The Express. — London, England, 1855-06-07 00:00:00

fig Oil WO 7) , d i ISIP THE WAR. THE EXPEDITION TO THE SEA OF AZOFF. *oh Nisi Oa on" I ire' IZ risiolo C. ill. NIOOP ow s ow. ww!" • DESPATCRIIS FROM ADMIRAL LYONS. ow* 4 1017L1LX1W2 TO Tll oasitrra 01 TOISDAT.) Admiralty, Jane 6,1855. A dispatch, of whisk the Mowing is a Dopy, be* wen received from Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Ly o ns, Bart., 0.C.8., Commander-in-Chief of her gajeety's ships and worsts in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Royal Albert, Straits of Kertch, May, 26, 1835. gir,—l have great pleasure in requesting you to inform the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the allied foross are masters of the Straits of Hutch, and that they have in the Sea of Azoff a powerful steam flotilla, of light draught of water, **palate of cutting off the enemy's supplies, and harassing him at all points ; and, moreover, that the mans are at hand for sending in a vast number of gun-boats of the lighter draught, if it should be toned desirable to do so. My letter of the 22nd instant, No. 396, will have informed their lordships that an allied expedition, consisting of 13,000 men of all arms, and five batte ries of artillery, were then on the point of leaving the aochorage off Sebastopol for Kertch, and my message by electric telegraph will have announced the corn. plots suooess of that expedition; but it now remains ?or me to give an account of our proceedings for their lordship" information. The fleet, which consisted of her Majesty's ships named in the margin,' and a French fleet of nearly equal force, under the command of my very gallant and energetic oolleag ue,Vice-Admiral Bruat, assembled off the Straits of Kertch at early dawn on the birthday of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, and both armies and navies confidently anticipated a sue awful celebration of that auspicious day. The fleets steamed rapidly up to Kamish to the south of Ker:ch, where the army landed under cover of the mans of the steam frigates, and immediately ascended a,s heights without opposition, whilst the steamers dfOt draught of water pushed on towards Kertoh ; and the enemy, appareatly taken by m▪ rputsN at the rapidity of these movements, and at **lmposing appearance of the expedition, blew up We fortifications on both sides of the straits,mousting a* ism than fifty guns (new and of heavy calibre), vhish have fallen into our possession, and retired attar baring destroyed three steamers and several other heavily armed vessels, as well as large quanti ties of provisions, ammunition, and stores ' thus Waving us masters of the entrance into the Sea of stuff, without our having sustained any lose what- OVIT. As the disembarkation was unopposed, in con- Requiem of the flee of the steam frigates having arrested the advance of the enemy, there was no field for the gallantry that animated every one in the expedition ; but the duties they had to perform were very arduous, and I should be doing injustice to them and to my own teelings if I were not to say that no Commander-in-Chief was ever more ably misted than I am by the captains and those under their command—one and all followed the admirable example of the zealous and talented second in com mand, Rear-Admiral Stewart, and they could not possibly do better. There was, however, an incident during the day that called forth the admiration of both fleets, and which deserves to be particularly noticed. Lieutenant McKillop, whose gun- visas l , the Snake, was not employed like the others in land ing troops, dashed past the forts after an enemy's steamer, and although he soon found himself engaged not only with her but also with two others who came to her support, he persevered, and by the cleverness and extreme rapidity of his manceuvrea, prevented the escape of all three, and they were consequently destroyed by the enemy, and the Snake had not a man hurt, though shot passed through the vesseL Yesterday Admiral Bruat and I accompanied the combined steam flotilla named in the merffint into the Sea of Azoff, and despatched them, under the orders of Captain Lyons, of the Miranda, on the in. twisting and important service they have before them. Had this expedition been deferred but a short time longer there would have been many and great difficulties to overcome, for the enemy was actively employed in strengthening the sea defences, and in replacing the sunken Teasels which had been carried away by the current during the winter months. Ot the 40 vessels sunk last year some still remain, and a French steamer touched upon one of them yesterday. It appears that the enemy did not suc ceed in destroying the coals, either at Kertoh or Enikale, so that about 17,000 tons remain, which will be available for our steamers. It will be evident to their lordships that the rapid operations which I have had the honour and happiness to describe to them, could not have been brought to so satisfactory a conclusion, if the most perfect understanding, and the most hearty good will towards each other, had not prevailed throughout the allied fleets and armies.—l am, &c. (Signed) EDMUND LYONS, Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief. The Secretary of the Admiralty, London. Admiralty, June 6, 1865. With reference to the above despatch, Lieutenant Henry Frederick McKillop will be promoted to the rank of Commander, so soon as he shall have com pleted the sea time required to qualify him for that rank. • Royal Albert, Hannibal, Algiers, Agemerouot, St. Seas (Vlore, Princess Royal, Sides, Valorous, Loopard, Tribuoe, Simmer, Furious, Terriblo, Miranda, Sphinx, Spitfire, Oladiator, Vesuvius, Curlsw, Swallow, Cuadoc, Stromboli, Ardent, M angier, Wrangler, Viper, isms, Recruit, Arrow, Bsorime, Soaks, Boogie. tßiesada,Veswrius,Carlow, Swallow, Stromboli, Ardent, Medina, Wrangler, Viper, Lyoz, Rireruit, Arrow, Snae, Roes, and Si, Fresh Mom vessels. gun-licisit to be supported. Ni veribilisiothe sonars I steamer, which we knew had the Karts\ treasury oa board, escaped, leaving in our basis two barges filled with valuable effects, end with a portion of the civil and military archives. But the confusion of the Russians, surprised by land and sea, became so great, that they soon desisted from any further resistance, and did not even take the trouble to Garry off the woviuded transported thither from Sebastopol, and