The Express.
London, England, 1856-02-06 00:00:00

OUR ARMY IN THE CRIMEA.

(FROM 01:11t SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)
CAMP, ezturnorou JAN. 22.
The enemy opened a heavy fire late on the evening
of the 20th inst., about 10 p.m., from some sew bat-
teries on that part of the Mackenzie ridge which
walls in to the northward the Tchernaya valley.
A large quantity of shell and solid shot were thrown
in a direction toward the Fediukine heights and the
position at Traktir. Most of the shells burst in the
air, and some at a very great elevation. Although
the sky was partially clouded at the time, and a
light mist lay on the muiaos of the ground, the moon
I exerted considerable power, and objects for some dis-
tance round were readily distinguished. The firing
attracted considerable attention, and it was at first
supposed to be connected with some attack en the
extreme right. The swampy state of the greater
part of the Tchernaya valley precluded the idea of
the advance of the enemy in that direction. The
explanation now given is, that the Russians, either
by planting firmly in the ground some dismounted
guns, as formerly done in the siege opera-
tions of Sebastopol, or by the use of mortars
more powerful than those hitherto employed, were
seeking to reach the French encampments across the
valley. If this were the object, the attempt was a
failure, for, as before mentioned, moat of the shells
exploded before they reached the ground ; and
neither they nor the shot were projected far enough
Ito fall on the Fediukiee ridge, or to touch the out-
pats at Traktir. At the same time that the firing
' was going on from the Mackenzie ridge, the Russian
batteries on the heights above the Inkermann valley
fired with more than their usual activity. Some of the
works on the north aide also sent an occasional shot
or shell into the ruins of Sebastopol and its suburbs.
The shelling from the Mackenzie heights continued
rather heavy for about an hour, and then subsided
into a dropping fire at distant intervals.
Detachments from each division in front have been
misted to proceed to Kezatch to aunt in building
wharves, and in theconstructionototherpublic works.
It is also said that some of the Army Works Corps
have been ordered toßatoum, to act under the orders of
Royal Engineers, in making roads and bridges. These
movements indicate preparations for quitting oar
present position, retaining only the lines of Kamiesch
and Lazatob, and that it is intended for a part of
the British force to operate in Asia Minor. This
agrees with general expectation on the subject in
this army. On the other hand, our allies have only
jest completed some batteries connected with their
position near the Tehernaye, and have lately com-
menced another work to defend their lines in that
direction. At Balsklava, too, huts for the Engineers'
and Quartermaster-General's departments are still
being erected. No certain information has yet trans-,
pied respecting the future movements of any por-
tion of the armies in the Crimea; and although, I
from time to time, very positive statements are
made respecting the destination of this or
that corps d'armee, or division, they appear
to be derived from surmise, or the observation of
such circumstances as I have mentioned above, and
for the most part are as strenuously contradicted in
one direction as they are maintained in another.
The horses, camp furniture, and property of
Colonel M'Mardo, Director-General of the Land
Transport Corps, at present on sick leave of absence,
were geld yesterday morning. He is not expected
to return to the Crimea: it is feared his health is so
broken that he will not spin be able to assume the
duties of a directorship requiring so much activity
and exertion es that which be has lately vacated.
Colonel Wetherall, who at present holds the appoint-
ment, has gained a high opinion among the centre
of the department, who are acting under his dim-
don. The improved appearases of the animals in
the several divisions, and the increased care exhi-
bited in the transport establishments, testify to better
management or supervision somewhere.
A weekly horse-fair, for the convenience of Ofikefi,
has been established in a central situation between
the Bazaar in rear of the Fourth Division known as
"Little Eadikoi," or "The English Batas'," to
distinguish it from the French Bazaar on the
Woroozoff-road, end the iron ham A place, to be
celled "The Corner," has been set apart for these
sales, a sergeant appointed se auctioneer, and the
other arrangements completed and rake printed. The
Bret sale is to take place to-morrow ; the plan is in-
tended to meet a want which has been extensively
felt io the camp, both by Akers leaving the field
and desiring to part with hones or baggage-animals,
and new comers wishing to purchase them. The
situation is well cheese. The main military
road from Balsklava to the front paste close
to it, and is here intersected by two other roils:
on the one hand, leading to lokermann, en the other,
towards the English and French headquarters. The
railroad also divides here, to branch towards the
Engineers' camp on the left, and the Woronzoff road,
near the Light Division, on the right.
The weather has continued mild. Southerly and
westerly winds have prevailed slow the last mail left.
Yesterday afternoon and during last night a coasider-
hie quantity of rain fell, producing its usual effects oa
the wade and peculiar rand of the plateau.