The Press.
London, England, 1855-08-11 00:00:00

THE HANGO OUTRAGE.

Further despatches relating to this affair have been
published during the last few days. Prince Dolgo•
rouki writes to state, and defend, the refusal of the
Russian Government to release the prisoners ae
cording to the demand sent by Admiral Dundas, and
proceeds to cite various instances in which, as he
alleges, the British have made improper use of flags
of truce To this letter Admiral Dundas has trans
mitted an elaborate reply. In the present series of
papers, however, there appears for the first time,
in extenso, a letter from Lieutenant Geneste, who
commanded the boat's crew of the Cossack, upon
whom the outrage was perpetrated. The lieutenant
reports as follows his commanding officer, Captain
Fanshawe

lielsingfora, July 8, l8"55.
In obedience to your order, on Monday, the sth of June,
I proceeded to the landing-place at Hango Head in the
cutter, carrying a flag of truce, in order to land Russian
prisoners and communicate with the officer at the telegraph-
',Cation. We arrived at the pier, and no person being
visible on the shore, except two or three women standing
bear the houses, I landed the Russian prisoners, and in
company with them and Dr. Easton proceeded towards the
hones to communicate with the people, and with the
officer of the telegraph. The three stewards also accom-
panied us, in order, if possible, to purchase fresh provisions
But all the boat's crew were left in the boat, with strict
orders not to land, as you had directed. We also carried
with us a white flag of truce on a boarding-pike, Norton,
the midshipman's steward, carrying it beside me. We had
only proceeded about fifty yards from the boat, when sud-
denly Russian soldiers ( who had lain concealed behind the
rocks and houses, and of whose vicinity we were completely
ignorant) rose anti fired on us and the boat from all sides.
Taking the white flag from the steward Norton, who was
shot down by my side, I endeavoured with it in my hand
to prevent the soldiers from. tiring at the boat, and so
04401 t Ittoition of their dicer, who Q 114120 near sue, to

THE PilE.

it. However, I regret to state that the firing did not
cease until many of our people had been hit. As we were
completely surrounded by soldiers, it was impossible to
effect our escape, the soldiers bring within a few yards of
the boat on every side, and seeing the inutility of making
any resistance, not having a loaded musket in the boat,
and the greater number of our small boat's crew of eleven
men being killed and wounded by the first fire of the
enemy, not a shot was fired on our side. We were all
seized by the soldiers, taken to the houses, and without a
moment's delay placed in carriages, which appeared to me
to be ready for us, and transported to Eckness, where we ar-
rived the same afternoon. I regret to have to state that we
have lost six of our men killed, and four have been wounded
badly, nearly all the others having slight scratches. One
Finnish captain was also killed and two Russian captains
wounded. The wounded men were carried to Eckuess,
and placed in hospital there. I inclose a list of the killed
and wounded. The fate of several of the killed I know
only by the Russian report, as we were hurried away too
quickly from the scene of action to ascertain it for our-
selves; but I fear their report is too true, as we have six
men missing. and they report seven dead bodies at Hango
Head, which would be correct with our six men and the old
Finnish captain, whom we saw shot down and bayoneted.
We remained at Eckness during Tuesday, and on Wed-
nesday Mr. Sullivan, myself, and the four unwounded men
were removed to this place, leaving the four wounded men
at Eckness, with Dr. Easton to attend to them. The
wounded men were aU doing well when we left Ecknesa.
One of them, Gliddon, had to undergo amputation of his
right arm, near the shoulder, which had been successfully
performed. Since our arrival at Eckness we have received
every attention and kindness from the Russian general
and °Beers that our position would admit of. The wounded
men have been treated with the greatest care and consiter-
ation. I requested General Moller, the officer commanding
at Ecknesa, to send a boat on the day following this unfor-
tunate affair, to the ship, with a flag of truce, to inform you
what had happened, but he declared it to be impossible. I
do not know how this letter will reach you, but the general
will forward it by the first opportunity. As we were taken
prisoners under a flag of truce, I presume we shall he
shortly released, but am at present in perfect ignorance of
their intentions with respect to us. I send this letter
opened and unsealed.
LOUTS GswesrE, Lieutenant.
THE OFFICERS OF THE " TIGER."
The thirteen British naval officers and midshipmen
belonging to the unfortunate Tiger, who were not so
lucky as their first lieutenant to he set at liberty and
write a book on Russia, but were detained priso-
ners of war, have at length also been liberated, and
arrived at Stettin on the 31st ult., via Dantsic, on
their way to England. They have been exchanged
against a similar number of Russian officers of equal
grades, and were accompanied to the frontiers of
Prussia, where they were set at liberty, by a picket
of Cossacks. They were prisoners of war for five
months, and were obliged to swear by the honour of
their swords to remain inactive and take no part in
the war for seven months more. On their arrival at
Stettin twelve of these gentlemen proleeded on im-
mediately to Berlin for England. Lieutenant Sey-
mour was the only one of the party who preferred
resting some time from the fatigues of his journey
before proceeding to England.
THE BALTIC FLEET.
The expectations of some serious blow being struck
by the fleet under Admi' al Ditndaa had become
almost certainties when the last mail was despatched,
Helsingfors or Revel, or perhaps both, being believed
to be the destined points of attack. The following
vessels were at Nargen on the 31st ult., expecting im-
mediate orders to commence some important opera-
tions :--