who were in the hospital of the citadel. In the course of the day they had set fire to some large magazines at Kerteh. Finally, be fore evacuating Yenikale they blew up a magazine containing nearly 30,000 kilogrammes of gunpowder. The shook was so great that several houses were destroyed by it, and ships anchored ten miles off sensibly felt it. In fine, the enemy, up to the present moment, has lost : One hundred and sixty thousand sacks of oats ; Three hundred and sixty thousand Wall of wheat ; One hundred thousand sacks of flour. A gun foundry has been burned. Three steamers, one of which was a war steamer, have been sunk by the Russians themselves. Thirty transports are de stroyed, and at least as many have been taken. About one hundred thousand kilogrammes of powder have been consumed by the different explosions. A large store of shells and balls no longer exists. I shall inform your Excellency later of the state is which the guns are that have fallen into our hands. The number of them is from sixty to eighty. They are of beautiful workmanship and large calibre. I am, &c., The Vice-Admiral commanding in chief the Medi terranean squadron, BRUAT. DESPATCH FROM ADMIRAL BRUAT. Oa board tire Monter*llc.May 26, 1866, off Satoh. Monsieur le Minietre,—As I had the honour of announcing to you by my telegraphic despatches of May 22 and 26, a fresh expedition to Kutch was re solved upon on the 20th. The embarkation commenced on the evening of the 21st, the expedition set out on the 23rd, the land ing wee effected on the 24th at Kamish-Bournon, and on the 25th Yenikald was occupied after the troops had passed through Kertch and taken possession of the batteries situated in the neighbourhood of Ak- Bournou. On the 26th, Admiral Lyons and myself entered the Bea of Asa, where we sent = a squadron to Berdianek and Arabat. It left during the night, and consists of four French and ten English steamers, many of them being gun-boats. The success of this expedition, which has been no complete, and in which our troops, under the com mand of General Autetnarre, have displayed their accustomed ardour, is also due to the rapidity with which it Las been carried out. On this head lam bound to make known to your Excellency how com plete and cordial the op-operation of Admiral Lyons ke been in every airman:steam From the first day, and when we came to anchor, the disembarked°n of the French troops commenced with order, under the direction of Captain Julien de is Orwrierr, the chief of my staff. After °reviewing myself of the promptitude with which the landing of the expeditionary force was effected, I advanced with the Laplace, on board which ship I had hoisted my flag, to reconnoitre the batteries of Cape Ak-Bournoo, a powder magazine of which had been already blown up by the Russians. Boeing himself on the point of being turned, the enemy lost no time in blowing up several others and evacuating these positions. Very shortly a ft er, an English gunboat of light = i t i proceeded to co in order to cut off a steamer, which, comi Hatch coming from , was endavouring to gain the Bea of Asoff. A rather amp 'uprisen% ensued between theme two vessels, sad the Imatteriss of Tenikale took part in I neat lb, Niles is the aid of the gun-boat. The Fallon =seared the scene of contest , sod boa to moo. they a warm fire. I ordered the Meer* to sad Admiral Lyon', on his side, owed the THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 7, 1856. light •, bet a thin buy mist was floating on the sur face of the ground, and this, mixed with the smoke in the distance, so obscured the view, uto defy all attempts at defining the particular point where the straggle was going 00. The fire was terrific. The' atmosphere and sky were lighted up by the showers of burning @hell. the flashes of the guns and the fiery trails of r ockets; while at aseat intervals patches of ground were un end dale by the sudden bright glare of the shells Is Os set of their explosion. The air, rent by the lola balls in their swift flight, uttered unceasing salads, which, from their shrill tones and peculiar character, were not inaptly compared with grooms and sounds of complaint. These cries of wailing. as it were—these rushing noises—were plainly audible, notwithstanding the deep-toned roar of the cannon, the load crash of the bombs exploding on the ground, the metallic ringing of those burst in the air, and the thundering roll of the echoes from moon tain to mountain : all struck the ear at once, yet each distinctly audible, producing in their combina tion a confused uproar which was well calculated to create astonishment and surprise in any one whose ear had not become by long practice accustomed to the discordant music of the siege. The contrast with the deep unbroken silence on the right was very re markable, for, contrary to common usage, not a gun or musket was fired in that direction. From the course taken by some of the shells it was supposed at first that the ships were engaged in bombarding part of the town, and this idea was strengthened by the discharge of several guns from Fort Constantine and other distant points. Whether this was to guard against the sup posed entrance of vessels, or what other object the enemy bad in view, could not be unravelled. The contest by land soon made itself audible, however, for w h enever a moment's lull in the thunder of the, 3 cannon occurred, the rattle of a rap : .... ooncehltated roll of musketry was at once heard. For two hours there was no intermission in this tearful fire--a fire which on few occasions before, since the opening of the siege, has been so close and sustained, and of such long duration. It has slackened at present, but is not concluded. MAT 23. The contest of last night was not finished until daylight interfered, and caused both hostile parties to retire within the protection of their respective works. The affair was attended with fearful loss, as, judging from the fire and the time it lasted, it was fully anticipated it would be, both to our gallant allies and to the enemy, and was not accompanied with the amount of recompense hoped for. The attack began on the part of the French, and was made against a trench forming a species of redoubt, and some ambuscades in rear of it, near the Quarantine Battery. The trench was carried, and is now occupied by our allies ; the ambuscades are crowded with the dead, but both Russians and