The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-15 00:00:00

THE CRIMEA.

We read in the Constitutionnel Our cor-
respondent in the Crimea writes as follows, dated
before Sebastopol, 28th ult. :
1 " ' For some days past we have had no rain, which is
a real blessing of Heaven. We are still at work ad-
vancing our batteries in our parallels, only firing from
mortars, and waiting for our friends the English, and
with that exception it is difficult for us to have Sebasto-
pol as a new year's gift. What can we do but to be
patient ! To-morrow or the day after we expect Omer
Pacha, who is to embark to-day at Tama to join his
troops at Eupatoria ; he will take our head-quarters in
his way. To-morrow, in virtue of the powers vested
in him by the Emperor, the General-in-Chief will distri-
bute 180 crosses and 600 medals to all ranks of, the army.
This recompense accorded to the brave men on the very
scene of their exploits is a fine and noble action. The
Russians appear to be much embarrassed in their positions.
The presence of the corps of Omer Pacha in their rear at
Eupatoria, and the extreme difficulty of conveying their
troops in a country where roads no longer exist, or are
rendered impracticable, visibly disturbs their projects.
Disposing of such feeble means with a power so extraor-
dinary, it must appear hard to the Czar not to be able
to overwhelm us with his army. He might very well
bring up 30,000 men more by means of his famous wag-
gons—but provisions ! The country here is exhausted.
The Tartar population alarmed at the requisitions made
on them have driven off all their flocks into the moun-
tains. The town is very moderate in returning the fire
of our mortars, and they appear to have their attention
much divided. Deserters from the Russiam camp affir m
that Prince Menschikoff has left for St. Petersburg, and
tbis account appears to be confirmed by the presence in
Sebastopol of General Osten-Sacken, who commands the
third corps d'armee, and was formerly governor
of Odessa. He is an exceeeingly energetic and
skilful general, and is said not to be very friendly
disposed towards Prince Menschikoff. The Rus-
sian line of observation is very extended. The
12th division, under General Liprandi, occupies the
position of the Belbec ; two other divisions extend
themselves from the Tchernaya to the Katcha, and
another division remains at Simpheropol, which they are
occupied in fortifying. The cavalry is watching Eupa-
toria. Such are our respective positions. Our
batteries, which are mounted and all ready, only
wait for orders to commence operations. The English
advance, though rather slowly, and threaten on their
side the suburb of the Careening Port. The day when
the fire opens will be a terrible one for the town, and
the more so as every one is expecting two new com-
manders- for the fleets. The Russians have just sunk
another frigate to protect the entrance. I shall not
speak to you of the state of our troops. Never were our
soldiers better fed, or more comfortably clothed ; and
though the season is rough and the campaign arduous,
tht,,, at least know that every cue auffei.s alike. TLey,
tl.w.i,tore, do not complain, and only burn all a dejlo
to take a town which they consider as their property.
Reinforcements for both armies are arriving without

interruption, and we hope we shall soon have some
more decisive facts to announce to you."

The Wituderer of Vienna, of the 9th, says :
" The general who .comniahlolcd. the Turkish troops
of the Crimea has left for Anatolia, whore he is to
take command of the troops collected in that pro-
vince. Omer Pacha is collecting his corps at Eupa-
toria ; but a letter from Balaklava states that he
is to proceed to the banks of the Tchernaya to ope-
rate in concert with the Allies: According to that
letter, the Allies, reinforced by Omer Pacha's army,
would have for object at present to intercept the
communications between the Russian army holding
the country and Sebastopol, to advance as far as
Utsch-Kuju, on the road from Bakshi-Serai to
the forts on the northern side, to execute that
movement at any cost, to take up a position on the
heights from. Inkerman to Utsch-Kuju, and to sur-
round the place completely. That plan is perfectly
realisable.