The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-22 00:00:00

THE NIGHT ATTACK ON A BVSSIAN

REDOUBT.

(From yesterday's Moniteur.)
The Minister of War has received from the Com-
mander-in-Chief of the army in the Crimea the fol-
lowing despatch, dated Fob. 27 :
Monsieur le Mal echal,—l have the honour to addreea
you some details respecting the coup de main executed
on the night of the 23d and early morn of the 24th of
Feb., in front of our right aAack.
The dispositions which had been taken were as fol-
lows :—A. detachment of engineers and one of artillery,
two battalions of the 2d Zouaves (Colonel Cler), and one
battalion of the 4th Regiment of Marines (Commander
Mermier), having at their bead the General of Brigade
Monet, were to invade the work thrown up by the Rua-
sians in front of the right of our lines. Two battalions
of the 6th and 10th Regiments of the line (Lieutenant-
Colonel Dubos) formed the reserve.
The whole was commanded by the General of Division
Mayran, and, lastly, the operation was superintended
and directed by the General of Division Bosquet, who
cimmands the Second Corps.

The Rua: inns had placed several ambuscades in front
of their work, -which, amidst the darkness of the night,
pre,ented obstacles, the position and strength of which
it was difficult to ascertain.

Tue troops charged with the attack advanced towards
the object vigorously, driving the enemy back, and
whi'e the battalions marching on the left and in the
centre overcame these obstacles, the Zouaves, led on by
Culone Cler, and having at their head General de
Monet, wounded already four Vines, penetrated into the
work, under a very heavy lira of musketry, and threw
themselves on the Russian infantry collected there.
This infantry gave way after a short but violent struggle,
in which a brilliant part was taken by the detachment
of engineers under the command of Captain Valesque,
and by that of the artillery under the command of
Lieutenant Delafosse. The Zouaves displayed here the
most remarkable intrepidity. _ _ _

The enemy sustained numerous losses. The object we
had proposed to ourselves was attained ; we could not
think of establishing ourselves on a spot exposed on
every side to the Russian artillery ; but we bad showed
them once more our superiority in action. The return
to our own lines was effected without being disturbed
by the astonished enemy, although in number he was
greatly superior to us. The reserve, which bad left the
trenches to protect the retreat in case of need, met no
one.

Our losses have been sensible, though not in propor-
tion to the extent and dangers of this nocturnal combat,
during which our soldiers, until their return to the
trenches, were exposed to the fire of the artillery of the
place. Our troops have been admirable as at all times,
and I cannot address to them greater eulogiums.
CANROBEST.

( Front the Invalide Russe, of March 12.)
In order to complete the report from the Crimea rela-
tive to the attack on the Selenghinsk redoubt by the
enemy in the night between the 23d and 24th of February,
we give the following details of this affair from a report
of Aide-de-Camp General Baron Osten-Sacken under date
of February 15, No. 26, and addressed to the late Com-
mander-in-Chief of the land and naval forpes in the
Crimea.
In the evening of the 23d, the troops selected for finish-
ing the construction of the redoubt commenced on the
preceding night, were dispond as follows
The Selengbinsk regiment of infantry in the redoubt,
the 4th battalion at the works, the 2d and 3d in the in-
terior of the entrenchment, and the Ist in the trench.
The battalions of the Volhynian regiment of infantry
were advanced in order to cover the works, namely, the
4th in columns of companies beyond the lodgments
effected in front of the redoubt, the Ist and 2d on the
right of the redoubt, and the 31 on the left, in attacking
columns.

