The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-28 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 28, 1853.

comes, let u maintain to the full extent the pre-
eminence of that force which has so long given to
Great Britain her position amongst the nations of
the earth—our Wooden Walls. But let our sides-
, yours to that end be wise ones.

WE have the best authority for stating that the
Russian High-Admiral having ra*Ltiy inapant.O. thg
Czar's Baltic fleet, one half of the ships were at once
condemned as worthless, and it was determined, to
build, on contract, a number of screw line of battle
ships—one account says no less than thirty! We
may possibly find some of these contracts taken in
the Clyde, or the Thames, and may safely calculate
upon a portion of the vessels being built by the
Americans. But it will take at least two years to
get so large a fleet fit for sea,—even if the cash is
forthcoming.

scenery. The Greek love of nature did not follow
them into the church.
Somewhere near Varna, in some bay or creek,
whose name I neither known or care to know, our
valorous captain anchored in the night after leaving
Burgas, so as not to arrive at Varna before daylight,
all entrance to the port in the dark being prohibited
since the commencement of the war. I was inclined
to excuse his caution after I had seen his engine. I
walked forward on day: and is ahem liatja ;,
occupied myself for a few minutes in looking down
into the engine-room. I was amused to find that
this specimen of the great " power " of mo-
dern times was mended in two places with
cord. I am not enough of a mechanician
to designate properly the parts which were thus for-
tified; but in one case the shaft appeared strongly
lashed, as if it had been spliced : whatever may have
been the nature of the repair, I can vouch for the
fact itself. This discovery was, of course, not calcu-
lated to increase our comfort; and when to all this
you add general want of accommodation of every sort,
exorbitant charges, and a rate of exchange lower by
20 piastres in the Turkish I‘ledja than at Constanti-
nople, you will have a tolerably accurate notion of
voyaging in the Black Sea at present by the Aus-
trian Lloyds steamer—always remembering that the
cold was intense, with high northerly winds.
Wo have met with a most hospitable reception
here, under the roof of Colonel Neale, the British
Consul, whose house happens to be the only one in
the town open to strangers, excepting the khan, a
bare room, to which the outer air has always easy
access through innumerable crannies—the domestic
manners of the Turks not permitting the admission
of men of any nation into their households. His
kindness has, during the past autumn, been put to a
very severe test, in consequence of the great num-
bers of English travellers who have passed and
repassed on their way to and from Schumla, and all
of whom owed more or less of the comforts of their
journey to his assistance. His spirit of practical
benevolence was displayed in a still more remarkable,
and even more praiseworthy, manner towards the
Polish and Hungarian exiles, who sought re-
fuge on the right bank of the Danube in 1849. Many
of them have spoken to me of his conduct towards
them in terms expressive of the warmest gratitude—
deeply felt, I have no doubt, not only towards him,
but through him towards the nation he represents.
These little acts of charity performed by British
agents in far-off corners of the world towards men
who, God help them, have no country and no home,
will I am sure prove rich in blessing to England one
day, when the rotten despotisms of the world are
scattered to the wind, and the outcasts of to-day be-
come the statesmen of a new and better era.
In connexion with the affair at Sinope described
in my last, I may mention that the French admiral
some days ago, on learning from the Capitan Pacha
that a detachment of his fleet was lying at Sinope,
expressed his surprise that it should be allowed to
remain in so exposed a situation. Two days after-
wards, when the above news arrived, the Capitan
Pacha sent to Admiral Hamelin to know whether he
had had any previous inowledge of what had oc-
curred, thus unconsciously paying a very high tri-
bute to the foresight of the latter.
A Russian war-steamer came in here on the 6th
ult. with topgallant sails set, and showing no colours.
As she kept her bows towards the batteries, it was
supposed she was a sailing vessel, till, on arriving
right opposite the town, she wheeled completely
round, and thus showed her funnels. The British
consul, who was standing in front of his house, at
once perceived her real character, and informed the
authorities, who were quite taken by surprise. She
got off, under full steam, before there was time to
give her a suitable reception, for which, it appears,
she was fully prepared, as she had her guns loaded
and matches lighted. The object of her visit seems
to have been to ascertain whether any vessels of
war, foreign or otherwise, were lying in the
harbour. Ever since this, great vigilance
has been shown by the military Pacha of
Varna, lest any similar event should take
place. Everything is in constant readiness
at the various batteries to bring the whole
available force on the seaside into instant action.
Varna has often played a prominent part in the mili-
tary history of the Turks, particularly in the war of
1828, when it was taken by the Russians, owing to
the treachery of the Pacha, after a siege of four
months, and the fortifications totally destroyed.
They were restored completely three years after by
European officers, and are at present four times
stronger, both in extent and in the number of
guns -in position. The defences are much
larger, and the guns number two hundred,'
nearly all of English make, and mostly sixty-eight
pounders, none being of less calibre than forty-eight
pounds. These are distributed over eleven batteries,
and do not include those mounted on the outworks
along the harbour. The latter are four in number,
besides two batteries at Cape Galata, at the entrance
of the bay, which command the whole anchorage,
and could, in conjunction with some of the town
batteries, sweep it with a tremendous cross fire,
besides which, one of them is so elevated as to be out
of the reach of ship's guns. The total number of
guns in the outworks is twenty-five. In the hands
of Turkish soldiers I need hardly say that
these masses of artillery would render a
repetition of the event of 1828, by the Russians at
lent, all but impossible. A distinguished English
officer of engineers, who passed through here a short
time ago, expressed great admiration of the whole of
the defences. The town is also surrounded by a
wall and ditch, the former pierced with loophole° for
musketry. It would of course be of little use
tist artillery, and perhaps not of much use any-
whe except next the sea. The beach is too small
for the landing of a large body of troops, as they
would not have room to form, and a small one would
of course be destroyed by musketry alone, as soon as
they left the boats.
General Prim and his staff have left Sebum's foe
the winter, and many of the troops are going into
winter quarters in the large towns. Omer Pacha
does not intend, I believe, to attempt any fresh
operations before spring; but it is thought by no
means improbable that the Russians may attack his
position at Kalafat as soon as the frost sets in hard.
They are greatly chagrined by their defeat, and it is
even rumoured that General Dannenberg, who com-
manded the force at Oltenitze, has been sent into
exile. But when we remember that be is one of the
best generals in the service, it is hard to attach much'
credence to the report.
I should mention that their numbers in the affair
of the 4th at Oltenitza have been greatly under-
rated. It must have reached at least 15,000. Every
Turk from his infancy is familiar with the use of fire-
arms, and are nearly all, except where some physical
defect exists, good marksmen. This was the first
time that their infantry have been seen under fire
since the European system of training came fully
into operation, and the result has excited the admira-
tion of all the foreign officers present. Perfect steadi-
ness, perfect silence, and thorough devotion to the
terrible work before them, prevailed throughout. Of
the artillery it is needless to speak. The only arm
in which they are deficient is the cavalry; and I
have no doubt that Omer Pacha's exertions will at
last bring this up to as high a standard as any of
the others.

