The Press.
London, England, 1854-06-17 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

tradiction. It would appear also that relief is not
far off. Letters from Orsova; of the Bth inst. bring
us the intelligence that the Ottoman troops which
have lately been withdrawn from Lesser Wallachia
are marching to Rutschuk, vid Nicopoli and Sis.
towa, and reinforce themselves by all the disposable
forces which they meet on their road. It is further
stated that Said Pacha, the commandant of Ruts-
chuk, has received orders from Sebumla to concen-
trate at that fortress a body of at least 40,000 troops,
who are destined to break through the first investing
line of the Russians at Turtukai, and then to come
to the succour of Silistria. It is expected that Omar
Pacha will also simultaneously make a diversion in
favour of this fortress ; but the main attack of the
Russian positions is to be confided to the troops now
assembling at Rutschuk. This combined movement
for the relief of the fortress was expected to be ac-
complished by the 18th or2oth inst. It is reported
that the Grand Duke Constantine is present among
the besieging forces before Silistria, and that the St.
Petersburg narratives of his visits to Cronstadt
and elsewhere are also used for the purpose of
misleading the enemy as to his real proceedings.
The Presse states that during the night of the Bth
the Turks made a sally, destroyed the approaches of
the besiegers, and filled up mines before Silistria.
The confidence of the Russians was visibly de-
creasing. The Russians are said to have suffered
serious loss on the 3rd by the springing of a Turkish
countermine.
THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

Prince Paskiewitsch, who is very ill, according to
some accounts, has to withdraw his forces from the
southern districts over which they had been pushed,
and concentrated them in or towards Moldavia and
Silicia. His own head-quarters have also been
transferred to Jassy, the capital of Moldavia, whither
the Prince himself was expected to arrive by the
12th inst. These movements are believed to indicate
a strong apprehension of Austria, and hostility on
the Silician frontier, where it is known that a power-
ful Austrian force is being gradually concentrated,
and shows, at all events, the necessity felt by the
Russian commander to be prepared against all con-
tingencies from that quarter.
It is stated that Prince Gortschakoff will retain
the command in chief of all the troops on the right
bank of the Danube.
Private letters from Kalarasch disclose, in a
guarded manner, the demoralisation which the re-
treat from Little Wallachia, the want of success not
only before Silistria but generally in engagements
with the Turks, the full hospitals, and the loses in
actual warfare, have produced in the Russian army,
and among the officers as well as men. The religious
stimulus is resorted to more than ever. Holy Sergius
is carried about incessantly, and the priests promise
eternal bliss to every man who falls in fight with the
pagans.
According to letters from Krajova, the Russians
lost in the affair at Karakal, on the 30th ult., 1,0(X)
killed, 100 wounded, 500 horses taken, and as many
killed. They also lost 1,000 muskets, six pieces of
cannon, and 115 prisoners.