The Press.
London, England, 1856-03-15 00:00:00

THE WAR.

Preliminaries of an Armistice were agreed
a conference, held at Tractir-bridge, on the
tween General Timoieff, Chief of the Staff
th Corps of the Russian army, and Generals
artirnprey, Windham, and Colonel Count
, Chiefs of the Staffs of the French, English,
Sardinian armies. The proposals were discussed
tided on, and, after transmission to the several
landers-in-chief, would probably at another
be definitively arranged. The line of the
iayain all probability will be the limit, a short
, on each side of the boundary being given in
Ural ground.
White-buildings were partially blown up on
Feb. Major Ranken was accidentally killed
of the explosions occurring prematurely.
grand review of 25,000 infantry of the English
held by General Codrington on the 24th.
general order the next day congratulated the army
•' efficient appearance.
health of the English army is excellent, but
from all quarters state that typhus and scurvy
'ing terrible ravages in the French divisions.
tout the winter the French army have Emr-
ich from under-clothing and under - feed-
the severity of the climate just now in the
is seriously affecting the health and efficiency
rench army.
order of the day of the 25th Sir William
ington has severely reprimanded a newspaper
;pondent at Kertch,who incontinently wrote home
details of the works and strength of the garrison
position. General Vivian is authorised "to
he individual, and send him away at once,
&c. &c. The commander of the forces con-
ith a severe lecture to all correspondents on
itaviour for the future.
Panmure received a despatch from Sir W.
ton on Monday, announcing the fact of the
on the 24th, and two more on the 29th,
that Major Nl‘Gowan of the 93rd had died of
wounds ; and Major Ranken was killed in the ex-
on the 28th.
Pacha left Redout-Kale on the 18th, and
;hed and taken up his quarters at Trebizond.
Pasha, after destroying and burning every-
tho town, has retired with the Turkish
from Sugdidi to Anaklea, on the coast.
no intelligence of any moment from Erze-

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL DESPATCH.
Invalide Timm, of the 2nd inst., announces
astice, as agreed on, and says :
armistice is not to have any influence on the
e of our coasts already established cr to be estab•
but the commanders of the enemy's naval forces
ive orders not to undertake any nct of hostility
our riverine possessions pending its duration.
THE BALTIC SQUADRON.
flying squadron, according to intelligence
:amburg oh' the 11th, has proceeded on to the
part of the Baltic, and probably may extend
to the Gulf of Finland, if not prevented by
Her Majesty's ship Euryalus will notify the
to the several Russian ports.
THE ARMISTICE.
.Iligence of the conclusion of an armistice
the camp on the morning of the 28th of
ruarv. Flags of truce were interchanged
. the north forts and the French side of the
and a meeting of officeis on the following
' to arrange the tluce was agreed on:—

was a lively and novel scene (writes the Times
correspondent) at ten o'clock this morning at Tractir-
At its further end the white flag was hoisted, a 0

THE PRESS.

just beyond it were halted some five and twenty Cossacks
who had escorted thither the Russian general Timuieff
and his staff. The generals, who had met to arrange the
details of the armistice, occupied two tents, pitched on a
strip of green sward in the rear of the bridge. At a few
minutes past ten Creneral Barnard and some staff officers
rode down through the ravine between the two hills on
which the battle of the Tschernaya was chiefly fought, and
crossed to the other side of the river. There were,
perhaps, half a dozen other English officers, about as many
French, and a much larger number of Sardinians. All
these went over the bridge, and a sort of fraternisation
ensued between them and some Russian officers—that is

