Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-07-10

TIE London q.
We AM with the cordial satisfaction the safe
return yesterday his native country of General Sir vii
liam Williams Of Kars Ii is but the echo of public opn
ion when we declare that this gallant ohccri believed
by his couutrymen 10 have displayed higher quai' 5
for military command than any other British
soldier engaged tgo Russian Ii is not nece>-
sary that "A military chicitain should be OF con
skill in managing the details OF any particular
branch of the service but above all things he must pp
commanding mind. Fertile in resource, patient
in mshap, cautious IN defence, daring IN attack, OF un-
finchng purpose with quick insight into the character of
his agents aud OF unbounded influence all around him.
the commander mas hope TO bring the operations ia
which he H. engaged successful issue but without
these qualities special technical skill will prove but OF lit
tie avail. Such IA commander have endeavored To
shadow forth, General Williams has proved himself 70 be-
IL his duty in remote and pESsiuce OF the
Turkish empire TO make head against the disciplined
mics of Russia In order carry this design he had
not the prerogafive of unquestioned command--
He had literally 10 wrest authority from the hands
Of the Turkish officers before he could exercise IL
himself. For many long dreaty months he
called to fight thankess battle against the
corrupt leaders OF the Turkish troops that ne foreigner
and stranger, might procure for them food, cloth
ing and the ordinary munitions OF war. Abandoned
by the Ambassador Of his Government at Con-tin-
tnople AID separated by many thousands OF miles
from that authority which could alone sustain him in
precarous ssituaton, the General cOntrved to procure
that degree of influence which, it did not enable him
20 the citadel aud town OF kars at least prolonged
the contest and saved province 10 the Turkish empire.
Had General Williams been obeyed. he would have
been obeyed he had held legitimate and well recog
but the Russian armies in Asatic Turkey would most in
faAbly have suffered of the signal kind n
that section of their operations Rut what was To be
done when magazines were not stored, when regiments
thrown into disarray by the peeuatOn and cOrup
Of their principal leaders and when neither pro.
visions ammunition forthcoming at the pro-
per places and at the proper timey
Still, with all its sufcrings, and despite Of it, untorG.
nate issue, the story OF the defence Of Kas will always
main bright page in military history Day after day and
week after week that defence prolonged the
Of famine disease, and despair. General Williams took
tbe command Of the place with supply OF powder just
sufficient for the service Of the batteries during four s,s
had the Russians pursued the system of continuous attack
With this small supply Of ammunition he cOntrivcd to
keep the enemy bay for month"; and defeat them
one regular assault rather battle for the great attack
upon Kari had the character Of battle than uf 90
assault SO great the confidence which tho General
inspired In all around him that ne though his own
heroic spirit had passed into the breasts rude
tOSB'people and irregular troops. At oil hour
day and night according the testimony OF tho-c who
had opportunity Of watching his behavior during that
memorable siege, Sir William Williams be- found
ShereVer danger threatened the most passing about
among the Turkish troops aud townspeople cheer
up in the midst al their suengs However great these
might be- he only asked them endure with ortitnde
those pryations Of which he took his full share.
There was no doubt there to the presence of the
General among bi4 uoOps The sharp exttem-
ties to which that heroic garrison was re-
duced have been narrated elsewhere aud here have
not space 20 reenter upon the tale Our present silence
however, matters the cs the history OF this mcurn
BILE sege j. already known wherever the English anpusgc
IL spoken. Suffice II that not ell which might have
been expected, but than might have been
expected tom human nature, accomplished um
I'll even the sternest herOsm compelled to give VII,
20 the certainty Of actual starvation. This a iD,
againd which q in vain ~ contend for lu extended
ortut around the country in the possession Of the u
sao troops all hopes of relief had gradually melted
sway the hearts Of al had 'ickcuai under the pang
disappointed hope Al length IL became evident thn n
lev hours longer the freock drop from the hand. oil
the exhausted soldier The nmparis would soon yield
passage 10 the foe when the defender. were mo- ongc
able 20 stiike bios. Then Kari fell. and even IN,
stubborn enemy with which the carlson had long con
tended Joined Ia the chorus Of general Animation iur
much galsntry and fortitude. Sir William William In
at length returned acr hs gcat achievement NM
only have but Hte fear that his great quate- 40 o..
ceve from his countrymen their doe need Of praise W
ore speaking ~ ordinary man. but Of officer vino.
services would have been appreciated by Marlborough
Wellington, by Cesar the great Napoleon Englnn
Do not nnKfaielnl % those Who sefve her we'll