The Press. — London, England, 1854-09-09 00:00:00

SEPTEMBER 1854. Tflg BALTIC. - - The destruction of the Bomarsund forts has been now accomplished. The chief fort was blown up on Saturday last, and the subsequent conflagration, which is said to have lasted two days and nights, was visible thirty miles off. The French land forces, after losing several hundred men by cholera, em.. barked shortly afterwards on their return home. Marshal Baraguay d'Hilliers and General Niel, with their staff, arrived at Dantzic in the French steamer Fulton, Captain Lebrin, on Wednesday night, on their way to Paris. The last of the French troops left Aland for Europe on Sunday. The following proclamation was issued to the in habitants of the Aland Islands, and read in all the churches on Sunday week : We, the undersigned commanders.in-chief of the combined naval and laud forces, horeby authorise the authorities of these islands to continue in the adminisuution of their respective du ties, sod we rely ou their doing so with zeal and circumspection. In times of tumult and war it devolves upon every well-dis posed citizen to do his utmost In maintaining order and peace ; the lower classes must not be led away with the belief that no law or order exists, for these will be enforced with as much ri gour as heretofore. since the late events, which have changed the aspect of these islands, the blockade has been raised, and the public are informed that they are at liberty to trade with Sweden on the-same condi tions and privileges as heretofore. Each and every one is cautioned against holding any commu nication or intercourse with the enemy or Finland, and if any one is found aiding them in any way he will In punished most severely. Given under our bands, &c., HARM:II3AT 'MILLIE Its. CHARLES NAPIER. PARSZVAL DXSCIIENICkI. HARRY 1). Jorst:a. Some Danish journals reported that Abo had been bombarded by tour British ships, and that the inha bitants were panic3tricken, expecting a land attack. Despatches since received from Admiral Napier, however, acquaint us that the cannonade was merely experimental, being designed by Captain Scott, who commanded a small reconnoitring squadron, to dis cover the existence and strength of masked batteries in the woods surrounding the fortifications at Abo. Captain Scott says, in his letter on the subject, which bears date Aug. 25 : " On Tuesday, the 22nd, we made our way in safety into the comparatively main open track to Abo, beyond Bergham. Raving approached to within 3,000 yards, the Alban stood in to sound. The entrance of the harbour was closed by two impediments : the one in front appeared to be a chain laid on a floating platform, the other of stakes and booms, between which the gun-boats were stationed at regular intervals, and the steam-vessels (four in num ber) were under the shelter of the points. About four p.m. the Alban fired the first shell, which burst over one of the gun-boats. I then commenced firing, and was followed at intervals by Gorgon and Driver, but with little or no effect that we could discover, except that of fully answering my purpose in drawing a return from the masked batteries and gun-boats. Only one of the former at the end of the boom mounted a gun or guns of large calibre and long range, but which was concealed from our view by a point of land. The others, three in number, about one mile to the west of the boom, as far as we could judge, did not in any one case mount more than five or less than three small guns. A fort, of apparently eight or nine large guns, at a distance, constructed to enfilade both passages, tired repeatedly, but the shot invariably fell very short. As my object was not to attack Abo, but to examine its defences, I contented myself with firing a shot occasionally at the gun-boats, or whatever looked like a masked battery. In the meantime Commander Otter, in the must zealous and gallant manner, after going as close as it was prudent iu the Alban, pulled in with his gig, sounding just vetthin range of the gun-boats and batteries, which were all the time keeping up a constant fire. The sum of the obser vation I have been able to obtain amounts to this—seven teen row-boats, two guns each, and about twenty oars on each side, four steam-vessels (all small), two having the flag with cross anchors in it, and another was observed steaming away through the channel to the eastward of Beckholm. Three (if not four) masked batteries, and another, I think, in course of construction. The channel appears to be very narrow, and the thick woods were evi dently full of soldiers. We learnt that our arrival had been anticipated, and that four thousand additional troops had been sent on the previous day, and five thousand more were expected to arrive on the following day; that there were six steamers, five small and one large ( the hater we did not see), and eighteen boats and two guns, and eighty men, besides soldiers in each." THE PRINCIPALITIES. The total evacuation of the Danubian provinces of Turkey by the Russian forces appears at length to be on the eve of completion. The Russian Embassy at Vienna has received notice that the greater part of the Russian army will have quitted Moldavia by the 20th of September, and the remainder by the beginning of October, unless hostile operations should render a fresh concentra Lion necessary. A letter front Jassy states that Prince Gortschakofts head quarters would be trans ferred from that city to some point within the Rus sian territory by the 2nd inst. Osten-Sacken bad announced to the Moldavian authorities his retreat from the principality. The Moldavian militia had been forcibly incorporated into the Russian troops. This had caused great indignation among the people. The letters from Bucharest teem with praises of Omer Pacha, and represent the conduct of the Turkish soldiers as most