The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-28 00:00:00

NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE BALTIC.

STOCKHOLM, Kiloton 20.
Her Majesty's ship Desperate, 6, Captain White,
arrived on the morning of the 13th inst. at Faro
Sound, reports that on the 10th inst. the above-
named corvette and the screw block ship Hawke, 60,
Captain Ommaney, were attacked by seventeen Rus-
sian gun-boats which came out of the harbour of
Riga for that purpose, as I already informed you
telegraphically. The action was kept up with great
spirit, and lasted two hours, at the expiration of
which the gun-boats were withdrawn, some of them
with considerable damage. On board the Hawke
ooe man was severely wounded, and the Desperate
received six cannon-balls in her hull. On the after-
noon of the same day the above-named two ships
bombarded the fortifications of Riga. Later accounts
from Faro Sound mention the arrival of the Hawke,
which had also put in there to repair damages.
Your readers will remember thati in the accounts
published of the bombardment of Sweaborg it is par-
ticularly mentioned that a large imperial Russian
flag was seen flying on one of the buildings, but
which was not hoisted on the second and third days.
Private accounts received here from Helsingfors state
that the building in question was the habitation of
the Grand Duke Constantine, who had come down
from Bt. Petersburg expressly to be present at the
expected attack, and to excite the ardour of the
Russian troops by his presence. The flag attracted
the especial notice of the attacking ships, and par-
ticularly served as a mark for the mortar vessels,
in consequence of which the building was
speedily reduced to a mass of ruins, bat the
Clrand Duke escaped unhurt. From the same accounts,
it appears that the navigation department on board
the fleet was carried on with consummate skill and
an extraordinary knowledge of the intricacies of the
approaches, which reflects the highest credit on the
masters of the different ships. The writer, who was
an eye-witness of the whole affair, in describing the
events, confesses that the Russians were taken com-
pletely by surprise on being attacked from a aide,
the channel to which had been considered always im-
practicable by their own pilots, and that they were,
therefore, not prepared to see the hostile ships app
preach from that quarter. This explains also the
hurried attempt to throw up a battery on the wooded
island during the action, which was however success-
lolly interrupted by a few well-directed shells being
thrown in by the detached squadron seat for that
purpose, the Russians abandoning
,the island with
considerable loss.

The writer describes the third explosion on the
9th instant as the great event of the day, which'
blew up the principal magazine of ammunition with
a most fearful crash, scattering death and desolation
far and wide. He says it lasted for fully three
minutes. For some time afterwards a perfect still-
ness prevailed on board the attacking ships, but
shortly afterwards the deafening cheers of the Bri-
tish sailors were wafted across the water, and
reached the ears of Abe garrison. Oo the 11th, at
noon, the whole of the buildings in Bweaborg were
one mass of flames, and all the attempts made to put
out the fire were of no avail.

SEBASTOPOL.

The following letter, from the interior of Sebastopol,
appears in the Vienna papers :
" SEBASTOPOL. Attousr 5.

" As I write, a heavy torrent of rain is sweeping put my
door, far you're aware my mud-habitation has no windows
the reverberating thunder keeps me on the qui vies; I keep
on fancying that messieurs lee besiegers have something in
the wind, but it is only the illusion of fancy; the wrath of
God evidently displeases them, for cot a shot is to be heard !
Today they have, relatively speaking, sent but a few
bombe into the town ; this comparative Whams
seems strange to as all, (or the ear had got
used to the eternal booming of a thousand gnus
and no one feels at ease during this repose, momentarily
interrupted by the thunder and the rein. Spies and de-
serters bring us word that the enemy is preparing a bom-
bardment, and that the French "Severed" means after
that to hissed a fresh storming attack. We have been long
expecting this, and are ready at en hour's notice to meet the
enemy with the sign of our holy cross. I saw the other day
two French prisoners in Catherine Harbour, and they were
being conveyed to the north side. One of them was a non-
commissioned officer, the other a private, but both of them
were gay young fellows. This never-failing cheerfulness
of the French is a remarkable feature in their cha-
racter, and it looks as if they liked being pri-
soners. On the non-commissioned officer being asked
whether he should not feel homesick in Russia, he
answered, ' Why should I ? In Russia I shall learn
Russian, and when the war is over shall carry bask this
language to my countrymen.' On the other hand the
English prisoners are, for the most part, very gruff and
monosyllabic. An English deserter was asked what induced
him to desert, and he moodily answered, ' Fancy !' An-
other answered the same question, ' I got dull, and if I had
not done so, should have blown my brains out!' A copy
of a London newspaper was handed in the hospital to an
Englishman, not severely wounded by•the-bye, and after
he bad read it with deep attention, he turned suddenly
round to the physician that happened to be stand-
ing near, and said, in a low voioe, to him, 'Can't
you give me some medicine that will finish me out of
hand ? ' The enemy's fleet continues in Kansieult and
Arrow Hays; only a few liners and steamers are off the
roads at a distance equal to twice the range of our fort guns.
The ships are often exercised at firing. Perhaps the enemy
is again preparing for some heroic feat, which it will not
be so easy to accomplish against Sebastopol, girt with artil-
lery. Since the second bombardment there is not a spot in
this town that is not strewed with bombs and balls. It
would be hard to find in the whole town a single house that
has not suffered more or less. The glorious public library—l
allude to the edifloe—has likewise been extensively damaged,
but the books, prints, maps, and bookshelves are removed
to a safe place. The news-room, however, is crowded as
usual, especially on a poet-day, with officers of all arms,
who, being relieved for a few hours from bastion duty, go
there to read the newspapers lying on the table. It often
happens that while they are reading some very interesting
article, a bomb will explode with its horrid crack right over
the building, or a rocket will hiss past the open windows.
Not a soul, however, turns his head to look after it : so
much for habit, which in man becomes a second nature ! "

