The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-07 00:00:00

GENERAL ORDER.

The troops of the second corps, and of the division
Brunet, charged, under the direction of the General of
Division Bosquet, the new attacks on the right, and vigor-
ously opened the trench beide the Malakhoff tower.
_ . _ _

—•
During the night of the 14th of March, the troops under
the command of General Besson, in the trenches, behaved
very valiantly. Two companies of the elite of the 100th
regiment of the line, carrie3, with much resolution, the
ambuscades of the enemy. Captain ChamriAn.P., i.,,mrstny
of Grenadiers displayed the greatest energy in defending,
against a numerous body of assailants, the post which they
occupied. Menaced in its position, at the dawn of day, by
considerable masses of infantry, it was sustained by three
companies of the regiment of Algerine Tirailleurs, who, at
the command of the Chef de Battalion Gibon, dashed upon
the enemy in the most brilliant style, and routed them.
The Russian commander was grievously wounded; and
the officer who was second in command was killed.
On the 15th and 16th of March, the troops, directed by
General Trailly, commanding in the trenches, operated
with not less vigour, before the parallels, to carry and de-
stroy the Russian positions. The 2d battalion of the 3d
regiment of Zouaves, under the immediate direction of
Colonel Brancion, of the 50th Regiment of the Line, threw
themselves upon the enemy with their habitual spirit, and
we witnessed, in this very interestirg military episode,
actions highly honourable, to the individuals who performed
them.

This series of works, executed under fire of the enemy,
and in tho midst of combats in which, according to the
reports which come from the enemy himself, the besieged
have always suffered considerable losses, reflects the high-
est honour upon the energy of the troops, who are but be-
ginners in the laborious and difficult operations of a siege.
The corps of engineers directed on the right by Colonel
Frossard, was distinguished by its usual steadiness, and the
incessant activity of the Staff Brigadier Besson, who was
charged with the laborious duty of superintendence of the
trenches.

On the extreme left of'our attack, the besieged, during
the night of the 15th of March, made a vigorous sortie on
the point defended by a company of Voltiguers of the 2d
Regiment of the Foreign Legion, Captain Bertrand, and
by the 7th company of the 10th Battalion of the Chasseurs
a pied, commanded by Sub-Lieutenant Bedes. Warned
by their videttes, these two companies awaited, with the
greatest calmness, the approach of the enemy, till he ar-
rived only within a few metres of the parapet of the
trench, and., then fired at him point blank, and afterwards
attackel him with the bayonet, without committing the
error of pursuing him too far. In spite of the promptitude
and care with which the wounded were carried off, the
enemy left 29 in our hands, anti an equal number on the
ground which he had crossed in his precipitate retreat.
He lost in this operation at least a third of the effective
force engaged.
This brief and brilliant action reflects honour upon the
troops who accomplished it.• They displayed a calmness
which belongs to veterans in the siege; and I have to con-
gratulate the Cherde Bataillon L'Heriller, of the 2d Regi-
ment of the Foreign Legion, whose firm and skilful ar-
rangements were completely successful.
[Here follows a nominal list of the officers rewarded with
the cross of the Legion of Honour tor their services in the
field on this occasion.]
GENERAL ORDER:

The works executed by the Ist corps to complete the ad-
vanced parallel of our left attack, under difficult and peri-
lous circumstances, called for the calmness and steadiness
of the troops employed in them.
The corps of engineers have given fresh proofs of the
vigour and perseverance which have distinguished them
since the commencement of the siege, and which have pro-
cured for them the praise and ksteem of the entire army.
Captain Monhat, under the immediate direction of Lieut.-
Colonel Joudon, was particularly conspicuous; and I have
rewarded his lengthened services by conferring upon him,
in the name of the Emparor, the Cross of an officer of the
Legion of Honour.

CANROBERT,
General Commanding-in-Chief.
Head-quarters before Sebastopol,
March 20, 1855.

TIIE BALT.O FLEET.

-.CP--

APRIL s.—The Baltic fleet, the most powerful and im-
posing that over left the shores of even naval England,
sailed from Spithead yesterday in profound silence, con-
trasting strongly with the sailing of the fleet last spring,
when all was gay and promising, and anxious thousands
crowded the waters of the Solent from all parts of the
kingdom to give their last adieux and breathe their good
wishes for success. Yesterday was lowering and gloomy ;
only two gay yachts (one of which, unfortunately, came to
grief) braved the uncomfortable weather, and fog shut out
from the shores the magnificent spectacle of 13 line-of-bat-
tle ships leaving their anchorage under canvass. There
was no good Queen there to wish "success," nor were the
waters spotted over with boat-loads of well-wishers, but
every man in the fleet left with a glowing hope of returning
in the autumn deserving of being welcomed with joy and
mclamation, and forming another contrast to last year.
The fleet got under way at two o'clock, and proceeded,
without any particular order, about six miles to sea, when
it fell a dead calm, and signal was made to get up steaori fr
B.P. four o'clock the fog had cleared away, and the sun snhe
without a cloud in the blue sky to screen his brig
eastward
The ships shortened all sail and proceeded to the
in two long lines. The starboard division was formed by
the Duke of Wellington (bearing the flag of Admiral Dun.
_
do.s, Commander-in-Chief) leading, and followed in rota-
tion by the Royal George, the Caesar, the Colosbus, the
Blenheim, and the Edinburgh.
The port division was led by the Exmouth with the flag
of Admiral Seymour (second in command), and followed by
the Nilo, the James Watt, the. Majestic, the Hogue, and
the Ajax. The six paddle steamers, the Dragon, the Bull-
dog, the Vulture, the Basilisk, the Magieienne, and the
Gorgon kept station on either side of the lines. In this
order the fleet proceeded up Channel with the moon (nearly
the fall) shining brightly and a gentle breeze, just enough
to call a ripply on the water, when, about opposite
Brighton, at 10 o'clock, a large merchant ship, running
under all sail with the wind a little on her starboard
quarter, ran foul of the Duke of Wellington, doing some
away her foreyard, port swinging
elorfrtYg
the port and part of the main chains,
sbeoroimous
tdhaem whole
ea
quareergallery, and hammock-nettings, breaking the stock
of the best bower anchor, and driving the sheet-anchor
from its berth into the gangway. The shock to the mer-
chantman must have been fearful, as she went nearly stem
on. Her foremast went by the board like a stick, and she
drifted astern a total -wreck, carrying her gear with her.
It is believed she was a very large ship. A steamer was
sent to assist her almost immediately, but returned. after
' some hours, unable to find her, and groat fears are enter-