The Press.
London, England, 1855-01-13 00:00:00

JANUARY 13, 1855.

they were simply doing hard garrison duty. The Zouaves
amuse the camp at night by stealing out individually,
climbing the Russian outworks, and planting French lags
upon them. The Russians are bamboozled, as at night tires
are lit at quite solitary spots, upon which they tire away
as hard as they can. General Canrobert, despite his
wounds, is to be seen daily in the camp, but General boaquet
is the favourite of the men. The Turkish camp, which is
next to the French, offers a miserable aspect—dirt, torn tents,
uniforms which can scarcely be recognised as uniforms,
and soldiers that can scarcely be taken for soldiers.
Nevertheless they squat down quietly in the mud, and
smoke their pipes with complacency. Any one coming
from Stamboul is welcomed by them with as much joy as if
they were thousands of miles from that city. Of the Eng-
lishmen and their bravery they speak with the greatest ad-
miration, and cannot find words enough to praise their
deeds at lukermann ; but they complain of their brusque
manners. We have already said so much respecting the
English camps that we shall only give the description of
our friend in a few words.
On the whole, it is the contrast of the French camp:
there are no roads, if we except one made recently to con-
vey the terrible mortars. On all sides, between the torn
tents, dead cattle, homes, and oxen are rotting, and no one
thinks of removing the pest-bringing carcases. Officers and
men are so badly off for clothes that they may be placed on
a par with the Turks. The officer does not give himself
the slightest trouble in the world about the fate of the pri-
vate, his food, dress, or shelter; he leaves all that to the
care of the commissariat. Lord Raglan lives in his house,
and for days together is not visible. The wooden huts
sent from England lie diajecla membra in the water, and
will lie there useless until the nails t'or putting them toge-
ther arrive out. A friend of mine, who is a merchant, had
the opportunity of making some characteristic observa-
tions—among others, that the Englishmen always asked
for brandy and champagne, while the Frenchmen asked for
needles and thread. Before every English bureau he ob-
served empty casks and broken champagne and brandy
bottles. The inhabitants of the villages which lie scat-
tered between Sebastopol and Balaalava, at first the
friends, have become, in consequence of probably necessary
severe treatment, the bitter enemies of the allies, so that
they are feared as spies, and not one of them is allowed to
leave his hut without an escort. My informant also had
a close view of the besieged fortress. He declares that
there is not the slightest indication of a breach, and that
the walls of Sebastopol appear intact and unapproachable.
To his question, " When will the place be taken?" a
Zuuave replied, " When there are three Thursdays in one
week !" Despite this reply the whole camp is eager for
the assault. General Canrobert never rides through the
camp without being followed by cries of " L'assaut, mon
General," from all quarters.

THE RUSSIAN SORTIE OF DECEMBER 20.
The following details have appeared respecting the
Russian sortie briefly alluded to in Lord Raglan's
despatches :
At two o'clock in the morning of the 20th, protected by
the darkness, a strong Russian force succeeded in getting
up to Chapman's battery and entering it. They had no time
to spike the guns or destroy the battery, for they were
almost immediately dislodged by supporting parties of the
88th Regiment. Neither men nor officers were on the
alert, and all were taken by surprise. There were eight
companies in the advanced work of Captain Gordon's bat-
tery, taken from the 7th, 23rd, 33rd, and 34th Regiments.
and this force, properly prepared and organised, was suffi-
cient to hold it against double the number of the enemy
who attacked it. As it was, however, the sentries posted
only a few yards in front of the work must have been
utterly careless, and in all probability were lying down, if
not asleep ; for the first intimation of the attack to the
men and officers lying within the work was given by the
Russians themselves who had mounted the parapet, and
were already committing havoc among the sleepers. The
consequence was there was a panic, scarcely ally resistance
was made, and the covering party hastily fell back upon
the battery. Some of the men even crowded in at the
embrasures, and thus prevented the guns being used against
the Russians who had gained possession of the advanced
work. Others crowding within the battery impeded the action
of the troops stationed there for a time ; but when order
was restored and an advance was made to regain from the
enemythe work they were supposed to be still holding, it was
found they had already abandoned it. They were not in
sufficient force to retain it, extending as it does for a long
distance across the hill towards the middle or Orchakov
ravine ; but they had had time to carry off considerable
booty in arms, blankets, and accoutrements. Five men
were killed, and had all been stripped even to their boots,
One body was found with eight bayonet wounds ; another
was mangled and thrown into the well. Fifteen were
wounded; some so badly, that they were left for dead in the
work by the Russians. These had been most barbarously
treated, having been repeatedly wounded after they hail
fallen, and in three or four instances had also been kicked
and beaten over the head by the butt of the musket, to en-
sure destruction of life. About twenty-seven are missing,
no doubt having received wounds which did not disable
them from marching, and being carried away as prisoners.
Among these latter is Lieutenant J. Byron, of the 34th
regiment. This officer was seen to fall by a sergeant, who
states that he was wounded, but apparently not severely,
and has not since been forthcoming. There can be little
doubt but that he was taken away as a prisoner. The
sentries were men of the 7th Royal Fusiliers.
THE SCUTARI HOSPITAL.
Some presents from the Queen have been received
at the ho,pital for the use of the wounded and sick
soldiers, including essence of beef, soap, eau de
Cologne, toilet vinegar, dm Whether the general

THE PRESS.

contributions of charitable people at home will ever
arrive safely must, it is said, in great measure depend
upon the care with which they inform those to whom
the parcels are addressed of the mode of transmis-
sion. The Turkish Custom-house is a Maelstrom
from which nothing that ever finds its way there is,
without great difficulty, recovered.
Although the number of wounded men in the
hospitals here has diminished considerably, gangrene
in an endemic form has not disappeared. A great
anxiety is in consequence evinced by the medical
officers to get those away who thus far have not been
attacked. It is difficult to conceive anything more
distressing than the spectacle of a poor fellow rally-
ing stoutly and hopefully from his wounds, and in
the midst seized by a complaint which makes it re •
quisite to burn the sores into huge holes with caustic.
Such, however, are the penalties paid for crowded
wards and defective medical arrangements.