The Russian prisoners at Lewes continue to work
arduously at their employment of making toys. They are
frequently taken upon the Downs for a " blow," and during
the last few days the Governor has very kindly allowed
them to go in parties of about a hundred up the river to
bathe. On Wednesday and Saturday in last week a party
of them were taken to the water, and they appeared to
greatly enjoy the treat.

On the 16th a party of three Englishmen ascended
the Moat Blanc. On reaching the Grande Mulcts, they
dined upon the roof of the cabin and prepared to enjoy the
sunset; but a thick mist came up, which obscured every-
thing, and they feared they should lose the splendid sight.
While venting their disappointment in loud regrets, a by.

=endows avalanche deseeCded from one of the iiguillee in'
the rear, and in the twinkling of an eye, as by the touch of
• magician's wand, the mist rolled away, disclosing the most
magni&ent sight. In the distance was the setting sun in
all his glory. Far as the eye could reach, nothing but
mountain tops and ranges could be seen gilded by his rays.
On the left was the crescent moon, at present pale. Dark
banks of clouds, some of them in appearance perfectly black,
were dispersed here and there upon the horizon, and the
distant horizon itself appeared like a golden plain in conti-
nuation of the earth. Gradually the sun sank, his last
glories lingering in roseate tints upon the calo:te of Mont
Bland; gradually the horizon changed to green, and then
to cold grey ; the moon increased in brightness, and a single
star of large magnitude appeared over the summit of Mont
Blase like a crown of light.
M. Alexandre Dumas writes to the Presser that
nafortunately the story told (and moreover vouched for)
by a correspondent of the Indipoodand Beige, of an octo-
genarian having left him a legacy of 300.000fr.;is • fable. He
has already, he says, received, on the faith of the announee-
ment, applications from creditors for 163,000 fr. ; so that, even
had the news been true, he would now have only a balance
of 137,000 fr. He throws out the hint that some kind friend
may have perhaps invented the story, in the hope of putting
into the head of some octogenarian or nonagenarian to be-
queath a fortune to him. In that ease, he take. the will
for the deed, and begs to thank his anonymous friend.

The Bing of Wurtemberg is travelling in Switzer-
land, under the name of Count de Took. He intends going
by Zurick, Lucerne, and Berne, to Interlaken.

DESPATCH FROM GENERAL SIMPSON.

(TKOX ♦ 1117PTLININT TO Tlll LONDON OAANTTIL)
WAR DEPARTMENT, Axiom 27.
Lord Panmare has this day received a despot
and its enclosures, of which the following are copies,
addressed to his lordship by General Simpson :

. - -
BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, AUOOST 14,
MT Lord—During the last few days considerable
activity boa been exhibited in the movements of the
enemy, both in the town and on the north side; ink
from the information we have received from the
country, as well as the examination of deserters, I
have reason to believe that the Russians may attempt
to force us to raise the siege
.by a vigorous attack
from without. Every precaution is taken on the part
of the Allies, and the ground occupied by the sat.
nians above the village of Tchorgouna, and in its
front, has been made very strong through the energy
and skill of General La Marmora, who is unceasing
in his precaution, and shows the utmost disposition to
00-operate in the most agreeable manner with the
Allies.

The fire has, if anything, been rather lees daring
the day, since my last despatch. At times, however,
the enemy open heavily for a short period, emseg
many casualties; and amongst them I regret to hays
to announce that of Brevet-Major Hugh Drummed,
Boots Fusilier Guards, who was killed yesterday
afternoon by a fragment of a shell. His hoes
deeply felt by all who knew him, and her Majesty
has lost the services of a most promising offioer.
The firing on our side has been directed in a gest
measure against the large barracks, dockyard baild,
fags, and the town, all of which show visible sips
of the admirable practice of the Royal Artillery.
I further beg to enclose the returns of casualties to
the 12th instant.

