The Press. — London, England, 1854-12-02 00:00:00

1134 less difficult to take by escalade than to knock down by cannon. A good plan, well traced and well adapted to the ground, does not suffice; the parapets must be strong, the fusses deep, and the gorges of the work solidly palisaded. When a detachment is placed in an intrenchment, it natu rally calculates on that support. If the intrenchment be easily escaladed, the detachment, which would have bravely fought in the open field, will take to flight, or will suc cumb in despair, because a fortified post, on which it had the right to count, failed it at the moment of combat. The moral effect produced by such things should be taken into serious consideration by the generals, whose troops have to defend field fortifications destined to protect camps in the rear. If such works be not constructed in such a way as to cause perfect security, they have only an illusory value. This was seen by the example of the incomplete redoubts of Flalaklava iu the affair of the 25th October, and a second example of it was seen during the first few hours of the battle cf Inkermann. The Journal de St. Petersbourg of the 21st con• tains a report from Prince Menschikoff to the Emperor, dated the 12th. The Prince states that the approaches of the enemy had not advanced at all for several days, and that, though the batteries con tinued their fire, the defences sustained it with suc cess. Each night the pieces dismounted during the day were replaced by fresh guns, and the damage repaired. At the same time additional internal de fences were being erected. The same number of the Journal de St. Peters bourg contains a report from General Dannenberg on the battle of Inkermann, in which the blame of the failure of the attack is thrown on General Soimo noff, who advanced with the right column too pre cipitately, instead of halting until the left column made its attack. It also contains a report from Prince Menschikoff to the Emperor, certifying that the Grand Dukes Michael and Nicholas behaved with the greatest bravery at and after the battle of Inkermann, and praying the Emperor to grant them the order of S. George of the Fourth Class, for military merit. This prayer the Emperor has been graciously pleased to grant. THE FLEETS. Rear-Admiral Seymour left Kiel on Saturday last with her Majesty's ships Princess Royal, f,l, and St. Jean d'Aere, 101, for England. The Bulldog and Vulture also left on the same day for Copenhagen. The James Watt and Cesar left Kiel on Tuesday morning. The remainder of the fleet remained in Kiel roads. Since the departure of the British fleet from Nar gen, several of the Russian line-of-battle ships put to sea, for the purpose of uniting with the squadron at Helsingfors. They had scarcely got fairly out of harbour ere a heavy gale came on. The flag-ship lost her rudder, and three of the ships in company got on shore. Their critical situation being observed, steamers were sent to their assistance, and succeeded in towing them off, and conducted them back again to port. The Czar is said to be highly incensed at this occurrence, and remarked that he considered it extraordinary that the ships of England and France had for months past been navigated in the Baltic seas without meeting with any casualties—whereas his own fleet, the officers of which were more per fectly acquainted with the situation of the various shoals which exist, had, on merely being ordered to proceed to Helsingfors, when scarcely out of harbour, placed in imminent danger the ships entrusted to their command. It is stated that the Monarch, 84, Captain Erskine, that has been in the Baltic during the summer, is to proceed to the Pacific as the flag-ship of Rear-Ad miral Bruce, the newly-appointed commander-in- chief. TURKISH ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF INKERMANN. The following bulletin, containing a narrative of the victory of Inkermann, was published in Con stantinople on the 11th of November : The Archdukes, Michael and Nicholas, had arrived at Sebastopol, and nearly at the sam e time the army from the principalities, composed of the 10th and 11th divisions, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery, each 14,000 strong, and under tha command of General Dannenberg. This force, having traversed the Isthmus, advanced in forced marches to a forest within about two hours distance from Sebastopol, to join the army of Prince Menschikoff. There a council of war was held under the presidency of the Imperial Dukes, and the following resolutions adopted in reference to the plan of operations to be directed against the positions of the allies :- 1. To attack the works on the route and summit of Inkermann, near the extremity of the port. 2, To destroy the French batteries in the second plain of lialaklava. 3. To raze the defences on the sea side fronting the quarantine, by means of a sally from the town. It was thus in pursuance of these resolutions that on Sunday, Sefer 14 (Nov. 5), the Russians opened fire at day break on the two French divisions stationed to the south of Ralaklava. The commanders of the allied forces, Lord Raglan and General Canroliert, hastened at once to the spot, accompanied by their staffs and several other officers, and, after having reconnoitred the force and position of the enemy, devised in council the measures requisite in this emergency. The Russian army, mean time, within the walls of the city, omanded by General Gortschakoff, sallied forth to unite with m the other force assembled at inkermatin, and, THE Pittsg. having reached that point, the whole army, amounting to 50,000, with eighty pieces of ordnance, commenced the ac tion at two o'clock (about seven a.m. Frank time), and took two British batteries, each mounting two heavy guns, and manned by about one hundred men, who were all cut to pieces. These were replaced by the Russian gunners, and thence their forces repaired to the forest of Bair, and approaching within a thousand paces of a body of the British army—in all not more than two thousand men—this heroic little band sustained