The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-15 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 15, 1853.

be vacant, and might be given—who knows?—per-
haps to Colonel CUNNINGHAM, Lord HARDINGEII
relation ?

Of course, a newspaper cannot pretend to say any-
thing about matters military " upon authority," and
least of all a liberal newspaper. A journal whose
only party is "the People," and whose only motto—
if it had one—would be " The Public Good", is far
too dangerous an organ to be allowed possession
of Horse Guards oonfidence. But though we
may be very unmilitary folks, and though
we do not dine at the United Service, we have
this interest—that the efficiency of the public
forces should be preserved. We bare often called
for divers military reforms. We would fain make
the soldier more comfortable and more efficient:
would reform his "kit," would abolish pipe-clay,
white ducks, cross belts, and useless weight ; would
give him the best possible weapons, sod let his cou-
rage be backed and sustained by the best possible
training and teachers. But all the reforms we have
striven for, become not only next to impossible, but,
even if gained, would be comparatively useless if the
head and front of the army—the Horse Guards
—is to elide down in the scale of im-
provement instead of getting higher and higher
is worth and public estimation. These rumours
about the present vacancy have a gloomy sound, and
seem to point to a growing disorganisation in the
branch of the public seryi6Mtv ere all should be
high feeling, generous emulation, and entire efficiency.
Some few other facts that have of late found their
way out of the military sanctum do little to make
matters more cheerful. There is the case, for in-
stance, of Col. TiloMpsoN, ex-M.P. for Bradford and
fur Hull. Why should an officer of such mark be
saubbed—why should a public servant who has
been so long on the Army List without reproach,
and who has, moreover, for so much longer,
been a public servant of high rank as a
thinker, a writer, and a legislator, why,
we repeat, should such a man be treated with
tyrannical cajolery and practical insult by the
authorities at Head Quarters? The public verdict
en such a case must be instant and very emphatic,
nor will the sonclwion be much less decided if the
Horse Guards permit mysterious resignations and
changes within their own quarters to go unex-
plained. When we get all our national affairs put
properly to rights, we shall, perhaps, find ourselves
with a Minister-at-War in place of the present
COMMANDER-IN-CIIIEY, such Minister going in and
out of place at the will of Parliament, as the FIRST
LORD of the ADMIRALTY now does when a Cabinet
is upset. Our military future certainly foreshadows
something of this sort. Meanwhile, for his own sake,
no less than for the public weal, let us hope that
Lord HARDINGE will not suffer things to go too far
wrong in his important department before his better
sense has time to put matters to rights. Do not let
us have injustice done to officers like Col. Tuomesom,
because they may be Liberals and Free Traders—do
not let us allow all that might be praiseworthy in the
old Horse Guards character to be lost beyond redemp-
tion—nor let any gross "job " be perpetrated which
shall show our Central Military Bureau to be as
much behind the true needs of the time u its antique
friend has become—the friend who used to fling
about its arms in a sort of sedate frenzy up above
the house-tops,—the telegraph of wood. The Horse
Guards should be up to the time, not behind it, or the
old saying may be reversed, and " Right as the
Horse Guards" become a current sarcasm.

LATEST FROM ABROAD.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

The Patric states that Ackakich has been taken
by the Turks, and this appears to be the fact. _ _

_
The Russian bulletins Make no mention of the fall
of Ackalzich, but it is indirectly confirmed by that
published in the Invalid. Russo, which reports an
action which took placc between the Turks and
Russians at Atskhour, some leagues in advance of
Ackalzich, and on the road to Tiflis.

VIENNA, Du. 13.

The Lloyd states that at the capture of the fort of
Safa, near Shefkatil by the Turks (reported in the
Doily News of Monday last) the Russians lost 400
killed.

The same journal, and with it the Oat Deutsche
Post, announces that in the renewed attack on Shef-
katil on the 17th (also reported last Monday in these
columns), the Russians were repulsed, with heavy
loss. The attempt was made to land troops, but the
men, in number 1,800, were compelled to return
to the ships, leaving 400 killed and wounded, and
One gun.
_ . .

Scimmyl and Selina Pacha, operating in concert,
were gradually approaching each other, and taking
the fortresses on their lines of march. Prinoe Woron-
zoff was surrounded at Tiflis, and hie retreat wu
cut off.