LATEST FROM ABROAD.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

•-, • -

Telegraphic despatches from Constantinople of tho
16th, state that war has been officially declared by
Persia.

Letters from Tabriz, received Constantinople, state
that two camps are being formed, one of which will
march on Bayazid.
The Porto had assured the ambassadors of its desire
for peace with Russia, and that it was disposed only
to attach such conditions to negotiations as were
obviously necessity for the maintenance of its in-
disputable rights.
Letters from St. Petersburg of the 13th, state that
the Court Gazette publishes a violent attack upon the
French government for allowing a play called " The
, Cossacks" to be performed in Paris.

Turks ()

r), and particularly the fire of the
batteries, which compelled us to employ bombs as the en+l
means of silencing them at once ; bat the principal damegs
caused to the town has certainly been produced by the in-
flamed fragments of Turkish vessels, for the most part set
on fire by their own crews.
As soon as the fire of the enemy permitted it, I sent g
boat's crew with au officer, for the purpose of 'Walnut
my true intention to the authorities of the town. The
officer remained an hour without finding any ene.
During the whole of yesterday no person presented him-
self except some Greeks, who said that they were deputed
by their compatriots of the town to supplicate me to take
them on board the fleet. My instructions authorising me
only to act against Turkieh vessels of war, I have referred
these unfortunate people to the European consuls. Now
that I leave the port I count upon your good offices to maks
known that the imperial squadron has had no hostile inten-
tions either against the town or against the port of Sinop..
(Signed). NAKILINIorr.
The following is a translation from the .Iwirml
de se. Pelerebnury of the bulletin sent by General
Prince Beboutoff, to the commander-in-chtcf of the
Russian army in the Caucasus,
_and dated the 3rd
inst. A summary of it has already appeared in the
Daily News:
"1 have already in my last report informed your high-
ness of the retreat of the Turkish corps from Bayandoury
upon Kars on the 25th ult., and of my marching in pursuit
on the 26th. I added, that not being able to overtake the
enemy I fell back upon Bash-Shouragel, where I took up
my quarters.
" On the 30th ult. I was informed that the said Turkish
corps rallied before reaching Kan, and that again conceit-
trated in the vicinity of Subotane, they had formed a camp
near the hamlet of Bash-Kade k Lar. I resolved at once
upon compelling the enemy to accept battle, with a view
to their punishment, by a decisive defeat, far the outrage
and robberies perpetrated by the Tnrks on our territories
previous to the commencement of hostilities.
" Early on the Ist December 1 advanced against the
enemy. My force consisted of one battalion and three
companies of the Constantin Nicolsjewitsh Grenadiers,
three battalions and three companies of the C witch
Carabiniers, one battalion of your Highness's Chasseurs ;
the Ist and 2nd battalion of the Prince of Warsaw Infantry,
one battalion of Caucasian Rangers, two companies of Cau-
casian Sappers, the regiment of Wurtemberg Dragoons
the 4th Don Cossacks, one regiment of Cossacks of the line'
three softiies (hundreds) of detached Cossacks, '2l heavy
battery and Ist light battery of the Caucasian Grenadier,
the sth heavy battery of the 21st Brigade of Artillery, the
7th battery of the Don Cossacks, sod one sotnia of mounted
militia.
" After ascending the heights in front of the hamlet of
Ougonzly, I saw the Turkish troops fully prepared for the
fight. They marched out from their camp near Bash-
Kadyk-Lar, and took up a position on the heights in front
of that hamlet, at some little distance from the hamlets of
Grazla and Gamza-Kerial. I advanced immediately to
within two gunshot distance from the enemy's lines, when
I formed my troops in order of battle, and then marched
upon the Turks. My first line, composed of the Ist batta-
lion of your Highness's Chasseurs, two battalions of I'rince
of Warsaw Infantry, and seven heavy batteries under Major
General Kiabinsky, was directed against the centre of the
enemy's position, Against the regular cavalry of the Turk.
and the numbers of their Kurdish auxiliaries, I pushed at