to say, there was a good deal of civility, and some ill-
treatment of the French and German languages; but as to
carrying on much conversation with our Muscovite friends
it was not an easy matter, for there seemed a mutual em-
barrassment as to what subject to pitch upon. Horses were
a natural theme, and the Russians expressed much admira-
tion of some of those present, and were probably rather
astonished at their good condition. But the great object
of curiosity to us was the fur-capped Cossacks, around
whom the allied officers assembled, examining their arms
and equipments and entering into conversation, which, in
most cases, was carried on by signs. They were slender,
wiry men—ugly enough, most of them—mounted on
small, rough, active horses, and carrying, besides sword
and carbine, flagless lances, whose long black poles termi-
nated in a small but very sharp pointed steel head.
Some more Sardinian and French officers came down,
but, besides those attached to General Windham's
staff, I do not think there were a dozen English
officers on the ground. The general disposition of all
seemed to be to move outwards in the direction of
the Russian lines. People did not know how far they
might go, and accordingly felt their way, cantering across
a bit of level ground, and up a hill, and then pausing to
look about them and reconnoitre the country and see
whether there was any sign of obstacles to further pro-
gress. The soil was of It lighter and more sandy nature
than it generally is found to be within our lines; in some
places it was rather thickly sprinkled with bushes, sap-
lings, and tall weeds. Several brace of red-legged par-
tridges were sprung, some of them so near our horses'
feet that a hunting-wh►r would have reached them. As
the morning advanced the field grew larger. By this time
we were getting far on towards the Russian lines and
batteries, when the field began to spread out, some taking
to the right, and getting very near to a Cossack vidette,
who seemed rather puzzled to account for the presence of
so many strange horsemen within musket-shot of his post,
and who, after once or twice beginning to circle in signal
of an enemy's approach, received a reinforcement in the
shape of another Cossack, who rode down the hill as if to
warn the intruders off forbidden ground. Another party
of gallopers went close up to the battery known as No.
49, and held communion with some videttes, with whom
they smoked an amicable cigarette, until a Russian officer
came up and politely informed them in French that his
orders were to allow no one to come any further, and that
he hoped they would retire, which they of course did. On
reaching the bridge a halt was again called round the
group of Cossacks, and all eyes were fixed on the two neat
blue and white striped tents, with awnings over their en-
trances. Some of the generals were standing outside, and
it was evident the conference was drawing to a close.
Then cocked hats and feathers were seen moving among
the horses near the tents; orderlies and escorts mounted;
the Cossacks did the same, and presently English, French,
Sardinian, and Russian generals and staff rode over the
bridge and between a double line formed by the specta-
tors. General Timoieff, a soldierly-looking man of agree-
able physiognomy, rode first, and smilingly returned the
salutes with which he was received. General Windham
was close beside him, a little in rear. There was an es-
cort of French Chasseurs-i-Cheval and a small one of the
11th Hussars, end the big horses, and tall, well-fed men of
the latter strikingly contrasted with the puny, although
hardy steeds, and with the meagre frames of the Cossacks,
who seemed to regard them with some wonderment, while
the Hussars glanced at them as if they thought that one
squadron of theirs would have an easy bargain of half a
dozen sotnias of such antagonists. The cortege proceeded
a short distance into the plain, end then the allied portion
of it took leave of " nos amis les ennemis," and retraced
their steps to the bridge.—Times cor., Feb. 29.

A REVIEW IN CAMP.

A grand review of 23,000 of the B►itish infantry
took place on Telegraph.hill, on the 24th ult., by
General Codrington, in thH presence of Marshal
Pelissier, and a vast concourse of French and
foreign officers and other spectators crowded on the
ground :

The inspection of the line completed, the Commander-
in•Chief took up his station in front, and to the right of
the knoll where Marshal Pelissier was posted, and the
troops marched past in open column, each general of divi-
sion posting himself beside General Codrington during its
passage. As soon as the band of each brigade arrived
opposite the general it faced to the left, cleared the line of
march, fronted, and played until its brigade had com-
pletely gone by, when it followed in rear, and its place was
taken by the next band. The Guards came by, of course with
their own favorite tune, the " British Grenadiers " ; the
pipes of the Highlanders squeaked, squealed, and droned
forth that strange combination of sounds so dear to
Scottish ears, and so discordant to those of Saxon or Gaul;
and one brigade played " Parent pour la Syrie," in com-
pliment to Marshal Pelissier and the French present.
The whole of the troops having marched past in open
column, formed up st son►c distance to the north of
Telegraph hill, on lower ground, nearer to the camp, and
thither General Codrington now proceeded, followed, of
course, by everybody present.