ENGLISH —The Duke of Wellington, 131 ; Exmouth
91 ; Russell, 60 ; Cornwallis, 60 ; Hawk, 60 ; Hastings,
60 ; Edinburgh, 58 ; Arrogant, 48 ; Euryalus, 51 ; Am-
phion, 34 ; Cossack, 20 ; Tartar, 20 ; Vulture, 6; Geyser,
6 ; Lightning, 3 ; Merlin, 4 ; Calcutta and iEolus, maga-
zine store-ships; Belleisle, hospital•ship ; Volcano. black-
smiths' shop, and engineers' factory ; fifteen gun-boats,
and sixteen mortar-vessels.
Fa.ENcu.—The Tourville, Austerlitz, Isis, Aigle, Pelican,
one gun boat, and five mortar-vessels.
The Times publishes the subjoined letter from the
fleet, dated "off Nargen," on July 31 :

We have all been on the qui rive during the last week,
expecting an attack to Le made upon Sweaborg, and
believe our hopes have only been disappointed by the non-
arrival of the Cilcutia and iEulua with the reserve ammu-
nition.

On Wednesday, the 25th. at noon, the Locust and Hawke
joined the fleet from Bamsund. During the morning of
the 26th the Merlin, Skylark, Hind, and Princess Alice
arrived from Cmnatadt, and in the afternoon were followed
by the Thistle, bearing despatches from the enemy to the
commander in-chief, received under a flag of truce. These
it is believed relate to the Hango prisoners. The Vulture
was afterwards sent to Faro to bring up the Belkisle,
hospital-ship, which has been lying comparatively idle there,
instead of being with the fleet.
On the 27th H.M S Centaur arrived from England. The
gun-boats have each been getting in a tlB•potinder gnn from
the block-ships. The French ship Austerlitz has been on
a cruise in the Gulf of Riga, and returned on the 29th ;
she touched the ground there, injuring her bottom and
false keel.
The ships are rapidly flocking in from all parts to swell
the lumber o,peoftirits atN.argeii. Tkie Austerlitz and Jigk
arrived on the 28th from Ledaund, followed by the iriOurvh

737

and the seven gun-boats. 4r4OPie, it eare4 Pelter, Badger.
Lark, Redwing, and Dapper, from Cronstadt, where they
left Admiral Baynes and his squadron, heartily sick of
nothing to do. The Atapkisa and Gleaner also arrived from
Sweaborg, the former having broken her screw-shaft. At
6.10 p.m. the Lightning arrived with the mails from
Dantsic, and the Isabella Napier, with bullocks, from
Copenhagen.
On the 80th the Arrogant, with the squadron which
went to liotica, the Hawke and Biter gun-boat, and
the l'ullure, with the Belleisle in tow, arrived, making the
fleet here at present to consist of nearly sixty sail.
During the last three or four days we have had cold
north-easterly winds, accompanied by fogs and rain, show-
ing a tendency to a break up of the summer weather.

