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

DECEMBER 2, 1854. all bat taken our camp, when we rallied and drove them back. Their heavy guns literally cut our tenth to pieces, and we are therefore almost without. I have not time for more. I thank God that lam able to write at all. I had two bullets through my shoes, and three through the skirts of my great-coat. We tight in great-coats because they con ceal us better than the red. PS. Had I space and energy to write particulars, I could tell you many a horrid scene, but it would avail nothing. You will see the papers, and learn all if they tell truly. T. 11. D. RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS FOR INKERMANN. -- - The tolling of the bells in Sebastopol on the 5.,h, the fanatical addresses by the Russian clergy and officers, and the libations of " rum" in aid of the true religion " have already been recorded. The following particular account of the preparations among the Russians on the evening before the battle are given by a correspondent of the Presse • The new reinforcements which have come to the assis• tance of the Russians hail been already announced to the commander-in-chief !from Perekop. It was known that this army, commanded by General Dannenberg—the most able, we are assured, of all the Russian generals—and by the two Archdukes Michael and Nicholas, was composed of the 10th, 11th, and 12th divisions. Each of these corps consists of sixteen battalions of infantry, of two batteries of artillery, and of a force of cavalry the number of which is not accurately known. Altogether 301000 men have arrived at Sebastopol, post haste, having left their baggage behind at Nicolaieff. Having reached a forest, two leagues to the north•east of Sebastopol, the army halted, and the twoArandukes put them selves in communication with Prince Menschikoff, who paid them a visit. A council of war was held on the 3rd, at which the two Archdukes, Prince Menschikoff, and General Gorts chakoff were the only persons present. It was decided at the council that an attack should be made upon the allied forces two days afterwards. The army was to advance to wards Inkermann, to take possession of the fortified works which crown the heights and surround the plain of Inker mann. After having accomplished this, the army was to attack the eastern side of the French works towards Baia klava. At the same time a vigorous sortie was to be made to help these operations. The point chosen was a spot be• t seen the Fort Quarantine and the Southern Fort. A portion of the garrison of the city and of the southern port was to attack and destroy the first and second French batteries, which are causing considerable damage in the town. Matters being thus arranged, Prince Menschikoff re served to himself the command of the town and the dispo sition of the columns which were to make the sortie. The army and the reinforcement which had come up were placed eder the command of General Gortschakoff. The army of operation was to receive also draughts of troops from the garrison of Sebastopol. The Archdukes were plac 4.1 on the staff. Measures were immediately taken to ensure the due execution of these plans. On the 4th a solemn celebration took place. A mass was chanted with all solemnity by bishops who had come with the Archdukes. At the end of the mass the troops were assembled, and one of the prelates addressed them. I shiuld have been incredulous as to the details which I am abut to communicate, had I not received them from a Russian officer, at present a prisoner at lialaklava, and if they had not been confirmed by special investigations which I have made for the purpose of ascertaining their truth. The bishop began by reminding the soldiers of their duty t) the Czar and their country, and drew their attention to the two Archdukes, who had come to share their dangers. Re then spoke of their enemies, and gave an explanation of the battle of Alma calculated to flatter the seltlove and to elevate the courage of the imperial army. The English came under the especial natice of the Bishop. He said they were poor soldiers, destitute of all energy, and hostile to the cause of God. His allusions to the French were a mere echo of the proclamation of the Czar at Moscow in th • year 1412. The most remarkable point however, was the strange conclusion of the address : _ • ----------- - " you are the conquerors (cried the bishop) great joy is in preparation for you. We know from unimpeachable entrees that these English heretics have in their camp an enormous sum, which God will give into your hands. This sum amounts to thirty million roubles. The Emperor makes you a present of the third part of this tremendous sum. The second third is reserved for the purpose of the rebuilding of Sebastopol, which you are on the point of relieving. The remainder will be divided amongst the princes and officers who will to-morrow be your coni menders in the battle. Every one of you soldiers will receive 580 roubles. To the wounded the Emperor pro mises a month's pay and rations. As to those of you chosen by God for a glorious death, your Emperor will permit you to dispose of your share in the booty by will. Whatever may be the wishes of any of you, they will be respected solemnly." The speech was terminated by an appeal to the God of armies to bless the soldiers of Russia. A distribution of nedals and coronets followed. - -- • The officer who has given me these curious details is a erwm of high family, with a spice of Voltairianism in his composition, but he assures me that the scene was almost sublime. It was calculated to make a great impression on the soldiers, on whom the recollection of the battle of Alma had operated most prejudicially. Whatever may have been the cause, whether it was the exhortation o f th e bishop, the presence of the princes, greed for gold, or any other teas m, there is no doubt that the Russians fought most admirably on the morrow. THE PRESS. A CHAPLAIN'S DUTIES IN BATTLE. The following extracts are from a letter written by the Rev. U. Lawless, A. M., assistant chaplain to the second division of the British forces in the Crimea : November s.