The Express.
London, England, 1856-03-28 00:00:00

OUR ARMY IN THE CRIMEA.

OBSERVANCE OF THE ARMISTICE.

(PROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)
CAMP, SEBASTOPOL, Magog 14.
_ _ _

A very delightful change in the temperature and ge-
neral condition of the weather, which lasted for several
days, gave rise to an amount of activity, and appear-
once of cheerlulness through the camps and their
neighbourhood, far beyond what they had been lately
accustomed to. No season could be more genial, no
atmosphere more bright and exhilarating, than was
enjoyed here since the last mail left on the
mowing of the 11th instant, until the morn-
ing of this day, when the north wind with its
mists and chilling breezes, again obtained the
ascendancy. The patches of snow, which were
scattered here and there over the surface of the
plateau, or were lying in sheltered windings in the
ravines, disappeared rapidly, and a strong !rem
from the south and south-east greatly aided the
influence of tits sun's rays in drying up the roads!
and ground about the huts. Everywhere
were seen troops drilling in brigades, regi-
ments, or squads; the crack of the rifle was heard
coming from the practice places in the ravices, or on
the open slopes in fron• 0. n!-.71; large fatigue
pirtiee c4(ry tog timber, or conducting laden bat
animas, were corning from the weeks mood the
town, or the ruined town itself; bands were prac-
tisiog ; and ell the thousand duties which occupy the
trove were actively pursued in every di-rct'on.
Along the told, lines of mules and trains of w.,,Tgone
and carts, appearint almost endless, were movirg
towards the railway statioas at the Col di Balekleva,
or the central depot. at the iron huts, every now and
then prising ether lines of mules and vehicles, which
were retutoing laden to the oominiessiiat depots
of the various divisions along the front, or
crowing, or being crossed by, lines of French
transport animals and waggons moving on the same
errand from the Hamiesch route towards the French
positions on the right above the Tchernaya. After
duties end parades were finished, playing at foothill,
or listening in groups to some of the numerous bands
about the camp, seemed to be the favourite amuse-
ment among the men, while the officers found pas-
time, for the most part, in riding over the county, or
visiting the shores of the roadstead and other parts
of the allied position within the prescribed limits,
which can now, for the first time, be inspected lei-
surely, and without risk.