French have evacuated them; their parapets are in a great measure destroyed. The French attacking force ap pears to have consisted of about 5,000 men. They encountered greater opposition than was anticipated at the trench itself; and when, after a sharp fight, they had gained possession of it, immense reinforce ments came to the aid of the Russians, both from the town on one side,and from the Quarantine Fort on the other. They were several times driven back by the weight of the fire, and as many times returned to the charge. At one time the French had driven the enemy out of the ambuscades, and bad passed them some distance, when a battery, stated to be armed with 16 or 17 gnus, opened a direct fire upon them and compelled a retreat. The Voltigeurs of the Imperial Guard, the 2nd Regiment of the Foreign Legion, and the 18th Regi ment of the line, particularly suffered. The first. named corps had landed only three days previously, and it was the first time they had been in the trenches. It I. asserted that these troops be- came confused, and so completely lost their position that at one time two companies became surrounded by the enemy, and were killed and wounded in great numbers, while several were taken prisoners. This i b not to be wondered at, for scarcely any one, the first time he is exposed to a fire of shot and shell, though under cover of trenches, can prevent himself fams becoming bewildered by the iron passing above and ea all sides. It is not so muck a feeling of fear os the effect produced on the mind by the users , treaty of the direction of the missiles in their course, and their rapid peculiar noise. It requires practice before the ear can learn to estimate distance, or even the direction of flight of eannon balls. Even the light of the fuze will fail to illustrate the course of an approaching shell to one not accustomed to watch them. A ball sweeping . by far away on the right or left will sound as if coming directly forward, while the ball coming forward will scarcely be heard tilt close upon the auditor. The shell aeon in the air, aid apparently going far away to either side, may alight close to the spectator, or vice versa; and it is this uncertainty, partly arising from want of practice and the confusion of sounds, as much as alarm on account of danger, that excites the emotions of mind which agitate the majority of soldiers on their first visit to the trenches. A general action is not so calculated to unnerve a novice. The loss in killed and wounded of the Imperial Guard was very great, their colonel commandant being among the number of wounded. The 2nd Regiment of the Foreign Legion had about 400 officers and men plaosa hors de combat. The total loss of the French in this attack is variously estimated from 1,200 to 1,700 killed and wounded, but by none is it placed under 1,000. The loss of the enemy can only be surmised by the number of dead left on the ground ; in some places they are literally piled together. The French soldiers speak of this conceit as " cans petite Inkermann." A flag of truce was hoisted by the Rosario' from Fort Nichols. to-day, but, from some motive, the French did not respond to it. It is Intended to renew the attack to-night, and to open several new batteries. The object of the French engineers seems to be chiefly to extend their works still farther to the left, so as to gain a footing on the east. or right, side of Quarantine Bay. This position ewes established, not only a further effective flee will be obtained against the Bastion du Mkt and its asso ciated works, but an important step will be gained toward the ultimate reduction of the great batteries on the coast. When the ambuscades are obtained, there will remain nothing, not even a ravine, be ltween the French works and the wall which g uards 1 this part of the town. The steamers moving towards Beech have bees visible all the morning off the coast. It is now stated that in the two attacks oeeitpla# lby the British 150 guns and mortars are now in pose- II" and that no lees than 700 rounds per gun am is the magazines. This vast armament, composed ae it is of the heaviest metal, and carried forward to a meet advanced position, must open with an effect that will leave far behind those of the two previous hee -1 bodement& An early day is named for re-opening 1 the fire ; bat nothing is known on the saltiest, sad there are several undertakings in all probability to ba INSlOrlithed before the new batteries are masa Mint is have now got their summer ANN, esoti i 01 trowsers and tunic of rab b lehed olnteme. The material is strong and cool, has by OD BIM= an nn . pleasing appearance on parade. The MU en exceed ingly pleased with it. Why is the broad issued to the British troops so Weiler, in 6U mopeds, as it is to that supplied to the Frail Neap r It is very frequently covered with most ea the surface, and is always heavy, dark coloured, and gritty; while the French ration bread is the reverse in these respects, and is both palate able and excellent in quality. Perhaps M. Boyer will discover the canoe before he leaves the Crimea. 10 p.m.—A heavy cannonade is going on on the left, tint no musketry fire audible, beyond the dropping dot. of the riflemen. MAT 24. The Preach last night secured possession of the Gailwilbill near the Quarantine Battery. After some llllMidiag the French advanced against the rifle-1 lan ad the charge. The Russians abandoned them, ' I aid did not return or attempt to remover their loss. The French were in immense force, prepared for all hazards. The working parties quickly connected the pits with the French trenches. An opportunity was offered in the coarse of that day for forming some estimate of the loss of the Russians in the °Detest for these rifle-pit' during last night and 1 the preceding night. An armistice wet entered into at noon for the purpose of burying tits dead, and the enemy were cosupled for nearly five hbure in the performatun id Uwe lest At* On the ow* 01 the armisties to bury the dead near the Mauselon about two boors were occupied, and the number of Russian dead was then calculated to be about 500. A review of the British cavalry and some troops of Horse Artillery took place to-day, in honour of her Majesty's birthday. The day was magnificentlyi fine and bright. The heat was tempered by a re trashing breeze, and passing clouds amid out from I I deas to time a welcome shadow. Notice had