I have to apologize to your lordship for having
omitted to inform you before that I had despatched
the steamer Indiana, on the Bth inst., to Corfu, for the
purpose of conveying the 82nd Regiment from that
island to the Crimea.
Drafts for the Light Division and 71st Regiment,
to the number of 800 men, the remainder of the C.
rabineers, and one squadron of the Ist Dragoon
Guards have arrived.-1 have, &0.,
JAMES SIMPSON, General Commanding.
The Lord Panmure, &c.

Numerical Return of CanakW lets the 10th to the 12th of Some,
18.54 larlusive.-3rd Illattalha ereasdier Goads —2 rank and file,
wounded. tat BattalloaChillsaemn Guards-1 rank and file wounded.
let liallaittes Beets Ferdarr eimalls-5 rank and file killed, 7 rank and
file wowded. Ist Battalion lot Regiment of Foot-1 rank and file
kills& OA let Begloot of Foot-5 wounded file wounded.
Feet-1 gealltgai file killed. 1 rank end file . 4th Foot-
-1 rook and rile wooded. 7th Poet-4 rank and file wounded. 9th
Pent —1 rank end Ile woods& 14th Foot-1 rank and rile kiiled. 1
eopeou 4 tank wad file wooded. 171 h Foot-1 rank and file
wookel. 111O1Peeh1 mak and file wounded. 19th Foot-1 rank
gal lb amend. 210th Foot—l rank and file wounded. 23rd Foot—l
leak owl Ole wesaied. 28th Foot.-2 rank and file wounded 30th
Pahl rank and file killed; 1 drummer, 3 rank and file
wended. 33rd Foot-4 rank and file wounded, 34th Foot-1 rank
and No wounded. 180 e Foot-1 rank and file killed, 1 rank and file
wands& 39th Foot rank and file tilled, 4 rank and file wounded.
41at Poret-7 rank and file wounded. 42nd Feot-1 rank and file
wooded. 44th Foot —3 rank and file wounded. 47th Poot-2 rank
and din killed, 4 rank and file wounded. 55th Foot-1 officer wounded.
SltLPeet—l sergeant, 3 reek and file, woundea. 63rd Foot—l rank
and Me wooded. 68th Foot-1 rank and file killed, 2 rank and file
wooled. ISO Foot-2 rank and file wounded. 77th Foot-2 risk
sal Se warded. 79th Foot-7 rank and file wounded. 88th Foot-
-5 ink gee tub wounded. 95th Feot-1 rank and file killed, I rank
Wallaied. 97th Foot-8 rank and file wounded. let Bette.
line 1211 e Deigede—S rank and file killed, 5 rank and file wounded.
and Battslion Lille Brigade-2 rank and file wounded. Royal Artii,
lery-2 rank and file killed, S rank and file wounded. Royal Nuke
Artillery-1 rank and file wounded. Total-19 rank aid Ale kilbdl
1 alter, 2 sergeants, 1 drummer, 109 rank and file wounded.
Nominal Return of Officers who have been wounded from the 10th
to the 12th August, 1855, inclusive.—August 10.-55th Foot—Captain
F. C. Elton, slightly.
Nominal Return of Non-Commiasioned Officers and Privates Killed
from the 10th to the 12th of August, 855, thelusive.—August 10.—la Battalion &iota Fanlike Guards —Privates Evan Grifiltiu, Rickard
Dar* Thomas Knowles, John Blinkhorn, John !('Cate. let Bit.
Whoa la Foot—Private Joseph Teender. 30th Foot—Private aka.
ander Still. 47th Foot—Privates Andrew Lohan, John Newman.
68th Foot—Private *Jsmes Turner. lit Battalion Rifle Brigade—
Private John Burner. Royal Artillery—Gunner James Harvey.
August 11.-Ird Foot—Private Peter Farrell. 14th Foot —Private
William Kennedy. 38th Foot—Private J. Wooding. 39th Foot-
-IPrivate W. Kennedy. 95th Foot—Private Dennia Collins. Ist Eat.
Won Rift- Brigade—Private John Jeffereys. Royal Artillay—Bcm..
hardier Edward Wilson.
Nomituu Return of Non-Commissioned Officers and Private