—What a Sunday ! I set out this morning from Balaklava, hoping to attend Sunday service in the camp. My friends on board cautioned ice about danger from the Russian fire across the road; on landing at. Bala klava I was told that from an early hour there had been firing close to the town, and when I got close to the outlet of the town leading to the camp Colonel Daveney, the commandant, happening to be there, replied to my inquiry. " is the road open ?" " I cannot answer for that ; 1 rather fear not." I rode on, however, and found that there had been no attack in the neighbourhood of Balaklava, or near the road to the camp. The firing, which was ao much fiercer than usual, and, iu the peculiar state of the atmo sphere, had sounded so near, was, iu fact, on the front and right of the position before Sebastopol. Arrived at the hign tableland, which commences about mid-way between lialaklava and our front, the continuous discharges of cannon and close incessant rattle of musketry, not more about the French batteries to the left "lan where our second division occupy the right, told plainly that fearful work was going on. 'rite weeping mists of that morning drew a veil over the scene, but as 1 rode onwards towards the right it became revealed, first in the numbers of the French wounded ( mauy of the poor fellows walking calmly while slowly dragging their wounded limbs along, others borne on littere), whom I passed by during more than one mile of my ride. I had barely arrived at the rear of the English camp when I found that the field hospitals of the second division had retired to this spot from their former position, where the enemy's fire had come most formidably. Oh! what a sad spectacle was now before my eyes ! Groups every moment increasing of wounded men and officers of the several regiments of the division spread upon the ground, their respective surgeons with gory hands busily and anxiously performing their labours; many of the poor sufferers consoling themselves as they best could for the loss of the shattered parts which had just been amputated; some others clamouring to have a tortured limb cut off; but the great majority making little of their own wounds by comparison with the worse cases they saw around them. Many a one seamed to " have an ear to hear," and joined fervently in prayer, some that, if spared, they might realise the blessing of " entering into life maimed." Several, while conscious that their wound was mortal, exhibited the greatest patience under agony, and expressed their meek and humble, but cheerful and hearty, faith in their Lord sad Saviour. Besides the mournful scene before my eyes, each moment brought to the ear some sad tidings of killed or wounded. Among the familiar names, what a shock to hear that Captain Allis, aideele.canip to Sir De Lacy Evans, was killed, one who had shown such kind solicitude for my health, and whose greeting always awaited me whenever I rode to the camp! After two or three hours spent in that assemblage of the wounded, Dr. Lighterwood (who so carefully attended me in all my illness in Bulgaria) urged me to leave the spot, and I thought it time to visit some of the other sufferers who were in various parts of the camp. They were so distant and scattered I could notfind them all. Atnoug those whom I did not see was Major Mauleverer ( who had the com mand of the 39th since the death of poor Colonel Huey), but I learnt that his wound (in the leg) was not severe ; and Majors Champion and Hume, both severely, the former dangerously wounded. The former was iu command of the 95th (the colonel having been wounded at the Alms). I had a great regard for both. I saw Colonel Warren, of the 55th ; he had received a wound in the second finger, which had been excised at the root. Colonel Holy, of the 47th, had several wounds, which he bore most cheerfully, none of them considered dangerous; but poor Colonel Carpenter, of the 41st, was dreadfully wounded. He received me most warmly. He told me all that had befallen him. Ho ap peared quite aware of the dangerous condition he was in, and gave utterance to a long and fervid prayer. I could not restrain him from speaking. At last he seemed ex hausted, and the surgeon, who just then came in, evidently considered him dying. Next morning I was surprised to hear from the surgeon that he was better, but in the course of the (ley he died. My next visit was to Major Dalton, of the 49th, who had succeeded to the command of the regi ment. Major Powell was killed in the trenches a few days ago. Poor Major Dalton was pierced through the stomach. He was very weak, expressed anxiety about his" poor wife and children." He joined fervently in prayer, casting his care upon God, and declared his trust in the Saviour. lie was calm and resigned, but in extreme pain. He did not survive many hours. Thus I have enumerated the regi ments of the whole division, all deprived of their cow mending officers. I went next in quest of General Adams, and found him in great pain from a musket wound through the ancle. He bore the pain and expressed himself as a Christian. In the same part of the camp I found Captain Macdonald, extra aide-de-camp to General l'ennefather. lying under a painful but not dangerous wound; and met another of General Pennefather's staff, Captain Harding, who had received a wound in the ann, but not sufficient to prevent him from riding about. He confirmed the accounts I had before received of General Pennefather's safety. A servant of Colonel Blair, of the Scots Fusilier Guards, coming in anxious search of their chaplain of the first divisionl(Mr. Halpin), who had just gone away upon another melancholy visit, 1 felt called on to go. I found poor Colonel Blair in great pain, and breathing with diffi culty, not expecting to survive the night. He had been wounded through the stomach. He was in deep concern for his soul, and timidly desirous to lay hold of the hope for sinnere. He joined earnestly in prayer. Oh ! how solemn to witness the soul's anxiety in its fast ebbing mo ments ! and how anxious the ministerial task ( in so sudden a call) to guard against a false peace, and yet not withhold the free promise of perfect= through Christ. It was now too Intl to return to 13 vs. 1 tolled on the senior 1135 chaplain, Mr. Wright, and by him and his friends in the engineer camp was hospitably taken care of in their tent. Monday, Nov. 6.