The Press.
London, England, 1856-02-09 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

" under the name of medicine." By the
beginning of November the emaciation of the
troops was frightful. A hundred men died
daily from cold and starvation, and, to prevent
mutiny or desertion, there was a horrible ac-
companiment to these deaths from famine.
" Some military executions took place to-day
" (Nov. 10)." Hospitals could not contain the
dying. The mosques, khans, and large houses
were full of invalids. Women gathered the
dust from before the flour-depots and served
it to their families as food. People were
prostrated at the corners of the streets groan-
ing and et.) ing that they were dying of hunger.
The streets presented a " soul-harrowing
appearance." Children who had died from
famine lay unburied in the public places :

The most profound discontent exists throughout the
city, and the people say they can bear their sufferings no
longer. They exclaim, almost in the language of Scrip-
ture, " In our watching we have watched for a nation that
could not save us." In truth the scenes of distress are
heartrending. Mothers bring their children to the military
council, and throw them at the feet of the officers, ex-
claiming, " Take and keep these children, fur we have no
bread to give them."
But in the midst of these horrors there was a
confident belief entertained almost to the last
that succour was at hand. "We have but to
" wait a fortnight and our relief is certain,"
wrote the author in his diary on the last day
iu October ; and elsewhere he notes how the
men clung to their arms with "hollcw cheeks,
" tottering gait, and that peculiar feebleness
"of voice so characteristic of famine." But
as the suffering each day became more intense,
and as the long looked for aid came not, it was
impossible to hold out longer. Omer Pacha's
diversion, ill-conceived under the peculiar cir-
cumstances, failed ; and though Selim Pacha
still promised to advance from Erzeroum, a
note in cypher from Mr. Brant dispelled that
allusion :

Selim Pacha won't advance, although Major Stuart is
doing his utmost to make him. Omer Pacha has not
advanced far from Soukham Kale. I fear you have no hope
but in yourselves ; you can depend on no help in this
quart< r.

On the 25th of November, General Williams,
conquered at last by famine, rode over to the
Russian camp under a flag of truce :

They were well received by Mouravieff. The general
tells his chivalrous enemy that he has no wish to rob him
of his laurels; the fortress contains a large train of artil-
lery, with numerous standards, and a variety of arms, but
the army has not yet surrendered, nor will it without cer-
tain articles of capitulation. "If you grant not these,"
exclaimed the general, " every gun shall be burst, every
standard burnt, every trophy destroytd, 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," lie exclaimed, pointing to a lump of bread and a
handful of roots, " what splendid troops must these be
who can stand to their arms in this severe climate on food
such as this I 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 Df an army. Let us arrange
a capitulation that will satisfy the demands of war without
outraging humanity." I leave my readers to imagine any-
thing more touching than the interview between these gal-
lant leaders, whose eyes were suffused with tears, while
their hearts were big with sentiments of high honour and
graceful benevolence.

The terms of the capitulation were soon
arranged, Mouravieff consenting to terms be-
yond the demands of General Williams, and
inserting of his own accord in the capitulation,
" that, in admiration of the noble and devoted
" courage displayed by the army of Kars, the
" officers shall be allowed to retain their
" swords as a mark of honour and respect."
Dr. Sand with, with the medical corps, and all
non-combatants, were allowed their liberty.
The account given of the general and his army
must not be omitted :