The Lloyd's despatches state that the large and
important fortress of Alezandropolis, or Oumri, was
besieged by the Turks ; and the O. Deutsehe Post
announces its actual capture.

The latter journal aids that Redut-Kaleh, on the
Black Sea coast, and Kialar, had been taken by the
Turk,.

PIEDMONT.

TURIN. Dsc. 12.

Elections known, 146; ministerial, 96; doubtful,
21; opposition of the left, 20; ditto of the right, 9.
Count Revel, of the conservative opposition ; Advo-
cate Itatazzi, Minister of Grace and Justice; and
Messrs. Lanza, eadorna, and Sineo, leading minis-
terial men of the late chamber, have been returned.

THE WAR.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

The Journal de Constantinople says that Schamyl
attacked the fortreu of Zahkstala. It capitulated
after thirty-six hours' hard fighting. The loss on
both sides was heavy. Kahetty also surrendered
after several days' fighting. Schamyl has taken
Djeln and three other Russian fortresses, and report
says that he has also defeated 15,000 Russians under
General Orlianoff.
On the Bth instant the first division of General
Osten-Sacken's corps arrived at Jassy, in number
8,000.

The correspondent of the Vienna Wieldy Medical
Journal writes from the Lower Danube that the
strength of the Balkan army is 205,000 men, of whom
46,000 are at Widdin and Kalafat. Next to these
towns, the strongest military stations are at the
points of passage of the river. The provision-
ing of the army is described as excellent.
The stations on the Danube have supplies for
several months. " We have been much surprised,"
says this correspondent, " on reading in the news•
papers which reach us, that we are afflicted with
pestilence • no doubt it is typhus which has been so
denominated. Disease of all kinds is rapidly disap-
pearing. Besides the numerous Italian, Greek, and
' Armenian surgeons which were amongst us, we have
now English and French surgeons arriving. The
Egyptian battalion are best off for medical aid, being
cared for by Italian physicians and apothecaries, and
having besides good hospital attendants. More-
over, the Egyptian makes a much better patient
than the Turk, who has a great objection to take
medicine, or submit to a necesarry operation. All
the preparations which we witness point to a resump-
tion of operations against the Russians."
Other despatches from Silistria state the prevalent
belief in the army to be that Omer Pacha will soon
resume hostilities, notwithstanding the season and
military precedents. Some of the deserters from the
Walachian militia have reached Silistria. They
assured the Turks that the latter had great sym-
pathy in the Principalities, and that the inhabitants
were longing for the moment when they will be
freed from Russian authority.
The difficulties of Prince Woroozow, military
commander and governor of the Caucasian provinces,
appear to multiply in a most extraordinary manner.
It was long a popular belief, alimented by the in-
flated accounts of Russian journalists, that the ordi-
nary army of the Caucasus numbered 160,000 men
besides the detached army, presenting an effective force
of 80,000. Such, indeed, was the officially reported
strength of these corps, but we have seen from the first
movements of Abdi and Selim Pachas in Georgiaand
Armenia that the Russians generally have nowhere
been able to dispose of a considerable body of men,
and now General Woroozow himself appears to be
shut up in the seat of his government. Letters from
Erzeroum of the 26th November announce the break-
ing out of an insurrection in the district of Nak-
chivan, in Russian Armenia. It is said that the Go-
vernor of Erivan had endeavoured to force several
young men belonging to the most influential families
in the country to serve in his army. He moreover
required an extraordinary tribute to be paid in pro-
visions for his troops. Those measures caused the
insurrection, which, under present circumstances,
must prove a most important check to Reagan opera-'
Sons in that vicinity, the population consisting to a
great extent of Mussulmans.
It is reported from Vienna that the British minis-
ter at the court of Teheran had broken off diplomatic
relations with the Persian government. Awarding
to some accounts, the cause of this occurrence was
the resolve of the Shah of Persia to march against
Turkey. By others the event was explained by the
recent departure of the Turkish minister at this
court. The rumour of hostilities by the Schah
needs confirmation, although these have for some time
been among the contingencies contemplated by the
cabinets of Europe. Such a course would probably
prove more dangerous to Persia, bordered as it is by
Moslem states, than to Turkey.
The Allgemeine Zeslung publishes a letter from
Servia, according to which the Russian Consul Gene-
ral Machin, recently expelled from Belgrade, has
transmitted a report of the whole affair to the Czar.
The important part of this communication is that he
represents Prince Alexander as favorable to Turkey
and its Sultan; indeed, it is said, that instead of
Izzet Pacha moving the Prince to expel M. Ma-
chin, the Prince invited the Pacha to demand the
departure of that gentleman. A meeting of the
Russian party was held at Krsgujevaz on the 17th
ult., when sentiments favourable to Miloach Obreno-
witz were expressed. Izzet Paella, the commandant
of the fortress of Belgrade, has appointed a mixed
commission of five Turkish officers and two Servian
officials to ascertain how much provisions, and for
how long a time, the city could provide for a garri-
son of 10,000 men, in case of a siege. The chief of
the commission was Zaid Pacha, a Pole, who took an
active part in the Hungarian revolution, and after
its termination fled to the Turkish dominions. On
the 20th ult. a deputation of Servians met Prince
Alexander at Kragujevaz, and presented to him, in
the name of their commune, 200 pieces of clothing
and 20 ducats, besides uniform for 10 men who form
the body guard of the prince.
It is stated in one of the Paris journals, which
appears to be in possession of correct information as
to the state of Sinope (remarks Galipittni), that its
forts were not in a condition to give immediate and
effectual aid, and it will probably be found that be-
fore their guns could be brought to bear upon the
enemy, the Turkish frigates had been destroyed. If
the Asfetn6Me wishes to give to the affair of Sinope the
character of a naval exploit in honour of Russia, it
will find few persons disposed to agree with it in
opinion. If two ships-of-the-line only had been en-
gaged, instead of six, the combat would have been
equal, and there would have been a sort of glory in
the affair as well ay success. But every man who is
in the slightest degree acquainted with naval mat-
ters, knows that eight or ten frigates and corvettes