At two o'clock in the morning, after the moon, which
had been shining brilliantly, bad gone down, the dis-
mounted Cossacks of the battalion No. 8 of the Black
Sea, who occupied the ambuscades in front of our lodg-
ments, gave information that the columns of the enemy
were forming in front of the trenches. At the same in-
stant, the chain formed by the 10th and 11th companies
of musketeers in the Voihynian Regiment opened a
very steady fire, and Major-General Khroistcheff,
who commanded the , ts'..o reghnent, moved forward
the Ist and 24 battalions of the Voihyniau Regiment,
who were under arms on the right
.of the redoubt.
but having perceived that the enemy, who bad pene-
trated through the gap between the 2d and 3d batta-
lions, was already attacking the redoubt, he ordered the
two first battalions to wheel to the left, and fell on the
flank and rear of the enemy's columns, whilst a hand-to-
hand combat had already ensued in the trench. The
enemy was instantly overthrown, the trench being filled
with hii dead.
At the same time, the 3,1 battalion and the 12th coin.
parry of
theniu ,lkeef le efiras n
ko
,f tlie V
repulsed ol li
were onrtlnieianattßaecgkimofenat:iowthheor
column, which had advanced hither to the left of the
redoubt.
Major-General Shroustcheff, taking advantage of the
moment, had the charge beat, The brae(*) Yolhpiana,

t ;,. R _
. ;;:, .a_

v~~ ---~
G~

,under his personal command, moved rapidly forwards,
b ayonetting the Zouaves and Marines who endeavoured
to repel their onset. The struggle lasted long, but the
Russian bayonet triumphed over the firmness cf the
enemy, who fled in disorder to his trenches.

In the meantime, Colonel Sebaschinsky, with the Ist
battalion of the Selenghinsk Regiment entrusted to his
command, issued from behind the right face -of the It-
doubt, and rapidly advanced to help his companions in
arms. The 4th company of Grenadiers, "the 10th com-
pany and a platoon of the 11th company of musketeers
from the Volynian Regiment joined him, under the
command of Colonel Svistchevsky. These troops
(dashed, with beat of drum, along the Sappers' way ; and
while seeking, in the dark, the. Volhynians, who were
engaged with the enemy, they fell in with a French
calumn, that was marching in haste to succour the
Zouaves, and overthrew it into the ravine, under the
fire of our batteries and steamers.
Twice the enemy endeavoured to return to the attack,
but was driven back each time with loss to his trenches.
At last, after an hour's fighting with the bayonet, during
which time the Russian drummers had not ceased beat-
ing the charge, the enemy was compelled to retire finally,
leaving in our hands more than a hundred dead, eight of
whom were officers ; our troops, moreover, took twenty-
four prisoners, five of them officers. The enemy has lost
in all no less than 600 men, as during his retreat he was
exposed to the heavy fire of the neighbouring bastions,
and the steamers Vladimir, Chersonesus, and Grome.
nossets, lying in the roadstead.
On our side we had 65 killed, 5 subaltern officers, and
236 private wounded.

THE POLICY OF THE EMPEROR
A LEXANDER.

The following information comes in a letter from
St. Petersburg, dated the 9th :