Nei,her men nor officers have in meny instances
kept within the bounds lsid down in the orders, and
this hes given no WO° occupation to the offic re
whose duty it it to re that the neatest h >tindery is
not traneg..ess. I. A large number of officers have teen
placd under tsmporry @tree:, and rotas csofleed, for
disobid.ence of the orders on this head. Among
others a biigerlier..genera!, at present in temporary
command of a division, is mentioned es having been
ries n riding with his staff on the Russian side of the
river, by the Commander of ,he Forces, who sent his
aide-de-camp, Caps-in Ponsonby, to take down the
Dames of the offenders. One or two colonels of regi-
ments have &nu, it is said, been detected trangressmg
the limits. Of entree, if officers of this rank break
through bound., it cannot be wondered that Beene-
times the subalterns do eo also. The place where
the eoldiere of the opponent armies chiefly coogre-
gate is the narrow part of the valley of lekeimano,
along the middle of which the little Tchetnaya river
flows to fall into the head of the roedetead. Toe aque-
duct, the line of which has been laid down by General
Codrington as the limit not to be passed by the
Brit ish troops, follows cicsely the sides of the hills on
the west side of the Inkermena valley, being carried
across the or 2n termination of the ravine which de.
seends at this point from the plateau, and which is
selibrated for its extensive freestone queries, on a
lofty series of rather graceful stone arches. The at-
traction which induces persons to pass beyond the
aqueduct and go to the margin of the river seems to
be, in most instances, a simple curiosity to have a
closer view of the Russian soldiers who are generally
assembled on the other side of the river, or to ex-
change with them some money for the small crosses,
or brass florets of saints, which they willingly to.s
across to those who are inclined for this traffic. abets
are tempted to creeper. still further, by invitations
which the Russia°s make to them, to visit the
celebrated chapel and city of caverns, the open-
ings of which are plainly seen in the teem
of the cliffs on the opprite (the Russian) aide of the
valley. The old towers and ruins of Ickermano,
which crown the gently-sloping crest of the precipice,
see also objects of interest. The French have sot re-
ceived orders to keep within the limits laid down for
the English, and both officers and men are seen freely
mixing with the grey costs on the Russian side. By
means of a few trunks of trees laid across one part of
the river, they go over readily, and the Russians
seem very willing to receive them and show them
the natant and artificial curiosities on their side.
Either the attraction Deers beyond the places already
indicated, or the Russians do not chores to permit
foresee access, for though the French are ebterved
in esesiderable nonshns threading their way
in close association with their late antagonists along
the banks of the dykes, and over the drier spots,
which it is necessary to select with some are while
cre:sing the mushy valley on each side of the river,
or inspecting them with them the ruin., or the
honeycombed faces of the cliffs, they are not seen to
psis beyond. The freedom with which our allies are
permitted to cross over among the Russians has
doubtlers been one mum of the difficulty in causing
the boundary laid down is the Englishgeneral orders
to be so strictly and universally respected es the roles
of discipline would en joie. The Rumens exhibit the
same curiosity tom 3 the English and French soldier.,
which the latter have shown in regard to the Rue.
sians. On several mash= carriages containing
ladies and officers have dome down to lukermann,
and it is stated that many of these visitors consist of
KaZwho have cone from the distances even of
hi-Sersi and Simpberopol for the purpose of
leaking oo the remains of Sebastopol, and seeing
something of the Allied armies, from the c.ose point
of view at present afforded by the opportunity of the
assisting.

The removal of the gormand ether warlike stores,
from the Russian works and fortifiaations, contiones
to be pursued very actively, bat immense quantities
still remain, and a Wag time must elapse before they
am be conveyed away. Heaps of shot and shell are
ogee piled is all direction over the ground still far-
rowed by the old trenches and crumbling earthworks
marking the sites of the siege batteries. The French
are busily employed in removing anchors, some of
which Sr. of the largest size, from the anchor-wharves
by the side of the south harbour. The removal of
tbs.. ponderous mamas of metal by land-oarriage is
a work of immense labour. Had water-conveyaoce
been available, their removal could have been effected
with comparative ems. Our allies have the advan-
tage of being able to convey the stores which have
fallen to their share into security within the powe•ful
defences which they have eonstrocted around Hi-
rai/sell and K.thatch, when.. they can readily remove
them at leisure to their transport., as opportunities
occur. Their prizes are thee held safely under all
emergencies. Our stores, on the other hand, cannot
be accumulated in any Timidity at Balsklava, with-
out encumbering the small port ; and were peace not
arranged, and the site of the plateau had to be sham-
doood, all that remained unshipped would have to be
abandoned also. There would be only time and op-
portunity for carrying the mere valuable and neces-
sary indium of the army stores and equipment to
Rematch harbour.

Our Sapi •ra are still panning the work of destruc-
tion in the docks. The large bloats of valuable gra-
nite, and all those parts which might be rendered
available in the future sonstrootion of similar works,
are Ling broken op by minor explosions. The
great terraces in frost of the barracks, and
the wharves and storehouses which bound on
am side the Karabelmaia port, still remain untouched.
The public games and contests in rifle shooting,
which were announced to take place during the pre-
sent week, have been postponed till next week.
The spring race meeting is arranged to come off on

Monday the 17th. The change of weather which
has occurred to-day, should it continue, may lead to
still further postponement. Snow is now (Friday
evening) falling, though not heavily, and a strong
and biting wind is blo4ing from the north. The
sky is overcast with thick gloomy muses of grey
clouds, and everything around wears again a bleak
and wintry aspect.