The Express.
London, England, 1855-06-07 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 7, 1856.

light •, bet a thin buy mist was floating on the sur-
face of the ground, and this, mixed with the smoke
in the distance, so obscured the view, uto defy all
attempts at defining the particular point where
the straggle was going 00. The fire was
terrific. The' atmosphere and sky were lighted
up by the showers of burning @hell. the flashes
of the guns and the fiery trails of rockets; while
at aseat intervals patches of ground were un-
end dale by the sudden bright glare of the shells
Is Os set of their explosion. The air, rent by the
lola balls in their swift flight, uttered unceasing
salads, which, from their shrill tones and peculiar
character, were not inaptly compared with grooms
and sounds of complaint. These cries of wailing. as
it were—these rushing noises—were plainly audible,
notwithstanding the deep-toned roar of the cannon,
the load crash of the bombs exploding on the
ground, the metallic ringing of those burst in the
air, and the thundering roll of the echoes from moon-
tain to mountain : all struck the ear at once, yet
each distinctly audible, producing in their combina-
tion a confused uproar which was well calculated to
create astonishment and surprise in any one whose
ear had not become by long practice accustomed to
the discordant music of the siege. The contrast with
the deep unbroken silence on the right was very re-
markable, for, contrary to common usage, not a
gun or musket was fired in that direction.
From the course taken by some of the shells
it was supposed at first that the ships
were engaged in bombarding part of the town, and
this idea was strengthened by the discharge of
several guns from Fort Constantine and other distant
points. Whether this was to guard against the sup-
posed entrance of vessels, or what other object the
enemy bad in view, could not be unravelled. The
contest by land soon made itself audible, however,
for whenever a moment's lull in the thunder of the,
3
cannon occurred, the rattle of a rap:.... ooncehltated
roll of musketry was at once heard. For two hours
there was no intermission in this tearful fire--a fire
which on few occasions before, since the opening of
the siege, has been so close and sustained, and
of such long duration. It has slackened at present,
but is not concluded.

MAT 23.
The contest of last night was not finished until
daylight interfered, and caused both hostile parties to
retire within the protection of their respective works.
The affair was attended with fearful loss, as, judging
from the fire and the time it lasted, it was
fully anticipated it would be, both to our
gallant allies and to the enemy, and was not
accompanied with the amount of recompense hoped
for. The attack began on the part of the French,
and was made against a trench forming a species of
redoubt, and some ambuscades in rear of it, near the
Quarantine Battery. The trench was carried, and is
now occupied by our allies ; the ambuscades are
crowded with the dead, but both Russians and French
have evacuated them; their parapets are in a great
measure destroyed. The French attacking force ap-
pears to have consisted of about 5,000 men. They
encountered greater opposition than was anticipated
at the trench itself; and when, after a sharp fight,
they had gained possession of it, immense reinforce-
ments came to the aid of the Russians, both from the
town on one side,and from the Quarantine Fort on the
other. They were several times driven back by the
weight of the fire, and as many times returned to the
charge. At one time the French had driven the
enemy out of the ambuscades, and bad passed them
some distance, when a battery, stated to be armed
with 16 or 17 gnus, opened a direct fire upon them
and compelled a retreat.
The Voltigeurs of the Imperial Guard, the 2nd
Regiment of the Foreign Legion, and the 18th Regi-
ment of the line, particularly suffered. The first.
named corps had landed only three days
previously, and it was the first time they had been
in the trenches. It I. asserted that these troops be-
came confused, and so completely lost their position
that at one time two companies became surrounded
by the enemy, and were killed and wounded in great
numbers, while several were taken prisoners. This
i b not to be wondered at, for scarcely any one, the first
time he is exposed to a fire of shot and shell,
though under cover of trenches, can prevent himself
fams becoming bewildered by the iron passing above
and ea all sides. It is not so muck a feeling of fear
os the effect produced on the mind by the users,
treaty of the direction of the missiles in their course,
and their rapid peculiar noise. It requires practice
before the ear can learn to estimate distance, or even
the direction of flight of eannon balls. Even the
light of the fuze will fail to illustrate the course of
an approaching shell to one not accustomed to watch
them. A ball sweeping. by far away on the right or
left will sound as if coming directly forward, while
the ball coming forward will scarcely be heard tilt
close upon the auditor. The shell aeon in the air, aid
apparently going far away to either side, may
alight close to the spectator, or vice versa;
and it is this uncertainty, partly arising
from want of practice and the confusion of sounds, as
much as alarm on account of danger, that excites
the emotions of mind which agitate the majority of
soldiers on their first visit to the trenches. A general
action is not so calculated to unnerve a novice. The
loss in killed and wounded of the Imperial Guard
was very great, their colonel commandant being
among the number of wounded. The 2nd Regiment
of the Foreign Legion had about 400 officers and men
plaosa hors de combat. The total loss of the French
in this attack is variously estimated from 1,200 to
1,700 killed and wounded, but by none is it placed
under 1,000. The loss of the enemy can only be
surmised by the number of dead left on the ground ;
in some places they are literally piled together. The
French soldiers speak of this conceit as " cans petite
Inkermann."
A flag of truce was hoisted by the Rosario' from
Fort Nichols. to-day, but, from some motive, the
French did not respond to it.
It is Intended to renew the attack to-night, and to
open several new batteries. The object of the French
engineers seems to be chiefly to extend their works
still farther to the left, so as to gain a footing on the
east. or right, side of Quarantine Bay. This position
ewes established, not only a further effective flee will
be obtained against the Bastion du Mkt and its asso-
ciated works, but an important step will be gained
toward the ultimate reduction of the great batteries
on the coast. When the ambuscades are obtained,
there will remain nothing, not even a ravine, be-
ltween the French works and the wall which guards
1 this part of the town.
The steamers moving towards Beech have bees
visible all the morning off the coast.
It is now stated that in the two attacks oeeitpla#
lby the British 150 guns and mortars are now in pose-
II" and that no lees than 700 rounds per gun am
is the magazines. This vast armament, composed ae
it is of the heaviest metal, and carried forward to a
meet advanced position, must open with an effect that
will leave far behind those of the two previous hee-
-1 bodement& An early day is named for re-opening
1 the fire ; bat nothing is known on the saltiest, sad
there are several undertakings in all probability to
ba INSlOrlithed before the new batteries are masa
Mint is have now got their summer
ANN, esotii 01 trowsers and tunic of rabblehed
olnteme. The material is strong and cool, has by
OD BIM= an nn.pleasing appearance on parade. The
MU en exceedingly pleased with it.
Why is the broad issued to the British troops so
Weiler, in 6U mopeds, as it is to that supplied to the
Frail Neap r It is very frequently covered with
most ea the surface, and is always heavy, dark
coloured, and gritty; while the French ration bread
is the reverse in these respects, and is both palate-
able and excellent in quality. Perhaps M. Boyer
will discover the canoe before he leaves the Crimea.
10 p.m.—A heavy cannonade is going on on the left,
tint no musketry fire audible, beyond the dropping
dot. of the riflemen. MAT 24.
The Preach last night secured possession of the
Gailwilbill near the Quarantine Battery. After some
llllMidiag the French advanced against the rifle-1
lan ad the charge. The Russians abandoned them, 'I
aid did not return or attempt to remover their loss.
The French were in immense force, prepared for all
hazards. The working parties quickly connected the
pits with the French trenches.
An opportunity was offered in the coarse of that day
for forming some estimate of the loss of the Russians
in the °Detest for these rifle-pit' during last night and 1
the preceding night. An armistice wet entered into
at noon for the purpose of burying tits dead, and the
enemy were cosupled for nearly five hbure in the
performatun id Uwe lest At* On the ow* 01

