The Sun. — London, England, 1854-11-14 00:00:00

I I THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. THE GRE AT BATTLE OF THE 25 TEE OF OCTOBER. BEFOUF., SZBASTOPOL, Oct. 28. On the 25th inst., at the dawn of day, masses of the enemy were reported to be advancing to the rear of Balak lava, on the redoubts which defend the latter port. The 93d Highlanders, encamped outside Balaklava, stood to arms. The battalion of invalids stationed in that place marched out under Colonel Daveney ; the two batteries, worked by marines, on the heights nearest the water, prepared to receive the enemy; and, in a word, everything was accomplished to repulse any attack on the part of the enemy's cavalry. It was from this arm alone that any serious danger was apprehended, for the advance of in fantry and artillery would, it was never doubted, be re pulsed by the four redoubts, defended by a large force of Turks. The example of Silistria and the reputation enjoyed by the Ottoman army, of defending itself with vigour, when protected by walls or breastworks, had led the Allied generals to entrust these defences of Balaklava to the honour of the Turkish contingent. A snore fatal, though excusable, error could not have been committed. At five o'clock the enemy presented him- Self before the first of the four redoubts, established on a height near a small village. This redoubt was of great strength, and mounted seven 12-pounders, lent by us to the Turks. The redoubt opened fire upon the advancing enemy, who brought his artillery to the front and quickly replied. After a short cannonade the Russian infantry advanced, but before it had approached within musket range the dastardly Turks spiked their guns, and fed down the hill in the most frightful disorder. The redoubt was occupied by the enemy who im mediately advanced on the second redoubt. This and the third and fourth redoubts were deserted by their cowardly occupants without a shot, and by six o'clock the position was in the hands of the enemy. The Turks were calmly retreating towards Balaklave, with their baggage, and even their cooking utensils, when a masa of Russian cavalry suddenly appeared to their rear, and dashed down upon them. A general flight commenced, accelerated by the cavalry, who soon penetrated the centre of the wretched fugitives, and mowed down great numbers. The Turks sought refuge in some vineyards lying on the highroad to Sebastopol, not above a hundred yards from the village of Kadikoi. This village forms almost a part of Balaklava, and from the point to which the Russian cavalry had penetrated a complete view of that harbour and the British shipping was commanded, which munt have animated them with increased vigour. The enemy's cavalry, which was composed of Hussars, Light Dragoons, and Don Cossacks, checked in their pursuit of the Turks, dashed forward towards Bala klava, and here encountered the 93d Highlanders. The Russians charged down upon that gallant regi ment, thinking to ride over it. The 93d awaited the shock in line, disdaining to form in square, and when within an easy range, poured a rattling volley into the crowded ranks of the enemy. The latter hesitated, received another vol ley, and then - wheeled sharply round to the left without confronting the bristling bayonets. The unflinching cou rage and self-confidence of tho brave 93d were beyond coin mendation ; but when did the Highland bonnets ever waver? Repulsed by one British infantry regiment, the Russian cavalry reformed, and dashed forward against the Scots Greys, who were getting into saddle. The Greys went forward to meet the onset, but, owing to the tent ropes and other impediments of the encampment, were unable to attain the speed desirable for a dashing charge. Fortunately, the very same impediments caused the enemy to slacken pace, and the Greys had time to break into a kind of canter, and to charge. The numbers opposed to the Scots Greys were in proportion of six to one ; and the enemy, opening their ranks before the gallant Greys, received them in their midst, and then closed in upon them. For several minutes the bearskins disappeared from eight, but at last the belligerent circle sprang asunder, similar to a bursting shell, and the red coats appeared driving before them, in headlong flight, the rented enemy. The struggle had been a fearful one, and at first the Russians, encouraged by their formidable numerical superiority, fought furiously: Daunted, and at length routed by the heroic bravery of these 280 British sabres, the enemy galloped back in disorder towards the captured re doubts. The Greys were of course unable to pursue light cavalry ; but had our light horse taken the flying Russian. in the flank, as was very feasible, not only would the enemy have been cut off from the main body, and either septured or destroyed, but also the catastrophe, which oc curred later, would have been avoided. As it was, the Russian cavalry rejoined the infantry, and an hour later took up a position dominated by the conquered redoubte. Tho loss sustained by the Greys was trifling iu kind, but very fewseescapeil without a wound of some kind. Colonel Darby Griffith was slightly wounded in the head by a ball. He was taken inter Balaklava, when the wound was dressed, and in the afternoon he again took the command of his gallant regiment. Major Clarke, upon whom the command devolved, in the absence of Colonel Darby Griffith, re ceived a sabre cut in the back of the neck, which did not, however, prevent him from keepingto hishorse. The latter; by the way, received from the same sabre which had wounded his master, a fearful slash across the tail joint, which had nearlysevered it. Cornet Prendergast was struck in the foot by a ball. Never in the annals of the Scots Greys had they greater odds to encounter and to conquer. On the field, when this hand-to-hand fight took place, the ground was strewn with dead and wounded--some in a light dragoon uniform, and others in a kind of hussar dress. The latter had blue tunics and red cloth shakoes. Meanwhile the Turks, who had fled into Balaklava, spread the greatest consternation in that place. Preparations for an energetic resistance were made, and the Simeon and Diamond were placed so that their guns might completely rake the valley through which the enemy must necessarily advance. The Russians had now estab lished some field-pieces on the captured redoubts, and opened a fire upon the two batteries worked by the ma rines. The latter returned the fire with vigour. Captain Maude's troop of Horse Artillery commenced shelling the nearest redoubt, occupied by the Russians, with great. execution. Colonel Lake arrived with the Horse Artil lery of the Light Division, and several batteries of the Royal Artillery appeared on the ground. The Russian infantry, which had presented itself on the heights, now drew in its skirmishers and halted. Our guns opened their fire at once upon the redoubts, which were speedily evacuated one after the other by the Russians. •By ten o'clock, one redoubt alone remained in the hands of the enemy, and this was the most distant one, and that which had been abandoned the first by the dastardly Turks. Unfortunately it was beyond the range of our guns, con sequently the fire was not continued. At a quarter pas ton General Sir G. Cathcart, with the 4th British division appeared on the heights leading from before Sebastopol and took np a position which covered Balaklava and th Sebastopol road. A short time after, the Guards joine. their brethren of the Ist division, the Highlanders. Th cannonade which had preceded the evacuation of the three redoubts by the Russians had been attended with great loss to the latter. As the enemy retired, a shell struck one of his ammunition waggons, which exploded. A few rockets, skilfully directed, precipitated his departure. On our aide we had several casualties to deplore, though not in proportion to the lass inflicted on the enemy. Great and universal regret was expressed by the whole army on learning that Captain Mande had unfortunately receiver two desperate wouuds. Whenever a dashing deed was to be done, " Maude's troop" was selected, and the high pro fessional reputation which this gallant officer enjoys is most deserved. Captain Maude was wounded in two places, the arm and leg. At first it was feared amputa tion would be imperative, but since then ho has im proved so rapidly that no operation will be required, and he may be considered out of danger. He has since left for Scutari. Captain Shakespeare, an able and active officer, took the command of the troop at once. While the above events had passed on the heights of Balaklava, a tragic and deplorable scene had taken place in the valley to the left. The Russians had there established themselves in great strength. A battery of nine guns had been drawn up, breasting the valley. An other battery had been mounted to the left ; 'whilst the r i g ht was dominated by the guns of th e one redoubt not eva cuated by the Russians. Thes e three fires crossed one another. Beyond the first battery, in