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

THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. THE GREAT BATTLE OF THE 25 TH OF OCTOBER. BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, Oct. 23. 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, iu 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, bo re pulsed by the four redoubts, defended by a largo 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 more fatal, though excusable, error could not have bean 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 tho 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 fled 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 &ell:kak i /he position was in the hands of the enemy. The Turks were calmly retreating towards Balaklava, with their baggage, and even their cooking utensils, when a mass 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 _ . must 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 the bravo 93d were beyond corn inendation ; but when did the Highland bonnets ever waver ? Repulsed by one British infantry regiment, the Russian cavalry reformed, and dashed forward against the i , 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 linable 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 sight, 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 routed 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 eithe •aptured 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 late' took up a position dominated by the conquered redoubts. The loss sustained by the Greys was trifling in kind, but very few escaped without a wound of some kind. Colonel Darby Griffith was slightly wounded in the head by a ball He was taken into Balaklava, when the wound was dressed, and in the afternoon he again took the command of hi , 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 front the same sabre which had wounded his master, a fearful slash across the tail joint, which had nearly severed 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 dross- The latter had blue tunics and red cloth shakoes Meanwhile the Turks, who had fled into Balaklava, sprea. 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 Tines. The latter returned the fire with vigour. Captain Maude'a 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, nun 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 e nemy, 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 past ten General Sir G. Cathcart, with the 4th British division appeared on the heights leading from before Sebastopol, and took up a position which covered Balaklava and th Sebastopol road. A short time after, the Guard joined their brethren of the let division, the Highlanders. The cannonade which had preceded the evacuation of the throe redoubts by the Russians had been attended with great loss to the latter. As the enemy retired, a shell struck ono of his ammunition waggons, which exploded. A few rockets, skilfully directed, precipitated his departure. On our side we had several casualties to deplore, though not in proportion to the loss inflicted on the enemy. Great and universal regret was expressed by the whole army on learning that Captain Maude had unfortunately received two desperate wounds. 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 he has im proved so rapidly that no operation will be required, and may be considered out of danger. lie has since left for Scutari. Captain Shakespeare, an able and active o ffi cer, took thecommand of the troop at once. While the a b ove events had passed on the heights of Balaklava, a tragic and deplorable T scene had taken place in the valley to the left. he Russians had there established themselves in great strength . t A battery of nine guns had been drawn up, breasting the valley. An other battery had been mounted to s i t 7 left ; whilst the the guns of the e one redoubt not right was dominated by evacuated by the Russians. These threefiresthe e crossed one defe plain, were another. Beyond the first battery, i n masses of cavalry, part of which had been previ ously by the Scots Greys ; and again, to the force, in these were several regiments of infantry. Thi s fact, constituted the right wing of the Russian 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, 00 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 hip ; 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 obeyed, under protest by the gallant Earl. The whole brigade then charged en wasds 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 dashed into the nine.gun battery. Not ono of the gunners escaped the sabre, and the 9 cannon were in the PONeilliiell of our osTalry. A. strong line of tuoi au 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 had 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 ro entered thoßritish 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 gallantly figured in the first charge, is absolutely terrific. The greater part of the men 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 bard alternative of being captives. Many . . . ,chose 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 were 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 comment 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 loss severe. Lord Cardigan was magnificent in his cool contempt of danger, and in the gallantry he 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 oar' retiring cavalry, a body of French Chasseurs d'Afriqu e cliarged at the guns erected on the left of the valley, and forced them to retire. After sabroing amongst the Rus iian skirmishers, the Chassours 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 Seblstopol, 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 3f infantry from the heights, and did not carry out .heir menaced attack on Balaklava. Towards evening , leneral Canrobert sent a French division to relieve the 4th British, who returned to their former position before Se bastopol. The bombardment of the forts before thatplace c mtinued without cessation all day. 