been iven to the aims of the various divisions of the British army, and a great proportion of chose off duty assembled in honour of the occasion. General Pe limier and a brilliant staff, Omer Pacha and staff, with numerous generals of divisions and brigades, and officers of all ranks—French, Sardinian, and I Ottemsa—were also present. Omer Pacha was particularly conspicuous, from the gorgeous embroidery of his dress and the richness of the trappings of his charger, as well as from the number and brilliancy of the stars and deco rations which he wore. His fez was ornamented in front by a device worked in diamonds. The review took place on the heights above the valley of Karani, between it and the Monastery of St. George. After •marching put, daring which the 10th Hussars and 12th Lancers, lately arrived from India, received a large share of admiration, the whole of the troops formed into line and gave a general salute. The generals, with the foreign and other officers, ad vanced, and three cheers were given for " the Quire " which might almost have been heard by the Russi an videttes on the opposite heights of the Balaklava valley. Lord Reglan, General Pelissier, and Omer Pacha then inspected several Ottoman regiment', which were drawn up near at hand in columns of companies, and afterwards retired to the Ottoman generalissimo's tent to partake of luncheon. One of the Ottoman bands played the English national anthem , with meet. Amager and vienur. In the evening the commander of the forcer had a large dinner pat., -. head-quarters. No spectacle could be finer than this , inspection. The limited number of the regiments enabled the whole to be grasped in one view, but their splendour was almost forgotten amid the mag nificent natural scenery by which the position was surrounded. The whole of the valley of Balaklava , lay stretched below, with, on one side, the lines de fending the encampments of the allies ; and, on the ether side, the mountain barrier rising range above reap, and protecting the rich inland territory of the Getmes. The effect of the various hues and tints of thus mountains, of the green cultivated fields and the bare rocky escarpments, was greatly enhanced and vivified by the bright sun and the sweeping shadows of the clouds. MAY 26. The following officers have lately left camp fot Englard, at the recommendation of medical boards:— Major-General G. Buller, C. 8., commanding the 2nd Brigade, Light Division ; Lieutenant-Colonel Lord James Murray, Scots Fusilier Guards; Captain F. Bathurst, Grenadier Guards; Staff Veterinary Sur geon Cherry; Captain Owen, Royal Engineers (leg amputated), and Lieutenant Pratt, Royal Engineers; Dr. Golthe Scot, surgeon, 79th Highlanders; and Staff Assistant Surgeon Hungertord. Colonel E. Reynardson, Grenadier Guards, and Captain Mait land, 49th Regiment, have also left on private affairs. DESPATCH FROM LORD RAGLAN. (Faou • BUEELEXINT TO THE GAZETTE OP TUMIDLY: WAR DEPARTMENT, Jur(' 6. Lord Panmure has this day received two despatches and their enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to his lordship by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B. BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, MAT 26. My Lord,—l have the honour to report to your ' lordship that a portion of the allied armies took up • position yesterday on this side of the Tchernaya, the left of the French resting under a redoubt established upon the edge of this ridge overhanging the valley, and opposite the Inkermann heights ; the right ex tending beyond Tractir ; and the ground more to the right, behind Chorgouna, being occupied by the Sar dinian troops, aided in their advance by the 10th Hums and 12th Lancers and the Horse Artillery, under Colonel Parlby. Omer Pacha at the same time moved forward to the low heights in front of Balaklava, and thus afforded support to the French divisions before him. These were commanded by General Canrobert, who pushed forward across the bridge of Tractir, and drove the enemy, who were pot in great numbers, off: and having cleared his front, he withdrew to this side of the river, where he now remains. Sir Colin Campbell advanced the Royal Marines from the high ridge on our extreme right to a point commanding the old Balder road; and Colonel Parlby, with the regiments I have mentioned, reconnoitred the country on the immediate right of General La Marmora's position, and patrolled along the Woron zow toad, in the direction of Bader. The appearance and bearing of the Sardinian troops are highly satisfactory, and I anticipate the greatest advantage from their addition to this army, under their distinguished leader, General La Mar mara, whose zeal for the service and ardent desire to co-operate with us I am happy to have so early an opportunity of acknowledging and recording. Nothing of importance has occurred in the British trenches since I wrote to your lordship on the 19th instant, The death of Colonel Egerton, of the 77th, on the night of the 19th ultimo, as already announced to your lordship, prevented my receiving in due course the official report of the conduct of the officers serv ing immediately under him, and it is only a few days ago that I learnt that Captain Gilby was the next in seniority to him, of the 77 th , on the occasion, and that he had highly distinguished himself. I deem it an act of justice to a most deserving officer to bring hie conduct under the notice of your lordship. P I enclose the returns of cesualties to the 24th in stant. Your lordship will regret to see that Lieut. ; Williams, of the 17th, has been severely wounded. I have the greatest pleasure in announcing to your lordship the brilliant success which attended an attack by the French army of some ambuscades at the head of the Quarantine Bay, and in front of a cemetery near it. The attack was made on the night of the 22nd, and the operation was completed on the following evening. The enemy had collected a very large force on the first occasion to resist our Allies; but, notwithstanding, the French were enabled by their brilliant gallantry and determined resolution to maintain themselves in the pits at the head of the bay on the 22nd, and on the 23rd to occupy the whole with less resistance on the part of the Rua gags. who are stated to have sustained a very severe loss. The French were necessarily exposed to a very heavy fire, and were assailed by vastly superior num ber.. The achievement they accomplished redounds therefore highly to their .renown, and is hailed with satisfaction by their Allies. An expedition, composed of British, French, and Turkish troops, sailed for Kart& on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, and I hope moon to be able to announce the landing of the corps, and the result of its first operations. It is commanded by Lieut.