‘Russo-Turkish War, 1877. Operations in Asia.’ [‎52v] (38/42)

108
As has been previously mentioned, on the breaking up of the ordre de
bataille ot the Russian force on the Aladja Dagh after Mukhtar Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. s defeat
on the 15th October, General Loris Melikoff with the 1st (Moscow) Grenadier
Division, the 40th Division, two battalions of Sappers, some 40 squadrons and
sotnias, and 15 or 16 batteries, together with the siege park and artillery from
Alexandropol, was left to prosecute the siege of Kars, whilst General Heimann,
with the remainder of the force, marched on Erzeroum.
The head-quarters of the Russian army were moved to Yezin Keui
immediately after the battle, and, by the end of the month, some 70 siege
guns had been brought from Alexandropol, and were heavily bombarding the
town and forts on the south and south-east.
On the 25th October, the fortress was summoned to surrender, but
refused. ,.
On the 5th November, the Turk* mudeiTSortie on a small scale, according
to Russian accounts, but were repulsed, and two battalions of the Kuban
Regiment, following them up in pursuit, entered the Hafiz- Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. labia, where
10 officers and 40 men were taken prisoners, and 8 guns spiked. "
On the 13th November, the Russian head-quarters were moved to Veran
Kaleh—on the Akbaba Dagh, about 7 miles south of Kars.
Early in the month, the besieging force was joined by a force m the
strength of about a brigade, under General Komarotf, from Ardahan.
force had advanced from the latter place on Erzeroum,t but had been recalled,
for some reason as yet unknown, to reinforce General Melikoff, and the force
under the latter now amounted to 39 battalions, some 40 squadrons and sotnias,
with 150 field, and 70 siege guns. . v
No preparation, it appears, was made for attempting a siege en regie.
The Russian batteries were erected at their favourite long range, and did little
more than annoy the besieged. The latter, it was well known at Russian
head-quarters, were numerically, physically, and morally weak. The ganison
necessary to hold the extensive works which surround the city has been
computated, by good authority, at 30,000 men, whereas it scarcely amounted
to 10,000, and these men who had been disheartened by hardship and defeat.
Anyhow, it seems clear that, on the besieging force being reinforced from
Ardahan, and the summons to surrender definitely rejected, it was decided by
the Russian Staff to attempt to storm the fortress.
The assault, which was at first fixed for the 13th, but, according to Russian
accounts, was postponed on account of the weather, finally took place on the
night of the 18th. .
No details have as yet been published by the Russians, but the following
is, briefly, what occurred.
The attack commenced at 8.30 p.m.
On the south, Forts Suwarri, Khanli, and Hafiz Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. were carried by
storm in the night by columns of the 40th Division (General Lazareff, right
wins:), and the 1st Moscow Grenadiers and a regiment ot the 39th Division
(General Count Grabbe, left wing) ; and, at the same time, the eastern foits
Kara Dagh and Arab (Karapatlak)—were attacked and taken by forlorn hopes,
the former being carried by the gorge, and the latter by a frontal attack.
The capture of the southern works was followed, in course of time, by an
attack on the suburb Ortakapi, which fell after some sharp street fighting.
The western forts—Teckmas, Tih Tepeh, Laz, Ingliz, and Muckliz weie
threatened apparently during the night by the Ardahan Brigade and the
2nd Moscow Grenadiers, under Generals Komaroff and Roop, respectively, but
were only taken towards morning. It does not appear very clear whether these
works were really defended by the Turks. At any rate, the fall ot the western
works was subsequent to that of the defences on the south and east, and was
probably due to it.
' The result was, however, a concentric attack from the south and west
* According to Turkish accounts, a party of 18 men succeeded in entering the work and
captured a horse only. Being unsupported, they were of course, unable to follow up their success,
and had to retire.
f There is still some doubt about this.