The Press. — London, England, 1854-12-30 00:00:00

A4OEMBER 30, 1854. THE WAR. The English Government has published no des patches front the seat of war since our last impres sion. Many have arrived, but are considered to contain no intelligence worth printing iu the Gazette. The Moniteur of Thursday contained official Recounts received by telegraph from the Crimea to the 18th inst., on which date they report the state of the allies to be satisfactory. Reinforcements con tinued to arrive, and - the Napoleon had that day landed 1,100 men and matiriel embarked at Con stantinople. The Turkish troops from Varna were arriving. On the Russian side, despatches front Prince Menschikorl had reached St. Petersburg, dated the 20th, stating as usual that " nothing new had oc curred up to that time. The fire of the Russian artillery was well-directed, and annoyed the allies." The Oest. Correspondent publishes Constantinople letters of the 18th. The Royal Albert, with 1,800 troops on board, had passed through the Bosphorus. Up to the 18th the number of English and French reinforcements to the armies in the Crimea amounted to 18,000 men. Since the three sorties of the Bth, 10th, and 11th, the garrison of Sebastopol bad remained inactive. General Liprandi was rnanceuvring in the neighbour hood of Bttlaklava with 4Q,000 men. The allies were in force, ready to give battle. The third parallel of the French was now mounted with guns. Admiral Bruat had captured a fire-ship near Kamisch. In the sortie made by the Russians on the 12th they lost 700 men. On the 15th General Osten Sacken reconnoitred in force, and a skirmish is said to have taken place near the ruins of Inkermann. It is stated that Prince Afenschikoff is ill; and that Osten-Sacken exercises the command daring the sickness of the commander-in-chief. Ajdespatch from Yarns of the 17th states that 5,001) Turks had embarked for the Crimea. On the same day Omer Puha is said to have left Varna for Constantinople. It is still reported that the Turkish force is designed to operate upon Perekop and. the Russian northern line of communication. Eupatoria is strongly guarded and insured, not only against a coup de main, but also against all the attacks that the Russians might attempt to Make against it. Late letters from Constantinople received in Paris state that the Duke of Cambridge is much better, and will shortly return to the Crimea. Rear-Admiral Boxer has been ordered by the Ad- miralty, in consequence of the confusion which pre vailed at Balaklava during the fearful storm which visited that port last month, to proceed from Con stantinople, to take upon himself the duties con nected with the transport department, and Rear- Admiral Stopford will relieve the gallant officer at Constantinople. Captain Michael Quin has, it is said, received an appointment in the same service. Constantinople despatches of the 18th report that Admiral Dundas was about to return hcme, and would be succeeded by Sir E. Lyons. Admiral Hamelin was also to be relieved by Admiral Bruat. A daring, but fortunately unsuccessful, attempt to burn the ships at Balaklava is reported to have been made by the Russians, in Sebastopol. A party of about forty desperate men got down to the sea and waded round the shore to the town of Balaklava, prodded with torches and fireballs of every descrip• ticu, for the purpose of setting fire to all the shipping and stores, which would have been a terrible disaster, as all the provisions, shot, and shell belonging to the army are stored in houses of the village. The Rifles, who bold that part of the position, were, however, too alert for them, and the whole were either killed or taken prisoners. The following is a summary of Russian news from the seat of war given by the Soldaten Freund : The recent expedition of the Russian steamers, which was merely a reconnoissance, lasted nine hours. The Russians discovered that they had no chance of effecting anything by sea against the French, as strand batteries completely protect their transport-ships ; 120 fresh guns of the largest calibre have been placed in the batteries, and the works in the third parallel are completed. It is certain that the two Grand Dukes passed Perrkop on the 9th, on their way to St. Petersburg. General Read, and not General Offenberg, has been definitively appointed to the 3rd Corps, which was formerly under Gsten•Sacken. Until General Read arrives, Lieutenant-General Mon thesor will have the command. Twenty thousand men are occupied in fortifying Kiew. SIEGE CHRONICLE. Letters from the camp down to the 12th inst. were received in London yesterday morning. They report few events of interest relative to the military opera tions, the writers dwelling chiefly upon the condition of the troops as to provisions, transport, and health. On these points we learn that a welcome aid has been afforded by our French allies, who have sup plied the disgracefnl neglect of the home authorities by landing ambulances for the conveyance of the British sick to Balaklava, and also made a substan- THE PRESS. tial road for some distance between the harbour and the camp. The correspondent of the Post writes on the 11th inst.:— The French ambulances took the whole of the sick of the army to Balaklava yesterday morning. They nutu bend upwards of 1.100 men. Their mode of conveyance was by mules. They have ambulance waggons, but these vehicles do not suit the present state of the roads. I understand the sick, after arriving at 'Usklava, Lane fre quently to wait for hours before they are taken on board ship, or into the hospital. Today, tt is said, some of the men were laid on the ground and kept there some time, and, according to my informant, several died while lying on the ground. This is a shocking death to die, and most repulsive to an Englishman's feelings. The Turkish troops are actually employed at