The Press.
London, England, 1856-01-05 00:00:00

TII E WAR.

The failure of the Land Transport Corps is the
leading feature of the late letters from the Crimea.
There is no doubt that it utterly broke down upon
the first touch of bad weather, and its failure will tax
all the talent and energy of Colonel Wetherall to re-
construct it upon the same or upon a better footing.
The loss of animals during the bad weather is
generally estimated at between 1;200 and 1,500
horses and mules. Overwork, starvation, want of
shelter, and bad tending on the part of the
drivers being the leading causes, for the animals still
continue to die at the rate of sixty a day from sore
back:, diseased lungs, and glanders. The loss of
Colonel M'Alurdo's services at the most trying
period of the year for this corps is to be much re-
gretted, but the arduous labours of organising a
transport corps from such heterogeneous elements
as were placed at his disposal broke down his
health, ant* the loss of his services is not easily re-
medied.

The army continues healthy, and drunkenness
has decreased, though a considerable amount yet
daily goes on, despite Provost Marshals, extra drill,
and floggings. By a general order, in future extra pay
is only to be given to soldiers for "skilled labour,"
so that henceforth road making and repairing will be
considered part of the daily duty of the troops. This
will effect an important saving, and, on the whole,
may be considered a very fair and just distinction
between ordinary and extra work. The intense cold,
eight degrees below zero at night, and at times only
three above zero in day, has produced a few cases
of frostebite.. Among our men, who are healthy
and very warmly clad, the cases have been few and
simple, but the French are suffering more severely,
with them the deaths from cold have assumed a
marked increase, and one division is mentioned as
losing twenty five men a day. Some severe gales
have occurred, but no serious losses have happened
among the shipping. The Russians still continue
to fire heavily from Fort Constantine upon the town,
and have lately thrown rockets in with some success.
A bugler of our Illth Light lufautzy, taken prisoner
by the Russians a: the battle of the Tschernaya,
lately escaped, and came over across the valley from
the north side. He reports that the Itussians have
large supplies of provisions, are well clothed, and well
fed, and are apparently settled in their position for
the winter. By accounts from Vienna strong rein-
forcements are being sent both to the Crimea and
Bessarabia.

THE CZAR'S LETTER ON THE FALL OF KARS.

The following is a translation of the Czar's letter
to General Mouravieff:—

The resolute persistence, the exemplary courage, and
the warlike circumspection which have marked your en•
tire conduct in Asiatic Turkey have now been crowned
with full success.

The dominating fortress of Asia Minor, the fortress of
Kars, has surrendered, with its entire garrison, artillery,
and great depots of arms and ammunition. The Anato-
lian army of 30,000 men exists no more ; its commander-
in-chief is our prisoner.
T thank you heartily for this so glorious feat which has
invested the arms of Russia with new renown.
I also commission you to express my heartfelt thanks
to the army under your command for the steadfastness
and courage which have overcome the stiff-necked re-
sistance of the enemy. In testimony of your high merit
nominate you Knight of the Order of St. George of the
Second Class, a rank to which you have proved yourself
incontestably entitled; and remain, with imperial grace,
your well-wisher, ALEXANDER.
OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

Lord Panmure received a despatch on Monday
from Sir William Codrington, dated December ]5,
inclosing the usual monthly returns of sick and
wounded from Dr. Hall.

The Russian account of the attack on Baga, on
the Bth, has appeared in the 'urnlide Busse. Tie
object of the enemy was merely that of effecting a
reconnaissance, and, though trifling, is stated to have
been " a brilliant affair, throwing the whole French
camp into confusion," and effected with the most per-
fect success.

AMUSEMENTS IN THE CAMP.
Private theatricals, snow-balling attacks and
defences of snow-pits and barricades, " paper
hunts," and symposiums, where convivial meetings
are held every evening, are among the amusements
of the camp, and everything tends to show that the
spirit of both men and officers is up to a good pitch
this winter :

We have also civilised amusements going on. On
every Satnrda7 night there is a " symposium," or sort of
Cider Cellar, in the restaurant of the fourth division, com-
posed of officers of the division, who meet at half•pnst
nine, and have a kind of supper, and then sing till twelve,
when the National Anthem is sung in chorus, and the
meeting separates. The officers of the fourth division
have also gut tap some theatricals, which they are going to
set in the I.( staurant. They are to perform twice, I am
told, for the men—that is, f, r ten or twelve men chosen