The men looked remarkably well

Of course there were differences and degrees, and some
regiments which have suffered much in the war, and con-
sequently have very few old soldiers left, cannot be expected
to look as well or to be as gond as others that either came
out when the campaign was nearly over, or have had little
fighting and no hardship since their arrival. The Guards
looked as usual, military and imposing in their lofty bear-
skins. The Highlanders were magnificently picturesque,
and reminded one, by their statue like immobility in the
ranks, by their stern veteran aspect and lofty stature, of
Vernet's pictures of "La Vieille Garde" on parade. They
were the admiration of the foreigners present, and well
they might be, for assuredly no finer troops ever fixed
bayonet. The battalions of Rifles were also much praised
by the foreign officers, their fashion of carrying their arms
trailed instead of shouldered giving a graceful ease and
suppleness to their march. Many were the tattered and
shot•rent banners yesterday borne by. The colours of the
Wird Fusiliers were like a sieve, pierced with countless
bullets, and telling the eloquent and bloody tale of the
Alma and of Inkermann. Those of the 77th and 97th
were much riddled, and so were those of many other brave
regiments, some of which were fain to keep their banners
furled, their torn condition not allowing their display to
the breeze.—lb.

Officers and men off duty flocked in hundreds to
see the review :

There was every variety of French and Sardinian mili-
tary costume, and even the Spanish uniform was there to
augment the motley of the gathering, four officers of that
nation being attached to the French headquarters. Mar-
shal Pelissier came on the ground in his carriage-and-four,
by which is not to be understood a handsome vehicle and
showy team, with well-kept harness and neat postilions, but
a very rough, nearly paintless, Crimean-looking drag, with
harness partly of rope, horses that match the carriage as
regards roughness, and soldiers in artillery saddles on the
near wheeler and leader. The marshal is somewhat obese,
and not much of an equestrian, and he rarely crosses a
horse. His little escort of Chasseurs contrasted with the
English Hussars who followed Sir William Codrington
and kept the ground, and many of whom, as regarded both
wen and horses, needed only some slight changes in uni-
form and equipment to become extremely heavy cavalry.
Marshal Pelissier alighted from his carriage, and took his
station at the foot of a hillock, opposite the centre of the
line, of the whole of which ho then commanded a good

THE TURKISH ARMY IN MINGRELIA.

OMER PACHA IN WINTER. QUARTP.RS.

Letters from Trebizond to the 23rd Feb. bring
satisfactory intelligence of the state of health of the
Turkish army. The men are well fed, well clothed,
and in good health. Omer Pacha had left Redout-
Kale and arrived at Trebizond. His manner of life
at Redout Kale is agreeably sketched by a corre-
spondent:

His Highness displays his practical philosophy by pass-
ing the present dull interval till the opening of his new
Armenian campaign by adding to his harem, and by stag-
shooting in the woods around Redout•Kale. Besides the
couple of houris whom he left caged at Saukhain, two
other youthful Circassian beauties have been translated to
his ambulatory paradise, and are now installed here on the
banks of the Chopi. Report speaks highly of their personal
charms, and alleges that one especially—a little budding
Mingrelian, in her fourteenth year—would shake the reso-
lutions of St. Anthony himself, were the holy father now
alive to be put to such a trial. For the safe keeping of
this brace of harem•btrds, a small wooden wing has been
added to the house occupied by his Highness himself, and
through one of the little one•pane windows which light it I
yesterday caught momentary sight of a pair of large lus-
trous orbs gazing away over the sea Stamboul•wards, as
their owner was doubtless revelling the while in a fancy
feat of the luxuries that await her in that far•off glory-land
of the Circassian girl. They were those of the little Min-
grelian in question, who, I since learn, was procured for
his delicate Highness about a fortnight ago from Guriel, a
Christian district beyond the Rhion. Her companion is
also a Christian, but is said to possess, as her special
source of attractiveness, more of the eisslionpotni maturity,
in fulness of which true Turkish taste holds perfect wt-
manly physique to consist. Thus provided for within doors,
the great chief finds, as I have said, his supplemental plea-
sures in stag hunting abroad ; and few fine days pass on
which, with the aid of a half battalion of chasseurs to beat
up the woods, he does not give proof of his ability as a rifle
shot by bringing down one or more fat bucks. And so,
while British newspapers are hurling their harmless
thunderbolts at him for permitting the loss of Kars, and
whilst his many enemies in Stamboul are possibly giving
force to some adverse intrigue on the same real or pre-
tended ground of blame, like a practical philosopher he
despises both, and, full of faith in his own genius, lives out
the Horatian maxim, by enjoying life's pleasures as it
flies.—D. News cur., Feb. 1.

