Editing Fenwick Williams (section)

=== Crimean War ===
[[File:William Fenwick Williams.jpg|thumb|left| Sir William Fenwick Williams, 1st Baronet, 1853]]
Promoted colonel, he was British commissioner with the Turkish army in [[Anatolia]] in the [[Crimean War]] (Russian War) of 1854–56, and, having been made a [[pasha]] (general/governor/lord) with the degree of ''ferik'' (major-general), he commanded the Turkish troops at the [[siege of Kars|defence of the town of Kars]] during the [[Crimean War]].<ref name="EB1911"/> He with other British officers inspired the poorly equipped Turkish soldiers to repel Russian attacks by [[Nikolay Muravyov-Karsky|General Muravyov]] on the besieged town for three months causing 6,000 Russian casualties.<ref name=dcb/> They were forced to surrender due to starvation, disease and shortage of ammunition. However, they surrendered on their own terms, with the officers being allowed to retain their swords. Williams was imprisoned at [[Ryazan]] but he was treated very well and released at the end of the Crimean War in 1856. Before returning home he was introduced to [[Tsar Alexander II]].<ref name=dcb/>

Williams had put up such an honourable defence of the city that Muravyov stated: "General Williams, you have made yourself a name in history, and posterity will stand amazed at the endurance, courage and the discipline which the siege has called forth in the remains of the army."<ref>Alex Troubetzkoy. The Crimean War - The Causes and Consequences of a Medieval Conflict Fought in a Modern Age.  Constable & Robinson Ltd, London. 2006.  pp. 298.</ref>

{{anchor|Annuity to Sir W. F. Williams Act 1856}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Annuity to Sir W. F. Williams Act 1856
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act to settle an Annuity on Sir William Fenwick Williams, in consideration of his eminent Services.
| year                  = 1856
| citation              = [[19 & 20 Vict.]] c. 30
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 23 June 1856
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = 
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://archive.org/details/statutesunitedk38britgoog/page/134/
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
}}
A [[baronet]]cy with pension for life, the [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath|KCB]], the grand cross of the [[Legion of Honour]] and of the [[Order of the Medjidie]], the [[freedom of the City of London]] with a sword of honour, and the honorary degree of [[Doctor of Civil Law|DCL]] of Oxford University, were the distinctions conferred upon him.<ref name="EB1911"/><ref name=dcb/>
[[File:John Eardley Inglis Sword (top) Sir William William's sword (bottem) King's College Library, Halifax, Nova Scotia.jpg|thumb|[[John Eardley Inglis]] Sword (top) Sir William William's sword (bottom), [[University of King's College]], Library, Halifax, Nova Scotia]]

Promoted [[major-general]] in November 1855 on his return from captivity in [[Russia]], he held the Woolwich command, and represented the borough of [[Calne (UK Parliament constituency)|Calne]] in parliament from 1856 to 1859.<ref name="EB1911"/><ref name=dcb/> In the lead up to the [[American Civil War]], from 1859 to 1864, he held the position of [[Commander-in-Chief, North America]], and was responsible for preparations for war with the United States in the case that relations broke down. The most severe strain in relations occurring during the [[Trent Affair]].<ref name=dcb/> He was promoted to [[lieutenant-general]] and appointed colonel-commandant Royal Artillery in 1864.