The Press.
London, England, 1855-11-03 00:00:00

POSITION OF THE FRENCH.

The Memorial de la Loire publishes the fol-
lowing :
Banks of the Belbeck, Oct. 11.
We have advanced so rapidly for some days, and spent
so little time in any place, that, it is impossible for me to
give you many details. We have crossed with consider-
able difficulty the chain of mountains which separates the
basin of the Belbeck from that of the Tschernaya. It was
necessary to construct several roads to enable the artillery
and provision-waggons to pass. These works were only
terminated on the 11th of October. The Russians invaria-
bly abandoned their positions before our riflemen. This
day they have halted on the heights that skirt the right
bank of the Belbeck, and appear disposed to await our
approach, for if they retired any further their communica-
tions with Simferopol would be intercepted. The divisions
of Generals d'Autemarre, Pate, and d'Anrdle, and the
cavalry division of General Morris, are encamped in the
valley in front of the village of Ysughen, and others, the
names of which have escaped my memory. Our advanced
guard stretches out to the Belbeck, which we are to cross
immediately. The fourth division of the first corps occu-
pies the ridge of mountains extending along the left bank
of the Shunila, a little beyond Tchorgoun, thus planing
us iu communication with the right wing of the Sardi-
nians. Four or five divisions of the allied army were
expected to disembark at Eupatoria, and effect a junction
with the corps of General de Salles by passing the Alma
and the Katscha. Should that movement succeed the
Russians will find themselves hemmed in between the sea
and this vast semicircle, which will gradually narrow still
more around them. Our success will then be complete.

MOVEMENTS OF THE ItUSSIANS.
From significant appearances here and there, it
seems not improbable that before winter sets
fairly in the Russians will abandon the north forts
and concentrate upon a more central position round
Simferopol:—

There seems to be some expectation that the Russian
intend evacuating the north side. They yesterday modes
great Ere on their left of Fort Catherine. It is supposed
they were burning stores. They had a large depot of coal
just about the place where the fire was. On Saturday
night the reflection of a great fire was visible from the
camp, and still more plainly seen from higher points in
this neighbourhood. It was in the direction of Itaktchi-
Serai. We are still in ignorance of its cause.—Times Cor.,
Oct. 13.

The fire of the north forth is well kept up with a
reckless profusion of shot and shell :
The Russians, as if to vent their rage at their recen
reverse, continue to pound away at intervals at the ruins
of the town they have been forced to abandon. They do
little harm to us, anti might as well save their ammunition,
which they often condescend to expend even on a single
soldier whom they see wandering among the broken walls
or across the plain. Yesterday our old friend Ililboquet
long silent, opened his mouth, and sent a couple of shots
either at the works by Trakttr bridge, or at something he
saw moving in the volley below his muzzles. To-day the
Russian guns are nearly mute, and the stillness contrasts
strikingly with the uproar we were here so long accus-
tomed to. —/b.

The fire from the Russian batteries on the north side
exceeded, this afternoon, anything since the siege ter-
minated, and occasionally a round•shot has been thrown
as far u the Redan; but from all I can gather, I should
say it is like the fitful blaze of a candle before expiring,
and that ere the cold and wet sets in, the enemy will
abandon this portion of the Crimea. To-night there is a
tremendous confiagiation in the direAion of Baktchi-
Serai; an immense apace in the heavens has been for
hours brilliantly illuminated, and it is considered by some,
and I think not improbably either, that it may be caused
by the destruction of cavalry stores previously to their
retiring.—Morning Post Cor., Oct. 11.
A letter in the Kreuz-Zeitung of Berlin, from the
Sea of Azoff, dated the Ist Oct., contains, if true,
some curious facts :

Within the last few days upwards of a thousand wag.
gone, each drawn by two horses, have passed through with
corn and flour for the Russian army in the Crimea; be-
sides which they carry provisions and provender with them
for three weeks' consumption, and are to convey provisions
from l'erekop to Simferopol. It is said that the nobles
have made a present to the Emperor of this large quantity
of provisions, and placed the means of conveyance at his
disposal. There can be no doubt of the existence of an
unknown military road into the Crimea. with an organised
system of relays of waggons and horses to transport the
sick and wounded into the interior of Russia. In many
part‘ of the coast of the Sea of Azoff the enemy have cer•
tainly committed much havoc, but the quantity of grain
destroyed is fortunately not so large as might have been
expected, and the price of wheat has not risen in conse-
quence, but remains at the former price of 41 roubles per
tschetwert.—D. News Berlin Cor.

THE FORTIFICATIONS OF ODESSA.
While the fleet was off Odessa, the fortifications of
course were more or less examined. The correspon-
dent of the Times writes :

The garrison of Odessa, augmented by some columns
which we have seen, and by others possibly which came in
without being observed, is busily engaged in throwing up
earthen batteries, and in strengthening the defences of the
fortress on the south-eastern angle of the town. As far as
can be ascertained, the fortifications are not of overwhelm-
ing strength: but the enemy have some excellent ease-
mated works, nearly d flaw Beau, and several very wicked•

M