the plain, were masses of cavalry , part of which had been defeated previ onsly by the Scots G re y s ; and again, t o th e rear of these were several regiments of infantry. This force, in fact, constituted the right wing of the Russiaa army. Opposite to this force were drawn up the 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, the Bth and 11th Hussars, and the 17th Lancers, constituting, under the command of the Earl of Lucan, the Light Cavalry Brigade. The whole brigade mustered, perhaps, SOO sabres. A little after nine o'clock Captain Nolan, of the 15th Hussars, aide-de-camp to Bri gadier General Airie, arrived at full gallop before Lord Lucan, and handed him a written order to attack the enemy. I shall advert later to this episode of the drama. The Earl of Lucan, it is now said, hesitated at the mad ness of the instructions given to him ; but certain it is orders were given by him to his Brigadier, the Earl of Cardigan, to prepare to charge. This, it is also said, was "eyed, under protest by the gallant Earl. The whole brigade then charged onwards against the battery of nine guns which breasted the valley. These guns opened a fearful discharge of grape upon the gallant fellows, whilst the batteries upon the right and left poured in vollies of round-shot and shell. Undaunted by this murderous fire, the British cavalry pushed on, without once hesitating, and dabbed into the nine gun b.,ttery. Not one of the gunners escaped the sabre, and the 9 cannon were in the Poeseasion of our cavalry, .A. strong lino of Rogan horse had now concentrated to the rear of this battery, and at this fresh foe did our brave men charge. The enemy's cavalry gave way before the vigour of the shock, and turned tail, pursued by the British. The slaughter here was fearful, for no guns could be brought to bear by the Russians for fear of destroying their own people. It was a hand-to-hand fight when resistance was offered, and our men, flushed with rage at the inactivity to which they bad hitherto been condemned, gave no quarter. Whilst the pursuit was at its highest, the word, " Wheel about !" was given. A. Russian Lancer regiment had fallen in the wake of the triumphant British, and now threatened their rear. The cavalry wheeled round and charged at the approach ing Lancers. The latter avoided the shock and wheeled to the left, and our men suddenly found themselves in the midst of a large body of infantry, who poured into their already weakened troop a fatal shower of balls. No sooner had the remnants of the cavalry passed beyond reach of the musket and rifle fire than they had again to en counter the still more terrific fire of the batteries. How a single man could have escaped is really marvellous At length the bleeding remnants of the light cavalry brigade re entered the British lines and mustered, some hours later, 185 sabres. Since then wounded men have crawled in, and also stragglers who had escaped from being captured ; but now, at this very moment, the fine brilliant light cavalry brigade cannot count above 230 efficient men. This, out of a number of eight hundred odd, who had gellantly figured in the first charge, is absolutely terrific. The greater part of the mon were killed, it is feared, either by the musket or artillery fire ; but it is hoped that still more were only wounded, and will escape, though with the hard alternative of being captives. Many whose horses were killed under them succeeded in gaining our lines on foot, but still more were of course taken pri soners. Later in the day groups of Cossacks were seen to approach the field, and to carry off the wounded of both armies with great care. The Scots Greys and the Royals were ordered to support the retreat of the light brigade, but could effect no good, and wore only exposed themselves to the fire of the Russian batteries. After having many saddles emptied, these two regiments withdrew, and took up a position to the left of our infantry (the 4th and Ist divisions). To comm ent upon this frightful tragedy is impossible. Some of the survivors of the action escaped almost mira culously. Not one but who lost a horse, or received one or several wounds, more or less severe. Lord Cardigan was magnificent in his cool contempt of danger, and in the gallantry ho exhibited on this occasion. When everybody behaved heroically, it is out of place and unjust to particu larise individuals, or I might mention many deeds of valour done that day. Whilst the batteries were playing upon our retiring cavalry, a body of French Chasseurs d'Afriqu • charged at the guns erected on the left of the valley, and forced them to retire. After sabreing amongst the Rus sian skirmishers, the Chasseurs retired, and took up a position slightly to the rear of the Scots Greys and Royals. Towards two in the afternoon the Guards retook the road to Sebastopol, and the Highland brigade remained with the 4th division under the command of Sir George Cath cart. Later in the afternoon the Russians withdrew their masses of infantry irons the heights, and did not carry out their menaced attack on Balaklava. Towards evening General Canrobert sent a French division to relieve the 4th British, who returned to their former position before Se bastopol. Tho bombardment of the forts before that'place continued without cessation all days, The greatest indig nation was expressed by our sailors and soldiers at the ex traordinary cowardice displayed by the Turks. It was with difficulty that the former could be restrain ed from giving vent to their feelings in an unpleasant manner. The Turks, who had fled in the morning into Balaklava, were summarily ejected from that place, and they now oc cupy a piece of ground outside of the port. These scamps did not confine themselves to actual co wardice, but had the villany to plunder many of the tents of the Scots Greys whilst the latter were absent fighting. They were also seen despoiling alike the British and Russian dead of their boots and clothing. The sooner this Turkish contingent is shipped back to Varna or Constantinople the better. Their further presence here is certainly undesirable. It is said that the officer who commanded the first redoubt, and who it would seem was the very first to fly, has been tried by court-martial, and shot. This, if true, is an excellent in novation in Turkish military customs. Two out of the nine guns entrusted by the British to the Turks wore recovered in one of the redoubts. They were spiked, whether by the Turks or the Russians I am not aware. They were all iron 12-pounders. The ground about Balakla.va was covered with wounded and dead Russians. The former met with the usual prompt attention from our hands. Before Sebastopol, the day passed off with the usual monotonous roar of the siege batteries. Two new three gun batteries have been added to the British line since my last. Two of the three guns of one of these batteries was lisabled in the course of the day. Our batteries succeeded to dismantling six of the enemy's guns. The firing is slacker on both sides. The French are gradually sapping towards the town, and until then nothing decided must be expected. Troops are said to have reinforced the army of Mens.chikoff, and Osten Sacken is reported by deserters to be approach ing with the garrison of Odessa. On Thursday, the 26th, the Russians, elated by the easy success gained over the Turks the preceding day, ventured upon an attack on the British lines. Towards noon, three large columns of the .enemy were perceived advancing along a ravine which runs to the extreme right of our position. The 2d, Ist (Guards alone), and light divisions instantly stood to arms, and awaited until the enemy should declare his intentions. The appearance of the Russians was, in the first moment, ,onsidered a mere feint, having for object the with irawal of our attention from the real point of their attack--Balaklava. The enemy, however, ascended the ra vine, and forming in line advanced steadily on the encamp ment of the 2d British division. The enemy,whose strength must have exceeded 9,000 infantry, with a numerous artil lery, had no sooner entered within range of ourguns, which, 18 in number, had taken up their position, than the word " Fire" was given, and a volley of shell tore open his ranks and checked his advance. The guns were reloaded, and a -iecond discharge, no less severe in its execution, caused the enemy to wheel round and retire. The Lancaster gun in Capt. Peel's battery was enabled to pour showers of grape into the enemy's lines. A few rockets, dexterously dis charged, transformed this retreat into a rout. The Russian ranks gradually reeled, and concluded in breaking. The breast of the hill was covered with fugitives, who were ra • pidly pursued by our skirmishers. Sir Do Lacy Evans had, in the meanwhile, ordered his division (the 2d) to advance .tnd follow up the retreating enemy. This was done with the utmost zeal and delight on the part of officers and men. regiment after regiment started after the flying foe at a rattling pace, and the chase in itself was both