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 riving 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 vardice, 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 bettor. Their farther presence hero 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 trua, is an excellent in novation in Turkish military customs. Two out of the nine guns entrusted by the British to the Turks were recovered in one of the redoubts. They ware spiked, whether by the Turks or the Russians I am not aware. They were all iron 12-pounders. The ground about Balaklava 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 4un 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 in dismantling six of the enemy's guns. The firing is slacker on both sides. The French are gradually sapping towards he town, and until then nothing decided must be expected. Troops are said to have reinforced the army of Menschikoff, and Osten Sacken is reported by deserters to be approach- qua with the garrison of Odessa. On Thursday, the 26th, the Russians, elated by the 3asy success gained over the Turks the preceding day, ventured upo❑ 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 ) considered a mere feint, having for object the with- Irawal of our attention from the real point of their kt tack —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,whoso strength must have exceeded 9,000 infantry, with a numerous artil ery, 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 ind 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 hreast of the hill was covered with fugitives, who were ra pidly pursued by our skirmishers. Sir De Lacy Evans had, in the meanwhile, ordered his division (the 2d) to advance Ind 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. Tho officers endeavoured to preserve tho dig ,iity 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 3nemy, and settle scores with him for many a false and wearisome night alarm. A mass of brushwood soon interfered with the line movement, and the men then pursued, skirmishing. The Russians were overtaken at the crest of the hill, and a heavy musketry fire was exchanged. Tho 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 officers. The appearance of one of these officers was most striking. Although escorted by five strapping Grenadiers, he overtowered them all in height of stature, whilst in general appearance he was the model of a soldier. I con versed with him in German, which he spoke fluently, and lie told me, with what truth I know not, that he was in the command of the picketing party into whose hands Lord Dunkellin had fallen. His lordship had received every attention on the part of the Russian authorities. kccording 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 nuskets, sabres, and other trophies. The Russian columns were led on with great intrepidity by their mounted officers, who were seen to urge their men forward. On approaching within range of our artillery, the Rus sians slanted their columns to the left in a serpentine man ger, 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. Iu some respects this measure would be a wise one, and a day or two will test the truth of the report. BALAKL AVA, TWELVE O'CLOCK. ketry fire was heard from this P.S. A very heavy DIM elevation at the camp last night. It was caused by a troop of Ru ss i an h orses , w h o h a d broken their picket ropes, and dashed into the French line. 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 t o arils. 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. Tho Sanspareil came into harbour yesterday, in order to meet any emergency. Since my last letter our casualties in tho trenches have been of a triflin nature. Lieutenant-Adjutant Menlo, of the 83th, unfortunately lost an arm on the 26th. Several officers have received wounds more or less severe, but I have heard of none who have lost their lives. Our casual ties in the slight action of the 26th wore 60 killed and wounded. The enemy's loss, in killed; wounded, and prisoners, ex ceeded 400. The weather continues magnificent, and the warmth seems to increase every day instead of diminishing. Au attt44 on Balolilava is not =adored; improbable at head-quarters. The 4th division had orders last night to supply themselves with water for the morrow, but as yet their services havo not been required. We have received another account of this engage ment, from which wo make the following ex- ,racts 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 columns 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 o❑ 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-clay, was as follows : Went into Returned. Action. from Strong, Action. 4th Light Dragoons llB 39 Bth Hussars lO4 38 11th Hussars llO 13th Light Dragoons 17th Lancers 145 198 VIE FRENCH CAVALRY'. 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 rede 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 Bth 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 Laneers, are 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 Maxse, 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. He 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 genslcl 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 OF THE 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 lees of 500 men killed and wounded. Captain Conolly, in command of a picket, behaved in the most gallant way ;he was severely wounded. We have taken about 100 prisoners, among them two officers, one of whom is the officer to whom Lerd Dun kellin surrendered. We have had 70 men killed and wounded, four officers wounded, none killed, and nine men killed, and 58 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, but 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 learn fresh reinforcements have been received by the Russians. The French lost about 20 men to-day in their trenches—only one by the explosion ; we scarcely any. THE PROGRESS OF THE SIEGE. October 27.