kept
up a constant succession of mock skirmishes and single
combats, in which each party made the best display of his
peculiar tactics. The superior adroitness of the Cossack
was, however, conspicuous, both in horsemanship and the
use of his weapons. Some of their feats were astonish-
ing. Just fancy a man, when closely pressed by his adver-
sary, at full speed, disappearing over his horse's side, and,
holding on by the heel, leaving nothing but the sole of a
buskin as a mark ! His wily little horse, thoroughly
trained to all these marneuvres, or rather seeming to exer-
cise an independent intelligence of its own, carries him
safely out of harm's way, and soon after he reappears on
the offensive when and where least expected.

These skirmishes threatening more than once to exceed
the limits of mere display, it was deemed advisable to
recal the parties to the ranks.
At three p.m. a grand review of the Russians took
place in presence of the Mushir
The Mushir was received by the whole Russian force
with a general salute and rounds of cheers (not ex-
actly the British cheer), after which, breaking into
open columns, the troops marched past—the infantry
in slow time, the Cossacks at the gallop. And here
again these astonishing horsemen treated us to some
specimens of their India-rubber performances. While at
full speed some would spring from the stirrups to a stand.
ing position in the saddle-tree, others would bend down
out of sight ; they writhed and twisted about, backwards,
forwards, and sideways, after a fashion that, I think, would
astonish your stately giant at the Horse Guards, while, at
the same time, they rent the air with yells and screams of
most unearthly discord. Muy the fortune of war defend
me from such enemies !

The review over, we proceeded to the tent of General
Kruloff, where a magnificent banquet was ready spread,
and we spent the remainder of the day and a great part of
the night too in a course of feasting and thinking which,
perhaps, it would be as well not to describe too minutely.
It was a day of festivity for all. As long as there was
light the soldiers engaged in coarse comedies, one per-
sonating to admiration the character of a lady of the camp.
When darkness set in these amusements were succeeded
by fireworks.
Within the tent all was good fellowship. Champagne
flowed without stint. Healths were drank with uproarious
applause—the Sultan, oar Queen, Napoleon, the Emperor,
Mouravieff, Williams, &c. ; and at last the fraternisation
was carried to such a degree of warmth that it could be
expressed only by embraces. My English friends were
the special objects of these caresses ; and it was amusing
to witness the fervour with which these men of broad
shoulders and bearded faces were hugged and kissed by
our loving friends.
. .

We slept that night at the camp, in the tent of a general
officer which had been kindly vacated for our use, and
over which a strong guard of honour was posted. Next
day, according to orders, we set out for Erzeroum, after an
affectionate leave-taking with our hospitable friends.