- General Sir George Brown, and has been conveyed in English and French ships, under the command of Admiral Sir R. Lyons and Admiral Beast, whose exertions to carry out this important service have been most conspicuous. The 31st Regiment has arrived from Corfu. I am much concerned to have to report that Major- General Buller has been obliged by the failure of his health to leave the army. Re has been constant in the discharge of his duty since he joined this army, distinguished himself both at Alma and Inkermann, and persevered in taking hie turn in the trenches until driven by illness to withdraw. I regret the loss of his I have, Bro., services exceedingly. RAGLAN. The Lord Panmnre, &o. 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T Mom, "=ll atop et NiresaigAsald Gam nil Nauss £llll4 ATTACK ON THE RUSSIAN LINES. -4- . (PECK THE SPECIAL OP TEI DAILY maws.) CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, MAY 11. An active fire was kept up last night against the French works on the right of Careening Bay, to which oar allies replied with energy. The third, or last constructed, Russian redoubt in this position has preserved a very constant fire, aid also a battery on a projecting point of cliff on the north side of the Great Harbour, against these works, and no means are omitted by the enemy to obstruct their progress. A large battery on the left, west side, of Careening Bay, and the guns lately placed on the east side of the Kamptacatka redoubt, are chiefly employed for this purpose, but in spite of all these impediments the French trenches are gradually and securely ad vancing. They are now not more than one hundred and twenty yards from the large ambuscades in front of the foremost of the three redoubts. There was not more than the usual musketry fire on the left, and scarcely any in the centre attack. Another line of trench has been commenced in front of the old advanced parallel on Frenchman's-hill, but only a short distance in &demos. The present trench of the zigzag on the left and the rifle pit connected with it, " Egerton's pit," the extremity of the boyars on the right, and, between these, the large rifle pit made by the Royal Engineers with its zigzag approach from the advanced work, re main the three most advanced points of our position on Frenchman's-hill ; nor can they with security be carried further on, until the fire of the Kampt scatka redoubt on the Mamelon Vert is silenced. On Greenhill the works are advanced as far as the nature of the ground will permit; they have been carried to the verge of the high ground above the South harbour and left ravine. The stores of ammunition, shot and shell, are being increased to a vast amount, and the magazines in the several batteries will shortly be filled. A sad tragedy occurred this morning at the en trance to the Karabelusia ravine. A body of French troops was marching down to furnish the usual relit!f to the picket in the ravine. The relief was composed of part of the 2nd battalion of the 25th Regiment of the Line. On the way, Lieutenant Driant, of the Grenadier Company, had occasion to check a soldier, who, being partly intoxicated, was marchin g . very irregularly, and giving expression to angry sentiments in a loud tone. Scarcely had the reprimand been given, when the man replied, " Lieutenant, you've punished me often enough; you shall not punish me any more ;" and on the instant levelling his musket, he fired, and shot him through the body. The unfor tunate officer—a man of powerful frame, and said to be popular in the regiment--at once fell. He was carried to one of the English hospitals near at band, and died immediately alter hie arrival. The murderer was secured without delay, and was being taken back under escort to the head-quarters of his regi ment, when a general murmur arose from the men for his instant punishment. The general in command of the trenches was in the ravine close by, and after a brief consultation between him and the commandant of the relief, a council was held and the man con demned to be shot. About 200 yards down the ravine and at a slight elevation above it on the side of Frenchman's-hill, a small heap of stones was ob served with a clear space before it. To this the un happy culprit was brought, while on either side the battalion was drawn up in companies, and here he received the fi re of twelve muskets rem a party placed on the opposite side of the ravine. He fell forward pierced by eight bullets, and after a short address from the general the regiment proceeded on its way. Half an hour scarcely elapsed between the perpetration of the crime and the execution of the criminal. The soldier had become sober immediately after committing the murder. He bad seen 18 years ' service, and was spoken of as a brave and able man. He had lately received a slight punishment for some irregularity of conduct, by no means such as to form a motive for his crime, and this tragic episode in the history of the siege, involving the sadden destruction of two valuable lives, must be regarded as one more among the many examples of the fatal effects of drunkenness. There is a good deal of conversation among the French troops respecting the change of position be tween General Canrebert and General reneger. Goners' Canrobert has not taken command of a Imps larvae, but has gone back to his old division, VW Ist Division, at the head of which he marched at Alma. The Preach soldiers speak of hire with Ir vis :1 114 1 they _say that during the winter the ambu lances, and went into their OW* lima sat their wants, and supplied them, sod that hi the army be was a per. de fanatic. Ilene will tel yes that he was tender to a fault : that mese might ben been done perhaps bad he not bushman' (edisegf) the soldiers too much. General Polisidie is spawner es a good and determined leader, ems that will punish severely where duty is ne- Ilinfinit but that will !Ave doe praise and reward *hew m b vomited. AU look forward to the siege like_9ool leeward with increased