Wounded, from the foci to the 11th August, 1855, inclusive.-
August 10.-3rd Battalion Grenadier Guarda-Privates James New.
bury, slightly ; William Beeteson, slightly. Ist Battalion Coldstream
Guards-Private John Unison, severely. let &Midi°. Scots Fiala
Guards-Corporal John Murray, severely; Privates Daniel McCown.
sae, stly ; Thomas Spenser* severely; George Flatten, slightly;
John ord, slightly; Charts, Horton, severely; George Warner
slightly. end Battalion Ist Foot-Privates Patrick MeLaaghlis.
slightly ; John Sullivan slightly; Richard Sinnott, slightly; Jobe
Whynd, slightly. 30th Foot-Drummer James White, slightly; l'ri.
rate Patrick Loughran, slightly. 41st Foot - Corporal Tinny Pot.
land, slightly ; Privates Benjamin Cater, 'lightly ; Maned Corp;
slightly ; Arthur Dawson, slightly ; James Hughes, slightly; .11112111
McGrath, severely. 42nd Foot-Private Robert McNair, Oahu,.
44th Pool -Privates James Onions, severely; John McCaw's.
ley, slightly; Thomas McPeake, slightly. 47th Foot-Ow.
poral William C,oUopy, Lightly. Privates William Christ..
pher, slightly; Edward Wall, slightly; Michael Coma.
slightl 87th Foot-Sergeant William Bosworth, severely. Privates
John McNamara, severely; John Sheehan, dangerously; William
Smith, severely. 63rd Foot-Private William Beer, slightly. 68th
Fo t -Privates John Graham, slightly ; John Hales, 72nd
Foot-Privates James Reid, severely; William Brown, severely.
79th Foot -Privates William Gasmen, slightly; Robert Stewart.
severely; Robert Wallace, severely; Edward Bewley, slightly; James
McDonald, slightly; James Logan, slightly; William Douglas.
severely. Ist Battalion Rifle Brigade-Privates George Martin,
slightly. Hugh Malden, 'lithely. 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade-
Private 'William Pergeson,
August 11.-2nd Battalion, Ist toot-Private Henry Howard.
slightly. 9rd Foot-Corporal Thomas Kelly, slightly. 7th Pool-
Privates William Gaynor, dangerously; Thomas Goldsmith.
dangerously; Michael Mei:tarry, severely ; Michael s,
slightly. 9th Foot-Private J. Greenland, dangerously. 14th
Foot-Sergeant John Casey, dangerously. Private* P. Barka,
slightly; R. M.Guffen, slightly; P. ltsliahon slightly. 23rd Foot--
Maass George Harrington, slightly; George Melon, slightly.
94th Foot-Private 0. Firth, severely. 30th Poot-Privates Jams
Barry, severely; Jeremiah Dwyer, severely. 23rd Foot-Uncle
Corporal William Noonan, slightly. Privates John Condrick, severely:
Charles Davis, slightly; ..van Taylor, severely. 34th Foot-Prints
John M'Mahon, slightly. 30th Foot-Private M. Nicholson, slightly.
39th Foot-Privates P, Brennan slightly ; J. L3-nsm, slightly;• P.
Alen, slighty; M. Ryan, dangerouslyl7th Foot-PrivatesWlllissa
Cropp, slightly; George Brooks, slightly. 88th Foot -Printer
Edward Murray, severely; James Mullins, slialitl3-, Michael
Mulcahy, slightly; James Quin, slightly; George Smith. slightly.
95th Foot-Private William *tickling, dangerously. 97th Foot-Pet.
rates James Forward, severely; DaMel Wells, severely ; James Trot.
ter, severely; John Jago, slightly; Thomas iothwell, slightly; John
lAwell, slightly; Thomas Cookerey, slightly. Ist Battalion hills
Privates Charles Cartwright, dangerously; John Green.
Brigade
- Royal Artillery-Gunners
Hardwick. slightly ; Richard Phillips, slghtly ; Samuel Carroll.
slightly; John Willison, slightly. Royal Marine Anillery-Gsaner
Owen Graham, severely.
August IL-4th Foot-Prints 0. Reynolds, severely. 14th Pool-
Private T. Conway, severely. 17th Foot-Private John MoCa
slightly. 18th Foot-Private 0. Baker, severely. 19th Pool
Th,mas Robins, severely. Private. Patrick hl•Namara, tly;
Patrick Burke, slightly ; George Rumen, dangerously. 20th
Private George Washington, slightly. 20th Foot -Privete M. Duffy,
slightly. 41st Foot-Private John Jonas, slightly. 97th Foot-Prt.
'ate Robert Hartley. severely. Ist Batt. Rifle Bngade-Private
Lawrence, dangerously. anl Batt. Rifle Brigade-Private Chariest
Lewis, dangerously.
W. L. PAILUCHAM. Adjutant-Genital.

A List of Casualties In the Royal Naval Wigs& before habsetoPole
fur the week ending August 11, 1855.—August b.—Wounded: NS.
Hoskiae, caulker, thamood, slightly; DADA! Carney, Roan%
mortally—flied on the lath inetant.
'WIRT Kszrat., Captain commanding Royal Naval Brigades