novel and exhilarating. The officers endeavoured to preserve the dig eity of a British charge, but, for once, in vain. Their "Steady, boys," and " Keep in line," were only half listened to in the eagerness to come up with the enemy, and 'settle scores with him for many a false Incl wearisome night alarm. A mass of brushwood coon interfered with the lino movement, and the nen then pursued, skirmishing. The Russians were )vertaken at the crest of the hill, and a heavy musketry fire was exchanged. The Russians continued their flight, and entered Sebastopol. General Gortschakoff commanded this movement, and was wounded in the hip. Above 80 prisoners were brought in by the skirmishers, including 3 ,fficers. The appearance of one of these officers was most striking. Although escorted by five strapping Grenadiers, he overtowered thorn all in height of stature, whilst in 4eneral appearance he was tho model of a soldier. I con versed with him in German, which he spoke fluently, and he told me, with what truth I know not, that he was in the command of the picketing party into whose hands Lord Dnnkellin had fallen. His lordship had received very attention on the part of the Russian authorities. X ccording to his report, the hospital of Sebastopol was very full of sick and wounded, but no extraordinary loss of life had resulted from our fire. In the above smart action more than 200 Russians were liscovered dead on the ground, with a large quantity of muskets, sabres, and other trophies. The Russian columns were led on with great intrepidity by their mounted officers, who were seen to urge their mon forward. On approaching within range of our artillery, the Rus sians slanted their columns to the left in a serpentine man ner, and, witnessing their preparations made to receive them, they withdrew their fieldpieces to the rear. Had it not been for the dashing activity of our skirmishers, the enemy would have retired without engaging. This little triumph has greatly raised the spirits of the men, who had not had a brush since Alma. The artillery was beautifully served, and threw some shells with wonderful precision. Yesterday it was reported that Balaklava would be eva cuated, and the extent of our position thus limited. In some respects this measure would be a wise one, and a day or two will test the truth of tho report. BALAKLAVA, TWELVE O'CLOCK, P.S. A very heavy musketry fire was heard from this elevation at the camp last night. It was caused by a troop of Russian horses, who had broken their picket ropes, and dashed into the French lino. The Zouaves received the charge with a fearful musket fire, which brought down many of the animals, and our ten batteries (Marine) before Balaklava opened a cross-fire upon the supposed foe. Our cavalry stood to arras; After half-an-hour's well-sustained fire, it was discovered that the horses were without riders. Much amusement was created by this little night-surprise. Above 160 capital horses were secured, including a general's charger, with very fine trappings. It is still uncertain if Balaklava, will be evacuated or not. The Sanspareil came into harbour yesterday, in order to meet any emergency. Since my last letter our casualties in the trenches have the 88th, unfortunately olhouasovtdeasnlomsatrom:h.oeooinrr been of a trifling na t ure . Li eutenant-Adjutant Maule, of al h offi av c o er h s o h ar a d ve of re n c o o n ie e se w d h w o less l t i h v e e s severe,6 t h c . a r S e a e b v slui e ta r l ties in the slight action of the 26th were 60 killed and wounded. The enemy's loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, ex ceeded 400. The weather continues magnificent, and the warmth Beams to increase every day instead of diminishing. Au attack Qll BalaklaYa ie sot cousiclered improbable at head-quarters. The 4th division had orders last night to supply themselves with water for the morrow, but as yet their services have sot been required. We have received another account of this engage ment, from. which we make the following ex- tracts : THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING-,_ NOVEMBER 14, 1854. teries, but ere they were lost from view the plain was strewed with their bodies: and with the carcases of horses. They were exposed to an oblique fire from the batteries on the hills on both sides, as well as to a direct fire of musketry. Through the clouds of smoke we could see their sabres flash ing as they rode up to the guns and dashed between them, cutting down the gunners as they stood. We saw them riding through the guns, as I have said ; to our delight we saw them returning, after breaking through a column of Russian infantry, and scattering them like chaff, when the flank fire of the battery on the hill swept them down, scattered and broken as they were. Wounded men and dismounted troopers flying towards us told the sad tale—demi-gods could not have done what we had failed to do. At the very moment when they were about to retreat an enormous mass of Lancers was hurled on their flank. Colonel Shewell, of the Bth Hussars, saw the danger, and rode his few men I straight at them, cutting his way through with fearful" loss. The other regiments turned and engaged in a desperate encounter. With courage too great almost for credence, they were breaking their way through the colums which enveloped them, when there took place an act of atrocity without parallel in the modern warfare of civilised nations. The Russian gunners, when the storm of cavalry passed, returned to their guns. They saw their own cavalry' mingled with the troopers who had just ridden over them, and, to the eternal disgrace of the Russian name, the miscreants poured a murderous volley of grape and canister on the mass of struggling men and horses, mingling friend and foe in one common ruin. It was as much as our Heavy Cavalry Brigade could do to cover the retreat of the miserable remnants of that band of heroes as they returned to the place they had so lately quitted in all the pride of life. At 11-35 not a British soldier, except the dead and dying, was left in front of these bloody 'Muscovite guns. Our loss, as far as it could be ascertained, in killed, wounded, and missing at two o'clock to-day; was as follows Went into Returned. Action, from Strong. Action. 4th Light Dragoons 118 39 79 Bth Hussars lO4 38 66 11th Hussars . 110 25 85 13th Light Dragoons ... 130 ... 61 69 17th Lancers 145 35 ~, 110 198 THE TRENCH CAVALET. "Loss While our affair was going on the French cavalry made a most brilliant charge at the battery on our left, which was firing on our men, and cut down the gunners, but they could not get off the guns without support, and had to retreat with the loss of two captains and 50 men killed and wounded out of their little force of 200 Chasseurs. THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. Captain Nolan was killed by the first shot fired, as he rode in advance of the Hussars, cheering them on. Lord Lucan was slightly wounded. Lord Cardigan received a lance thrust through his clothes. Major Halkett, of the 4th Light Dragoons, was killed. Lord Fitzgibbon, of the Sth Hussars, was desperately wounded, and has since, I fear, died. Cornet Houghton, of the 11th Hus sars, is killed. Captains Goad and Oldham and Cornet Montgomery, of the 13th Light Dragoons, are killed. Captain White and Lieutenant Thomson, of the 17th Lancers, aro killed. Captain Charteris, 92d Foot, Aide de-Camp to Lord Lucan, is killed. Capt. Morris, who was in command of the 17th Lancers, and whose reputation as a gallant officer and good swordsman is known to the army, has received several dreadful wounds, and has been carried on board ship. The other wounded officers are—Captain Mane, Aide-de-Camp, slightly ; Captain Hutton, 4th Light Dragoons ; Captain Cooke, 11th Hussars ; Lieutenant Trevelyan, 11th Hussars. Capt. Lockwood, of the cavalry staff is missing. Mr. Womb well, of the 17th, had a narrow escape. Ho was dragged off his horse by the cap and taken prisoner by some Cossacks. A. Russian officer addressed him and told him not to be afraid, for that he would be well taken care of, though ces gens /c 1 were rather rough in their manners. However, they were saved the trouble of guarding him, for in the last charge he made his escape, and got back to his lines. THE SORTIE 01 TUB GARRISON. Oct. 26.—Last night, when our guns were taken into Sebastopol, there Ras great joy throughout the city, and it was announced that the Russians had gained a great victory. A salvo of artillery was fired, and at 9 o'clock p.m. a tremendous cannonade was opened against all our lines by the enemy. It did no injury. At 1 p.m. to-day about 4,000 men made an attack on our right flank, but were repulsed by Sir D. L. Evans's Division with the loss of 500 mon killed and wounded. Captain Conolly, in command of a picket, behaved in the most gallant way ; he was severely wounded. ; ,:selre have take about 10 . 