with valour and intrepidity for more than a couple of hours the terrible on slaught of overwhelming numbers. His Royal Highness he Duke of Cambridge, Generals Cathcart and Brown, at he head of about 7,000 men, dashed on to the rescue, and, atter a volley of musketry, attacked with charged bayonets this formidable force during a ouuple of hours, until they were at last completely surrounded, and in imminent danger of being totally exterminated. At length, fortu nately, about five o'clock (tea a.m.) General Bosquet came up with a reinforcement of four regiments, but our troops were in such close conflict with the enemy, the melee so confused and awful, that the bayonet was the only available arm in this exigency. The } ranch, as ever, be haved admirably, and, seconded with equal heroism by British troops, a frightful combat and massacre ensued, which ended in the total route of the enemy, who fled precipitately towards the forest, leaving the plain literally impassable, and strewn with countless masses of his slain. The crews of the fleets anchored in the bay of Balaklava repaired to the field after the battle, and collected above 20,000 muskets, with arms and various equipments of all sorts. Wood is scarce in those parts, and the broken butts served, it is understood, to light the camp fires for a couple of days and cook the provisions of the army. The British retook the battery which they had lost at the outset, but it fell again into the hands of the enemy. Lstly, the Zoutives and other regiments came u, and, jo a ining in the combat, the rout of the enemy was p com plete, and, throwing away arms, knapsacks, and accoutre ments, his remaining force took refuge within the walls. The British casualties amount to 2,400, with about 130 officers killed and wounded. The Russian loss amounts in killed ana wounded to 8,000 men found on the field of battle, and 850 besides were taken prisoners. The French loss is stated to have been less severe. On that same day another encounter took place close to the walls of Sebastopol. A Russian force of 0,000 men, during a thick fog, sallied forth from within the walls, silenced the French batteries, 1, '2, and spiked five guns. General de Lourmel, with two regi ments and some skirmishers, attacked the enemy on this point, and fell unfortunately mortally wounded in the ac tion. A murderous conflict ensued close to the ramparts, wherein the enemy was again repulsed, and retreated whence he came, after a loss of 3,000 men hors de combat, besides SOOrisoners captured. In 700 this encounter the French have to deplore the loss of men, with their heroic general. The commanders of the allied forces despatched a herald offering every facility to the enemy for the burial of his dead, but no advantage having been taken of this proposal the necessary measures were adopted inconsequence for the performance of this humane duty. The almost incredible bravery and heroism displa a for- yed by 7,000 British troops, in resisting single-handed such midable array of the Russian forces, at a moment when the rest of the army was entirely occupied with the opera tions of siege, is above all praise. Constantinople, Safer 20, 1270. IMPERIAL RECOGNITION OF GALLANTRY. The Emperor has addressed the following letter to the General-in-Chief of the army of the East : Palace of St. Cloud, Nov. 24. General,—Your report of the victory of Inkermann has deeply affected me. Express to the army, in my n a m e , th e e satisfaction I feel at th e courage which it displaye t energy in supporting fatigues and privations, and at its warm cordiality towards our allies. Thank the generals, the officers, and the soldiers for their valiant conduct. Tell them that I warmly sympathise in their sufferings and in the cruel losses which they have experienced, and that my constant solicitude will be to alleviate the bitterness of it. After the brilliant victory of the Alma I had hoped de- for a moment that the enemy's army, having been feated, would not have so promptly repaired its losses, and that Sebastopol would soon have fallen beneath our blows; but the obstinate defence of that town, and the re inforcements which have arrived to the Russian army, check for a moment the course of our success. 1 ho applaud you for having res isted the impatience of the troops, w demanded to advance to the assault under conditions which would have led to too considerable losses. The English and French Governments watch with the most ardent attention over their army of the East. Already are s t ea meis on their way bringing you considerable rinforce ments. This assistance will double your forces, and permit you to resume the offensive. A powerful diversion is about to be made in Bessarabia, and I receive the assurance that abroad public opinion becomes every day more and more favourable towards us. If Europe has seen without alarm our long.hanished eagles display themselves with so much eclat, it is because it is well aware that we only combat for its independence. If France has resumed the rank which is her due, and if victory has again rendered our standards victorious, it is, I am proud to declare, to the patriotism and to the unflinching bravery of the army that I owe it. I send General de Montebello, one of my aides-de-camp, to convey to the army the recompenses which it has so well merited. I pray God, general, that he will have you in his holy keeping. NAPOLEON. The Moniteur contains the following graceful compliment, written, it is believed, by the Emperor himself, to Lord Raglan and the British army Every ono has remarked the terms in which Lord Raglan SATURDAY, points . out the part taken by our generals and sold le iers illu in r c e t o d r ft general,oof u l r u t a k oi e m r m :th a bo n ym n 8 . Ibis gratitude the competent testimony , j o u t. t 1 spontaneouslygit ft a British: the r t !I ve s ' Go vernment has just awarded the highest military dignity, is too glorious for our army for us not to reproduce the very expressions made use of in the report. "I am proud," writes the general-in-chief, " of the opportunity of