A Curious EVENT occurred a few days ago in the
University of Leipsic. Dr. Reclam, professor of
legal medicine, was lecturing on nicotine, and to
show the deadly effects of the poison he administered
a large dose of it to a big dog. The animal, which
was lying on its back, was immediately seized with
convulsions, and ejected a considerable portion of
the poison with great violence; it struck the professor
in the face, and some of it entered his mouth. The
doctor was immediately seized with all the symptoms
of poisoning, but antidotes were promptly applied,
and he was soon placed out of danger ; but he suffered
greatly, and had to be conveyed home.

(Original setters from tot drintea.

Camp before Sebastopol, Feb. 28, 1850.
Sir,—Judging from the papers which have arrived
in the Crimea by the last mails, it appears that the
dearth of news from our camp has almost become a
proverb in England; nevertheless, there are some
things which I think your readers would be glad to
hear. We cannot write of attacks made, or sorties
repelled, and we may be thankful that we have no
harrowing details of suffering to relate, but we may
speak of the striking contrast which our army pre
sents now to the sattered relics of the English
army in February, 1855.
Of this contrast I think no greater proof has been
given than that which was afforded on Sunday last,
when Sir W. Codrington inspected the infantry of
the army on the edge of the plateau overlooking
the "plain" of Balaklava. Two brigades were
absent from the review, viz., one brigade of the
third division, which has been sent to perform the
"fatigue duties" at Balaklava, and one brigade of
the Highland division, which was left at Kamara.
The kilted brigade of that division was, however, pre-
sent, and very magnificent they looked. There are
more old soldiers in their ranks than there are in
those of any other regiments which have served
through the whole of the Crimean campaign ; for,
although Sir Cohn Campbell did not " keep them in
lavender" during the last winter, as Colonel Stir-
ling, in his letter to the Times, in vindication of his
general, so ably and triumphantly showed, yet as
they were at Balaklava during the winter, and con-
sequently were near their supplies, and free from the
more arduous duties of the trenches before Sebas-
topol, they were not exposed to the degree of desti-
tution and misery which so nearly annihilated many
other regiments. The troops were all assembled
about half past twelve in quarter-distance columns
facing the plain, and a splendid sight it was. How
many years is it since so large a body of British
infantry were seen together ! Soon after the troops
had taken up their positions Marshal Pelissier
arrived on the ground in his barouche-and-four,
with two dragoons in very wide red trousers as
postillions. This is the way in which the French
commander in chief goes about, having no fear of
an "own correspondent" before his eyes. He was
received by the British general and his staff, and
the brigades were callel to " attention " as he passed.
When the men stood at ease, and might therefore
enjoy a joke, considerable merriment was caused by
the next remarkable personage who appeared—one
well known to the whole army, the kind-hearted
" Mother Seacoal," a "roloured " lady from Jamaica,
who keeps a store half way between the camp and
Balaklava, where she not only dispenses such things
as men in health require, but is ever ready with a
kind word and her own specific for those who suffer
from the diseases which have been unhappily so
prevalent amongst us ; and I am told that her prac-
tile has been attended with considerable success.
Her portly form was sustained by one of the hardy
ponies of the country, and she was followed by a
man bearing two enormous bundles of viands, which
were no doubt soon disposed of amongst the
numerous spectators. An orderly of the 11th
Hussars brought up the procession. Why he placed
himself in that position I cannot say ; probably he
thought it his duty to see that the lady did not
place herself in the way of the "swells,' but the
effect was that he appeared to form part of her per.
sonal staff.
This little episode over the ckale commenced
in columns at half distance. The brigade of Guards,
as the senior regiments, came first, and marched past
as they do in Hyde park. I can give no higher
praise. What a contrast must their appearance have
presented to Lord Rokeby from that which brought
tears to his eyes and choked h's utterance when he
took command of the brigade rather more than a
year ago ! Next followed the second brigade of the
first division, and then the Highland Brigade, to
whose appearance I have already alluded. Their
marching past was Cully answerable to it. But I will
not particularise further; I believe no army ever pre-
sented a more efficient appearance. To this effect
the general expressed himself to the different

