The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-07 00:00:00

SIEGE ('F SEBASTuPOL.

The following letter has been addressed to the Editor of
the Times :---
Sir,—lt has been generally stated by the press that my
tone of voice, in giving evidence before the Sebastopol Com-
mittee, was so low and indistinct that it was difficult to catch
my expressions. It may have been partly owing to this
defect of mine that in one of your articles of this day I am un-
derstood to have uttered sentiments and to entertain opinions
which I do not acknowledge ; but, as your desire is, no
doubt, to allow the utmost latitude of discussion on matters
of such importance as the proceedings of the army before
Sebastopol, I feel great confidence that you will admit
some explanations on my part, which I will make as concise
. . .

as possible. Ido not wish to enter into any controversy of
the subject ; my only desire is to offer an explanation o
some points where my meaning appears to have been mis•
understood.

My reason for not commencing the construction of a road
during the fine weather cannot in fairness be said to have
been because I was "in hopes we should take the place at
once," when I have constantly urged before the committee
that, from the first to the last, we had not means for con-
structing such a road.
The censures that have been passed on " the neglect in
constructing a road between Balaklava and the camp" would
seem to imply that it was no very difficult matter, but I
would put it to any civil engineer to calculate what would be
th• requisite means for such construction, in a very short
time, in soil of deep clay, for a distance of seven or eight
miles.

It certainly was late in the season before reflection could
be turned to the advantages, among other remedial measures,
that would be derived from a good road, and it was undoubt-
edly one of the most difficult to execute. The frightful failure
in the loss of transport animals was the principal source of
inconvenience as regarded the hardships of the troops. Of
this I would give one instance :—The very small supply of
mules furnished to the Engineer field service having been
carefully attended to, enabled that corps, with the Sappers,
to be never without full rations throughout the winter; when
warm clothing was available for them, it was brought up
without delay, and nothing baffled them but the conveyance
of the huts (which I would submit was not the most advan-
tageous provision, if there had been time for full considera-
tion); that conveyance certainly exceeded the capabilities of
any reasonable amount of transport.
I do not think that the period of my hopes and fears about
the reduction of Sebastopol is clearly understood. After
the battle of the Alma, and before we reconnoitred the place,
I was in great hopes, from distant observation from the sea,
and from common repute of its being an open town on the
south side, that it would have fallen at once ; but when I saw
the natural strength of the position of which the enemy could
avail himself, and the nature of the localities, so well adap ed
to resist a coup de main, and witnessed the bold countenance
which the Russians put on in consequence of that advantage,
and the strength of the garrison which we had good reason to
suppose was in the place, lat once altered my opinion. we
were then, however, engaged in a struggle from which
there was no escape ; it was necessary to do some-
thing, and while we were actively engaged in carrying
on our endeavours it woul 1 have been weak to abandon
hope of success. Not long after the failure of the
first cannonading in producing the desired impression, I
certainly began to have misgivings that we should be detained
a considerable time before the place, under many disadvan-
tages. But no change in our plans could take place ; it.' was
still necessary to persevere in our efforts; we had no alterna-
tive. And here I must pause in my explanations, as the
proceedings were so intimately connected with those of our
allies, and I cannot presume to discuss any matters to which
they have been parties.

I would, however, observe that it was utterly out of the
question to reduce the extent of our trenches, so as to with-
draw men from that work, as has been often suggested, for
the purpose of making a road It was necessary to occupy
the position ; had we narrowed our limits, the Russians
would have advanced theirs, and the actual effect of our re-
treating from our advanced position would have been to bring
the whole of our camp under cannonade.
The impossibility of pausing in our progress of active mea-
sures will account for subjects of remark in attempting what
appears to have been beyond our means.
I would submit, however, that the want of the road, which
has been so much pressed, was not of the vital importance
that has been represented. The want of food—that is, the
extent of the authorised ration—was very slight. The warm
clothing was brought up by degrees—l admit with much
labour ; all this would, no doubt, have been greatly alle-
viated by a made road, but a good supply and due main-
tenance of transport animals (without which the best
road would have beenuseless) would have been of more value,
and that essential want has arisen from defective equipments
and organisation. If great fault is to be found, I think it
should be attached to those defects.