0 - priionera, aiming thern - Ave officers, oue of whom is the officer to whom Lord Dun. kellin surrendered. We have had 70 men killed and wounded, four officers wounded, none killed, and nine men killed, and 53 men wounded. The Russians were utterly routed, and fled in confusion, harassed by our artillery and one Lancaster, which mowed them down by 20 at every discharge. Our lines are pushed up much nearer. The French magazine again blew up to-day inside their right attack. It was fired by a Rus- sian shell. They fire 13-inch shells into our batteries, and yesterday they silenced nine guns in our 21-gun battery by this means alone. We cannot touch the ship which fires these mortars. The Russians very nearly surprised us. The Fourth, Third, Second, and First Divisions were turned out, bit Sir De L. Evans had the honour of driving them bank with his division. 1,000 French cavalry landed to-day. The work in the trenches goes on as usual. We make very little way, and it is evident this cannot last. The men are worn out. The Russians made a demonstration towards Balaklava to day, but did nothing. The French are fortifying the heights near the town. We learr fresh reinforcements have been received by the Russians. The French lost about 20 nen to-day in their trenches—only one by the explosion ; we scarcely any. THE PROGRESS OF TM SIEGE. October 274—Nothing was done to-day. Admiral I Lyons, Sir George Brown, and General Cathcart visited Lord Raglan in the course of the day. The fire on both sides is very feeble. It is decided that we keep Bala klava, and the Sanspareil has come into the harbour, and is moored with her broadside towards the road to the valley. The Russians are still in ,cerce in the gorge, and their vedettes are not far distant from ours. This force seems to have its head-quarters a; the village of Kamis koi, and keeps its communication with Sebastopol open by the other side of the Tciernaya. The body of troops which attacked us on the 26th came out of Sebastopol. In order to ramie my remark about the retention of Balaklava clear it may be as well to state that after the affair of the 25th it was resolved to abandon the position, and to retire to the hills over. looking the town. In that case our depot would have been established at Arrow Bay or at Cherson. Sir E. Lyons is said to have advised Lord Raglan to change his determination, and we are now making every prepa ration, in conjunction with the French, to defend the approaches to the town, and to secure our communica tion. Three battalions of French troops are encamped over the north-west side of the town. 200 sailors of the Agamemnon, and about 200 sailors and marines from other vessels, have been landed to strengthen Sir Colin Campbell's bands. A very formidable battery has been erected by the sailors on the heights in Grit of the French. We have 90 prisoners in Balaklava, and as a measure of precaution the bulk of them will be sent off to-day. The officer who captured Lord Dunkellin told me that he took his lordship to Prince Menschikoff, and that his reception was of the kindest possible description. He will be bien soigne by his Excellency. An attempt to exchange Russian prisoners for his lordship is said to have been made and to have failed. Our guns are be coming very shaky from repeated firing. We must have mere men, and that speedily. The weather is lovely, the days being as warm as ours in best July time. OCT. 23.—The mail leaves at 9 a.m., and I have barely time to say a word. Last night the Russians gave us their usual salvo. They showed in some force in front of the French, but were repulsed by musketry from the covering parties. To pay them off for their audacity, the Allies have sent strong parties of sharp shooters to-day, and between the lull of the eternal can nonade, which keeps up monotonously, morning, noon, and night, till the ear is frenzied and worn out, one can now hear the pop pop pop !of the rifles at the embra sures. Late last night there was an "alert" in our rear. Our vedettes fell back. The French opened with guns and rifles, and our Jacks were quite delighted to wake up the echoes with a lea' rounds of their big guns. Just as we were roused into wakefulness the noise ceased, but we heard a cheer which is yet unaccounted for. Towards morning there was some musketry heard from the French lines, and, to our wonderment, an inexplicable apparition of riderless horses took place in our camp. They turned out to be fully equipped and accoutred—saddled, bridled, and all, and were recog nised as belonging to Russian dragoons. llow they turned- up no one knows, it is supposed• that their owners got into a panic, and " bolted" ere they could get into the eaddle, Already 193 hays been caught, The firing at this moment on our front lines has nearly slackened altogether. There have been several fires at night in the town lately. It is suspected that the Russians make them to entice us to fire on the place, and to divert us from other spots more vulnerable. The noxious steamer has paddled off under cover. In our cavalry fight to-day we bad 13 officers killed or missing, 156 men killed or missing, total 169 ; 21 officers wounded, 197 men wounded, total 218 ; total killed, wounded, and missing, 387. Horses killed or missing, 394 ; horses wounded, 126 ; total 520. Nearly 200 men were not present with the cavalry, as they were sick or had not turned out, being engaged in the oamp. Extract from a journal of the siege from the Light Division camp near Sebastopol : A SMART AFFAIR. October 23.—A well-managed, though slight, affair, which occurred yesterday deserves mention. Lieutenant Edward H. Webb, SSth Regiment, who was in command of a small party of 30 sharpshooters, had occasion, while pointing out a certain position to an officer ofengineers, to a hi i s it m ti, en in to ad th v e an en ce em o i t is ie o r b a s r e i r n v e a , tion.expo s e h H i m e was e which extends from n ear the firstbri gads of the Light Divi -slf a a n at the time " e f sion to an irregular valley near the foot of the Round Tower hill. Not long afterwards a body of the enemy, about 150 strong, were observed to be advancing in a direction toward the sharpshooters. Lieutenant Webb detached at once a part of his little force, and ordered them to conceal themselves among the brushwood to the left of the ravine, so that, should the Russians make the at taek, they might thus be exposed to a flanking fire. The Russians came forward, and appeared certain of securing the English officer and few sharpshooters who were with him ; but as soon as they were within con venient range, the party towards whom they were ad vancing fired into them. This fire they returned, but almost immediately afterwards the remainder of Lieute nant Webb's party, who had been concealed, discharged their Mini& among them with well-aimed effect. The Russians were seized with a panic, many of them threw down their arms, and all fled in disorder. Their leader alone showed courage. When his men commenced to waver he seized one of their muskets, and, waving it in the air, tried to rally them. While holding it in this position he received a ball in the elbow, and at once took the weapon in the other hand. He was thus vainly trying to restore courage to his men and urge them forward, when two of the [sharpshooters took aim at him. One of the balls wounded him severely in the neck and face, breaking his lower jaw. He then tried to retreat, but was made prisoler, and brought, t f b a w r heh o P e from buttons,owhtteai h c r d e o f u db s l e o w man,ednhwi when killed together with one of his men, into camp. He was isi a ied n ns dhdwwoi standing r s grs e ee andlrbeecuaahe buried distinguishedendgFt leading—the Fivevbt ehtehlebelong n flggatrcthe eio ground Russians the in by y a s dress instead 3hno desf the cloth, shoulder straps, and the superior gilding of Regiment, alone marked the distinction, and could only sharpshooters. Several wounded escaped back to their lines. One man of the 77th Regiment, killed, was the only casualty in Lieut. Webb's party. The Russians appeared to be volunteers from various corps, as by their uniform it was seen that they belonged to several dif ferent regiments. LORD DIINKELLTN. No tidings of Lord Dunkellin, of the Coldstream Guards, have been met with ; and no doubt remains as to his having been made prisoner by the Russian picquet when he advanced from his men. This occurrence has brought out a general order that for the future no party, whether on fatigue or armed, is to go to the front with out a competent staff officer accompanying them to direct the way. THE SAILORS' BATTERY. The Russians have now so completely the range of our guns that they are able to do much mischief in the batteries. Yesterday they made no less than nine holes with their shot in the Union Jack which the sailors put up in their part of the 21-gun battery. To-day a shot broke the flagstaff into two pieces ; the sailors managed to put it up again, fixing the broken part of the staff by means of four trucks placed round it ; they had not done so long when another round shot came, and scattered the trucks, flagstaff, and Union Jack about in all direc tions. The tars were greatly enraged, and, as seems to be usual when their ire is excited, fired several broad sides in succession at the Russian battery opposite. CHOLERA.. Cases of cholera are still occurring occasionally, though it has disappeared as a prevailing disease. Among the recent victims of the disease is Major A. Saltern Willett, 17th Lancers. The senior captain is now commanding the regiment. Lieutenant Young, of the Royal Artillery, has ala 6 died from cholera. He biotber to Sir William Young, of the 23d Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was killed in the action at Alma. Sir William had been recently married, and, failing heirs from this marriage, Lieutenant - Young would have sue • ceeded to the baronetcy. Several of the sailors have been attacked with cholera, and there has been a good deal of sickness from bowel disorders in their camp. FALL OF THE ROUND TOWER. Oct. 24.