at anchor, and unable to take advantage of manceu-
vres which could alone make up for their inferiority in
size, must become an easy prey to six ships-of-the-line,
with heavy metal, and becoming in such a situation
like so many stationary fortresses. That the Rus-
sians have obtained a great success, and that the
Turks have sustained a great disaster, cannot be de-
nied; but the less that is said the better, with a view
to make the affair appear on the part of the Russians
a naval exploit. The honour is on the other side,
for the Turks, notwithstanding their great inferio•
rity of force, sustained a combat, and preferred de-
struction to disgrace.
An unlfficial despatch from Vienna says that Os-
man Pasha succeeded in landing at Sinope the war-
like stores and the crews from the transports which
he wu charged with escorting to Trebizond, and
which were not captured by the Russians, and that
the landing was effected while Osman was, with
much gallantry, deciding the entrance of the port.
The position and military importance of Sinope is
thus illustrated in the Debar.

The town of Sinope is situated in Anatolia, on the south-
era shore of the ..lack Sea, beltway between Constanti-
nople end Trebizond, and about a hundred leagues from,
each of these places. It has a population of from 8,000 toil
10,000 inhabitants. The town is built on the isthmus of a
peninsula, which runs out into the sea in the form of a pro-
montory.
It is the most northerly point of this immense
coast. The port extends to the east of the town, but as it is
not enclosed by any moles it can only be considered as an
open roadstead. This roadstead is defended by batteries and,
by the castle of the town, • large massive construction rased
in the time of the Greek emper,rs. To the westward of the
peninsula is another anchorage, called Ak-Liman, or the'
White Port. The importance of Sloops consists io its naval'
arsenal and building yard, the only one in Turkey besides
that at Constantinople. Ships of the line and frigates are
built there; the oak cut on the surrounding mountains is
very hard, and the vessels built at Sioope are considered
as the beet in the Turkish fleet. The engineers are for the
most part foreigners in the service of Turkey, and the work-
men are Cheeks of the country, who are paid from 10 to 12
sous a day. The fortifications of the port are incomplete,
and in a bad state. In 1808, at the time of the attempt of
Admiral Duckworth on Constantinople, then defended by
General Sebastiani, the French Ambassador, that officer,
comprehending the Importance of Sinop., sent two French
officers and two sub-officeis of engineers, to improve the
fortifications. Their first care was to erect a battery at
the point of the promontory, in such a position as to
be able to command both sides of the peninsula and
the entrance of the roadstead. They afterwards
traced out several other works of defence, some of
which were never executed, and the others were not kept in
repair any more than the rest of the fortifications. Thus
the place remained without receiving any repairs fur 10
years, and than which had been lately commenced had not
received the necessary development. The Russians in 1807
made an attack on Trebizond by sea but were repulsed, but
as they had never attempted anything against Sinope the
Turks persuaded themselves that they hail nothing to
fear, and they have just been roughly punished for their
carelessness. It may be readily conceived that six ships of
the line with their heavy broadsides suddenly appearing in
the roadstead could soon knock to pieces such old and di-
lapidated ramparts. It has not been a sea fight, since the
Turkish vessels were all at anchor in the port. It appears
according to the despatches that it is there that they were
sunk by an irresistible superier fire, to which the Turkish
batteries were not in a state to reply for any length of time.
The cannonade, we are told, only lasted an hour, and that
space of time was sufficient to destroy thirteen vessels, ten
of which were used, of war, and three transports. If the
war is to continue actively neat year in Europe and in Asia,
it will become a matter of great importance for the Turks
to rebuild the fortifications of Sinope on the principles of
modern art, and to put that place in security, not only
against a coup de main like the present, but also in a state
to maintain a regular siege. If the Russians were to take
possession of Sinope, which they could readily do in its pre.
sent wretched and unprotected condition, they might make
it a place impregnable against the Turks, and convert it into
a kind of Gibraltar on the Turkish coast of the Black Sea.
Established in a position of this kind, which would enable
them to land a considerable body of troops, they would keep
in check all the centre of Asia Minor, and cut off the com-
munications between Constantinople and Erzerourn. The
Turkish army of Armenia would then have not only to op-
pose the enemy on the side of Georgia, but it would have
another army in its rear, and the Ottoman government
would be obliged to organise a second army in Asia Minor.
These considerations cannot escape the notice of the Euro-
pean militaryoffieen, who give strategetic advice to the Ot-
toman g Is The town of Sinope is built;with the mate-
rials of the old Greek city, a colony of the ?Clothing. Sinew,
was the birth place of Diogenes, and the capital of Mithri.
dates. Lucullus took possession of it in the year 71 before
Christ. The houses and the fortifications present a multi-
tude of ancient ruins confusedly heaped together. There
may be there seen Greek and Paphlagonian inscriptions,
busts, and military statues. Travellers mention having
seen an entire statue, placed head downwards in the walls
of the castle.