To retire to Balaklava was utterly impossible, and the
other alternative of taking the field was as impossible by the
British with their very small force. Turks or other natives
for work were proved to be unavailing. 500 Turkish soldiers
(by far the best native labour at our disposal), under the
guidance of Engineer officers, were employed several days in
attempts to improve the road, but they were found quite in-
efficient. They could make no impression on the deep com-
pact clay ofwhich the country was composed, and Lord Raglan
at length ordered the work to be discontinued.
Much censure has been cast, as I think most unduly, upon
Lord Raglan. With regard to the operations, his Lordship
having done me the honour to place much confidence in my
opinions, I am quite willing to take as large a share of the
responsibility on that head as a subordinate officer can pre-
sume to do. The faults of equipments and organisa-
tion in several essential departments could not possibly
he rectified by him in the midst of his difficulties. The
example of the Duke of Wellington has been quoted ; but
it will he observed that even his wonderful talents could
only he exerted in remedying these evils at some quiet
time, after his army had suffered by the evil. Every one
who knows Lord Raglan intimately must be sensible of his
resolution, his ability, his unceasing labour, and his most
anxious feeling for the welfare of the troops. I will acknow-
ledge that I have met with great consideration and even per-
sonal kindness from his lordship, for which I am deeply
grateful; but, while that consideration would prevent me
under any circumstances from joining in any direct or in-
direct attack upon him, I hope I may have credit for truth in
declaring that neither would I enter into any praise of him
on that account that I did not most conscientiously believe to
be correct.

I have th• honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
J. P. BURGOYNE, Lieutenant-General.
Ordnance-office, Pall-mall, May 4.

HARMONIC UNION. —Handers Ath and Galatea is to
be performed at the Hanover-square Rooms next Wed-
nesday, when W. Sterndale Bennett's overture "Naiade,"
and Beethoven's magnificent Sinfonia in A will also be
included in the programme. The additional accom-
paniments by Mozart to Adis and Galatea, which
created so much intzrest when introduced by the So-
ciety for the first time in England last season, will again
be Payed. Madame Rudersdorff, M. Miranda, Herr
vocalieta_jferr
hardt, and Mr. Weiss, are announced as principal
ae Molique and Mr. Blagrove filling their
Ealvirnzited posts of conductor and leader.
have again'TmENT.]-11olloway's Ointment and Pills
remedy had f:iriel an ulcerated leg after every other
was fora lopg I„;:salinenbry. Winton, of Rickmansworth,
owing to his prediapoziOti
ojnecttooufleheroorurosrmotroes.hisHferietirijels: every remedy likely t
of no avail. leinall°ybelleat but they turned out
covered with ulcers that leg became so completely
frootaliollowayh'sis
geared to be the only thin:rtattou of the limb ap-
this juncture he had recourse his to Bay,
Oliifnet. m
eAn
tt
and pills, and in four months,
he was cured, to the astonishment ontlic 08 reniedui,es'
Sold by all medicine vendors, and aatl "nn. loway's establishments, 244, Strand —• ig6or e Rob
Maidezplano, New York. °zldoa , and SO,

THE ADVANCED SQUADRON OF THE

BALTIC FLEET.

The following intelligence from this squadron was re•
ceived by the Times' Portsmouth correspondent yester-
day, in continuation of formez communications from the
same source :

"The advanced division of the `Flying Squadron,' under
Capt. Yelverton, in her Majesty's ship Arrogant, arrived
at Faro Sound on the afternoon of the 19th of April, bring-
ing with them three laden colliers from Elsinore and Copen-
hagen. The inner anchorage is still blocked up with ice,
and not yet available for the colliers and smaller men-of-
war. The severity of last winter has been much felt here
(Faro Sound). The ice in the Sound, as well as in the passage
between Sweden and Gothland, has been far thicker than
known to be for many years previous; and in consequence io
communication between the inhabitants of Gothland and
the opposite coast of Sweden has been practicable for
nearly four months. Thu first mail of this year they re-
ceived yesterday (the 18th), and with it, foi the first time,
the news of the death of the Emperor Nicholas. The
Arrogant, the Esk, the Tartar, and the Cossack are now
here (Faro Sound), but are to sail again as soon as they
have completed their coaling. Soon after leaving Copen-
hagen, on Monday last, they fell in with an immense k ody
of ice, above a foot in thickness, moving with the current,
in the direction of the Kattegat, which, being too dense
to stem, obliged the Arrogant and the Esk to anchor for a
faw hours in Kioge Bay. The next morning (Wednesday)
the two divisions of the flying squadron met and communi-
cated, but did not remain in company more than two
hours. Captain Watson, with the Imperiense, Euryalus,
and Conflict proceeding to the coast of Courland, to look
in at Libau, and establish the blockade of that coast, the
rest to rendezvous at Faro Sound. There is a report in
the squadron (originating from high authority) that the
Grand Duke Constantine is prepared to dispute the ad-
vance of the flying squadron up the Gulf of Finland,
having one screw line-of-battle ship of 100 guns, one 50-
gun frigate, and several powerful paddle-steamers, now
ready to come out as soon as the breaking up of the ice will
allow him.