—This afternoon the roof of the Round Tower fell in, carrying with it all the four guns on its summit. The tower is quite opened by a deep breach in the side which is most exposed to the guns of the 21-gun battery, and the whole structure now a complete ruin. This fort is said to have been built at the voluntary expense of one man, who received the especial thanks of the Emperor for his enterprise and devotion ; ho would scarcely derive satisfaction from looking at his work now. Three guns still keep up their fire from the earth battery, two to the right and one to the left of the tower itself. AN ea 01 DARINCI. A private of the Regiment—Duke of Wellington's —by name APGuire, has attracted the notice of the Commanderein-Chief by an act of daring. He was in advance as a sharpshooter, and was made prisoner. He was being marched away between two Russian soldiers, a third being in rear, when, seeing his guard for a moment careless and looking in another direction, he suddenly seized a loaded musket from one of the two men at his side and discharged it at him. No sooner had he done this than he swung round the butt-end, and with it struck the second man on his other side a blow on the head which felled him to the ground. The third Russian decamped, and M'Guiro effected his escape. He was at the time within a hundred yards of the Russian lines. His own Mini 6, which had been taken from him, was being carried by one of the two men by hie side; but he knew this had been discharged, and therefore seized a musket from the other soldier, which fortunately turned out to be loaded. The affair was witnessed by a ser geant of the rifle brigade, and, in consequence of his report, Lord Raglan awarded 111‘Guire a gratuity of .5/. The strength of the parties employed as sharpshooters is to be increased. It has hitherto consisted of 10 man selected from each regiment, generally volunteers for ,he duty. THE ACTION AT BALAKLIVA: Oct. 25, f) a.m.—Cannonading heard in the rear. The first and fourth divisions are ordered from the front. The firing continues, and we soon hear that the Russians in strong force have attacked our position near Balaklava. A vivid account of this action, as also of the sortie on the 26th, will be found elsewhere. Oct. 27.—A hot sunny day, following a fine starlight night. The progress of the siege operations slowly ad vances. We are reserving our fire, and accumulating ammunition in the batteries until the time shall arrive , for the decisive attack to be made. From letters written by French officers :--4 THE CHARGE AT BALAKLAVA. OCT. N.—Fine weather returns with day-break, and at noon the heat is almost insupportable. This tem perature, most unusual far the season, greatly miti gates the fatigues of the army. In the afternoon we hear the sound of cannon in the direction of Bala klava. It is the Russian army engaged with our army of observation. The ground adjoining the plateau occupied by the latter consists of the two valleys of the Tchernaya and Balaklava, which are separated by a little strip of land occupied by the Turks with three redoubts. ' The Russians, who are completely masters of the course of the Tchernaya, debouched on this neck of land, took the three redoubts and seven guns, and thus threatened ' the English depot at Balaklava. The English speedily came up, retook one of the redoubts and two guns, and vigorously charged the enemy. The Dragoons had suc ceeded in very greatly disconcerting the Russian in fantry, when t he re g iment of Red Hussars, carried away by its ardour, fell into an ambuscade, where it left in killed and wounded 400 men. General Bosquet's divi ii,on then came to the succour of the English. It com pleted the repulse of the Russians, and our African Chas seurs took a glorious part in the affair. Unfortunately, a brave captain, a lieutenant, and a dozen cavalry sol diers paid with their lives the assistance they gave our allies. The loss of the Russians, whose army was from 25,000 to 30,000 strong, must have been considerable,!for our cavalry charges upon their infantry were furious. The English hussars were above all heroic. They rushed through the Russian army like a torrent, and it was only on their return from this rash enterprise that they were mowed down 1)Y the cannon ! We do not lot know tho result of the day, but there is but one voice - to admire the valour of the cavalry of the allies, and to stigmatise the timidity of the 4,000 Russian cavalry who kept aloof. RUSSIAN "VICTORIES." We La7C been told that the Russians have chanted a Te Deum, in Sebastopol for the affair of the 26th ! They, no doubt, will sing many others. Their joy, however, was of short duration. The next day, the 26th, they re solved to attack the right of the English besieging corps, and advanced, to the number of 7,000 or 8,000 men, with eight pieces of artillery, in the direction of Taker mann. i General De Lacy Evans was ready to receive them. The engagement only lasted a few moments. The Russians were put to flight, leaving on the ground 700 killed and wounded, while the English only lost 16 killed and 40 wounded. General Bosquet advanced in all haste to the assistance of our allies with several French battalions, but, to his great regret, he arrived when all was over. Lord Raglan warmly thanked him on the occasion, and congratulated the troops on the promptitude with which they had hastened to the relief of the English. THE GENERALS-IN-CHIEF. The entente between the Generals in-Chief is, if I may use the expression, more than perfect. Lord Raglan entertains the highest esteem for General Canrobert, and :feels for him a real affection. They had together, soars days ago, a lorg conversation, after which Lord Raglan manifested to me his satisfaction at concurring in nanny respects in the opinions of General Canrobert, particularly with regard to our Emperor. This perfect understanding between the Generals-in-Chief is, I need not add, a most important point. THE CHAMSEURS D'AFRIQUE. I was forgetting to mention a brilliant charge effected by our Chasseurs d'Afrique on one of the ' tteries which decimated the English cavalry. t ups of that. brave corps rushed upon that battery, cut down the =en at their guns, and were preparing to carry off the latter, when three Russian batt€ries formed into hollow squares, opened their fire upon them, and obliged the to retreat. Our brave Chasseurs lost two officers and. about 20 killed or wounded. RUSSIAN BRAVERY. act of heroic bravery is related of a young Russian office r, which merits honourable mention. Disguised as a. British soldier, with twelve devoted companions, he sunoeeded during the night in approaching a French battery, and spiking four guns. The heroic little band was, I almost regret to say, all cut to pieces, after achieving this noble and incredible exploit. ADMIRAL DUNDAS'B MEMORANDUM. The following memorandum has been addressed by the. Commander-in• Chief, Admiral Dundas, to the fleet, on the subj►ct of the bombardment of Sebastopol by the allied fleets on the 17th : "18th Oct. " The Vice-Admiral Commander-in-Chief witnessed with the greatest admiration the ability and zeal of Rear- Admirals Sir Edmund Lyons, the Hon. Montague Stop ford, and the capt a i ns un d er their orders iu the attack of yest.srday on the sea defences of Sebastopol. " The Vice-Admiral requests the officers, seamen, and mrizines, to accept his earnest thanks for their exertions in continuing au unremitting fire upon the enemy, notwith standing the number of their shipmates who were absent in assisting at the siege of Sebastopol." SIR N. LIONS. "Admiral Sir E. Lyons, on his little grey pony, is to ha seen hovering about our lines indefatigably. He rode out with Lord Raglan and his staff, and spent some time in examining the progress of our fire front a quarry in a bill overlooking the right attack. FOUR TRAITORS. I suppose you heard that a bluejacket of the -, two Royal Artill er y men , an d one R oya l M ar i ne Artil leryman deserted and joined the Russians. The captain, on hearing this, had the magazine shifted immediately ; an,d it was lucky he did, for on the next day the shot and shell came pitching on