We reed in the Debate :
Our letters received to-day contradict the report of the
return of the Ottoman commercial steamer Medari Tid-
just, which was lately captured in the Black Sea by a Rus-
sian steam frigate. It is, however, expected that she will be
given up, not only because the Russian authorities would
show generosity in so doing. but also because her retention
would be illegal. Her capture was considered as illegal at
Constantinople,in the first place, because the delay fixed
ky the Porte or Russian merchant vessels to Tait the
Turkish ports was not expired when the Moder{ Tidjaret
was attacked and captured, and that she had • right to
reciprocity on the part of the Russians ; and, afterwards,
because the period fixed by the manifesto of the Emperor
Nicholas for the commencement of rigorous measures
against merchant vessels (22nd November) had not arrived
when the Turkish vessel was taken. If this vessel be not
given up the Porte has decided on exercising reprisals, and
it will then be a question of seising ten Russian merchant
vessels which are now at Constantinople.
The Journal de Saint Pekrsboury of the 4th gives
the following account of the taking of the Egyptian
steamer Perna Bakhri by the steamer the Vladimir :
After having examined the coasts of Turkey in Europe,
and not basing found any vessels of the enemy, the Aide
de-Camp-General Vice-Admiral Koraileff prepared with
the steamer Vladimir to join the squadron of Vios-Admiral
Nakhimoff, which was cruising on the coasts of Anatolia.
On her way, at day-break on the 12th November, the
Vladimir, when within sight of the coast of Anatolia, be-
tween the port of Anisettes and Cape Kerempi, perceived
the smoke of a steamer in the direction of Sebastopol, bat
at some distance. The Aide-de-Camp-General Vice-Admi-
ral Korniloff gave orders to proceed towards the steamer,
which was observed to change frequently her direction in
order to avoid a meeting. At a quarter past nine o'clock,
the Vladimir hoisted • signal, but it was not
answered ; thereupon the Vladimir displayed the Russian
flag and prepared for action. At half-past 9 o'clock the
steamer changed her course, and came straight on the Vla-
dimir, displaying the Turkish flag, but in a short time she
again changed her direction. Shortly after the steamers
approached each other. The Aide-de-Camp-General Vice-
Admiral Korniloff ordered a ball to be fired across her
bows ' • she replied by a broadside. Orders were thereupon
given to commence a cannonade when fairly within reach.
Shortly after the steamers were so near that the balls and
shells of the enemy all fell beyond the Vladimir. Having
recognised that the enemy had no stern chasers, so that in
keeping behind his stern, it was easy to take him
by enfilade, and so force him to surrender, the
steamer the Vladimir went in his track. The enemy
luffed, and after having fired a new broadside,
changed his direction, and proceeded towards the
coast. The combat lasted in this way three hours,
and though it was easy for the steamer the Vladimir to de-
stroy the crew and the hull of the enemy', steamer without
exposing herself to any loss, for the balls and shells of the
latter continued to pass over her, the Aide.de-Camp-G I
Vies-Admiral Korniloff resolved to put an end to the
combat, and to approach within reach of grape shot. Several
well-directed broadsides of the steamer Vladimir produced
such ravage, that the enemy's steamer was forced to yield.
It was an Egyptian steamer of 220 hone-power, armed with