the armisties to bury the dead near the Mauselon
about two boors were occupied, and the number of
Russian dead was then calculated to be about 500.
A review of the British cavalry and some troops
of Horse Artillery took place to-day, in honour of
her Majesty's birthday. The day was magnificentlyi
fine and bright. The heat was tempered by a re-
trashing breeze, and passing clouds amid out from I
Ideas to time a welcome shadow. Notice had been
iven to the aims of the various divisions of the
British army, and a great proportion of chose off duty
assembled in honour of the occasion. General Pe-
limier and a brilliant staff, Omer Pacha and staff,
with numerous generals of divisions and brigades,
and officers of all ranks—French, Sardinian, and
I Ottemsa—were also present. Omer Pacha was
particularly conspicuous, from the gorgeous
embroidery of his dress and the richness
of the trappings of his charger, as well as
from the number and brilliancy of the stars and deco-
rations which he wore. His fez was ornamented in
front by a device worked in diamonds. The review
took place on the heights above the valley of Karani,
between it and the Monastery of St. George. After
•marching put, daring which the 10th Hussars and
12th Lancers, lately arrived from India, received a
large share of admiration, the whole of the troops
formed into line and gave a general salute. The
generals, with the foreign and other officers, ad-
vanced, and three cheers were given for " the Quire "
which might almost have been heard by the Russian
videttes on the opposite heights of the Balaklava
valley. Lord Reglan, General Pelissier, and Omer
Pacha then inspected several Ottoman regiment',
which were drawn up near at hand in columns of
companies, and afterwards retired to the Ottoman
generalissimo's tent to partake of luncheon. One of the
Ottoman bands played the English national anthem
, with meet. Amager and vienur. In the evening the
commander of the forcer had a large dinner pat., -.
head-quarters. No spectacle could be finer than this,
inspection. The limited number of the regiments
enabled the whole to be grasped in one view, but
their splendour was almost forgotten amid the mag-
nificent natural scenery by which the position was
surrounded. The whole of the valley of Balaklava,
lay stretched below, with, on one side, the lines de-
fending the encampments of the allies ; and, on the
ether side, the mountain barrier rising range above
reap, and protecting the rich inland territory of the
Getmes. The effect of the various hues and tints of
thus mountains, of the green cultivated fields and
the bare rocky escarpments, was greatly enhanced
and vivified by the bright sun and the sweeping
shadows of the clouds.