the place where the magazine had been like so many hailstones. lam happy to say that the fellow was a Yankee. By this time he has got his deserts, I think, for two days ago he ventured out at the head of a party of Russians as leader, and when these were driven back he was taken by us. When cap tured ho was in Russiin uniform, cross-belted and all. THE RODNEY. On the 17th the combined fleets went in to attack Sebastopol. We in the old Rodney were closer in than any other ship, and she was on shore for two hours, at a distance of less than SOO yards from Fort Con stantine. Everybody in the fleet anticipated a ter rific loss on board us in killed and wounded ; but wo came out v, ith only two severely wounded and none killed, as all the shot, for most of the time, passed over us in showers. We are dreadfully cut up aloft, and when we come home will require twe new lower masts (fore and main), lice. If we had been on shore a quarter of an hour longer, there certainly would now no longer be .c_ Rodney, , for the Ru ssians had just got our range, and every shot told on our hull. The last that hulled us was a sll.ll, and it wounded the two men, one of whom was standing alongside me at the time. Ad miral Lyons in the Agamemnon made signal " Well done, Rodney," and wrote a very handsome letter to the captain (Charles Graham), thanking him for the way we went to his support, and complimenting him on the behaviour of our ship's company. And the way the after quarters fought the ship, and kept up an unbroken fire, whilst the foremost quarters were getting the ship off the ledge and the anchor up, was the admiration of all. The engagement continued till dark, and we were the last last ship out of action. THE AGAMENNO.7ti. I have but very little time just to inform you, that through God's mercy I am safe and quite well, having escaped unhurt after one of the most severe engagements on record. Our loss is not so great as might be expected, but our ship is in a very sad pickle, our rigging is all cut and many other parts shot away and greatly damaged ; we were engaged about four hours. Our old Admiral ran close under the enemy's guns, dropped two anchors, and at it we went. In a 'very short time a large fort nearest to us went up into the air with a most terrific crash ; the guns of our own ship, the other shipping and forts kept up a deafening war of thunder, so that we all, from the Admiral to the smallest boy in the ship, had our work while it lasted. I can assure you I was glad when we shipped our cables and hauled off. TUB SINSPAREIL. The hull of the ship is cut to pieces. More than thirty shot and shell struck the ship, most of which passed through her. The shells, you know, perhaps, are hol low, and filled with powder, that causes the ball to ex plode after a certain time, when they carry everything before them. Holes were made as much as twelve feet long and two and a half wide. I had no idea we should have been exposed, but the Rear-Admiral led the way in the Agamemnon, and we must follow. Had it not been for us receiving part of the fire, the Agamemnon must have been sunk. Admiral Lyons has expressed himself highly gratified with the noble conduct of the Sanspareil, and letters of praise and commendation have gone to England already. The warrant officers were all mentioned by name for their good conduct and exertions on this fearful occasion. THEI QUEXN. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1854, Captain F. T. Mitchell, her Majesty's ship Queen, addressed his ship's company, congratulating them upon the honour they had gained, on the attack upon Sebastopol, on Tuesday, the 17th instant, when their conduct was the admiration of all be holders, considering, at the time the ship went into ac tion, she had little more than five hundred men on board, a circumstance which, in all probability, never before occurred in the annals of naval history, a three-decked s hip going into action with se few men. Ho not only saw with pleasure the cool way they worked their guns throughout the action, but also had another opportunity of witnessing their coolness and courage when being obliged to weigh anchor under a heavy fire, the Turkish three decker having taken up a position which prevented our firing. Again he observed, at the time when she was on fire, and the fire•bell ringing, the same order and regularity, and when he went round the decks h© found everything in its place, and every man cool and ready to his duty ; at this time our firing was so good that the admiral made the signal, "Well done, Queen." He con cluded by thanking the men, one and all, for their brave conduct, and impressed upon them the necessity of coolness at all times when in action. SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL CONSTANTINOPLE, October 29. —We are now at the end of the fifth week of the operations against Sebabto pol. For 12 days the fire of the Allies against the earth works of the enema* has been nearly incessant, and the weary artilleiymen are sinking with fatigue. They rest only six or seven hours out of the 24, and though they do their duty well, there is a limit to human strength, and, unless the place be taken by a desperate effort, our fire must in a few days slacken from the exhaustion of the men, who have had, with such short numbers, to kee p u p a s torm of shot and shell against so stro n g and w ell - defended a line of service, arenow reduc e d t o and it is s t a t e d works. The men ne forß British t i sli effective infantry by a gentleman who has just left the Crimea that our force diminishes at the rate of 6004 50 go into a we e k. Ab ou t 30 a day are killed and wounded, an hospi tal, worn out with fatigue or attacked by diarrhoea and f u e p v , e. a r nd, A if d w d e t o mr , a h y i s judge that the n r n weather in.La h s a t s ri n i o gi A it , i broken blew and rains of autumn are appearances, the winds setting. s a stron g co ld nor th w i n d, w ith a gale, and to day th ere i driving 4110Weri at • It is possible OW there _. _ Mterta4l4l may be again a few days of warmth and sunshine occa sionally, but it will not do to count upon them. The summer of St. Martin is over, and in the regular course of the seasons a long continuance of bad weather is to be expected. Everything leads to the supposition that the affair must be finished one way or another before a fortnight is over. An assault must be tried against the works of the enemy, and the success of the Alma gives ground for hope that, though the loss on our part may be severe, the issue cannot be doubtful. It is reassuring to know that, whatever may be the delays caused by the fortress itself, the Allied Armies are sufficiently secure from all attacks from without. The army on the Tchernaya cannot exceed 30,000 men, and is probably far below that number. It is evident that its commander, said to be Osten-Sacken, is afraid to engage the Allies, discouraged as the Russians are by their late defeat, and inferior as they are in force and position to the British and French armies. It is more probable that they are held as a reinforcement for the garrison itself, and that as the Russian soldiers within the town are mowed down by the shells of the enemy, their place will be supplied by fresh troops introduced in the works from the northern side. The position of the Allies, and the completeness of their preparations dissipate all fear of a successful attack from any force which the Czar could send against them. The British, French, and Ottoman armies hold the great square plateau to the south of Sebastopol. Its edges are strongly fortified with field-works, and the re serves of the three armies occupy positions at its angles, where they can support each other, and quickly repulse a body much superior to their own. The only place which can be threatened is the road leading to Balaklava, and on that the Russians have several times made a de monstration. No success, has however, met their efforts, although in the recent affair our cavalry has experienced a severe loss. The men are still in good spirits, and sanguine of suo cess. , They care nothing for the Russian force behind them, which they feel they can at any time defeat and. scatter. The only regrei, is that the necessities of the siege prevent an immediate attack, and that, instead of a hand to hand fight, they are reduced to a scientific exchange of cannonading. The wounded and sick officers at Scutari and Pera are all anxious to get back to the seat of war, so as to be qualified for the medal which will commemorate the capture of the Russian stronghold. There are few of them, however, in itith a tel fi eir t state to bear the fatigues of such a campaign, and they leave for the C hopepll faces s t w th h e e i li r ardour and courage will be supported by physical strength. Lieutenant Learmouth, of the 17th Lancers, who went 1 up yesterday, finds himself second in command of the remnant of his regiment. The British Embassy is endeavouring to recover the Russian ladies who were carried off by the Daghis tanees in their late