LANDING OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS.

Portsmouth dockyard was on Sunday again the
scene of one of those distressing disembarcations
which we may expect to become now frequent, until
the horrors of war shall have abated. The Penin-
sular and Oriental steam company's screw-transport
Candia arrived at Spithead at half-past eleven, and
at three she steamed into Portsmouth harbour. This
time the comfort and care of the poor fellows were
amply provided for, and hours before all the naval
and military heads were at work providing the best
means at their disposal for the ease and comfortable
landing of the sick. There was no lack of superior
supervision this time ; the Major-General command•
ing (pro. tem.) Portsmouth garrison, Sir Frederick
Smith, K.H., R.E.; Rear-Admiral Superintendent
Martin; Brigade Major Dalgetty ; Flag Lieutenant
Waddilove; Colonel Lord Methuen, of the Royal
Wilts Militia; Master-Attendant Underwood, R.N.;
and small armies of assistants, told off in files, with
naval cots fitted as hand stretchers, blankets, bed.
ding, dm., and a number of omnibuses or covered
vans, ranged along in baggage-train array, were all
in waiting long before the ship was lashed alongside
the dock) and jetty, to render help, each in his al-
lotted position, and each seemed to vie with the other
in alacrity when his turn came "to bear a hand."
The " brow " or unprotected gangboard from the side
of the ship to the jetty, 'gave place to well stepped
and substantial double-railed landing-stages, and
carpenters were busy at them as soon as the ship was
hauled alongside, and made them quite secure. Sir-
Frederick Smith and Colonel Lord Methuen were
most indefatigable in personally directing the move-
ments of those under their orders, and, as a conse•
quence, the work of disembarcation was entered upon
with propriety, and pursued with care and diligence
until the ship was cleared. The medical staff of the
garrison was most assiduous with its important
aid ; the wounded were removed to sick quarters
under personal medical superintendence ; and all
engaged in the melancholy duty received the readiest
and most cordial assistance from Captain Field and
the officers and crew of the Candia, whose number
of invalids amounted to 194. The most seriously
wounded were removed to hospital in Portsmouth
garrison, and the others to sick quarters for the night
in barracks. All able to bear the journey were next
day forwarded by railway to the military hospital at
Chatham.

RETURN OF CASUALTIES FROM 11TR TO 16th DECEMBE:
1854, INCLUSIVE.

Ist Royals-1 private killed ; 1 sergeant, 1 private,
wounded
4th Regiment of Foot-1 private killed
19th Regiment-2 privates wounded
20th Regiment-1 private wounded
21st Regiment-1 private killed ; 1 sergeant, 1 private,
wounded
28th Regiment-2 privates wounded
50th Regiment-2 privates wounded
57th Regiment-2 privates killed ; 7 privates wounded
68th Regiment-3 privates wounded
lst Battalion Rifle Brigade-2 privates wounded
Total-5 privates killed; 2 sergeants, 21 privates,
wounded

Fitox 17TH TO 20TH DEcraruni, 1854.

7th Regiment of Foot-1 private wounded
19th Regiment-1 private missing
2.3 rd Regimeut-1 private killed; 7 privates wounded;
9 privates missing
33rd Regiment-2 privates killed; 4 privates wounded;
2 privates missing
34th Regiment-2 privates killed ; 1 sergeant, 4 privates,
wounded; 1 officer missing
88th Regiment-1 private killed ; 4 privates wounded
44th Regiment-1 private wounded
46th Regiment-1 private killed
60th Regiment-2 sergeants, 12 privates, killed ; 1
officer, 18 privates, wounded; 2 officers, 8 privates,
missing
55th Regiment-1 private wounded
62nd Regiment-1 private killed
63rd Regiment-1 private wounded
68th Regiment-1 private wounded; 1 private missing
97th Regiment-1 private killed
Ist Batudion Rifle Brigade-2 privates killed; 1 private
wanly:lad

31

Total-2 sergeants, 23 privates, killed; 1 officer, 1 ser-
geant, 43 privates, wounded; 3 officers, 21 privates, mis-
sing
FROM 2114 T TO '24TH DECEMBER, IS3I.

20th Itegiment-3 privates wounded
23rd tteginieut-1 private missing
213th Regiment-1 private wounded
3Mth Regiment-2 privates wounded
46th Regiment-1 sergeant wounded
49th Regiment-1 private killed
85th Regiment-2 privates killed
07th Regiment--5 privates killed; 2 privates wounded
139th Regiment-2 privates wounded
Ist Battalion Rifle Brigade-2 privates wounded
Total---R privates killed; 1 sergeant, 12 privates
wounded ; 1 private missing

RETURN OF CASUALTIES PROM 25TH TO 28TU DECEMBER,
1854, INCLUSIVE.
20th Regiment of Foot-1 private killed; 2 privates
wounded
list Regiment-1 private wounded
44th Regiment.-1 private wounded
bsth Regiment-1 private killed; 1 private wounded
87th Regiment-1 sergeant, 1 private, missing
Ist Battalion Ride Brigade—'2 privates wounded
Sappers and Miners-1 private wounded
Total-2 privates killed; 8 privates wounded.; 1 sergeant,
1 private, missing