—Nothing was done to-day. Admiral Lyons, Sir George Brown, and General Cathcart visited Lord Raglan in the course of the day. The fire on bath 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 force in the gorge, and their vedettes are not far distant from ours. This force seems to have its head-quarters at the village of Xamis koi, and keeps its communication with Sebastopol open by the other side of the Tchernaya. The body of troops which attacked us on the 26th came out of Sebastopol. In order to make 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 hands. A very formidable battery has been erected by the sailors on the heights in front 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 bin, soigno 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. 28.--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 I pop 1 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 few 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 beard flora the French lines, and, to our wonderment, an inexplicable apparition of riderless horses took place in cur camp. They turned out to be fully equipped and accoutred—saddled, bridled, and all, and were recog- nised as belonging to Russian dragoons. How they turned up no one knows, it is supposed that their owners got into a panic, and " bolted" 'ere they could get into the saddle. Already 193 have been ought. . . 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 had 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 camp. 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, 88th 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 expose himself and some of his men to the enemy's observa tion. He was at the time a little in advance of theravine, which extends from near the first brigade of the Light Div i sion to an irregular valley near the foot of the Round To wer 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 cenceal themselves among the brushwood to the left of the ravine, so that, should the Russians make the at tack, 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, lout almost immediately afterwards the remainder of Lieute nant Webb's party, who had been concealed, discharged their Minids 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 prisoner, and brought, together with one of his men, into camp. He was a powerful man, and scarcely distinguished in dress from the soldiers he was leading—the lace, instead of the cloth, shoulder straps, and the superior gilding of the buttons, which showed him to belong to the 33d Regiment, alone marked the distinction, and could only be noticed when standing near. Five of the Russians who had been killed were buried on the ground by the 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 DIJNYELLIN. 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 Laneers. The -senior captain is now commanding the regiment. Lieutenant Young, of the Royal Artillery, has also died from cholera. He was brother 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 THP 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 fer his enterprise and devotion ; he 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 ACT ON DARING. A private of the 33d Regiment--D uke of Wellington's —by name M'Guire, has attracted the notice of the Commander•in-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, - h e suddenly seized aloaded 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‘Guire effected his escape. He was at the time within a hundred yards of the Russian lines. His own Minid, 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 11I‘Guire a gratuity of 51. The strength of the parties employed as sharpshooters is to be increased. It has hitherto consisted of 10 men selected from each regiment, generally volunteers for the duty. TIM ACTION AT BALABLAVA: Oct. 25, 9 a.m.—Cannonading heard in the rear. The first and fourth divisions are ordered from the front. The firing continues, and wo 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 arrivo i for the decisive attack to be made. From letters written by French officers : THE CHARGE AT BALAKLAVA. O CT , 25—Fine weather returns with day-break, and at noon the heat is almost insupportable. This tem perature, most unusual for the season, greatly miti gates the fatigues of the army. In the afternoon we hear the sound of cannon is the direction of Bala klava. It is the Russian army engaged with our army of obsarvation. 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. I. 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 the regiment of Red Hussars, carried away by its ardour, fell into an ambuscade, where it left in killed and wounded 400 men. General Misquet's divi sion 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 ()5,000 to 30,000 strong, must have been considerable, Vor 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 by the cannon. We do not yet know the 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. rx,s SIAN VICTORIES." We have been told that the Russians have chanted a Te Deum in Sebastopol for the affair of the 25th ! 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 Inker mann. 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 E❑glish. 