foray on the villages north of Teflis. Letters have been written to Schamyl, and three per sons are separately endeavouring to open a communica tion with him. It would be a great thing to be assured of this warrior's existence. He is always named as the supposed leader of the Lesges and neighbouring tribes who inhabit the Eastern Caucasus, but that he is still alive and conducts their movements we have no proof. Such pieces of intelligence as that " Schamyl has offered 50,000 men to the Porte," " Schamyl has totally defeated the Russian army i n Asia," are favourite efforts of Perote and Bucharestian invention, but the fact is, that for some time past we have no certain knowledge of the celebrated leader. Emir Bey, a man who has done much in the Western Caucasus, was originally the Naib or Lieutenant of Schamyl, but no communication has passed between them for three or four years. The tribes which be used to influence have of late been very active against the Russians, and this gives reason to suppose that he still preserves his vigour and authority; but he is so little known, and so much that is mythical has been mixed up with his real actions, that en enter prising traveller who could give us some trustworthy in formation would be a benefactor not only to the cause of the Allies but to those who take an interest in a most singular passage of the world's history. We cannot but pity the situation of our unhappy troops to-night. Wind, hail, and rain are beating against our windows, and if these prevail in the Crimea, the troops will pass a night worse than that of the 14th September, when they first set foot on Russian ground. Sometimes, however, these tempests are merely local ; the wind comes down the Bosphorus as through a funnel, and Constantinople is beaten by storms when the Black Sea is sunny and calm. The vessels which came in to-day were under reefed topsails, which seems as if the gale had extended to some distance from the Cyanean rocks, but whether the weather is the same 200 miles away we cannot tell. The Turks have nearly all returned to Stamboul, but those who are left will remain on the Bosphorus for another month. The moon which appeared a few nights since is an unlucky one, and as long as it lasts no true Mussulman, who respects the heavenly bodies and their influences, will change his abode. These superstitions are not confined to the Turks. The Greeks have their unlucky day of the week, which is Tuesday, and on it they will not do a great number of things. It is singular how high in the scale of education these prejudices extend. OCT. 30.—The Australian has just arrived, bringing four Russian officers and 13 privates prisoners ; also eight officers and 193 men of the wounded British cavalry ; seven men died on board. Unfortunately the wind is so strong, and the sea runs so high, that they cannot be lauded. Their wounds are extremely severe. Nov. 2.—Five such days as those we hare just passed through are said not to have been known at Con stantinople for many years. On the night of the 28th a strop ‘ wind began to blow, and increased to a tempest within the next 24 hours. It was ac companied by torrents of rain and occasional storms of hail and sleet ; and not only was every caique driven from the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, but the steamers which ply between Constantinople and the villages were obliged to discontinue their usual traffic. The narrow channel of the Bosphorus was so roused by the strength of the gale that the sea has in many places burst into the houses, the lower rooms of which have been rendered uninhabitable. Rain has poured down for five days in one incessant stream ; the roads have become almost impaseeble, and communication be tween the different points of the environs is nearly im practicable. The steamer from Marseilles, which should hare left on the SOth, is still in port, the captain not having ventured out in face of so terrible a confusion of the elements. You will, therefore, be debarred from receiving in due time the re • ports of the momentous occurrences which have taken place in the Crimea, and which, with more or less of practical success have all been honour able to the arms of the Allies. The intelligence from this place is of a lees exciting nature. The sympathy of the public will be raised for the unhappy wounded who have come down to Scutari, and have for two days been kept on board the steamers which conveyed them, through the impossibility of bringing them on chore. The accommodation, however, provided for them on board the Australian has been very good, and they aro as well as they can b e ex p ec t e d t o b e a f ter t h e l ong and tryingjourney which has succeeded the unhappy combat in which they were wounded. Nothing has arrived at the moment I write, but it is probable that, at the last moment, there will be some further news from the seat of war. The chief cause of anxiety is on account of the recent unfavourable weather, and that which may be now expected during the whole of the month. Our men are much iworn out ; they are diminished in number to an extent hardly cre dible, and any further hardships may have had an effect the most deplorable. The last news was dated the 28th. On the night following the rain set in and has lasted ever since. The men must have been exposed to the full in clemency of the weather. Their camp is on a height, over which the fierce winds must have swept, perhaps blowing away their tents, and leaving them without shel ter from the pitiless storm. The rain pouring down— not in a drizzle, like that of an English November, but in a strolls , steady stream—day and night, must have saturated their clothing and placed them for days in the same circumstances as on the first night of their land ing. Half the men are constantly on duty ; they are alarmed by continued "alerts " on their rear, the real force of the enemy being unknown ; so that at night a few Cossacks may disturb the rest of a whole division for hours together. The suspension of Messrs. Clay and Gillman, a re spectable mercantile firm, has been announced to-day. The liabilities are not supposed to be large. ARRIVALS OF SPICIE.—The amount of gold brought from New York yesterday by the Africa is 183,000/. The Thames, from Brazil, has brought 13,500?. AMSTERDAM AND ROTTERDAM PRODUCE MARKETS.-- Tho weekly reviews from these markets state that, although business had diminished, prices continued to be well supported. In sugar and coffee the operations had been singularly limited, owing to a cessation of spe. eulative purchases. The quotations for tea and rice were maintained, although few transactions had taken place. Some descriptions of spices obi/Wed a tendency t o j ar ,. provement. The Peninsular and Oriental Company have received orders from the Government to despatch their large steamers Candia, Ripon, and Nubia, each Ca gable of public c i ctgi , ;sir s ) coeb O euutmltaith t epi r .ital o hrom o ry have mail made e th compan n y e Toulon, to carry French reinforcements to the speed t() passengerEse h of these h servicees e vessels between hein conveying from Southampton and -Alexandria, arrangements for the transport of their withdrawal will necessarily b convenience to I,2 a o p l o u fA b t o e attended with in- Valetta, they trust to and sending one-half their smaller steamers, and, by dividinge mails by some of the maintainfast steamers Vectis and announcingpPeesgtd:ulwithi regular t 'ships all lithi3e Crimea.a shalllt eree the passengers returned to them, thence to Alexandria, b number to Marseilles, and they are said to ha h communi cations with the East until the ordinary s av b e ee s n lo issued to, the passengers, and arrangements the case in the best possible every disposition to meet e spirit. CHINA —A. d' . • ccor ing to the telegraphic accounts from China yesterday, which reach to the 9 7th of September, there had been no further alteration - in the rates of ex change, the quotations being still 4s. 9]. to 4s. 10.1. at Canton, and Gs. to Gs. ld. at Shanghai. The export of tea to date had been 21,000,000ib., and of silk 6,007 bales. Canton being still threatened, the trade of the place continued at a stand. Much fighting had recently taken place, but the result was unknown. No further supplies of tea had come down, and none seemed to be expected, although every effort had been made to ob tain it, and black mail had been offered at the rate of 7 dollars per picul. The anarchy in the interior of the country was said to be increasing. From Foochow shipments were going forward very slowly, and at Shanghai there was little business, the market having been cleared of the small quantity of silk available. Prices had consequently advanced $2O per picul. The . supplies Loth of gills and tea At Shanghai Were arriviDg , ®lowly. THE RETREAT OF THE TURKS. The Turks swarm over the earthworks, and run in confusion towards the town, firing their muskets at - the enemy as they run. Again the solid column of cavalry •pens like a fan, and resolves itself into a " long