generals of division, and he had inspected the
troops as closely and minutely as was possible with
such a body of men. The army was now massed
in columns of divisions, and it was half past three
o'clock. There was no time for more. The general
took his station on the left flank as the divisions
successively marched off to their respective camps.
The day was fine, and the ground dry, but the north
wind bitterly cold. Since then we have had a heavy
fall of snow, but this by no means puts a stop to the
hilarity of the camp. Theatricals are now the order
of the day, and each division has its theatre and
corps dramatique. The palm appears to be gene-
rally stcL!orded to the fourth division, but into this
question I will not enter, having already written you
Tattier too long a letter —I am, sir, yours, &c., M.

THE PRESS.

Ortign dorrrspoattut.

FRANKFORT, March 11.
" Mas c'est indigne." It is thus that the revelations
of Kars have been received. They have been pub-
lished "in extenso " by the continental journals.
The verdict arrived at from a perusal of the official
documents is unanimous. Without circumlocution,
it is asserted in Germany that the neglect was wil
ful, the fall of Kars premeditated, and the starva-
tion provided for by passive negation of supply. Le
Nord (March 9), without indulging in the acrimo-
nious satisfaction of the Vienna journals, and without
comment, has given an analysis of the affair from
the commencement, tracing the course of events,
and illustrating them with extracts from the parlia-
mentary documents, until the final and fatal ter-
mination. It is a masterly expose, placing denial
beyond the power of the guilty, by whose official
correspondence the grave charges have been substan-
tiated.

There is somewhat more than a shade of displea
sure in Germany at the made in which the Con-
ferences proceed. It is reported that frequent inter-
views take place between the Emperor, Lord
Clarendon, and Count Orloff, and that the counte-
nance of the latter radiates in proportion as that of
M. de Buol darkens. Austria, it is now known, has
been signally defeated in her line of demarcation for
the Bessara;)ian frontier, by its impracticability.
There were no mountains, as stated, no means of es•
tablishing limits in the centre of a trackless and un-
populated waste ; therefore a mixed commission will
probably be nominated to determine the boundaries
on the spot. It has been the aim and interest of the
Hapsburg dynasty to secure a permanent interest in
the Danuhian principalities. Her " military protec-
tion" of the provinces has been marked by some
cases of flagrant abuse.
The town of Bucharest is divided into five parishes
or districts, named after colours, black, blue, red,
yellow, and green. In the suburb of Isvor, belong-
ing to the green district, lived a small innkeeper,
who, associated with others in commercial transac-
tions, had succeeded in amassing a sum of 20,000
piastres, and this he held in trust for the company.
About a month since, in the beginning of February,
two Austrian soldiers, in the habit of frequenting the
inn, had become acquainted with the affairs of the
landlord ; they broke into the house at night, dragged
him out of bed, and, stabbing him with their
bayonets in the legs and other parts of his body, en-
deavoured to extort a disclosure of the place where
the money was deposited. His cries alarmed the
inmates of a neighbouring dwelling, and the thieves
decamped. On the following day the innkeeper laid
his complaint before the authorities. The culprits
wers known, were arrested and confronted with the
complainant, who identified them, and proved the
facts beyond the possibility of affording a plea of
denial. The soldiers were imprisoned for a day or
two, and sent to another regiment. A violent storm
and hurricane raged at Bucharest on the night of the
13th February, when other soldiers, connected with the
same military gang of thieves, took advantage of the
streets being deserted, broke into the inn a second
time, and found their victim in company of two of
his partners, whom he had summoned by way of an
extra guard. Again the torture was applied. The
first had hot irons applied to the soles of his feet,
the second had his tongue pierced by a red hot
bayonet, and the third was burnt in the stomach.
In the agonies of torture the secret was divulged,
and the booty secured. The three men died. Their
bodies were found by the police covered with
bayonet wounds and otherwise horribly mutilated.
After the official depositions had been drawn up,
they were laid before the Austrian magistrate, and
he, as well as the military commandant, refused to
interfere, or to go near the scene of robbery and
murder to verify the depositions. But this was not
all. A fire had occurred during the night in the
cavalry barracks, whereby sixty horses were de-
stroyed. By some incomprehensible ratiocination
it was sought to prove that the murdered men were
the incendiaries; and the authorities, adopting that
version of the infamy, proclaimed it to be "constate,"
and interdicted further investigation. J. E. L.
_