"The acts of the Government, and especially the
official cords of the new Emperor, tend to show more
and more clearly the line of conduct which he purposes
to follow. All these speeches, addressed at the pre-
sent moment to the representatives of the different
bodies and administrations of the State, may be con-
densed in these two words, Je maintiendrai,' or in
other words, lam firmly resolved to march in the way
traced out by my father.' The evening before he ad-
dressed the Diplomatic Carps, the Czar appeared
at tie Council of State. There, for more than half
an hour, ho spoke on the present situation of affairs with
an eloquence and precision of language which struck
every one present. His warlike address to the officers
of the Guard, who assembled to take the oaths of alle-
giance to him, was also much remarked ; and the depu-
tation of the nobility having presented themselves, in
order t 3 render an account to his Majesty of the
election of the Chiefs of the Militia, were harangued
itnermtihneairtedturthus I solemnly turn with musochonalyrmth. This discourse
declare that I will
not give up a single inch of Russian territory t 3
our enemies.. I will take good care to prevent their
penetrating further on the soil of our country-,and
never, never —may my hand wither Brat!—will I
affix my sgnature to a treaty which shall bring the.
slightest dishonour on the national honour.' These
words were spoken with a tone and energy of vehemence
excited among all present the most rapturous
applause.
"In order to explain this enthusiasm, I must mention
to you that in the saloons of the capital, and particu-
larly at Moscow, the centre of the old Russian party,
the late Emperor was frequently reproached with Laving
made too many concessions. You may judge by that fact
if it be possible for his successor to grant any of the kind
expected from him by the Western Powers. Amid the
general movement of the public mind which carries them
on more and more to a war 4 routrance—to a war
which is declared to be holy threughout the whole
empire, I must not conceal from you that a good deal of
discontent begins to show itself. Whether right or
wrong—and this fact time al.one can show to be just—
the Slavonic patty accuses the new Sovereign of show-
ing tendencies by far too Geimanic. The old Musea.
vites murmur at what they tulle the German invasion
in the most important public offices of the State. They
complain that the men who have the nearest access to
the person of the Czar are of German extraction. For
example, they see in the rank of his must intimate
counsellors the two Counts Alderberg, father and
son ; two other aides-de-camp, Pa koul and Mer-
der, who enjoy especial favour, derive their origin
from the Baltic provinces ; the recall of Prince
Menschikoff,a.nd the nomination of General 0 Aen-Sacken,
Luders, Berg, and Peudiger are not of a kind to re-
assure the Russians of the old stock on the Germanic
tendencies with which they reproach the Emperor Alex-
ander IL; and, finally, the p rsonages sent to the dif-
ferent Courts to notify his accession to the Crown are
all of Teutonic origin, ae, for instance, Genet als Lieven,
Gruneweld, Budberg, ard the son of Count Nesselrode.
This predilection for the German party excites, I repeat,
serious complaints. It is generally supposed in Europe
that the Autocrat is absolute master fn his empire, but
this is a great error. The Czar is much more subservient
than people think to the exigencies of hii nobility, and
he is obliged to allow them a large share in his govern-
ment. The great difficulty for him is to know how to
distribute his favours so as to avoid giving dissatisfac-
tion either to the Slavonic party or the German party,
between whom the struggle has never for a moment
ceased since the time of Peter the Great. At the com-
mencement of each reign each of these rival ladies make
desperate efforts to raise its influence above
.tbe other,
and they wage a mortal war, The Russians were in
high favour under Catherine 11., but were ousted by the
Germans undei Alexander 1., so much so that General
Yermoloff is related t) have said one day to that Sove-
reign, when asked to demand some favour, Make me
a German.' The Emperor Nicholas showed much ability
in holding the balance, so as not to incline to one party or
the other, and he kept both down with an iron hand.
Will his successor succeed in doing the same? That is
the question. It will be resolved before long, but in the
mean time I think right to direct your attention to the
fact, as it may exercise much influence on the energy
and duration of the present conflict."

TEE EMPEROR ALEXANDER AND THE
DON COSSACKS.

The Emperor has addressed the following rescript
to the Cossack troops of the Don :
"To our well-beloved and faithful army of Cossacks of
the Don. The cruel loss which has just fallen on Russia
in such an unlooked-for manner will be painfully felt
by the grateful hearts of the Cossacks of the Don. In
his constant kindness to them, my well-beloved father
had granted them an organic regulation which completely
secured their welfare. Only a short time ago the Em-
peror Nicholas I. declare.' that he loved his valiant
children of the Don and that be was proud of them. In
proof of these sentiments, his Majesty frequently ap-
peared before tho ranks of his faithful army in the uni-
form of a Cossack of the Don. Wishing to manifest to
these troops our gratitude for their faithful and glorious
services, we make them a pre:.-ent of the uniform which
was worn by the Emperor. Let it be preserved among
the insignia of the army of the Cassacks of the Don, and
remain in its treasury as a sacred relic anal an impe-
rishable souvenir for generations to come.