Bahllava in nothing else than burying the dead. - - - - Respecting the transport service and road-making, we read in the correspondence of the Daily News, under the same date : Some of our divisions have of late been on half rations, not because the army wants provisions, but because the oottruiasary-general wants the means of conveying the pro visions. up to camp. kiard.worked as the traops are in the tromohes, the regiments here lately had the bitter choice of starving, or of seeding fatigue parties from the camp to Batiklava, a distance of seven or eight miles, to take up rations. It comes to this, that because we want draught cattle parties of our men must tramp fourteen and sixteen miles a day, through the thickest of the mud, to supply the place of beasts of burden. Some time ago the commis 'airy-general ordered his fissistantte at Constautiuople to buy up a large number (twelve hundred) of bat horses. The horses were bought, and are now eating their rations at Constantinople. Even if we had had ever so many horses and milks they could never have survived the Libbers and miseries of the last four weeks; when the roads were rivers of mud, and the way Up to camp was a short day's long journey. It is strange, and no doubt cha racteristic, that on landing here we took possession of the road, and that we have gone on spelling it without raising, a shovel of earth or lifting a stone to fill up a hole or re move an obstruction. Our allies have at length felt oum. passion for our pitiable case, and a thousand Zottaves who were set to work some days ago have in that short time made a splendid road from lialaklava to Kadikoi. In another week we shall have little to fear from wet weather, for the French road up to our camp will then be fiona. pleted. It is broad, and all the holes and pitfalls &refilled up, and it is covered with a thick layer of broken stones and gravel, and there is a deep ditch on either side to draw off the water. We all of us--officers, men, and non combatants—look at the road, and laugh with glee and just a touch of shame. Now, if the French will only keep the road in order, we shall do excellently well, and when we get our draught cattle and bat horses we mean to go on campaigning in the must dashing of styles. But still there is no denying it, kind and brotherly as our allies are, our wanting their kind care to such an extent is not exactly a feather in our cape. The delight we take in the road re minds one of the monkeys who get into eestacies with a fire, and will sit round it by the hour, chattering away and warming their paws, but none of them ever tbiuk of light ing a fire or feeding it when lighted. The writer gives the latest intelligence from the camp as follows: — Dee. 12.—The last report is that the bombardment will recommence on the 17th, and continue on the linh, on which the assault is decided to take place. This is gene• rally believed all over the camp, but from Lord 'Raglan's staff it is, of course, extremely difficult to yet an answer to ,so important a qtiestion. We are very quiet this morning, and the roads are much harder, facilitating the conveyance of our ammunition. We have now sixteen new 13 inch mortars from Malta, whereas 9-inch was lately our largest size ; this will give us the advantages of throwing larger shell 1,000 yards further than formerly from our advanced works, which are much nearer the town than our old. bat teries. Heavy guns and more ammunition are expected daily. Large quantities of woollen shirts, drawers, Szc., have arrived for the troops, and a few new great-coats for the sentries; they have the hood attached, a very useful but ugly appendage. The absurdity is this, that the hoods are worn over the bearskins, whereas the bear-skins (sight to be done away with, excepting for liekl-days. It is a splendid day, the sun shining as on a June morning, and the scenery being very beautiful all feel as happy as crickets. Scurvy is appearing amongst the troops, and many believe that the prevalent diarrhoea depends upon the salt rations. Several cargoes of potatoes have arrived for the use of the men, but not in sufficient quantities to make any great alteration in their condition. I hope the authorities at home will not think of sending out more cavalry, because the horses are dying by thousands daily, or rather nightly, but in the spring they will be much wanted, and not likely to die. Many parts of our lines have been strengthened by holes dug in the ground, three iu a row, called "Trots de loupe," or, as the soldiers fami liarly term them, " toorooloos," for entrappiug the Cos sacks if they attempt to advance. It will be a great bless ing when all the trench works are finished, the men at present being much overworked. I hope by the next mail I shall have news of more importance to communicate, but at present there is little but grumbling to be heard in the camp. FRENCH CHRONICLE OF SIEGE. The following accounts of the siege operations on the French side, up to the the Bth instant, is pub lished by the Constitutionne/: The continual heavy rain which has been Lining since Nov. 4 almost without interruption has arrested the siege operations. However, that interruption has been only relative, fur the works of the trenches for the second parallel went on as much as the hod weather would allow . Since the 4th of the present midi, When the tine weather returned, the works have been urged on moat rapidly, and are in part armed, so as to be almost ready to open Are. And in speaking of ourworks 1 include those of the Eng lish. If the weather continues due we shall again open fire in a few days, with 250 guns, including mortars, a good number of which are of thirteen inches. In addition, we have gut much closer to the town, so that you may COW shier the taking &the southern part of it as a certainty. You may say thit the Russians have also