spray" of skirmishers. It laps the flying Turks, steel flashes in the air, and down go the poor Moslem quivering on the plain, split through fez and musket-guard to the chin and breast-belt. There is no support for them. It is evident the Russians have been too quick for us. The Turks have been too quick also, for they have not held their redoubts long enough to enable us to bring them help. In vain the naval guns on the heights fire on the Russian cavalry ; the distance is too great for shot or shell to reach. In vain the Turkish gunners in the earthen batteries which are placed along the French in trencbments strive to protect their flying countrymen ; their shot fly wide and short of the swarming masles, The Turks betake themselves towards the Highlanders, where they check their flight and form into companies on the flanks of the Highlanders. THE lIIMILANDERS. The Russians on their left drew breath for a moment, and then in one grand line dashed at the Highlanders. The ground flies beneath their horses' feet ; gathering speed at every stride, they dash on towards that thin red streak topped with a line of steel. The Turks fire a volley at 800 yards, and run. As the Russians come within 600 yards, down gees that line of steel in front, and out rings a volley of Minie musketry. The distance is too great ; the Russians are not checked, but still sweep onwards with the whole force of horse and man, through the smoke, here and there knocked over by the shot of our batteries above. With breath less suspense every ene awaits the bursting of the wave upon the line of Gaelic rock ; but ere they come within 150 yards another deadly volley flashes from the levelled rifle, and carries death and terror into the Russians. They wheel about, open file right and left, and fly back faster than they came. " Bravo, Highlanders ! well done," shouted the excited spectators. Tan RUSSIAN CAVALRY. The Russians—evidently corps d'elite—their light blue jackets embroidered with silver lace were advancing on their left, at an easy gallop, towards the brow of the hill. A forest of lances glistened in their rear, and several squadrons of grey-coated dragoons moved up quickly to support them as they reached the summit. The instant they came in sight the trumpets of our cavalry gave out the warning blast which told us all that in another moment we should see the shock of battle beneath our very eyes. Lord Raglan, all his staff and eport, and groups of officers, the Zouaves, the French generals and officers, and bodies of French infantry on the height, were spectators of the scene as though they were looking on the stage from the boxes of a theatre. Nearly every one dismounted and sat down, and not a word was said. The Russians advanced down the hill at a slow canter, which they changed to a trot and at last nearly halted. Their first line was at least double the length of ours —it was three times as deep. Behind them was a similar line equally strong and compact. They evidently despised their insignificant-looking enemy, but their time was come. The trumpets rang out again through the valley, and the Greys and Enniskilleners went right at the centre of the Russian cavalry. The space between them was only a few hundred yards ; it was scarce enough to let the horses " gather way," nor had the men quite space sufficient for the fell play of their sword arms. The Russian line brings forward each wing as our cavalry advance, and threatens to annihilate them as they pass on. THE SCOTS GREYS AND THE ENNISKILLENERS. Turning a little to their left, so as to meet the Russian right, the Greys rush on with a cheer that thrills to every heart—the wild shout of the Enniskillenere rises through the air at the same instant. As lightning flashes through a cloud, the Greys and Enniskilleners pierced through the dark masses of Russians. The shock was but for a moment. There was a clash of steel and a light play of sword blades in the air, and then the Greys and the red coats disappear in the midst of the shaken and quivering columns. In another moment we see them emerging and dashing on with diminished numbers, and in broken order, against the second line, which is advancing against them as fast as it can to retrieve the fortune of the charge. It was a terrible moment. "God help them ! they are lost !" was the exclamation of more than one man, and the thought of many. With unabated fire the noble hearts dashed at their enemy. It was a fight of heroes. The first line of Russians, which had been smashed utterly by our charge, and had fled off at one flank and towards the centre, were coming back to swallow up our handful of men. By sheer steel and sheer courage Enniskillener and Scot were winning their desperate way right through the enemy's squadrons, and already grey horses and red coats bad appeared right at the rear of the second mass, when, with irresistible force, like one bolt, from a bow, the Ist Royals, the 4th Dragoon Guards, and the - sth Dragoon Guards rushed at the rem nants of the first line of the enemy, went through it as [though it were made of pasteboard, and, dashing on the second body of Russians as they were still disordered by the terrible assault of the Greys and their companions, put them to utter rout. The Russian horse in less than five minutes after it met our dragoons was flying with all its speed before a force certainly not half its strength. A cheer burst from every lip—in the enthusiasm officers and men took off their caps and shouted with delight, and thus keeping up the scenic character of their position they clapped their hands again and again. Lord Raglan at once despatched Lieutenant Curzon, aide-decamp, to convey his con gratulations to Brigadier-General Scarlett, and to say " Well done." The gallant old soldier's face beamed with pleasure when be received the message. " I beg to thank his lordship very sincerely," was his reply. TIIE ORDER TO CHARGE. When Lord Lucan received the order from Captain Nolan and had road it, he asked, we are told, " Where are we to advance to V' Captain Nolan pointed with his finger to the line of the Russians, and said,." There are the enemy, and there are the guns, sir, before them ; it is your duty to take them," or words to that effect, ac cording to the statements made since his death. Lord Lucan, with reluctance, gave the order to Lord Cardigan to advance upon the guns, conceiving that his orders compelled him to do so. The noble Earl, though he did not shrink, also saw the fearful odds against him. Don Quixote in his tilt against the windmill was not near so rash and reckless as the gallant fellows who prepared without a thought to rush on almost certain death. It is a maxim of war, that " cavalry never act without a support," that " infantry should be close at hand, when cavalry carry guns, as the effect is only instantaneous," and that it is necessary to have on the flank of a line of cavalry some squadrons in column, the attack on the flank being most danger ous. The only support our light cavalry had was the reserve of heavy cavalry at a great distance behind them, the infantry and guns being far in the rear. There were no squadrons in columns at all, and there was a plain to charge over, before the enemy's guns were reached, of a mile and a half in length. THE CHARGE. At 11.10 our Light Cavalry Brigade rushed to the front. They numbered as follows, as well as I can ascertain : Men. 4th Light Dragoons Bth Irish Hussars 11th Prince Albert's Hussars 13th Light Dragoons 17th Lancers, 145 Total 607 sabres. The whole brigade scarcely made one effective regiment, according to the numbers of continental armies ; and yet it is more than we could spare. As they passed towards the front, the Russians opened on them from the guns on the redoubt on the right, with volleys of musketry and rifles. They swept proudly past, glittering in the morning sun in all the pride and splendour of war. We could scarcely believe the evi dence of our senses ! Surely that handful of men are not going to charge an army in position ? Alas ! it was but too true—their desperate valour knew no bound; and far indeed was it removed from its so-called bettor part—discretion. They advanced in two lines, quicken ing their pace as they closed towards the enemy. A more fearful spectacle was never witnessed than by those who, without the power to aid, beheld their heroic coun trymen rushing to the arms of death. At the dis tance of 1,200 yards the whole line of the enemy belched forth, from thirty iron mouths, a flood of smoke and flame, through which hissed the deadly balls. Their flight was marked by instant gaps in our ranks, by dead men and horses, by steeds flying wounded or riderless across the plain. The first line is broken, it is joined by the second, they never halt or check their speed an instant ; with undiminished ranks, thinned by those 30 guns, which the Russians had laid with the most deadly accuracy, with a halo of flashing steel above their heads, and with a cheer which was many a noble fellow's death:cry, they flew into the smoke of the bat-