" ALEXANDER."
His Majesty has likewist actires,iecl the following
to General Khomoutoff, Hetnian locum Lucas of
the Cossacks of the Don

" General—By an order of the day I have named my
well-beloved son, the Cesarovitch, Nicholas Alexandra-
vitch, Hetman of all the CJssack troop, and Chief of
the Regiment of the Hetman of the Don, which takes the
name of Cossacks of the Corps of the Hetman the Cosare-
♦itch, Hereditary Grand Duke. May my brave Cossacks
of the Don see in this norninationhow deaithey are to my
heart. I love them, ai my father of imperishable memory
did, and they will be equally beloved by my son. Per-
sonally, it will be always pleasing to me to reckon
myself in the ranks of the regiment of Cossacks of the
Corps of his Imperial Highness the Hetman, a regiment
with which I had identified myself. I remain invari-
ably affectionate towards the brave troops of . the
Dan. " ALEXANDER."

Th• Emperor Of Russia has also addressed the
following resoript to General Count ZLkrewsky,
military governor of Moscow :

"Count, in the profound affliction with which my
heart is torn by the death of my august father of glori-
ous memory, I have charged my aide-de-camp, General
Lansknoi, to hand to you the manifesto by which I an-
nounce to Russia the incalculable loss which has just
fallen on us. Our original Capital, which was my birth
place, will unite its tears and its prayers to mine. Con-
vinced of the unchangeable devotedness of all the inhabi-
tants of Moscow for my Imperial house, I beg you to
express to all of them my sincere friendship.
ALEX4NDER."

A letter from Vienna states that the widow of Don
Spanish
Carlos,w,h
oo
viesr
nr
me sei dnin g
tt aaat
unodw depositedth Trieste,eb has
of i n
tehhgeeure
vs
husbandt eaudltsthe
f
the Royal family. The letter adds that it is the inten-
tion of the Princess after a time to retura to Spain and
visit the Royal family at Madrid.
ME. LAW'S COLLECTION OF AUTOGRAPHS.—This small
collection of autographs, which was brought to the
hammer by Messrs. Puttiek and Simpson, of Piccadilly,
on Monday and Tuesday last, contained some examples
of more than usual interest. The following brief list
will show the measure of appreciation awarded to such
matters in these times of depression. Lot 4, a letter of
e7tBte, r o
af
Joseph Addison, 21. Bs. ; lot 21, a letter of Lord Bacon,
enlarging on the happiness of having a good wife,
151. ; lot 42, a letter of James Boswell, 3/. ; lot 60,
the Reformer,aletterofßoberxt
oßhurirnsc,al4v/i.n1,550.1,•. ;lot 65, a . ;
lot letter
letter of the great Lord Chatham, enclosing verses,
addressed to David Garrick, 131. 10g. ; lot 139, a
letter of Frederic Prince of Wales and the Princess
Augusta, on one sheet, Si. 15s. ; lot 147, a letter of
David Garrick, 41. 4s. ; lots 154 and 155, two letters
of Oliver Goldsmith, 151. 12s. ; lot 272 and 273, two
letters of Mary, Queen of William 111., 71. 18s. ; lot
327, a short letter of Sir Isaac Newton, as Master of
the Mint, declining to recommend to mercy a convicted
counterfeiter of the coin, then under sentence of death,
4/. ; lots 404 to 406, three letters of Sir Richard Steele,
81. 19. ; lot 444, a letter of George 'Washington, Si. ;
lot 460, a letter of John Wesley, 31. 3s. ; lot 478, a
letter of Sir Christopher Wren, 3/ . ; lct 490, the
draught letter book of S. Pepys, connected with the
affairs of Christ's Hospital, Si. 17s. 6d. There were
several letters of Nelson in the collection, in one of
which he spiaks of his arm as being "in a fair way
of healing." These letters sold for about 41. each. It
was remarked that all the principal lots sold for more
than they had produced in previous auctions, Surely
We is comfort for f' collootors.7