energy under ble imam. A remark respecting the Bataan mods in the Illeansina Vert is generally attributed bim—ei The Weis must be taken; if it cost tin amm i me must have it; if it cost ten hundred we Wad MEW. it." I fear there is no chance of its being 1161siesd at the first price. AII the Weer composing the expeditionary force Obiw Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown have ',hooked, and the fleet will steam off to-night. It is dolma that at the last expedition it was intended to Mm dieted a landing about ten miles south of lashihr at a part of the coast where a low sandy book sirs thedouble advantage of an easy access by boats and a clear opening into the land, so that the shipi psi would be able to sweep away any Maw that might be brought to oppose the troops disembarking. The battery of St. Paul was soggemi 10 be armed with sixteen guns, but these Weeenfifflossalibre, and in a very commanding posi- ZThis battery was to be attacked in reverse. ionism were observed to be engaged in sinking Sled with steam on a shoal in mid-channel e=.y northernmost horn of the Bay of Kertch 1 1 110111h1 bog bank connected with the opposite isle of fir. A battery in this position might be made a I =slab& against the passage into the bay of ma the Strait. 11 P.m.—Shortly before 9 o'clock a furious can nonade opened on the left, woompallied with a heavy and °mammas fire of musketry. It became at wee evident that there was a very determined sortie . on the part of the Remians, or an attack in force avast some 'important work by the French. The din of the contest was so unusually great that many odess and others were induced to go to the high ground in front of the camp to seethe contest. The new moon was shining above, aad, with the state, afforded some from nth to 14th May, Includes.— likhloot : Sergeant'Jantee Fla. hasty. 41n Meet : Privets William 11•Goldrack. 47th Foot: Private Thames Illeephy. 88th : Pelves John Moran, John lakes, Charts Hew& 49th Paot : Private William Handyman. Royal B-pme sad WWII: Privates Neal Campbell, Richard Walsh. nominal Return of Nou.commirsiorad Officers and Privates Wounded hem the 18th to the 24th May, inclualre.—tnd Battalion, I list Volt Lanimilerssant Michael Sweeney, dangerously ; Drummer James illeteMb, slightly ; Privates 'Thomas McDonal d, slightly ; John Illelleanki, severely ; Peter Sealy, severely ; George Da slightly ; Hairy Bottornky, severely ; James Stewart, alightl;! ds n root : Privates Ca tes, mortally ; Cornelius Brown, severely; John Toombs. slightly; Peter Jordon, slightly. 14th Foot: Pd. rate Thomas Clary. severely. 17th Foot: Corporal William severely ; Private Edward Maguire, @lightly. 29rd Pout: Privet s John JOIN; slightly; Imre Goodwin, slightly. loth root: Print., Patrick Doyle, severely. Seth Foot: John Wood, slightly; Robert WAtteer, slightly. 39th root: lAne•Corilwal Owes Meehan, slightly; Privates Timmer Barke,slightly; Wm.Cumer. slightly. 119th Foot: Privates Patrick Neville, slightly; Michael Ryan, @tightly. 47th Foot ; Private John Dillon, severely. 49th Foot : Pri. votes Jobs Hare, dangerously ; James Kennedy, dangerously ; hos, severely. 12th Foot : Private William Burke, severely. 57th Foot : Corporal James Burnes, seemly ; Privates William 1311 slightly ; Timothy Sheehan. severely ; Jamas Lewis, severely;9 l 7l4 list Raid, severely. 62nd Foot: Private Adam Nixon, severely. 99th Foot : Privets John Hagerty. slightly. 90th Foot: Private James Fletcher, severely. 97th Foot: Private John Dempsey, slightly. Sad Battalion Rifle Brigade: Privates Alfred Hine, slightly; WtWam Welsh. dangerously; Joha C. Weeks, slightly; Robert Wall, severely. R pal Sappers and Miners : Bored Corporal William Swan, severely; Private George Wood, slightly. A Return of Camaltles in the Royal Navy Brigade. Were Sebastopol, from the 18th May to the 26th May, hmlusive.—Killed : Frank Edy, Quartermaster, Queen. Wounded: Thomas Smith. A. 8., Queen, raghtly ; John Arnold, L.B. Leander, slightly; John Smith, A. 8., Loonier, severely ; Richard Rook, Ord., Qum. slightly. Before Sebutopol, May 25. M Lord,—l have the honour to enclose the Fortnight Confidential Reports of the Generals of Division and Brigade to the 20th inst. I hive likewise to transmit, for your lordrbip's informa tion, a letter from the Insputor•Oenerat of Hospitals, showing the extant of the cholera to the latest period. I earsestly hope that the disease is not gaining ground. I have, dm. • RAGLAN. The Lord Panraure, Bto. Ao. Before Sebastopol, May 26. My Lord,—! have the honour to enclose a return of the "" " r ""*!3 of cholera :2 !"! from 19:l to 2+th May inclusive. Your lordship will notice by this return that tie disease he. moderated in violence, and that the mortality is one third lets than it was charism the preceding seven days, though I cannot say that the number of attacks has dimi nished in proportion, or that the di has been circum scribed by narrower limits; on the contrary, I think it, if anything, more generally diffuesd, es cases have occurred in every division. At Selektive several admissions into the General Hospital there have taken place from the Sardinian Contingent, from the Land Transport Corps, and from ships in the har bour, which have swelled out our lists of both admissions and deaths. The removal of the Buffs end 48th Regiment to higher end drier ground has been attended with good mutts. Great attention is paid to the sanitary condition of the camps, end to all matters that it is thought may tend to ex cite the disease. The attention of medical officers has been drawn to the subject of cholera belts, and I have reason to believe that the whole army has been supplied with them, and if not, the supply in store is ample enough to meet the demand. I have, &e. J. HALL, Inspector-General of Hospitals. Field-Marshal lard Raglan, 0.C.8., Commanding-in-Chief. DESPATCHES FROM GENERAL PELISSIER. Head-Quarters before Sebastopol, May 26, 1855. Monsieur le Marechal,—Since we took the Russian oounter-approaches in trout of the Central Bastion, on the night of May 2, and occupied this very im portant work, the enemy, to stop our progress, and get side views of our attacks, has turned his effort. to the aide of the Quarantine, where he has endea voured to construct fresh lines of counter-approach. His intention was to unite by a line of gabions the ambuscades at the bottom of the bay with those on the main side