The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-29 00:00:00

DEPARTURE OF SOLDIERS FOR THE
CRIMEA.

- -----
PORTSMOUTH, Jan.ll,
The Canadian, screw steam transport (No.
sailed for the Crimea with drafts of different reel
terday afternoon, at 4 o'clock They number,
all ranks, about 1,000 officers and men. The C
calls at Plymouth for other drafts there.
07
Some scene of a peculiar character have (toeing
regard to the departure of these troops. A complete d
winter clothing was given on Friday afternoon sail
day morning to each man. This included a fur esh ilk
lappela to cover up the ears and neck completely ; a sod
thick boots, worn outside the trouser, and rssehiegep al
the knee (these are made of leather of its natural Ulm
colour) ; an India rubber waterproof coat, Wks a
quantity of warm woollen underclothing, silk..
a couple of flannels shirts and two pairs of wemisi
gloves. The soldiers, on receiving these articles, it
mediately brought them into use, although it wm eh
vious that they were intended for use in the map, sad so
on board a crowded steam ship. Accordingly, potent", h
was impossible to recognise the men as being Britt& iel.
diets with their brown top•boots, fur caps, and Incline/he
coats ever their ordinary grey great coats. Their app ume
was far more that of Russian troops. The dross in kn.
ever, a very warm and comfortable one ; and if all 68
British soldiers in the Crimea have been equipped is it their
condition has no doubt much improved.
. .

There were two or three incidents however of army
lamentable character, and which proved the immolates
and want of forethought of many of the men. Rani
received the new winter boots, some of them at once do
carded their ordinary oars, disposing of them to ho
dealers for a trifle. Good serviceable boots were thy' pm.
chased for • mere song by these dealers, whose roma ft
board the ship and on the Dockyard jetty was a matter et
indignant comment to the naval and military officers sad
others who were present. They did not desist from to
traffic till they were threatened with expulsion &ea is,
yard. The soldiers paying for their ordinary boots taw
selves, the disposal of them is not • misdemeanor's, •
would be the selling of articles supplied by gore/ mot
When marching on board the ship, they deliberately test
off their only just new shakos and threw them meant
replacing them with their naps. It would have Mr
much better to have supplied the new clothing when thew
arrived out at the place where it was intended to be am
In justice to the other drafts that embarked on Deaden
ship, we are bound to say that the practices narrated sirs
were, as far as we saw, entirely confined to the drift ci
the 18th Royal Irish, who came down to this pa
in • shocking ante of intoxication. We heir thil
was the effect of drink given them by injudicious pie
sone at Basingstoke and other place, on the joiner.
Wherever the fault may lie, the resula wen very disgrace-
ful ; the men were quite insubordinate, and got up othis
terrible fights among themselves, both at therailway statios,
in the dockyard, and on board ship. Some received very
severe gashes and wounds, and had to be taken to hospital;
others broke from the ranks in marching to the dockyard,
and resorted to the public-house bars, and excited great
uproar, ant having their bayonets with them, tibia they
flourished in the most reckless manner, caned the grata
terror and alarm. A conaiderable number remained in thl
drunken state all Friday night, ani managed to nap the
search of the pickets that were sent after them till tli• fol.
lowing morning. Altogether the embarkation of the draft
of the 18th Royal Irish was the most riotous of any tat
has yet taken place at this port. The Cardin got say
yesterday afternoon with a fair wind, and well no hat
make • very fine passage. On her leaving the dockyard
the troops cheered most heartily, but above the chars of
the English, Scotch and Welsh soldier', the yell of the
Rcyal Irish rose with thrilling effect.
The Tyne, sailing storahip, Master Commandiog J.B.
Tucker, arrived at Spithead to-day from Rio Janeiro sad
Ascension, to which places she had moseyed stores, p? 0
.
dons, etc., for the English squadrons on the two statics.
Hardly a day now elapses without a vessel being de-
spatched with stores, provisions, &a., from this port fot the
Crimea. The Isis, sailing vessel, left yesterday, sad the
Snowdown is now loadiog alongside the dockyard.
DEVONPORT, JAIL 28.
The crew of the Royal William, Capt. lisgeente•
was mustered, and the skip inspected by Admiral M._Bsl'
moor yesterday. The refitment of the Cesar, Capt. So
is progresaing_satisfactorily. She is to convey troops to the
Black Sea. The orders given to the Calcutta to comel
stores and provisions to the ships on the oast of &aka
have been countermanded. The Itagicionne arrived ben
Scotland yesterday. The Resistant*, trov_P•sh;/,!6.° cut
yesterday from Ireland with store*, etc. Who agiosa•
come into harbour tomorrow to maks good defects. Tl 5
Canadian, transport, called here this morning from Pods
month for the Black Sea with troops. The Cesar is • seeded
to NS this morning.