the same height with the first line on the left four squa-
drons of Wurtemberg Dragoons, four pieces of Cossack
artillery, and seven sotnias of Cossacks, under Major-Gene-
ral Raggowut.
" In the rear and to the right of our first line I placed
en echelon two squadrons of Wurtemberg Dragoons, four
guns of the flying battery, and two sotnias of Cossacks,
under Major-General Prince Tsharichavadze, for on this
side our right was threatened by the Kurds and by two
regiments of Turkish horse.
"My second line consisted of two battalions of the
ConstantinNicolajewitshGrenadiers and two battalions of the
Ceaarewitsh Carabibiere, under Major-General Prince Be-
' gration Mukhranski. The 3rd and 4th battalions of the
Carabineers, the Ist Light Battery, and the 4th Don Cci-
sacks, formed the reserve.
"At noon my first line had taken up its position, and the
cannonade commenced on various points. We worked 16
guns, and the Turks worked 20. As the fire of the artillery
could only serve to increase the slaughter, I was desirous of
terminating it, and my batteries had scarcely opened upon
the enemy, when I prepared to dislodge the Turks at the
point of the bayonet.
" For this purpose I detached from the second line the
Cesarewitsh Grenadier, and placed them under Major-
General Prince Orbcliani, and the Constantin Nicolejcwitsh
Grenadiers under Prince Bagration. These two detach-
ments were ordered to march to the left of our first line,
ascend the heights, and attack the right of the Turkish
position. This mancouvre was most admirably executed.
Notwithstanding their obstinate resistance, the Turks were
driven back and compelled to give up part of their posi-
tion. lam sorry to say that Prince Orbeliani received two
wounds in the course of this attack.
"In the meantime our cavalry, under Major-General
Raggowut, pressed closer and closer upon the Turkish horse,
and at the charge of the Grenadiers and Carabineers a
column of four squadrons of Dragooas rushed simultane-
ously upon the enemy's squares, and, supported by the In-
fantry, drove them upon the Turkish left. On this occa-
sion we took 22 guns fiom the Turks.
" While these events were taking place on our left, our
artillery was still busy in the centre. Our extreme right,
under Major-General Kishinaki, was closely pressed by part
of the Turkish hone, and the Turks had, moreover, de-
tached four battalions from their centre, which, posted in a
ravine between their position and our first line, opened upon
us from that point. But our artillery and infantry repulsed
the Turkish horse, and their detachment, which occupied
the ravine, fell (upon seeing the advantages gained by our
grenadiers and carabineers) back upon their centre, and
soon afterwards took to flight.
" When the combat commenced we had on our right only
certain hordes of Kurds and two regiments of Turkish
horse, but when this force deployed, and advanced against
Prince Tsharichavadze, it was found that' the Turkish
cavalry was supported by four pieces of artillery and six
battalions of foot. This circumstance compelled the
Prince to make several attacks against the enemy's in-
fantry and cavalry, in order to remove them from our
right. The contest continued to 3 p.m., and terminated on
this point likewise with a general rout of the Turkish
forces. Our dragoons took two field pieces.
" Although the Turkish horse endeavoured to cover the
flight of their foot, still we pursued them until late in the
evening."

. _
zta. .% great many heavy sales this morning were
rooted to for the among of English capitalists.
itt re~y,st,ued at :3.75, with a fail of 60e. They
were at on. time as low us 73.63 E, but towards the
eke of pu-wrw there was a slight improvement in
the tone of the market. St. Germain Railway fell
13, Northern 10, Orieans 13.7., ltouen 12.50, Stras-
bourg 11.25. Lyons 10, Lyons and Mediterranean

12. 54.1-•
It was vi ry generally expected that an extraordi-
moy number of the Monifeur would appear this
morainic to innounce the entry of the fleets. The
sosouncem nt, however, has not been made, for the
reason, as I believe, that alter all the news of the
sctuai cutr, of the fleets has not arrived. In conse-
quence of ti.e holiday yesterday, none of the Morning
perm (the Nude excepted) have made their appear-
ance.
Tim cold is intense ; water freezes indoors, and the
Seine is frozen over.