The Press.
London, England, 1854-10-14 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

they have been inspired with confidence. The allied armies
have carried positions truly formidable. In going over
them yesterday I recognised all the advantages they poa
seaaed for offering resistance ; and, indeed, if the English
and French had held them, the Russians could never have
taken them.
Now that everything is more calm, and that the accounts
brought in by the deserters and prisoners are more precise,
we can probe the enemy's wounds. The loss of the itua-
sians is considerable. The deserters affirm it to be above
0,000 men. Their army is disheartened. In the evening
of the.2oth it had split iii two. Prince Menschikoff, with
the left wing, marched on Bagtehe.Serai; the right
wing proceeded to Belbek. But they were without pro-
visions, their wounded encumbered them, the road is
strewed with them. This splendid success adds a glorious
page to our military history, and gives to the army a mural
force equivalent to twenty thousand more men. The Rua-
sians have left on the field of battle ten thouaandknapsacks
and more than five thousand muskets. It was* regular rout.
Prince Menschikoff and his generals were very vain-
boasting in their camp I now occupy, on the morning of
the 2t/th. 1 think they have now somewhat changed their
tone. The Russian general had demanded at Alma pro-
visions fur three weeks ; I have an idea he will have stopped
the convoy on its way.
Your excellency will be able to judge if there is much
prospect for the Russians. In three days I shall be before
Sebastopol, and I shall be able to tell your excellency all
that is real about that place. The moral courage and
spirit of the army are admirable. The vessels, going to
Varna for reinforcements of troops of all arms, left here on
the 18th. They will reach me at Belbek before the end of
the month. Itly health is as usual ; it is sustained amidst
sufferings, crises, and duty. All that does not prevent me
keeping the saddle twelve hours on the day of battle. But
will my strength not give way ? Adieu, Monsieur le
Marechal I shall write to your excellency when I am
before Sebastopol.
After the battle the following " Orders of the
Day " were issued to the troops of either nation by
their respective commanders-in-chief. From Lord
Raglan :
Head-quarters, Alma River, Sept. 22, 18.54.
The Commander of the Forces congratulates the troops
on the brilliant success that attended their unrivalled
efforts in the battle of the 20th instant, on which occasion
they carried a most formidable position, defended by large
masses of Russian infantry and a most powerful and
numerous artillery.
Their conduct was in unison with that of our gallant
allies, whose spirited and successful attack of the left of
the heights occupied by the enemy cannot fail to have
attracted their notice and admiration.
The Commanders of the Forces thanks the army most
warmly for its gallant exertions. He witnessed them with
pride and satisfaction, and it will be his pleasing duty to
report, for the Queen's information, how well they have
earned her Majesty's approbation, and how gloriously
maintained the honour of the British name.
Lord Raglan condoles most sincerely with the troops on
the loss of so many gallant officers and brave men, whose
memory it will be a consolation to their friends to feel
will ever be cherished in the annals of our army.
(Signed) J. B. B. ESTCOURT.
From Marshal de St. Arnaud :
Soldiers,—France and the Emperor will be satisfied with
you. At Alma you have proved to the Russians that you
are the worthy descendants of the conquerors of Eylau and
of the Moskowa. You have rivalled in courage your allies
the English, and your bayonets have carried formidable and
well-defended positions. Soldiers, you will again meet the
Russians on your mad, and you will conquer them as you
have done to-day to the cry of "Five l'Erapereur ! " and
you will only stop at Sebastopol; it is there you will enjoy
the repose which you will have well deserved.
Field of Battle of Alma, Sept. 20.

From the able letters which thsir correspondents
on the spot have transmitted to our daily contem-
poraries we select the subjoined extracts, which
give a more detailed and picturesque account of
the battle than can be gathered from the official
despatches :

THE MARCH ON THE 19TH.
On the 19th of September, the British, French,
and Turkish camps at Lake Kimishli were broken
up, and the onward march commenced. The way
led along continual steppes, affording no shelter
from the burning heat of the sun, nor water to
assuage the intolerable thirst suffered by all. The
only relief was afforded by the muddy stream of
Bulganak, which the men drank with avidity. That
day an insignificant skirmish took place between a
body of Cossacks and the light division. On passing
over the brow of a hill the former were discovered
drawn up in order. A slight fire was opened, which
wounded three or four of our men, but a gun drove
up and threw a shell with such wonderful precision
in the midst of the enemy that above a dozen were
knocked over by this one projectile, and the Cossacks
speedily disappeared.
THE BIVOUAC.
Orders were given to halt and bivouac for the
night, and our tired men set to work to gather the
weeds for fuel. As soon as the rations of rum and
meat were served out, the casks were broken up,
and the staves served to make fires for cooking,
aided by nettles and long grass. At night the wat.Ph-
fires of the Russians were visible on our left. The