DRURY-LANE.—Lessee, Mr. N. T. Seii.ch.—
Redno-xl Prices as usual.
Will be performed LOVE AND LOYALTY, in which Mr. and
Mrs. Wa lack will appear.
To be falbwed by an adaptation, written expressly for this
Theatre by Mr. REINOLDSON, of Meyerbeer's Grand Opera,
L'ETOILE DU NORD. Characters by Messrs. Henri Drayton,
Williams, Bowler, Leffisr, D, Be Be', Mirania, and Blake ; Mrs
Bond Drayton, Miss Johnson, Miss E. Arden, and Mdlie. Jenny
Baur.

After which, FO LOWING THE LADIES.
To conclude with a Graad COMIC BNI,LET,

fiEEATRE ROYAL RAYMAIMUT.
17nder the manageMent of Mr. Bnekstone.
TIIIS EVENING,
Will be pm.sentel TELE SECRET AGENT. Principal cbaracters
Mr Btieltsiono and Miss E. Cloplin.
To b 3 f,,1 owed by Tar. SPA.NISII DANCERS.
To cow:bile with A PRETTY PIECE OF BUSINESS. Chl-
ractels by Meisrs. Howe and Buskstene ; Mrs. Caroline While, d
Misses Ellen Chap:in and Reynolds.

ROYAL PRVSOE33.3 TEI EATR E, OXFOR D-ST R EET.
under the Management of Mr. CuAREEs KEAN.
THIS EVENING,

Will be perfc•rmed LIVING TOO FAST.
To be folowed iy ruff CORSICAN BROTIIERS. Principhl
character by Mr. C. Kean.
To be followed by (MI time) a new Farce, entitled A CAME
OF ROMPS. Principal ctaracters by Messrs. Harley and Chester ;
Mrs. Wliutanley, Mt Heath, Murray, C. Leclercq, Daly, and
Ternan.

TIIRATItE ROY.? L ADELYIII.
Froprietcr, NU'. B. Webster.—Dlrectross, Ain dame Celeste.
THIS EVENING,
pert",rmed a new and nrlginal Drama, preeedad by a Pro-
ivivie, and call,d AN ET PRIDE.
After which, I'LL TELL YOUR WIFE.
To conclude with THE FETE OF NATIONS.

IV YAL OLYMPF:O, THZATRE.

Lesee and Mar.e.ger, Mr. A. Wizan.

TIM EVENING,

Will be presented the new Comedietts, called TIT FOR TAT, !n
which Messrs. F. Robson, A. Wigan, and Miss Maskell will appear.
Followed by A LUCKY FRIDAY.
A ner which, a new Fairy Extravaganza. entitled TIIK YELLOW
DWARF AND THE KING CF THE GOLD MINES. Characters
by Mr. F. nobsor, Miss Julia St. George, Mtss E. Ormoncle,,Miss
Marston, Miss Bromley, and Mrs. Fitzallan.

NATIONAL STANDARD.
- THIS EVF:NINO,
Will be performed. ANTONY ancIICLEOPATIIi. Principal per•
for.ncrs, l'r. H. Marten anl MlB3 (Pya.
After wh!cli. QUAll'Fll DAY.
To conclude ATM: TM IiCAPEORA!,-,' F. OF PARIS.

A3TLEY'3 ROYAL AMPiIITLIEATIZE.
Lessee and Manaler. Mr. Win. Ceoke.
TIII3 EVENING,
The Gran', FAlL:Arian .Spr ctaele T1)101511 THE T.I RTATT.
Also, a rowel auks of gCENES in the erner.E_ lhe performance
of Herr Endersohn, le F1L.:19.-Fer, with FEntree do Clo nit a !a
Franealse.
r.nx-orrice open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W.
W et. Acting Nfanzer, r. W. 11. Cooke. Equestrian Director,
Mr. w. Cooke, jou.