of the cemetery, and to connect this work by a long covered way with the lunette on the right of the Central Bastion. In the night be tween the 21st and 22nd, by immense and well-con cealed exertions, he imperfectly threw up this vast place d'armes, so threatening to our left attack, and so well contrived for enabling the enemy to collect in great force and make strong sorties. The danger of this Russian work was evident. I foresaw at once all its gravity, and ordered General de Sallee, commanding the Ist corps, to carry this position, and to turn against the enemy his own new works; it was both a delicate and difficult task, for we had, of course, to expect a stubborn resistance and a desperate contest under the fire of formidable batteries. The general of division Pate was charged with this operation. Two attacks were organised, one against the ambuscades at the bottom of the bay, the other against the ambuscades of the cemetery, while charging through the south-eastern corner of this enclosed space. They were to be simultaneous. After carrying the new gabionnades of the enemy, it was necessary to hold our ground well in front in order to protect our working party, and transform the Russian work into one for ourselves. Bat the extent of these lines was immense ; we had to expect two successive phases in the action, one of the battle and one of the labour. The combat took place in the night between the 22nd and 23rd of May, and com menced at nine in the evening. Our attack on the left was commanded by Briga dier-General Benret, and executed by three corn paniea of the 10th battalion of foot chasseurs, three) battalions of the 2nd regiment of the foreign legion, and one battalion of the 98th regiment of the line. The attack on the right, entrusted to General de I la Motterouge, comprehended the select companies of the Ist regiment of the foreign legion, supported by two battalions of the 20th regiment of the line, having in their rear a battalion of the 18th and two battalions of the voltigeura of the guard u a reserve. Other battalions were ready to march in case Gen. Pate should have required a reinforcement. The enemy, whether he had formed the plan of a considerable attack, or whether he wished in one single night to finish his lines by one grand effort, was there in strong force, ready to receive us. We estimated at more than twenty battalions the force which our brave soldiers had to fight and drive back. This number actually amounted to twenty-six bat talions from the statement of the prisoners. The action commenced at the signal of General Pate with indescribable impetuosity. At the end of a few minutes all the ambuscades on the right were in our hands. The old soldiers of the foreign legion had carried everything, and, being supported by the 28th Regiment of the line, they established them selves before the Russian works and covered our' workmen. But formidable Russian masses speedily issued from the Quarantine ravine, eager to engage and dispute the ground with singular obstinacy. The two battalions of the 28th, the battalion of the 18th, the voltigeurs of the guard were succes sively engaged, and this heroic struggle lasted till morning. Five times were the most distant ambuscades taken and retaken by the Russians and by oar troops. These contests with the bayonet were terrible. Two other battalions of the voltigeturs of the guard, the 9th of foot chasseurs, and the 80th of the line, were again called to the place of combat, some to share in it, others to remove the dead and wounded : all did their duty. In the midst of this bloody and glorious struggle, the engineering labours could not be carried on. We were forced to destroy the enemy's works in such a manner that he could not keep them himself next day, and necessity compelled us to postpone tothe following night the second act of our undertaking. At the first dawn of day the Russians ceased fighting, and our battalions returned to the trenches, leaving the ground covered with the deed bodies of the enem. At y the attack on the left, the ambuscades were tarried with the same impetuosity. There also the Russians returned to the charge with extraordinary tenacity. Numerous charges were made at the point of the bayonet. But at the end of two hours the enemy lost heart and effected his retreat, while our engineers firmly occupied the works in the Russian gabionnade, which finally became our conquest. Oa the following night it was necessary to finish what had been commenced with so much vigour ; I , regulated this second combat, and I expec ou ted coal plete swam from this new effort of r valiant infantry. The general of division, Levaillant, was charged with the fulfilment of this task at the head of ten bat tahons, two of which were voltigeurs of the guard by way of reserve. Four of these battalions, under th e orders of General Couston, were charged with pro \tooting our conquest of the previous night, cm the extreme loft. Tim other six, coin "sanded by General Duval, had on the right 1 to retake the gabionnvle parallel to the great walk of the cemetery, to im•..t the enemy, and enebto the en. Rinser, to take effectual possession of our new ate blishment. The action commenced at the same hour as on the previous evening. The charge of these brave batta lions belonging to the 46th, 98th, 14th, and 83th Ra gimentr, was irresistible. The ambuscades were turned and taken ; the enemy, driven back every. where, withdrew, firing a volley of musketry, which slackened b y degrees, however, and finally ceased. The engineers were able to commence forthwith, and carry on their labours, notwithwand ing the grape and the projectiles of every kind hurled from the place. Colonel Guerin and Commander Durand de Villers conducted the works with equal intelligence and vigour. Our success, then, has been complete. The exten sive work, on which the enemy depended for arrest ing our attacks, is in our possession ; hie gabions pro tect us, his ambuscades are directed against himself. Those which could not be included in our system have been levelled. These vigorous actions have not been accom plished without sensible losses, and we have paid for our victory with generous blood. I expect on this head the report of Gen. de Sallee. Yesterday, at the repeated request of General Oaten-Sacked, the white flag was hoisted, and an armistice was concluded for burying the dead. We delivered up more than 1,200 bothesioto the hands of the enemy. This field of carnage recalled to our remembrance our old battles with the Ruisians ; and, as in those memorable times, the honour of arms in these bayonet combats remained entirely with our infantry. From the number of the dead delivered up to the enemy, and from the known results of the last affairs, we are assured that the loss of the Russians is at n a meats the impothinee tol a !malt'. These malice g get . estimates are moreover below those given by the pri soners than our own. i t g iv e . t o soleunetrief°a"-ordt3.:e.