The Express.
London, England, 1855-03-23 00:00:00

THE ARMY BEFORE SEBASTOPOL

(ram 2112 /PIOUS COIL lIPONDIXT or TIM Dint'
KIWI.)

BALAKLAVA, MAUCH 5.
The last few days have passed without events de-
serving of special notice. The great event which is
gradually accomplishing is a decided improvement in
the condition and the prospects of the army. The regi-
ments are, without exception, provided with clothing
and boots, and, rapidly as the season advances to-
wards spring, there will be ample occasion for the use
of necessaries which came so late. The rations are
excellent and abundant, and as the prevalence of dry
weather has improved the roads, they can be con-
veyed to all parts of the camp even with the limited
and imperfect means of transport at our command.
Provided with proper dress, and regularly supplied
with food, the troops are regaining strength, and sick-
ness is on the decrease. A good, healthy, and almost
joyous spirit prevails
i among the small remnant of the
army that is left, and there s every reason to believe
that further reinforcements, whenever they come
out, will find the war more easy and less de-
structive than those found it who preceded them.
The railroad is rapidly progressing; and the radical
reform of Balaklava is carried on with the greatest
energy by Colonel Harding, who, with the rubbish
carted away from the buildings, is constructing a pier
and a road leading to it, for the special conve-
nience of the sick, who, from that pier, are to be
taken on board the transports destined to convey
them to the Bosphorus. Large quantities of ammu-
nition and heavy ordnance are being taken up to
the front, and it is said that the French will com-
mence active siege operations on the 10th inst. How-
ever, no implicit reliance is to be placed on such cm
dies:for the same sort of prediction has been curtent
for weeks and months past. Bat even rumour is not
bold enough to hazard a prediction as to the date of
our opening fire. It is reported in camp that Sir
John Burgoyne is likely to return home, where his
services are wanted. Another recall—that of Com-
missary-General Filder, is bruited about ; but there
is no guarantee for the authenticity of such state-
ments. There is just now a mania for the displace-
ment of officers holding high commands—caused, it
would appear, by the excitement produced by the
recall of Lord Liman. _ .

..--
Yesterday the troops in the Balaklava front were
prepared for an advance of the Russians, who, how-
ever, did not stir. All day yesterday and last night
the Russians from Sebastopol kept up a fierce fire
upon the French lines.
The weather, severe on Friday and Saturday has
since turned beautifully mild. A prevalence of sun-
shine and drying winds, such as we have had for the
last few days, must of necessity lead to active
operations, either on our side or on that of the Rus-
sians. On Friday last it was currently reported
that the Russians bad sunk five ships at the mouth
of the harbour. No naval demonstration on our
part had been made to provoke such a measure. The
statement was disbelieved. There was no occasion
for the sacrifice. lam now informed on excellent
authority that the ships have really been sunk, and
the reason alleged is that they must have suffered a
good deal from the fire of the French batteries.
We have had fresh arrivals of artillery and of
sappers and miners. The new cavalry is anxiously
expected, and great hopes are founded on an addi-
tional supply of " bayonets."

AUSTRIA.—The Augsburg Gauged mays :—" Austria
has declared to the Western Powers (pa►lour mote obligagoire)
that if the Costiveness should not result is the re-establish-
ment of pease, the situation provided for by ertiele 5 of the
the treaty of the lad of December would be force."
BEAvia.—ln a letter from Belgrade of the 13th, in
the Wasubrer, of Views., it is stated that Prince Alexander
of Beryls has selected N. de Haessolos to proceed to
Visual, for the purpose of supporting the interests of that
seeing with the meabeee of the Coafereaoe.