" Faro Sound, April 20.—The Archer came in this
morning, but went out again almost immediately • she has
taken two prizes (both Russian), a brig and a schooner ;
the former has been sent to England for condemnation."

WRECK OF AN EMIGRANT SHIP IN
THE CHANNEL.

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY LIVES LOST.

The ship John, from Plymouth for Quebec, with emi-
grants, on Thursday night struck on the Manacles Rock,
got off into deep water, and shortly went down, 200 feet
from the shore. Of 220 persons on board, only about 70
were saved. They were taken from her masts and rig-
ging, and landed at St. Severn by the Coast Guard.
The following is a list of some of the passengers
saved :—Mr. Heale, of Teignmouth ; Mr. Solomon, of
Plymouth ; Mr. Carrol, Henry Jeffery, B. Skeeves, M
Studdon, W. Dawson, John Down, Robert Williams,
Hy. North, John Haughton, S. Quentril, Jane Bone,
N. Lansford, William Seldon, William Morey, William
Clunea, wife, and four children, Edward Tolley, S. Dy-
mond, Geo. Wilce, S. Pattmore, Hy. North, H. Lacey,
S. Creeper, W. Walters, wife and six children, E.
Rayne, Jno. Knuckey, W. E. Churchward, W. Tom,
Wm. Yelland, Jas. and T. Escott, Jas. Bawden, W.
Brock, E. Tangye, Jas. Clampett, W. Turpin, Robt.
Williams, Henry Hocking, Francis and Elizabeth Stoyle,
Mrs. Pearce, Miss Penman, W. Elliott, John Phare,
Jernima Wills, John Tincome.

There were five cabin passengers, all of whom are lost.

Mr. Heale, whose name is mentioned above arrived in
Plymouth yesterday (Sunday) morning. He was in the
water upwards of one hour, but succeeded in swimming
to shore, although he sustained many hard knocks against
the rocks in doing so. He says the weather was very
fine and bright at the time the vessel struck, and that
the captain was not drunk at the time, although he thinks
it was his fault that the ship struck and was lost. The
scene, of course, was fearful beyond description, with
cries of women and children. Mr. Heale had a swim-
ming belt on, which the better enabled him to combat
with the waves. He feels satisfied that not more than
50 are saved. These were cared for by the villagers,
and probably are now on their way to Plymouth in the
Avon. The ship broke up at balf-past three on Friday
morning. Mr. Neale is confident that had boats been
lowered when she struck all might have been saved.
The passengers were nearly all asleep when the barque
struck.

.31AtMiff NEWS-(TIII8 DA •F

CORN EXCHANGE.

There was a. steady demand for English wheat in most
of the country- markets held on Saturday, and prices had
an upward temdency. The amount of business doing, how-
ever, was by no means extensive. Barley, oats, beans,
peas, and florin changed hands steadily, on rather higher
terms.