orderly and praiteworthy. THE PRESS. The payments for everything purchased are made in ready money; and Omer Pacha has contributed thirty millions of piastres to the resources of Walla• chin, to meet extraordinary expenses. One-halt of this sum was paid in gold and silver, and the other half in bank notes. The opposition to the reinstalls• tion of Prince Stirbey is growing stronger every day, and, owing to his former connection with Russia, it is suspected that he will find !dile favour with the Porte. A petition of the Boyards for his deposal, submitted to Omer Pacha, had no less than 166 sig natures attached. He immediately sent it to Con• stantinople for consideration, saying that he had no power to decide in the matter. It. is stated as a curious and significant circumstance that the Aus trian Consul was the only public authority of Bu charest absent when Omer Pacha made his entry into the city. The Augsburg Gazette gives some details relative to the arrangements entered into between Omer Pacha and General Hess for the occupation of the princi• palities by the Austrian troops. The Austrians, it says, are to place garrisons in eighteen towns or large villages of Lesser and Greater Wallachia, but all the fords of the Danube, and all the to. tified points from Kalafat to Galatz and Ibrail, are to receive Turkish garrisons. Omer Pacha is to pass the Jalomnitza with 60,000 infantry, "24,000 cavalry, and 1•lO pieces of cannon, and to advance to the river of Dusco, where he is to establish his head quarters. After the Russians shall have evacuated Galatz and Ibtail, the Turks are to continue their advances on both banks of the Lower Sereth, and are to take up a position there. _ _ _ . . Baron Hess, Commander of the 3rd and 4th Aus trian army corps, issued the following proclamation when the Austrian troops crossed the frontier:— Inhabitants of Wallachia and Moldavia,—ln accordance with a convention concluded between the Ewperor,my most gracious Sovereign, and the Ports, the Austrian troops now euter the pribeipalities. They will remove from you alt the evils of waf, and bring you the blessings of peace. lieceiVe, then, those who will care for your future peace and security with kindness and confidence, and they will prove worthy of them by their beha viour, discipline, and subordination. The privileges granted to you by the Sublime Porte will remain in full force, but I expect from the authorities all possible assistance in providing proper quarters and provisions for the troops, for whose necessities in. deinnitication will always be made. From the people I expect tranquillity and order, for every disturbance, or even a menace of the seine by riutOtli persons or parties, will be punished with the full severity of the law. All the authorities are now instructed from this day forward (the date is not given) to apply in all mat ters to F.M.L. Count Coronini, who has been appointed by his Majesty to the command, under my directions, of all the troops in the two Danubian principalities, or to the military organs by him nominated. THE BATTLE OF KURUKDERE. The details of this engagement, whose unfortunate results seem to have fatally compromised the Turkish fortunes in Asia, have been published by the Morning Chronicle, as received from their military correspon • dent, who witnessed and shared in the action. We reprint the most interesting passages of his com munication : On the 4th of August the Turkish army left the camp of Hadji Velikoi at midnight, or, according to Turkish time, at half•pa't five, and advanced on the Russian camp of Kurukdere. The respective forces were as follows : TURKISH INFANTRY. 12 battalions infantry (Arabistany), average strength, 300 men 20 ditto (Anatolian), ditto :150 men 7OOO 16 ditto (redif, or militia), ditto 550 men ditto Rifles, 300 men 6OO CAVALRY. 16 squadrons cavalry (Arabistany), average 90 mea 1,410 16 ditto (Anatolian), ditto 100 men 1,660 6 ditto (redif), ditto 100 men 6OO 8,700 13 batteries of six pieces each, 78 pieces 1,300 Making a grand total of 2..5,000. To this must be added some 4,000 or 5,000 bashi hazouks, who took no part in the fight. The Russian force was much stronger than the Turks had calculated, and was composed of the following arms:- 20 battalions infantry, average strength, eOO men 26 squadrons dragoons, ditto 100 men 20 ditto Cossacks, ditto 100 men 2,000 ti batteries of eight pieces each, 64 pieces With some 4,000 irregulars. The following plan of attack had been formed by General Guyon, the head of the staff, and adopted by the Muchir, Zarif Mustapha Pacha:—The Russian camp was to be menaced by two detachmunts of bashi bazooka, who were to attack it on the two flanks. The heights which covered the left wing were to be attacked, and carried by five battalions. The maiu body was to attack the front, merely opposing the Rust.ian left wing with cavalry. (It was the idea of the chief of the staff that the ►tussians would have twined the left wing with their cavalry, which did not take place. They attacked the right wing and turned it with their cavalry ) The bashi bazouks had orders to march at twelve at night, the detachment of five battalions at one o'clock in the morning, and the main body at half past one. The entire army was to be before the Russian camp at daybreak, and to attack it at once. The above was the plan of battle, but how was it executed ? The bashi bazouks did not appear on either flank. The arwy was divided into two divisions or wings, without a centre, but with their respective reserves. The division which 845 farmed the laft wing did not start at its filed Lime, and, having lost its way in the night, arrived two hours after the battle had commenced. This division was commanded by ly and with it were the Muchir and the chief of the staff. The division commanded by Kerlin Pacha, advised by Feral Bey (Geueral t'ultneur), and forming the tight wing, alone executed the order with punctuality. Having ar rived before the Russian camp, Kerlin Paella took up posi• tion on some heights, and awaited the arrival of the left wing. The Russians, by their spies or through treachery, bad been informed of the ?duehies intentions, and had oaken measures to frustrate them. Ihrybreak, instead of surprising the Russians in their camp, discovered them drawn up in position, their camp and baggage in the rear, on the other side of the river Karstsehai. The enemy was thus enabled to iniurteuvre with freedom : he had also taken up a good position, and awaited the Turkish attack, and by his Armenian and Oeorgian irregulars had prevented the flank movements projected by the bashi bazouks. In a word, he was acquainted with all our intentions, and had taken his steps in consequence. The division on the right, under herim dacha, had then already established itself on the heights, whilst the left division under Vely Pacha was still absent. To this want of punctuality must the less of the baule be attributed. The Russian general, Prince liebutoff, seeing before him but one of the OLWIIItUI divisions, and perceiving that the second could not arrive before - he expiration of one or two hours, concentrated his whole etrengli, and, leaving his former position, fell upon Kerlin I'acha. After a sanguinary struggle, in which the attacks of the Russians were repeatedly repelled, this division, left to its own resources, and decimated by the numerous artillery opposed to it, was forced to give way, the more so as the redif or militia battalion had never seen fire, and, having broken up and tied, prevented Kerim Pacha from taking up another position iu the rear. The Russian dragoons, mad with drink, threw themselves blindly against the tire of the infantry and repeated showers of grape. The Turkish cavalry having fled, the dragouus penetrated into the already disbanding battalions, and committed sad havoc. At this moment the Turkish left wing approached, and by its presence stopped the pursuit. The left wing at once threw itself upon the Russians, and hurled them back. At this period fortune appeared to shine upon the Ottoman arms. The Cossacks had been ridden over by the Turkish cavalry, whilst the Russian infantry commenced retreating. Encouraged, however, by its officers, who were ever in the front (the exact reverse of the Turkish commanders), the infantry returned to its duty, and the dragoons, who bad returned from their slaughter, fell upon and utterly defeated part of the Turkish cavalry. The Russian infantry ad vanced, and attacked the remaining cavalry, who tied at once. The Turkish infantry likewise recoiled and disbanded. Not two men remained together, and the whole country was covered with groups of fugitives. The artillery poured in grape upon them, whilst the cavalry wade hundreds of prisoners. The Turkish artillery had already disappeared, which accounts fur its safety. Fifteen pieces ouly, which were dismounted, were left on the field of battle. The Russians had suffered too severely to follow up the retreat ing mass, or the whole army would have been captured. The fugitives made, some fur Kars, others to their native homes. whilst many, fatigued to death, threw themselves to sleep on the green grass. The garrison of Kars was under arms, and restored a little order. No one was allowed to enter the town without a pass, and thus pillage, which would otherwise have happened, was prevented. The has is sup posed to amount to about 2,500 killed and wounded, '2,500 prisoners, and 2,000 fugitives who returner to their homes .Che Russian loss was heavy, and could not have been under 1,500 to 2,1,00 killed and wounded. Neither army displayed soy military qualities. The Russian cavalry was alone good, but then it was unopposed by a respectable adversary. Their artillery was very badly managed. The guns were pointed too high, and little damage was three. The noise of their reports had fur more effect on the Turkish trops than their actual execution. Their shells were equally harmless, all exploding in the air. The Rus sian iufantry behaved badly. As to the conduct. of the Turkish troops, it was shameful. Never was greater cowardice displaced both by the officers and the men. The timid militia regiments were mixed up with the Arabistany soldiers, who would, perhaps, have fought well had they not been deserted by their comrades. The European officers ',relieved well, and did not save their persons. Owing to the enemy having abaudoned his pursuit, the greater part of the baggage and tents were saved. Although the number of killed and missing is not extreme, the battle was decisive ; and whenever it may be agreeable fur the Russians to advance they will do su without molestation. Kars, Erzerourn, and the whole of ermenia will be invaded, should it Is, the policy of Russia to do so. No resistance will Ire offered, for the troops are utterly demoralised and cowed : at the first cannon-shot they will flee. Such are the bitter prospects of Asiatic Turkey. Advices from Malta to the 2nd inst. Mate that the Golden Fleece arrived there that day, and left for the East, having the 21st Regiment on board. The Spiteful had left fur the same destination, having one transport in tow. Several French transports, with troops and horses on board, had also prooeudeti to the East. THE PRISONERS. The Algiers screw steam-ship, Captain Cherie" Talbot, arrived (at the Nore on Thursday. She left Ledsund on the 20th ult., having embarked, on the evening of the 19th, 400 rank and file of Russian and Russian-Fin soldiers. On the morning of the 20th embarked 8 officers, 2 ladies, 11 women, and 5 children, making a total of 426. The following Russian officers are brought home in the Algiers :—Captain Essanloff, Captain Schweloff Ili. 9,