The following official despatches announcing the
success of some additional operations of minor cha-
racter have been published by the Admiralty :--
Duke of Wellington, at. Nargen, July 30.
Having received, on the 24th instant, from Captain Yel-
verton, of H.M.S. Arrogant, information which appeared
to render it desirable that he should again examine the
south-western shores of the island of Kotka, J took untrue-
dime measures to strengthen the squadron under his
orders by the addition of four gunhosts, to be detached
from off Cronstadt by Rear-Admiral Ba)nes, together with
the further addition of four mortarsvessels hence, which
he had hoped to be able to employ.
I have much satisfaction in transmitting for their lord-
ships' information the iuclosetl report of proceedings of
Captain lelverton, who, with the squadron under his
orders, has again succeeded in completing the destruction
of buildings and military stores to a considerable extent on
the island of Kotka; and I beg once more to express my
entire approbation of the manner in which he has executed
the service intrusted to him, and of the conduct of the
officers and men employed on the occasion.
I am happy in having this opportunity to recommend to
the favorable notice of their lordships the conduct of Mr.
George Giles, master of the Arrogant, and Mr. Macfarlane,
the master of the Magicienne, who have now been con-
stantly employed in those ships on the various services
which I have recen ;ly had occasion to report.
R. S. DUNDAS.
( Inclosure,)
H.M.S. Arrogant, off the Mouth of the
Kymene, July 28.
Sir,---I have the honour to inform you that very early on
the morning of the 20th I was joined, off the island of
Hogland, by the Cossack and Magicienne, bringing with
them the mortar-vessels•Prempt, Pickle, Rocket, and Maser.
I stood immediately to the northward, leaving the Ruby to
bring on the gun-boats, which were not then in sight. They
joined at noon, and at two p.m. we all anchored off Fort
Rotsensholm.
As the safety of our expedition rested chiefly on our in-
vesting and holding the entire possession of the fortified
island of Kotka, I determined upon taking it at once.
Accordingly I anchored the mornusvessels out of range,
and, leaving two gun boats to look after them, I pro-
eeeded with the rest of the vessels to the westward of
Kotka for the purpose of destroying the bridge, so as to
cut off the retreat of the garrison, and prevent their re-
ceiving reinforcements from the mainland. Captain Van-
sittart, of the Magicienne, with his accustomed zeal and
activity, threaded his way at once through the shoals, and
destroyed the bridge. As soon as all the vessels had an-
chored, so as to command the great military road leading
from the fort of Hogfors Holm, and also the channel
dividing the island from the main,l landed all the marines,
under command of Captain S. N. Lowder, R.M., with
Lieut. George D. Dowell, R.M.A., and Lients. H. C.
Mudge and P. R. Holmes, RM., who took possession
without being opposed, as the garrison (no doubt apprised
of our coming by the telegraphs along the coast) had very
recently evacuated, leaving behind them a large amount of
military stores, which have since been burnt.
I beg to inclose a list of all the Crown property destroyed
by Captain Lowder, including barracks, magazines, ord-
nance stores, storehouses, stables. guardhouses, and other
Government buildings, with an immense amount of
timber intended for building and other military purposes.
The following morning .I weighed, leaving Captain Fan-
shawe with the Cossack in charge of this most important
point, which required the utmost care and attention, as
the enemy on several occasions threw out reconnoitring
parties, as if inclined to attempt the recovery of the
island.
I feel it due to Mr. George Giles, master of this ship,
and Mr. George A. Macfarlane, master of the Magicienne,
to mention the zeal and attention with which they have
sounded and buoyed, night and day. the intricate channels
of this coast, enabling me (without the assistance of pilots)
to get into many places where our presence was least
expected. H. R. Yen% KIVION, Captain.
I'S. Owing to a change of wind to the eastward I regret
to say that the village unfortunately caught fire from some
Government buildings, and I fear much injury was done
to it.
It is, however, a source of congratulation to he able to
add that the fine church en the island sustained no damage
whatever, owing to the precautions that were immediately
taken to save it.

THE garris ne of Jersey and Guernsey are to be
placed on a war footing, and the governor of each will
be selected from the major-generals of the army, in-
stead of from the etaff-colonels, as at present.
LORD HowDm,/ has remitted from Paris, where he
now is, a donation of 1,000 francs for the relief of
the sufferers from cholera in the city of Granada.
BARON DE DiEraicit of Vienna, who has just died,
has left a fortune of 20.000,000 florins (about
50,000,000 f.) consisting chiefly
.of landed property.
The whole of this vast sum goes to his grandson
aged sem,