-eertere. Our Artillery, under the direction of General Le Bceuf, gave proof of care, vigour, and skill. It con stantly swept with its fire the ravine where the enemy bad collected his reserves. Our projectiles incessantly traced bloody furrows among the Russian masses whenever they formed anew for a fresh assault. I cannot praise too highly the correct eye and the coolness of General Le Bo3ul. The service of the ambulances was admirably per formed, and great praise is due to all concerned in this hard duty. I shall have the honour of acquaint ing you hereafter with the names of the brave men who distinguished themselves among the brave. The country may well be proud of possessing such troops, and I intend soon to reward the most deserving. Deign to accept, &c., The General-in-Chief, FRANCE. PELISSIER. PARIS, W EDNESDAT EVENING. In consequence of the interruption of telegraphic communication between Varaa and Balaklava, it is very possible that we may not for many days to come have any fresh news from Sebastopol. Business was nearly stagnant at the Bouree to-day. The Rents, after declining 20c., closed at yesterday's price, 70f. 50c. With the exception of Lyons, which was in great demand, and rose 171 r. 50c., railways were dull. Some lines fell a little. The Prone, commenting upon the decrees in to day's Jioniteur, renewing tho provisional relaxations of the customs and navigation dues till December 31, next, observes that the decrees are a consequence of the prolongation of the alimentary crisis, aad says : " Perhaps it would have been better to have ren dered definitive measures which, independently of all exceptional circumstances, are called for in the true interests of commercial liberty, which are better and better understood every day." The following private despatch has come to band : "VARNA, JUNE 5. " CONIMINTINOPLE, JUNG 2. "Riza Pacha has been dismissed. Mehemet Ruchdi is appointed Seraskier in his place. "Darbohor Paoha, General of the Imperial Guard, has been dismissed, and is replaced by Selim Pacha. The position of the Capitan-Pacha seems threatened." " Letters from Turin," says the Constitutionnel, " state that the King of Sardinia proposes to come to i Paris about the middle of August, to visit the Univer sal Exhibition ; and letters from Contantinople by the last mail speak of the Sultan having it in con templation to visit France about the same period." The Simois steam-packet left Marseilles on the 4th, for Constantinople, with troops on board. She also took out an English Colonel, with despatches for Lord Raglan, u well as M. de Burgoin, equerry to the Emperor. The Lord Mayor of London visited the Universal Exhibition of Manufactures yesterday afternoon with a select party, and attended by six footmen in the gorgeous livery of the Mansion-house. This morning his lordship, Lady Moon, the members of the London deputation, and the ladies of their families, accompa nied by several gentlemen connected with the muni cipal commission of Paris, set off by railway for Fon tainebleau, where they purpose spending the day. The whole party will return to Paris at about eleven to-night. THE WEST INDIA MAILS. EXPEDITION TO PETROPAULOVSKI. (sr ILECTILIO TILIIORAPE3 (FllO/I TITS 00111118PONDINT OP Tlll DAILY NEWS.) SOUTHAMPTON, TKII/IJIDAT MO/LNING. The Tyne has arrived with the West India and Mexican mails. She left St. Thomas on the 22nd ult. Amongst her cargo is specie to the value of 2,541,689 dollars, of which 90,000 dollars are on account of Mexican dividends. Her Majesty's ships Imams and Buzzard were at Port Royal. The Termagant, Commodore Hender son, had sailed from thence for Havana on the 30th ult.; the Eurydice, Beatat, and Arab, were at Havana. 'the Pacific squadron, consisting of the Monarch, President, Amphitrite, Pique, Trincomalee, and Brisk, were en route for Petropaulovaki ; and the French squadron had also sailed for the same desti nation. Her Majesty's ship Dido was at Sandwich Island, the Cockatrice was at Islay ; the Virago had sailed for England. The season had turned out fine at Demerits, the crop will exceed that of last year. There la still & complaint of want of labour. The city of Havana was healthy and quiet. THE Naw But. ON EPISCOPAL AND CAPITULAR lierrwria.—Yesterday the new bill, as amended in commit tee, was printed, to make better provision foe the manage ment of episcopal sad winder ',states. The bill no coa tains2B douses, aid bears the names of the Marquis of Blaadford and Lord Robert Ctroevenor. The object of the bill is to give extended antlbvity to the Ecclesiastical Com. missioners to render the wastes and revenues moss produc , tive and beneficial to the established &arch. it is fdlO considered by the preamble that the alterations proposed would be " conducive to the spirited welfare el the people, and that such arrangement should be made ea to secure an nual incomes to archbishops .ad bishops ie, a manner most befitting their spiritual character." With this claw the estates committee °tithe Ecclesiastical Commissioners are to execute the powers of the set. The estates of the church of England are to be managed by the commissions's.. An agreement may be Made with the commimioners and bishops with regard to the payment of their incomes out of the revenues placed. at their disposal. It is proposed to empower the eelosteettniers to piece tithes in certain cases under the maneftentr..t and control of bishop.. A general report of the ocm:inissionem is to be sent annually to the Efr.anetaryof Stets. The commissioners ►re to be empoeterad to receive eei;iince as to eccl ical corporations lod other mitten" end to produce all documents before ahem. The coasacis stokers are to keep reprrate accounts as to each corporation under their management. The flow law is to take effect ° a the let Jossary seat. ti tl F ..4 r • i