Great excitement has prevailed in the shipping ports in
the Lower Baltic, and a considerable rise has taken place
in the quotations.
The arrivals of English grain up to our paarkets last
week were vary moderate. From abroad we received
402 tares, 4,150 linseed, 190 rapeseed, 28
1'2,281 quarters of wheat, 1,969 barley, 37,037 oats, 1,770
and 708 sacks of flour.
our market to-day the arrivals of English
sbuenFandrrse,yBhBBseuBepdpsalaso,
wheat coastwise were but moderate, and the receipts by
land carriage were small. Notwithstanding that the show
of samples of both red and white was limited, the demand
for most descriptions, owing chiefly to the favourable
change in the weather, and the small numbers of large
buyers in attendance, was in a sluggish state, and last Mon-
day's prices were with difficulty supported; indeed, in some
instances, to prevent demurrage, rather easier rates were
accepted by the factors.
We had only a moderate supply of foreign wheat in the
market. There was, however, no disposition shown to
speculate in this article ; and, for consumption, the inquiry
was limited. Importers, however, were firm in their
demands, and last week's prices were supported in every
instance.

The show of barley was but moderate, yet sales pro-
gressed slowly, on former terms.
We had a dull inquiry for malt, at last week's quo-

tatims.

Although the imports of oats have been very liberal, the
oat trade ruled active, at an advance in the quotations of
fron qd. to is. per quarter. The demand for beans ruled
steady, and prices advanced Is. per quarter.
No change took place in the value of peas, for which
the inquiry was far from active.
Flour changed hands to a moderate extent, at the late
improvement in value.
CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE.
;Malt—Chevalier .. • • 70s to 71s
'Oats Yorkshire and
Lineolnsh., Feed 263 398
Potato ...... 28s 31s
Youghal and Cork
81ack....... 25s 29s
Cork, White ..... 263 30s
Seotch,Feed... 27s 30s
Beans—Tick ....• •• .. 41s 4is
Pige0n5.......... 43s 47s
Peas—Grey •• 358 383
Map1e......• •• .. 38s 40s
Wh1te......• •• .. 39s 45s
Boilers .....• • • ../433 46s
Flour—Town-made..- 65s 70s
Suffolk .....• 52s 56s
Stocktn & Norfolk 51s 55s

Wheat—Essex & Rent,
Red .•.. new 68sto 78a
Ditto•. • ........ old —a —a
I)itto, White new 83s 878
Ditt0........ old 84s 89s
Norfolk and Lin-
coln, Red, old 68s Bla
Ditto new ••• • • • 68s 80s
Rye—Old ............
!few •• • • 42s 44s
Barliy—Grinding..• •• 29s 318
?rafting .•••••• •• 328 33s
lhevaller•• •• • . 34s 35s
Mali—EinfrolkandNor-
folk •• .. •••• .• 628 67s
Brom ••• •• •• .... •• .. 588 60s
KingstonandWare 68s 70s

SMITHFIELD.

loderate imports of foreign stock took place into Lon-
do' last week—the total supply amounting to 1,266 head.
Inthe corresponding week in 1854 we received 1,122 ; in
183, 3,474 ; in 1852, 2,072 ; in 1851, 1,923 ; in 1850,1,425 ;
in 1849, 1,486 ; in 1848, 2,434 ; and in 1847, 1,928 head.

IMPORTS INTO LONDON LAST WEBB.
Thom Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs
flalingen
Toning 39 ...
Dd.(lt 6
Rotterdam B6 ...
Amsterdam 5 ...
Attwerp
~.
Kempen .. ... ..,
amburgh 125 257

... 1 ... 177
... - ... 88

-'
• .•

- ...

T0ta1.... 691 ... 265 ... 5 ... 305 ...
The yearly comparison of weekly imports is as under :
Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs.
1354 309 ... 566 3 ... 232 12
853 854 2,100 ... 2 518
1352 279 1,366 2 318 114
851 514 1,275 2 318 ... 114
850 322 ... 725 ... 113 ... 258 7
The show of foreign stock in to-day's market was very
noderate for the time of year.
From our own grazing districts, the arrivals of beasts
'rash up this morning, were seasonably extensive, and in
xcellent condition. For all breeds, the demand was in
very sluggish state, at a decline in the quotations of
billy 2d per 81188, and a total clearance was not effected.
The bullock arrivals from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and
Cambridgeshire, amounted to 2,500 Scots and short horns;
from other parts of England, 590 of various breeds; and
from Scotland, 425 horned and polled Scots, s:
We were well supplied with nearly all breeds of sheep,
but there was a falling off in their general weight and con-
dition. The mutton trade ruled steady, but by no means
brisk, at last Monday's currency. The best old Downs,