PS.—The particulars of the duct betwixt M.
Hinckelday, Director-General of Police at Berlin, and
M. de Rochow have just been given. A " jockei
cloob" bad been established by the officers of the
Guards at the Hotel Royal, and under shield of " le
sport," high play had been introduced, contrary to
the police regulations. Well aware of the stealthy
means that the head of the office habitually practised
to arrive ats his object, the members of the " jockei
cloob" took every precaution to prevent a surprise,
but they were foiled. By treason either from within
or without, the myrmidons of the police obtained
sufficient evidence to authorise the Director-General

SATU'RDAY,

to take the initiative, and make the members feel
the weight of his displeasure. A personal alterca-
tion ensued, hard words were used, and on being
accused of having employed spies, the Minister ir.-
dignantly denied the truth of the assertion, which,
nevertheless, was the strict fact, and thereupon he
received a formal but strong "dementi" from M. de
Rochow. The Minister had but one way before him.
He immediately resigned his office, and, a fortnight
having elapsed, he challenged M. de Rochow. The
parties fought with pistols at fifteen paces. They
were to advance Live paces each, stop, and fire at
pleasure. In case of a miss-fire, they were to retina
to their places and recommence. M. Hinckelday,
on walking up to the line, aimed and missed fire, as
M. de Rochow had his finger on the trigger. They
returned to their post. The second time M. Hine-
kelday again fired in advancing ; he missed, and the
moment after was shot through the heart by M. de
Rochow. He sprang convulsively in the air and
dropped down dead.

SIENA, March 10.
WHEN the Austrian and Italian officers are on active
duty they they have been invariably granted an
"indulgenza plenaria." This means to say that
military duties cannot be zealously performed upon
a diet of dried beans, oil, and bread ; that flesh to be
potent of muscle, musthave flesh as a substratum; and
that war cannot be successful unless the flesh pots
of Egypt be liberally tilled. There was strong senso
in this Roman view of the case in the olden time ; but
" tempora mutantur," and the Archbishops and
Bishops, upon their construction of the Austro-
Papal Concordat, have insisted that all officers and
soldiers of the Austrian and Lombard armies shall
fast rigorously, and abstain from meat on every
Wednesday and Friday in Lent, and on Fridays
throughout the year. The sacerdotal injunction has
met with universal execration. " Maledetti i preti."
The battle will be between the " cara creatura " and
the " prete birbaccio," and the issue not doubtful.
There is much opposition on the part of the
Cardinals, both to the journey of the Pope to Paris
to christen the infant of the Emperor Napoleon, and
to his becoming sponsor. The matter is dealt with
as of far more consequence than the Conferences at
Paris. It is held by the Cardinals that no Pope can
of light be called upon to crown a sovereign unless
it be the first of a dynasty, as in the case of Charle-
magne and Napoleon 1., and that the sponsorial
position is without precedent. They maintain that
Francis 1., Henry 11., Henry IV., Louis XIII.,
Louis XIV., Louis XV., and Louis XVI., all of them
fathers of princes, refrained from petitioning the
Pontiff to award them the favour now sought by the
French Emperor. These arguments and discussions
entirely occupy the Holy College, and the importance
of the Roman ceremonial is preached to he essential
to the salvation of the world. In religious liberalism
the Roman Catholic has not advanced a step.
Indeed, throughout Europe, the errors of 1848 are
attributed solely and entirely to the laxity of disci-
pline and the diminution of festal and ritual obser-
vances in the Roman Church. M. T. A.

BRUSSELS, March 12.
M. NIEBUHR, with or without a mission, has passed
two day at Brussels, paid his respects at Court,
and continued his route to Paris. The King is on the
eve of his departure for England.

The Emancipation Beige affects to reprove THE
PRESS for publishing the telegraphic despatch of Brus-
sels of the Ist March, reporting the signing of the pre-
liminaries of peace. It is to be presumed that the
debates in the House of Commons do not reach the
Belgian journal, otherwise the question of Mr.
Disraeli on the Monday, and the answer of Lord
Palmerston, might have afforded precise information.
E. R.