The Press.
London, England, 1854-10-07 00:00:00

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THE WAR.

INVASION OF THE CRIMEA.
THE DISEMBARKATION.
Official despatches and private narratives in ample
variety have now furnished us with a minute history
of the landing effected by the allied forces in the
Crimea, as well as of their gallant and victorious pro
gress subsequently. Of the whole expedition, which
rivals almost every military enterprise of which his-
tory has preserved the record in extent and impor-
tance, and surpasses them all in the rapidity of its
events and the scientific development and use of the
vast resources placed at the disposal of the com-
manders, we are now able to present a continuous
narrative. As we stated last week, there were land-
ings effected at two points. Enpatoria, which was at
first indicated as the place of embarkation, was ulti-
mately abandoned so far as the main body of the
invading forces was concerned, and the beach round
Staroe-Ukriplenie, or Old Fort, being some twenty
miles nearer Sebastopol, was selected for the disem-
barkation. Nevertheless, a small squadron under
Admiral Lyons was left at Eupatoria, which town for
strategical reasons it was thought necessary to oc-
cupy. This operation was successfully accomplished,
without loss, by the sailors belonging to this aqua•
dron, a residuum of the garrison of Eupatoria, whence
the chief Russian force appears to have been pre-
viously withdrawn, surrendering to the captors to the
number of 400 men.
The enormous fleet of ships of-war, steamers, and
transports, covering thickly a sea-distance of nine
miles, and conveying a military force of at least
60,010 men, proceeded south and took up its allotted
position off the coast at Old Fort. The ships had
been ordered on no account to approach nearer the
shore than they found eight fathoms water, and at
this distance the disembarkation commenced on the
morning of the 14th ult., and proceeded, until its
completion on the 18th, without intermission, save
such as was caused by the weather, without loss ex-
cept one or two casualties from drowning, and with-
out a sign of opposition from the enemy. The
progress and accomplishment of the debarkation was
' duly reported to their respective Governments by the
commanders of the British, the French, and the Turk-
ish contingents. Their official despatches ran as fol-
low :

ENGLISH ACCOUNT.
From General Lord Raglan, G.C.8., to the Duke
of Newcastle :

Old Fort Bay, Sept. 10, 1854.
The embarkation is proceeding rapidly and successfully,
thanks to the able arrangements of Rear-Admiral Sir Ed-
mund Lyons, and the unceasing exertions of the officers
and men under his orders. It is impossible for me to
express in adequate terms my sense of the value of the
assistance the army under my command derives from the
Royal Navy. The same feeling prevails from the highest
to the lowest—from Vice-Admiral Dundas to the youngest
sailor an ardent desire to co-operate by every possible
means is manifest throughout; and I am proud of being
associated with men who are animated by such a spirit, and
are so entirely devoted to the service of their country.
Camp above Old Fort Bay, Sept. 18, 1854.
I do myself the honour to acquaint your grace that the
combined fleets and their convoys appeared in the Bay of
Eupatoria on the pith instant, and in the course of the
following night proceeded some miles to the southward,
where the allied armies commenced disembarking early in
the morning of the 14th—the French in the bay below
Old Fort, the English in the next bay nearer to Eupatoria
—and before dark the whole of the British infantry, and
some artillery, and most of the French troops, were on shore.
Shortly before dark the weather unfortunately changed,
and it became hazardous to attempt to continue landing
either troops or guns.
The surf on the beach impeded the operation the fol-
lowing morning, and since, on more than one occasion ;
but thanks to the great exertions of the navy, under the
able and active superintendence of Rear-Admiral Sir Ed-
mund Lyons, who was charged with the whole arrange-
ment, every obstacle has been overcome, and I am now
enabled to report to your grace that the disembarkations
have been completed.
I should not do justice to my own feelings, or to those
of the troops I have the honour to command, if I did not
prominently bring to the knowledge of your grace the
deep sense entertained by all of the invaluable services
rendered by her Majesty's navy.
The spirit by which both officers and men were animated
made them regardless of danger, of fatigue, and indeed of
every consideration but that of performing an arduous and
important duty ; and that duty they discharged to the ad
miration of all who had the good fortune to witness their
unceasing efforts to land horses and carriages with the
utmost expedition and safety, under frequently the most
trying circumstances.-1 have, itc.
(Signed) RAOLAN.
FRENCH ACCOUNT.
From Marshal de St. Arnaud to the Minister of
War :

From the Tlivonack at Old Fort, Sept. M.
I have the honour of confirming to you my telegraph
despatch dated this day.