bearing testimony to the valour anti energetic services of the French troops, and of paying a itribute of admiration to the dis tinguished conduct of their immediate commander, General liosquet, while it is in the highest degree pleasing to me to place upon record my deep sense of the valuable as sistance I received from the Commander-in-Chief General Canrobert, who was himself on the ground, and in constant communication with me." The French reports, on their side, do not less strongly point out the heroic and un shakeable firmness with which a fraction of the English army victoriously supported for several hours the sh ock of an enemy so superior in numbers. The more we become acquainted with the details of that day the more do we think ourselves founded in regarding it as one of the most glorious in military history. It is, in fact, stated that at the commencement of the battle the English fought with the numerical inferiority of one against seven, and that at the end of the day, when the arrival of the French troops decided the victory, the proportion was still one against four. SIEGE DUTIES AND LABOURS. The following extracts from the private letters of an officer in the '2nd division before Sebastopol have been published : I scarcely know how to date this, for I never know one day from another here, but I will find out before I close. The life we are leading here is very trying to our bodily powers of endurance. I will try and give you some idea of our doings; and, first, I will begin with the duty 1 am at present on. lam on picket. This is a duty that begins at four in the morning and ends at four the next morning. Each regiment furnishes two companies for picket daily; therefore it takes place every fourth day. A picket is an advanced guard thrown out close to the enemy's lines, in order to protect the camp from a surprise ; consequently the sentries can see each other, and we can see large masses of Russians unintouvring in the hollow all day. We command, from our position, a road which is a short cut for the enemy into Sebastopol, and, as they often try to dodge past our sentries, we have shot several of them at a surprising distance with our long rifles. Hardly a day passes in which the pickets have not a brush with the enemy, but our pickets always drive their's back without alarming our main body, which has not been engaged since I wrote you word that we killed 600 Russians and had an officer wounded. Another of our duties is the defence of our batteries. We have five batteries, and these require a large;armed guard and fatigue party day and night —a fatigue party to keep the works in repair after the enemy's fire, and a guard to defend them from sorties. This is the moat dangerous of our recreations, and not a day passes that two or three fatal cases do not occur. At night they shell us incessantly from the forts ; but at night shells are not so dangerous as in the day, because we can always track their fiery course for half a minute through the air. I have often scarcely had time to roll over from one trench to another after these fiery messengers fall and explode. I have acc umulated all kinds of Russian relics, which 1 got after the different fights, but I see no chance of carrying any of them away. 1 need hardly tell you that, badly clothed as we are, this kind of night and day work is telling on us. As yet it has only affected my limbs and gums with rheumatic pains ; the vital parts — chest and throat—are, thank God, pretty safe. Sometimes after lying on the wet ground all night my limbs are all pains and my teeth quite loose in the guns. 1 went yesterday to Ratak lava and was lucky enough to buy two fliumel shirts for 21., and a tooth - brush for Sa. Rumour is very bu s y assi g ning us this horrid life for the winter; if so, it will finish any of us that the Russians leave. It is said that we are to assault the place soon, and if the Russians defend it half as obsti nately as they have done hitherto, England will agambe gratified with a "long bu tcher's bill." I suppose things are going on in their old jog trot with you. When I sometimes have time for a few moments' thought, I think of you all one by one, and wonder if 1 shall ever see a warm fireside and old faces again. I received a Mail London the other day. Althoug h we are at the seat of war itself, i and know, of course , all g reat events as they occur, t is only from English papers we get the minute particulars of everything. It is very strange what an effect habit has on us mortals ; when first the firing commenced we heard it t with a considerable amoun t of awe, but now it goes on pe petually without eliciting even a remark ; and even in action itself the men have ceased to bob their heads when the cannon balls come plunging along. It is o val u when the word to " charge' is giveu that the old valo B7iton is really shown ; then I do believe, from what I have seen and felt, that 1,000 English soldiers would send 5,000 tßhuastsiitaiiiss stioy,infogrliiksencoltmoffnebeEfoiriegitilsilet wind . soldier moreAntl it difficulti° to find than five Russ ians ! N ove mber 6.—lt is with a sad he art that I add this postscript to my letter. Yeste rda y we had another bloody, and, for our division , disastrous day with the Russians. well My regiment had four officers killed and six wounded —the colonel, it is feared, mortally. How I escaped I . cannot i tell ; indeed Providence has been very merciful to me io . al these hard battles. The Russians attacked our . position in countless numbers, and long before we received rein forcements most of ua were cut to pieces. .It was . a fear ful battle, and .asted from four in the morning n . nu . pote dark, and we then only remained masters of our posiretion with h te the assistance of the French. Our regiment is duced a perfect skeleton, and I am one of three who ten coped of all our suba lterns . The worst of it is, they abr r enew the attack any moment , and we are dady less to withstand them. I cannot attempt here to describe the battle, but it was a terrib le si g ht. At ono time they bail r