The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-01 00:00:00

LETTERS FROM THE CRIMEA.

CAMP BEFORE SEBABTOPOL, Jan. 16. —The sortie upon
the Green-Lill Battery, which I had just time to an-
nounce in my last letter, preyed a more serious affair
than was at first anticipated. The enemy succeeded so
far as to drive the sentries back, and take one serjeant
and 14 men prisoners. One officer and about a score
men were wounded in the affray. The trench Ras occu-
pied by portions of the 68th and 21st, and the Rifles.
The sentries of the 68th were in the rifle-pits. The enemy
came up, stealthily surrounded them, and opened a
volley on the flank and front, which alarmed them to
such an extent that they took to their heels. The enemy
was, therefore, left in possession of the ground. After
retiring some distance, the 68th returned to the
charge, but again abandoned the ground, leaving
their wounded. On calling the roll, one serjeant and
fourteen men were found missing. One poor fellow,
whom-the Russians had bayoneted, was subsequently
discovered in the trench, completely stripped and
laying naked, his wounds exposed to the bitter wind
and piercing frost. The Russians, on making the charge,
came on with the cry of " Raki, raki !" and appeared
half drunk. The 68th Regiment were asleep, with the
exception of the sentries (who, it is feared, were not far
other wise.) The men are so harassed 3with duty in the
trenches, that as soon as they take thaVposts they curl
themselves up in their blankets, and down they go to
sleep. The weather, though bitter cold, does not pre-
vent but rather encourages their drowsiness. The in-
tense labour our troops are subjected to has led to the
French General issuing an order that 1,600 of our
Allies should be granted in order to give the British
sorno relief. Nominally speaking, the strength of the
English of all ranks exceeds 40,000 men, but of this
there are 16,232 sergeants, drummers, and rank and
file sick, leaving available not more than 13,000 for
the trenches and pickets, after ether necessary casualties
are deducted. The daily duty for the 24 hours requires
about 7,000 men, so that you may judge what arduous
work the men have to perform. On the 12th instant, 39
deaths were reported in camp. The weekly amount of sick
sent to Scutari is about 1,000. The men, after they
reach Scutari, are retained there until they are properly
recovered, and not sent back half cured. This may ac-
count for there being so many sick at Scutari. About
6,000 risen are there who, if here, would be compelled
to take their turn of duty. The French general has
stopped a'l reinforcements corning up for the present
farther than the Bosphorus. The object of the com-
manders is, to have their men as strong as their present
circumstances will admit for the ensuing spring. They
have enough to maintain their present position until
favourable weather for operations sets in.

The Green-hill Battery' is reported to be in a very in-
efficient state, and steps bad been taken before the affair
last night to repair it. This battery was guarded until
some few days back by 1,000 men by day, and 1,200
men by night. It was then reduced to 750 by day, and
900 by night, on account of the weakness of the Third
and Fourth Divisions.

The 63d Regiment cannot furnish GO men under arms,
so reduced are they by sickness. They I:are been or-
dered to niore down to lialaklara, and the 18th Regi-
ment, at present stationed there, is to replace them on
the heights. The 63d will do fatigue duties at Bala-
klava.

The City of London steamer, from Constantinople,
hav arrived with 270 bullocks and 370 sheep—quite a
trtat for the men. The Indiana steamer will proceed
to Varna, to convey Turkish soldiers to Eupatoria.

Out of 900 men of the Fourth Division, paraded for
the trenches the other day, about 60 were fuund unable
to march, their feet being swollen with cold.
Messrs. Smith and Glyn, two gentlemen of the Cri-
mean Army Fund, are here, struggling to bring their
object about. lam afraid they will meet with many
difficulties. Their stores have not yet arrived.
The Commander of the Forces has publishes a trans-
lation of the general order of the French commander,
forwarded to yen by the last mail, with the following
remarks :

" Head-quarters before Sebastopol, Jan. 12.
The Commander of the Forces has the satisfaction of
publishing to the army the General Order of the General-
in-Chief of the French army in the Crimea, upon com-
municating to his soldiers the thanks of the two Houses
of Parliament for their gallant conduct at Alma and
Inkerman, and whilst they have been serving and fight-
ing in co-operation with the allies."
JAN. 14.—Another heavy fall of snow last night. It
is now about 15 inches deep on the open ground, and
drifted to an immense depth in some places. The wind
yesterday shifted round to the south-west, and to-day it
is due west. It has not been so cold to-day, but seems
clearing off for a sharp frost to-night. The Russians
have been very quiet since their last attack. A few
days since a great many were observed to be working
on the north side of the harbour, at a long trench, to
the north-east of Fort-Constantice. The intention seems
to be, to cut off the neck of land, by connecting their
works from the sea-beach to the harbour.
No great progress has been made iu butting the men.
A few huts are landed, and some are on their way up to
the front, but very slowly, owing to the want of tran-
sport. lam afraid it will be summer before the whole
army gets properly housed. In the meantime the regi-
ments are sadly exposed—the sick particularly. The
medical officers say that it is impossible to effect cures
here. The Light Division is very badly off. In some
regiments nearly 200 men, besides those at Scutari, are
sick.
The issue of warm clothing to the troops is nearly
completed. Every man will have clothing, and some
will be left. The description of clothing seems to give
general satisfaction. One instance of complaint, I hear,
is in reference to some socks, but, generally, everything
has given satisfaction.
The commissariat staff has received an addition to its
numbers—Assistant Commissary-General Osborn, De-
puty-Assistant Commissary-Generals Lundy, Blanc, and
Rennie.

In connection with the warm clothing, it is curious to
observe that it has been obtained from ail quarters of
the globe. Large quantities Irani Vienna, some from
Athens, some from Asia Minor, and some from Stam-
boul. The sheepskin coats from Vienna are very good.
The Alma steamer arrived at Balaklava this day.
The railway has not yet been commenced ; the nav-
vies are wanting. It is supposed it will be completed in
another six wees, but I doubt it much.

A council of war in the French camp was held yester,
day (French only).

15.—1 la:ve just received an intimation that the
post closes to-night at 7 p.m. We had another fall of
snow last night ; it is now two feet deep. The snow
on the road, should it remain on the ground, will
do much good, as sledges will be used ; a few have
been start?d to-;lay. An attack on the
.French. lines
was made last night. It was one of the most daring
yet ventured on. The enemy wade a sally out after
a few rounds of artillery, and actually came on with
fixed bayonets, so that the two parties fought hand to