The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-30 00:00:00

DESPATCH FROM GENERAL SIMPSON.

(11011 •

TO TNI LONDON 0,141TT1 OP
TVISDAY.)

WAR DEPARTMENT, AIIGIIST 29.
Lotd Penman has this day received two despatches
and their enclosures, of which the following are
copies, addressed to his lordship by General Shawl'

Before Sebastopol, August 18.
My Lord,—ln my despatch of the 14th instant,'.
I informed your lordship that I had reason to be.'
lieve that the Russians would attempt, by a vigorous
attack, to force us to raise the siege.
This they endeavoured to do on the morning of
the 16th, but the result was moat glorious to these
of the Allied troops who had the good fortune to be
loomed.
The action commenced before daylight, by a heavy
column of Russians, under the commend of General
Liprandi, and composed of the 6th and 17th Divisions,
with the 4th and 7th Divisions in reserve, attacking
the advanced posts of the Sardinians.
The ground occupied by them is on commanding
hills on the right of the position, on the left bank of
the Souhaia river, where it forma its junction with
the Tchernaya, with two advanced posts on the op-
posits side. Them were held with very determined
gallantry for a considerable time, but being sepa-
rated from their supports by the river, and not having
the protection of artillery, they were compelled to
leave the most advanced one.
About the same time, the sth and 12th Divisions,
to which was added a portion of the 17th, advanced
against the bridge of Trude, held by one battalion
of French infantry of the line, who were for a abort
time obliged to yield and fall back upon the main
supports. With these, however, they quickly retook
the bridge at the point of the bayonet.
Again the Russians attacked with persevering
courage, and were enabled to follow up their ad-
vantage by gaining the heights which rise precipi-
tously on each side of the road. Their success was
but momentary—they were driven back across the

. .
river, leaving the ground covered with dead and
wounded.

The Russian general, in no way daunted by the
failure of his two attempts, ordered a second oulumn,
of equal force to the first, to attack. They advanced
with such impetuosity, covered by the fire of their
numerous artillery, that a third time the bridge was
carried, and the heights above it crowned; but they
were again repulsed, and retired in great contusion
into the plain, followed by the bayonets of our gal-
lant Allies.

The general officer who commanded the Remise
column, and who is suppored to be General Read,
was killed, and in his possession was found the orders
for the battle, signed by Prince Gortchakoff, who
commanded in person.
From these it would appear that it was a most
determined attempt to force us to raise the siege. Had
they succeeded, Balaklava was to have been attacked
by one portion or their army, whilst the heights on
which we now are were to have been stormed with
the other ; at the same time a vigorous sortie was to
have been made from the town on the French works,
on our extreme left, from the Quarantine, and
another on the works on our extreme right on Mount
Sapoune.
The action which I have endeavoured to describe
is most glorious to the arms of the French and Sar-
dinian troops. To meet the force of the Russians the
former had but 12,000 infantry and 4 batteries of
artillery engaged ; the latter had 10,000 men in
position, 4,600 actually engaged, and 24 pieces of
cannon.

The Roeslan fbree consisted of from 80,000 to
60,000 men, with 160 pieces of artillery, and cavalry
to the amount of 6,000.

This disparity of numbers will readily explain to
your lordship the difficulty that would have been
experienced had an attempt been made to follow up
the advantage by a pursuit. The Russian retreat,
moreover, was protected by the fire from the heavy
guns in position on the Mackenzie heights.
The loss sustained by the Russians is estimated at
between 6,000 and 6,000 men, including 600 pri-
soners, whist on the part of the Allies it does not
amount to more than 1,000 men.

This brilliant affair has caused the greatest delight
amongst the ranks of the allied army ; and while it
adds fresh lustre to the gallant achievements of the
French arms, it is with the utmost *were that I
have to record the intrepid conduct aid gallant,
bearing of the Sardinian troops, under General
Della Marniora, who have for the first time met,
conquered, and shed their blood against our common
enemy, who is now disturbing the peace of Europe.
Captain Mowbray's battery of 32. pounder howit-
zers was placed in advance with the Sardinian troops,
and did most excellent service in preventing the
advance of the enemy's artillery.
Our cavalry, under Lieutenant-Geaeral Sir J.
&erten, K.C.8., was placed in the plain of Batik's'',
prepared to take advantage of any circumstance that
might present itself, but the opportunity did not arise
for calling upon their services.
I regret that I am unable to give a more detailed
account of the part performed by the Sardinians, as
up to this time I have not received General Della
Marmora's report.—l have, &c.,
JAMES SIMPSON, General Commanding.
The Lord Psamure, &c.

Before Sebastopol, August 18.
My Lord,—General Pelimier haying announced to
me that the batteries against the Malakhoff and ad-
jacent works were prepartd to open fire, arrange-
ments were made that a steady fire should be com-
menced yesterday morning against those works and
the Rides.

This continued throughout the day, and the effect
produced wee as much as wan anticipated. lhe
Russian fire, which at first answered briskly, became
by the evening feeble. In the afternoon a shell from
one of our mortar batteries ignited and caused the
explosion of a great number of shells in one of the
enemy's batteries, doing apparently much damage.
I regret to have to report the deaths of Captain
Oldfteld, of the Royal Artillery, and Commander
Hammet, of the Royal Navy, amongst the number of
casualties caused by the fire of yesterday. Major C.
S. Henry, of the Royal Artillery, received a severe
wound, and has had his right arm amputated ; he is,
I am rejoiced to add, doing well.
I enclose the list of casualties.—l have, &0.,

JAMES SIMPSON, General Commanding.
The Lord Paamure, &o.

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