The Press.
London, England, 1856-02-16 00:00:00

160

The admirals assembled at Baltchiek on the 19th of
August to deliberate, and Admirals Dundas an I Hamelin
declared against the expedition under existing cireum-

Marshal St. Arnaud, however, summoned a
council of war a few days after :

The question of the expedition, delayed by fatal events,
was again brought forward. If, on the one hand, the allies
bad unfavorable chances, and eventualities almost certain
to encounter, on the other hand was it not necessary to
to take into consideration the situation in which the
armies would be placed by continued inaction? France,
England, and Europe were waiting with anxiety ; while,
from the gravity of the situation of the troops at Varna,
ravaged as they were by sickness, they can only be
restored by a great and energetic enterprise.
The Marshal dominated the discussion. "Itis no
longer any use," he said, "thinking of the obstacles that
exist, but of the means of vanquishing them. It is a great
responsibility we are about to assume—true ; but we
must place ours'lves about it. Let there be no more
doubt, no indecision—time presses. Our resolution to•day
must be irrevocable." He spoke with heat, with energy,
with that enthusiasm which is peculiar to him.
What passed in the council was strange : fascinated by
that eloquence of conviction which exposed with equal
frankness the good and bad features of the expedition, the
moat hostile voted affirmatively. What the Marshal said
was, that the situation of the two armies—afflicted with
cholera, remaining inactive and useless to the cause they
were sent to defend—was a very sad one. He then called
to mind the combats in which the Turks had been en-
gaged, and dwelt on the imperative necessity of England
and France taking an attitude worthy of them and of their
cause. Then he spoke with calm of the difficulties which
beset. and the olist; des which opposed, the enterprise;
but said that they might he overcome, and that the enter-
prise would remain one of such bold energy as to astonish
the world. " Judge—appreciate," he cried in conclus on—
" raise yourselves to the height of circumstances—remem-
ber that Europe regards you—and decide. But know well
that when cnce a resolution shall be taken no irresolution
can be permitted ; it will no longer be time to retrace your
steps." The discussion which followed was very spirited;
and a good many opinions hostile to the expedition were
expressed. Amongst the opponents of it was Admiral
Dundas ; he, to the last moinen., was against it, and en•
deavoured to thwart it by all the means in his power.
Admiral Hamelin also hesi'ated to incur the immense
responsibility of such a campaign, the success of which
was far from being certain. But Lord Raglan, Admiral
Lyons, and Admiral Bruat were for it. When the vote
was taken, Lord Raglan first spoke, and he said yes.
Admiral Dundee, influenced by his example, also voted for
it, but certainly with great reluctance. The ➢larshal voted
last, and when he put an end to the sitting he said, " Gen•
lemen, it is agreed, and irrevocably decided, that the ex•
pedition shall take place. Let us now unite all our
efforts, in order not to lose a day, an hour, or a minute !"
Although thus decided, the Marshal felt
deeply the tremendous responsibility that
weighed on him, was agitated with grave
doubts, and " addressed to God ardent prayers"
to give him strength to execute the enterprise._
The preparations were pushed on with all pos-
sible activity, but he wrote to the Minister of
War :

Assuredly our resources are not so complete as could be
desired. We have not a very numerous army ; but the
courage and impetuosity of the troops will increase the
number tenfold. Nothing is impossible to soldiers like
ours, and to the fraternal union of the two nations.

The end of the month of August was fixed
for the departure of the expedition, but owing
to the rough state of the sea the embarkation
of the French troops did not commence until
the Ist of September, and it was continued on
the 2nd. The English ought to have embarked
at the same time, but the fleet was not ready
on the 3rd, nor on the 4th, and on the three
following days Marshal St. Arnaud wrote in
his diary _ _

Sept. the receipt of a letter from Admiral Dundas
announcing that he will follow us, the fleet set sail at four
o'clock in the morning. In the course of the day Admiral
Dundas wrote to say that be was not yet ready. The
French fleet, without its convoy, continues its progress
slowly. At eleven o'clock in the evening letter from
Admiral Dundas ; he says that the transports had not
enough water, but that he hoped to sail at last the next
morning.
6. The English fleet not appeared. At midday I
wrote to Lord Raglan pointing out to him the incon-
veniences caused thereby. I sent the Caton with the
letter. The fleet waiting for the English.
7. Same situation. The wind becomes favorable, and
the fleet continues its route. At midday Admiral Hamelin
sends else Primawriet with a letter for Admiral Dundas.
At three o'clock the Caton returns. It was only this morn-
ing, the 7th, that Admiral Dundas decided on setting sail ;
and this tardy determination was not taken until after he
bad had a very sharp discussion with Admiral Lyons, who
wished to sail yesterday. The weather is magnificent.
On the sth the English fleet arrived at the
rendezvous, at the Isle of Serpents. Then a
council of generals and admirals was held to
fix the precise point of disembarkation. The
Marshal was strongly in favour of the Katcha,
but a commission of French and English
generals, headed by Lord Raglan (the Marshal

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