10 guns. One hundred and thirty-four of her crew were
taken prisoners ; the captain, 2 officers, and 19 sailors were
killed, and 18 were wounded. The loss on our side was in
killed Lieut. Jelezooff, aide-de-camp of the Vice Admiral
Aide-de-Camp General Korniloff, and a trumpeter; in
wounded 1 warrant officer and two sailors. It required
nearly four hours to put the captured steamer in a posi-
' Don to follow the Vladimir. The day after she was
safely towed into Sebastopol. The Aide-dc.Canses-
General Vice-Admiral Korniloff, in his report on
this affair, adds The captain, the officers, and the
crew of the steamer, the Vladimir, behaved them-
selves bravely; Captain-Lieutenant Boutakoff commanded
as at a manceuvte; the action of the artillery was rapid
and just, as is proved by the ravages in the enemy's vessel..
The Hag officers attached to my person, Prince Bariatinsky,
Jelesaoff, Dobrovoleky, and Ilitisky encouraged the crew
by their example. Jelemioff was an officer who gave great
hopes." After having received the report of the capture of
the said Exypti in steamer, Ilia Majesty the Emperor has
deigned to give to the steamer the name of Korniloff, to
advance a step all the officers of the steamer, the Vladimir,
and besides to confer the Order of St. George of the 4th
class on Captain- Leutenant Boutakoff, commander of the'
steamer; the Order of St. Vladimir of the 4th class with the
rosette on Lieutenant Dopandopeule ; a sword of honour in
Raid with the inscription For Bravery," on Captain-Lieu-
tenant Prince Bariatinsay ; eight marks of honour of the I
Military Order on the crew; also • present of ten silver
roubles to each warrant officer, and five roubles to each
pallor.

------
The above account appeared first in the lavalide

Busse of St. Petersburg, but the Journal le •aitie
Petersbuur9 has left out a passage of the report, in
which the Turkish steamer is stated to have been
inferior in force to the Vladimir.

A letter from Constantinople, 28th ult., says:
Food Etfsndi, appointed some time since as uirectorof
the diplomatic chancellery of the army of Renatelia, sed
who has keen hitherto prevented by illness from proceed-
ing to his post, is now preparing: to set off (or &heroic
It is said that he has refused any remuneration for his
services. General Baragusy d'Hilliers had a conference
with the Grand Vizier, the Straskier, and the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, on the 26th. The Turkish minis,
tees appear to he we:l satisfied with the dispesi.
tion of France toward& Turkey, and they speak with
great gratitude of the present made by the Emperor
to the Sultan, of 6,000 carbines, in return for his at.
tention with regard to the repairs of the Freedland in the
arsenal at Constantinople. It i. known that the Sultan, on
that occasion, would not hear of any payment for the
expenses incurred for those repairs, which amounted to
more than 100,000 f. The manifesto of the Emperor
Nicholas has been known at Constantinople for the last
week. Far (,om being intimidated, the Turks find in this
document a fresh motive for enthusiasm, and the haughty
language of the Czar adds to the patriotic impulse which is
manifest among every class in the nation. The redifr con-
tinue to arrive every day at Constantinople from every
point of the empire. At the present time the regular troops
under arms amount in number to 425,000 men, without
reckoning the irregulars, who use not paid, and ertim
numbers are sot known.