torte batteries and barricades, Mid otherwise defended themselves. No doubt they have; but all they have dons is without system and cannot resist us, once that a temible tire will have pre pared the way for the assault. Yesterday 1 went through the trenches, and was struck with the precarious condition of the Russian iouvuchnients, whilst everywhere I found our soldiers animated with the beat spirit notwithstanding their dreadlul fatigues and ettlferinp from the weather. Almost eery day WO receive accounts from prisoners or deserters of the discouragement of the }lnterim troops, both on account of their frequent defeats and the insufficient food which they receive. They are also nearly without shelter, being merely covered with hum made of branches of trete, without any defence against the severity of the present season. eieneral Liprandi's division the day before yestenlay quitted its position We're Balaklava and withdrew beyond the Tacherusys, Mulling their huts, and carryiug away the guns taken from the Turks on October 25. This movement, which commenced on the night of the sth, was effected by ten the next morning, without any other apparent reason than the ill-health of the Russian troops, or an intention to concentrate their forces iu another rim of the country. On the oth, about two iu the afternoon, two Russian Teasels, cue of which was the famous reelitoir, left the port, anti proceeded to Streletzka day, for the purport of reconnoitring our positions on the left, and of damaging, it possible, the Caton and another steamer anchored there. But the itfifithe gave the Marin, and our Other steemere got np their steant at once with the design of giving chase. The Hessians, however, had time to , draw sear, driving before them the little ,Ileyilre, which has only two guns. The Vladimir lived at. the echos, which at once returned the tire, rid as she was doing re the English frigate the Terrible dawbed forward like au angry lieu against the enemy, who,. seeing the meretuent, sod having received some balls from the guns of the 0111111, turned hack at full speed sod got safely into the port. The advance of the Terrible was magnificent, and quite in accordance with her name ; but she was unable •to come up with the Ittisaitui vessels. She, however, opened tire en the kinstrian vesaels •running the risk of the enemy's batteries. The enemy would not have eeeepoil without injury, as some shots from ithel Caters struck the Viuthrnir in the bull. On the other side. the Terrible had two men killed. What was the object of this sortie? No one can say--prebahly a bravado. But, iu feet, what is the use of all their attempts tie our beneriee and trenches ? Nothing else but to get some of their unfortunate soldiers kille4 Or made prisoners, atm'. ing the besieged an opportunity of firing their guns on the ramparts without wounding a single man of our soldiers. The Princes Michael and Nicholas occupy the fort No. 4, being the final after Fort Michael, on the north side of the port. Four ships of the line, amongst which are the Pans, the Coestatitine, and the Teaks Apostles, all almost without guns, are anchored in front. Thu Triiesine it in the Cr reeuing Itay with its crew on board, by the side of the Elbrousse, an iron steam-frigate • and then climes the Goaidi liner, transformed into a hospital, and three other large vessels are lying in dock. Add the I'lademir frigate and some small vessels, and that is all that remains at present of the Black Sea fleet, after the Milking of the skips at the entrance of the port. Of the whole, there are only two perfectly armed. As to the land forces, they are at preseut between the Belbeck and the Tsohernaya, guitraiug with gret.t care the road from Simferopol to Itaktulti Serail, by which alone they receive their supplies. It is difficult, if nut impossible, at present, with the state of the roads, to briug $ second supply of men iu vehicles, for to the quetaltin of men is added the graver one of provisions. This army, largely estimated, and including the troops in the tow u, cannot amount to more than front 00,000 to 70,000 men. They are now making an int reached camp un the positione of the lielbeek and of the Tueliernitya, thinking that, because the heights of the Chersotiese have become impreguable in oar hands, their camp will lie so likewise. lot them go on, fur we know that, once that the tuwu is taken, the famous northern fort will nut be Mile to hold out two weeks, deprived of water as it is, and soon deprived of everything, when we shall have the command of the road to Simfe ropol. Such is the true state of things. Every day we are receiving reinforcements; the English are about to re ceive 20,000 wooden houses from England, pnetisions are insured to us for four months, and wood and water are not wanting. The spirit of the soldiers is excellent, and their general health good. Hive us only a few days' fine weather, such as we enjoy to-day, and you will see if the town will not soon be in our halide. That will cost we suniethiag, it is true, but our ohject will have heel' attained, and " Vive l'Empereur THE WEATHER AND TIIE TROOPS. Letters from officers in the camp, dated on the oth instant, state, concerning the weather and the con dition of the troops : For the last twu days the weather has been delightful. This day in particular belts out hopes of those few weeks of dry weather in December and Jannary promised by very old iu of Itaisichiva. The breeze is may, the air mild as in May, and the sun is all a May wan can be es. peeled to be. Our poor men in the camp are drying their clothes, and if no fresh rains come oil overnight they will have the luxury of dry shirts, coats, and trousers—su in dulgenoe long unknown to them. The fine weather, too, will cheer up otir fresh troops, who must have rectived shocking ideas of the Crimean climate—which, if the