—This whole day, from half-past nine to half-past three o'clock, was occupied with,funerals, in such widely separated places and accompanied with so much delay that I had nu time to visit the hospitals. I performed the burial service over-41st Regiment, four officers, a sergeant, and two men, all laid in one grave ; 55th, Captain Butler, whose brother was killed at Sihstria; 49th, Major hilton and Mr. Armstrong, adjutant; 30th, Mr. (Captain?) Conolly. I had seen him and prayed with him on Sunday morning, after he received his wound. He warmly yet humbly expressed his confidence in the Saviour. He was in excruciating pain, which he bore calmly ; and he remarked how similar his case was to that of his brother (shot on the 211th through the lump' ), except that his wound was through the intestines, and more likely to be fatal. His brother, of the 49th, was going on favourably, hut I fear that the shock of his brother's death may be against his recovery. They were both pious men, suns of the late Colonel Conolly, M.P. Tuesday, Nov. 7.—To-day 1 visited a shipfel of wounded (the l'alarera ), including six officers. There was many a case of excessive suffering, and many, I trust, of repentance and faith. tieneral Pennefether is among the many astonishing instances of merciful preservation from close danger. He and his Brigade-Major Thackwell (both un- hurt) had their horses shot under them. I saw the car case of the general's horse, and beside it the unexploded shell which had passed into the animal's head and out through his neck. THE HOSPITALS. The arrival of Miss Nightingale and her staff of nurses at Scutari has been followed by a welcome amelioration ii. the condition of the wounded soldiers who were lying in the hospital there. The funds raised by public subscription in England for the "sick andwounded soldiers" is also being applied with the best. effect. The French have all along had the assistance of the Levantine Catholics, and although their hospital arrangements have been more complete, and the number of their official medical men for greater than at Scutari, yet they have shown no un willingness to accept the contributims and to employ the labours of their co-religionists. Tue Sisters of Charity in Smyrna alone have supplied largo quantities of sheets and socks, and not less than eight thousand shirts ; those of Pere are employed in the hospital, and from all sides their sick and wounded are supplied with little comforts until lately altogether unknown in the British hospital. A chaplain attached to the hospital, in a letter from Scutari, dated on the 10th November, says : Most gladly did we welcome good Miss Nightingale and her party, and before evening they were all comfortably lodged and provided for. They will be invaluable in severe cases of illness, and in any emergency. Our surgeons last. night one and all confessed that they were of the greatest use in attending to 600 wounded who came in during the afternoon. These were the wounded of the sth, when the Russians gave us a hard day's fighting ; but we held our own, and they lost, it is said, 10,000 men. Miss Nightingale appears eminently qualified for the noble work she has undertaken, and 1 trust she may have strength to carry it out. Her labours will spare the clergy many a sad sight of men sinking for want of proper nursing, and because food csnnot be administered often enough. This is impossible with only hospital orderlies, but, with the nurses, all who need will be supplied. Mrs. and Mr. Bracebridge I welcomed as friends, and their labours of love 1 have long known. They are most active, and to-day I may say all are in full work. Mr. S. U. Osborne has arrived here, offering his services, and bearing credential* front Sidney Herbert. 1 have put into his care half of the Barrack Hospital, which today numbers 2,300 patients, and will have another 600 added during the day. The Hospital Proper numbers still 1,000 patients. Mr. Wright has sent for Mr. Oilbume, so that have only Mr. Lewis here, who takes the hospital. I am, therefore, most thankful for Mr. Osborne's help. Two Rennin Catholic priests are here—Messrs. Cuile and Butt. Mr. Halett went up to the Crimea on Sunday in the Prince, but did not come to me, or I should have detained him, but Mr. Osborne in some sort supplies his place. We require another chaplain here yet, SI I have not been able to get to the hulk for a fortnight past, and there are 501) men on board her. Mr. A. Stafford, M.P. for Northamptonshire, is here, and has volunteered to write letters fur the men. They are very glad of his services, and I have seen him sitting hour after hour on the beds, most patiently writing the words which will cheer many hearts at home. Mr. Osborne's sun is also engaged in the same work. The gentlemen who are sent by the 7'intes to dispose of their fund are also here, and anxious to spend the fund in the best manner. I have suggested several things to them, and will give them every assistance iu helping our men. Mr. Osborne has some funds, and generally adds one or two pounds to Mr. Stafford's letter, where the wives or families at home are in need. Lady Stratford comes and sends frequently, and has made me her almoner for jellies, pies, and soups for the officers. Miss Nightingale only takes care of the men, so Lady Stratford sends for the officers. We much need religious books and small Common Prayer-books. My stock is exhausted, but I have 'Testa ments still. I have distributed 1 ; 100, and more are needed. The Bible Society in Stamboul send me any quantity of Testaments. Devotional books are much needed. The Bishop of London's " Private Devotion " is much prized ; but 1,40 u prayer-books would be the best gift. There intn-t now be immense numbers here all the winter, since we now number so many, and Sebastopol not yet attacked; so any books awn 9ltt will be fen Mate.