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, some days ago, a long conversation, after which Lord Raglan manifested to me his satisfaction at concurring in many respects in the opinions of General Canrobert, particularly with regard to our Emperor. This perfect understanding between the Generals-in-Chiei is, I need not add, a most important point. THE CHASSEUES D'AFEIQUE. I was forgetting to mention a brilliant charge effected by our Chasseurs d'Afrique on one of the batteries which decimated the English cavalry. Six troops of that brave corps rushed upon that battery, cut down the men at their guns, and were preparing to carry off the latter, when three Russian batteries formed into hollow squares, opened their fire upon them, and obliged them to retreat. Our brave Chasseurs lost two officers and about 20 killed or wounded. RUSSIAN BRAVERY. An act of heroic bravery is related of a young Russian officer, which merits honourable mention. Disguised as a British soldier, with twelve devoted companions, he succeeded 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 DIINDAS'S MRMORA.NDIIM. The following memorandum has been addressed by the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Dundas, to the fleet, on the subject 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 captains under their orders in the attack of yesterday on the sea defences of Sebastopol. " The Vice-Admiral requests the officers, seamen, and marines, to accept his earnest thanks for their exertions in continuing an unremitting fire upon the enemy, notwith standing the number of their shipmates who were absent in assisting at the siege of Sebastopol." SIR E. LYONS. " Admiral Sir B. Lyons, on his little grey pony, is to be 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 from a quarry in a hill overlooking the right attack. FOUR TRAITORS. I suppose you heard that a bluejacket of the -, two Royal Artillerymen, and one Royal Marine Artil leryman deserted and joined the Russians. The captain, on hearing this, had the magazine shifted immediately ; and 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 he was in Russiin uniform, cross-belted and all. THE RODNEY. On the 17th the cotabined 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 800 yards from Fort Con- . stantine. Everybody in the fleet anticipated a ter rific loss on board us in killed and wounded ; but we came out with 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), &c. If we had been on shore a quarter of an hour longer, there certainly would now no longer be a Rodney, for the Russians had just got our r►nge, and every shot told on our hull. The last that hulled us was a shell, 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 eontinued till dark, and we were the last last ship out of action. THB AGAMEMNON. 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 riggigg is all cut and many other parte 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 s'lipped our cables and hauled off. TU SANSPAR]IL. 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 en this fearful occasion. THH QUEEN. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1854, Captain F. T. Mitchell, her Majesty's ship Queen, addressed hie 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. He not only saw with pleasure the cool way they worked their guts 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 ho 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 Coll eluded by thanking the men, ono and all, for their brave conduct, and impressed upon them the necessity of coolness at all times when in action. SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL• CONSTANTINOME, Octob er er 29.—We are now at the end of the fifth week of the operations against Sektsto pl. For 12 days the fire of the Allies against the earth works of the eaemy has been nearly incessant, and the weary artillerymen are sinking with fatigue. They rest only six or seven hours out of the 24, and though with such 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 now reduced. to exhaustion of the men, who have had, short numbers, to keep up a storm of shot and it is stated shell against so strong and well-defended a line of the Crimea that works. The British infantry are b l y 5,0 aOO gentleman mfaoar whoeff effective t i h v a e s j s u e s r t v ic o left, week. About our force diminishes at the rate of a 6 h o d o s a o w ill i e t d h and fatigue wo 1 l o n r d attacked e d by diarrhoea and L o l, a wdaoyrnaoreutkgo into hospi fever. Add to this that the up, and, if we may judge from tar appearances , the winds and rains of autumn a re setting in. Last night it blew a gale, and to day th ere i s driving filnwea at • t trvale, a strong cold north wind, with It is possible that awn ____ 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 farce 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 sue cess. Th e y care nothing for theßussian force behind them, which they feel they can at any time defeat and scatter. The only regret 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 scientifia 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 a fit state to b ear the fatigues of such a campaign, and their pale faces when they leave for the Crimea give little hope that their ardour and courage will be supported by physical strength. Lieutenant Learmouth, of the 17th Lancers, who went 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 ar m y 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 he 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 an 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 sinoe 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 caN;alry ; seven men died on board. Unfortunately the wind is so strong, and the sea runs so high, that they cannot be landed. Their wounds are extremely severe. Nov. 2.