MAY 26.

The following officers have lately left camp fot
Englard, at the recommendation of medical boards:—
Major-General G. Buller, C. 8., commanding the 2nd
Brigade, Light Division ; Lieutenant-Colonel Lord
James Murray, Scots Fusilier Guards; Captain F.
Bathurst, Grenadier Guards; Staff Veterinary Sur-
geon Cherry; Captain Owen, Royal Engineers (leg
amputated), and Lieutenant Pratt, Royal Engineers;
Dr. Golthe Scot, surgeon, 79th Highlanders; and
Staff Assistant Surgeon Hungertord. Colonel E.
Reynardson, Grenadier Guards, and Captain Mait-
land, 49th Regiment, have also left on private affairs.

DESPATCH FROM LORD RAGLAN.

(Faou • BUEELEXINT TO THE GAZETTE OP TUMIDLY:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Jur(' 6.
Lord Panmure has this day received two despatches
and their enclosures, of which the following are
copies, addressed to his lordship by Field-Marshal
the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, MAT 26.
My Lord,—l have the honour to report to your
' lordship that a portion of the allied armies took up •
position yesterday on this side of the Tchernaya, the
left of the French resting under a redoubt established
upon the edge of this ridge overhanging the valley,
and opposite the Inkermann heights ; the right ex-
tending beyond Tractir ; and the ground more to the
right, behind Chorgouna, being occupied by the Sar-
dinian troops, aided in their advance by the 10th
Hums and 12th Lancers and the Horse Artillery,
under Colonel Parlby.
Omer Pacha at the same time moved forward to
the low heights in front of Balaklava, and thus
afforded support to the French divisions before him.
These were commanded by General Canrobert, who
pushed forward across the bridge of Tractir, and
drove the enemy, who were pot in great numbers,
off: and having cleared his front, he withdrew to this
side of the river, where he now remains.
Sir Colin Campbell advanced the Royal Marines
from the high ridge on our extreme right to a point
commanding the old Balder road; and Colonel Parlby,
with the regiments I have mentioned, reconnoitred
the country on the immediate right of General La
Marmora's position, and patrolled along the Woron-
zow toad, in the direction of Bader.
The appearance and bearing of the Sardinian
troops are highly satisfactory, and I anticipate the
greatest advantage from their addition to this army,
under their distinguished leader, General La Mar-
mara, whose zeal for the service and ardent desire to
co-operate with us I am happy to have so early an
opportunity of acknowledging and recording.
Nothing of importance has occurred in the British
trenches since I wrote to your lordship on the 19th
instant,
The death of Colonel Egerton, of the 77th, on the
night of the 19th ultimo, as already announced to
your lordship, prevented my receiving in due course
the official report of the conduct of the officers serv-
ing immediately under him, and it is only a few
days ago that I learnt that Captain Gilby was the
next in seniority to him, of the77th, on the occasion,
and that he had highly distinguished himself.
I deem it an act of justice to a most deserving
officer to bring hie conduct under the notice of your
lordship.
P I enclose the returns of cesualties to the 24th in-
stant. Your lordship will regret to see that Lieut.
; Williams, of the 17th, has been severely wounded.
I have the greatest pleasure in announcing to your
lordship the brilliant success which attended an
attack by the French army of some ambuscades at
the head of the Quarantine Bay, and in front of a
cemetery near it. The attack was made on the night
of the 22nd, and the operation was completed on the
following evening. The enemy had collected a very
large force on the first occasion to resist our Allies;
but, notwithstanding, the French were enabled by
their brilliant gallantry and determined resolution to
maintain themselves in the pits at the head of the
bay on the 22nd, and on the 23rd to occupy the
whole with less resistance on the part of the Rua-
gags. who are stated to have sustained a very severe

loss.
The French were necessarily exposed to a very
heavy fire, and were assailed by vastly superior num-
ber.. The achievement they accomplished redounds
therefore highly to their .renown, and is hailed with
satisfaction by their Allies.
An expedition, composed of British, French, and
Turkish troops, sailed for Kart& on Tuesday evening
and Wednesday morning, and I hope moon to be able
to announce the landing of the corps, and the result
of its first operations. It is commanded by Lieut.-
General Sir George Brown, and has been conveyed
in English and French ships, under the command of
Admiral Sir R. Lyons and Admiral Beast, whose
exertions to carry out this important service have
been most conspicuous.
The 31st Regiment has arrived from Corfu.
I am much concerned to have to report that Major-
General Buller has been obliged by the failure of his
health to leave the army. Re has been constant in
the discharge of his duty since he joined this army,
distinguished himself both at Alma and Inkermann,
and persevered in taking hie turn in the trenches
until driven by illness to withdraw.
I regret the loss of his I
have, Bro., services exceedingly.
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmnre, &o.

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