New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-10

connecting epsulemepts and by number Of towns
people fell into similar dcsultory faslade as the
Russian, did on the Tshmas front; but the COM
m.nders succeeded in throwing the greater part
of them into Fort williams, where they could offer
a more effective resistance while the guns of Fort
Lake from the left and Arab Tabia and Kara1agh
Tabia from the right poured shot and canister
among the Russians. Next arrived two bstalons
from Ksradsgb, which took the lead in fresh
charge against the Russians. They were driven
out of the small English Tabiss all Of which, open
to the rear, were unfit for defense in that direc-
ton and herewith the battle ended on that side
also
The way in which General Williams directed the
defense deserves all praise. He had certainly
not 10000 men in Kars, all included; he was
obliged to guard the southern front with certain
humber of troops, and he was attacked by more
than 10000 Russians. Yet in the most decisive
moment the advance Of but five battaliOns OF re-
serves was sufficient to restore the superiority to
his troops on the whole field Of battle But the
hero Of the day was certainly Kmety. He not
only had to make the immediate tactical arrange
were very gocd-but also to decide the action
by Selling the proper moment for blow in re-
tuln. We have seen how well he kne1 to seize
the moment The RUSSIANS had still numerous
body in reserve Muravief had sent General
Drummer with a portion of it to the battle
field to renew, if there was chance, the assault,
or else to draw off the troops engaged if there was
none. When Drummer arrived he found the Rus
sian columns flying down hill in disorder before
Kmetys vigorous charge; but for that clrcun-
stance he very likely would have attempted
fresh attack, which might have had at least some
martial results. The Turks had no reserves LEFT
in spite of the desperate bravery which animated
them, another attack by fresh troops might have
driven them out Of the three redOubts of the
Tabmas front, and from that position the Russians
could have shelled the town and the Turkish maya.
zines. 1t was Kmety alone whose ell.tined of
fensiye movement at once cut of all chance for
such an attempt; accordingly, Drummer drew off
the troops engaged and abandoned the field That
Kmety could unde rtake such movement with
troops who had stood five or six hours fighting
against superior numbers, is more than anybody
would have expected from the army-corps of
for the Turkish defense of fortified lines was
hitherto known for it's almost exclusively defensive
character only.
The Russian attack was intended for surprise
and in consequence was undertaken with large
masses at once but as the surprise failed COM
pletely the assailants found themselves under the
disadvantage of having TOO many of their troops
Gagged at once on ground offering little no shell
ter The Turkish FIRE thinDed their ranks most
effectively; and, as usual in such cases, that de-
sultory firing was resOrted to by their troops
which always follows repulsed charges, and which
renders it all but impossible to reform the men
for fresh assault. At the same time, it would
appear that the second and third detachments Of
the Russian columns on the Tahmas front were
far too soon, and, with odefnte object, entanged
into the dsorderly fusilade that after the first
assault no second general attack could be organ
lied The unftness of the Russians for light-infan
try service is here again manifest. In every other
army, after the first repulse was once rendered ir
repHabe, line Of skrmishers would have been
thrown out against the enemy's works, under
shelter of which the remaining troops would have
reformed but here the Russian columns, turned
INTO OlsOIderiy nedPs vi meu ciuop'nS Vono0iouev
together unwilling to retreat, yet unfit for move
ments in advance, appear to have remained pa
tently within close range Of the Turks, allowing
Themselves to be shot down by wholesale. Thss
alone can the enormous loss of the Russians be ex-
planned. 1t was just as at Inkermann and the
CheJDsya bravery enough, but of the stupidest
sort known to history.
Muraveff appears to have lost his senses entirely
indeed he is said to have subsequently gone crazy
Either he should have brought up his reserves
sooner and renewed the assault with Il en- or else
he should have broken off the fight after the second
hour, on the Tahmas side at least. As it is, he
showed himself to be the worthy counterpart o.
bis colleagues in the Crimea, who are distinguished
for nothing SO much as for the reckless obstinacy
with which they sacrifice their soldiers.