—Five such days as those we have just passed through are said not to have been known at Con stantinople for many years. On the night of the 28th a strong 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 reidered uninhabitable. Rain has poured down for five days in one incessant stream ; the roads have become almost impassable, and communication be- tween the different points of the environs is nearly im practicable. The steamer from Marseilles, which should have left on the 30th, 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 sympithy 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 shore. The accommodation, however, provided for them on board the Australian has been very good, and they are as well as they can be expe c t e d t o b e a ft er 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 Tworn out; they are diminished in number to an extent hardly cre dible, and any further hardships may have had an effeet the most deplorable. The last news was dated the 2Sth. 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 i t t h i e le i s r s te s n t t o s r , in a . nd Tlehaevirnaginthpemouwrinitghoduotwanhel like that of an English November, but n t b e l o r o n i from n a g a th w the drizzle, in a strong 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. from New ARRIVALS y o or F k S; : s e t lerr.d—a yesterday SPECIE.—The e y 13,5001. The Thames, from Brazil, has brought cE MARKETS.— AMSTERDAM AND ROTTERDAM P state that, m arkets continued to although business had diminished, and amountt h the f c i ) c f a g is gold Pt! The weekly reviews from these be well supported. In sugar w rig i to a cessation of spe lled been singularly limited, coffee i3OaDrkr e the ts operations quotationsn for tea and rice were spe culative purchases. The t ansactions had taken place. pe e dto o f showed a tendency to im provement. and Oriental Company have received Some descriptions although few The Feninsulaer Government to despatch their large Ripon, and Nubia, each capable 500 troops, with alls steamers , convey' French reinforcements to the Crimea. Toulon, to carry orders d . of these vessels being employed in the mail and Each passenger service between Southampton and Alexandria, their witledr f n er g soen f : r i o P m tth.i °ln:2o°of spicesto awal will necessarily be attended with in- Candle, convenience to the public ; but the company have made t a b r r e a i r n ,g s ru e in a l e l n e t for the a mer s, transport an d, by of the 3,, d ivid i n m g a t i t h e e b p y as ssomeeng passengers and sending one-half of the number to Marseilles, and thence to Alexandria, by the fast steamers Vectis and Valetta, they trust to maintain the ordinary communi cations with the East until their regular ships shall to returned to them. A circular announcing the altered arrangements has been issued to the passengers, and they are said to have shown every disposition to meet the case in the best possible spirit. CHINA. —According to the telegraphic accounts from China yesterday, which reach to the 27th of September, there had been no further alteration in the rates of ex change, the quotations being still 4s. fad. to 48. 10d. at Canton, and 6s. to es. ld. at Shanghai. The export and had none ff bee nds madea t the e t o rate . of tea to date had been 21,000,0001 b., and of silk 6,907 bales. Canton being still threatened, the trade of the place continued at a stand. Much fighting ha l,, cl , recently taken place, but the result was unknown. seemed to be supplies of tea had come dew's, . n ere t expected, ain i t, o oadlt black heurh mail every h aeffort beeno the interior of From Foochow the country was said to be incredasi very slowly, and at of 7 dollars per picul. The anarch n y g. ' a vin g shipments were going forward been cleared of the Emen quantity $2O per picul. The r Prices had consequently advanced Shanghai there was little business, the at shanghai won arriving l supplies both of silk and tea 0 f marketadk available.h ) . slowly.. 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 opens 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 thir redoubts long enough to enable us to bring them help. In vain the naval gdns 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 trenchments strive to protect their flying countrymen ; their shot fly wide and short of the swarming masses. The Turks betake themselves towards the Highlanders, where they check their flight and form into companies on the flanks of the Highlanders. THE HIGHLA.NDERS. 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 goes 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 one 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 1 well done," shouted the excited spectators. THE 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 greycoated 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 eur very eyes. Lord Raglan, all his staff and escort, 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 full 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 Enniskilleners 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 had 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, pub 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-de-camp, to convey his con gratulations to Brigadier-General Scarlett, and to say " Well done." The gallant old soldier's face beamed with pleasure when he received the message. " I beg to thank his lordship very sincerely," was his reply. THE ORDER TO CHARGE. When Lord Lucan received the erder from Captain Nolan and had read it, he asked, we are told, " Where are ive to advance to ?" 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 eaw 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 armie9 ; 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 net going to charge an army in position l Alas ! it was but too true—their desperate valour knew no bounds, and far indeed was it removed from its so-called better 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 felloo death:cry, they flew into the awoke of the bat-