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

FRANCE.

PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING.
The Minister of Marine has received the follow-
ing report from Vice-Admiral Bruat. It explains
very clearly one of the principal causes of the failure
of the allied attack on the 18th ult. on the Mala-
khoff Tover and the Reda; as it appears that the
Russians had at the time large masses of troops
ready drawn up, and on the point of making a sor-
tie in order to recover, if possible, the works
which the French and English had taken from them
on the '7th. In place, therefore, of the allied troops
taking the Russians unawares, they were themselves
to a certain extent surprised by the fact of the
Russians being drawn in in such force to receive
them :

MONTEWILLO, une .
"Monsieur le Ministre' "
—At the moment whenl9
the
allied squadrons returned from Reach, the generals-in-
chief were preparing to follow up the successes already
obtained, and were contemplating a serious attack
against the Malakhoff and the battery of the Redan.
Although the co-operation of the Navy had not been
demanded for this attack, Admiral Lyons and I thought
that we might be able to aid in it. Admiral Lyons could
employ in his various night attacks many more steam-
vessels than I, in consequence of my laavimcr been com-
pelled to send frigates to Constantinople. For want of
frigates, I was obliged to devote to this service corvettes,
and small steamers ; and I was able, when the English
sent four vessels and three gunboats to add to them three
vessels of my squadron, each vessel presenting herself
singly before the forts at intervals of about half-an-hour.
We were very fortunate in these nocturnal expeditions.
Since the Mogador, whioh, before our departure for
Kertch, bad had two men killed, no French vessel had
had a man put Fors de combat. The English had been as
favoured as ourselves, until two nights ago, but on that
occasion they met with a severe loss. A shell, 'which fell
on board the Terrible, killed two men and wounded
elevtn. Other ships were also struck, and the total loss
of the English on that occasion was seven men killed
and thirty wounded. Last night, only two vessels
threw projectiles into the place, and although their fire
was returned with vigour, they met with no damage.
The vivacity of the fire of the Russian batteries clearly
indicates the irritation of the enemy at those incessant
attacks. From the great want of artillerymen to which,
according to the account of deserters, the place has
been reduced, owing to the long siege, it is not a trifling
natter for them to be compelled to keep their sea-ward
o
have the gconstantlyt
img
ua
end7adnadnpdarrteiacduylafrolry at
hc toisoen
gunners, and t
wl,ose energy alone explains the long resistance which has
been made at Sebastopol. It is positively stated that the
rulnent when the Mamelon Vert and the white works
were about to be attacked by our troops, the Russians
were obliged to send for gunners from the Quarantine
forts in order that they might be able to return the
fire, directed on the redoubts which were to be attacked.
It was principally to prevent their adoptibg the
same course, that Admiral Lyons and I, when in-
formed of the intentions of the Generals-in-Chief, de-
cided on getting the steamers of the two squadrons under
weigh, and keeping them moving about, before the forts
within cannon-shot ready to lay hold of any opportunity
that might present itself for making a more serious
attack against the seaward forts. At three o'clock
is the morning the two squadrons were under steam,
and at half past three signal rockets, thrown up
from one of our 'works, informed us that the
allied troops were in march on the Redan and on
the Malakhoff Tower. Notwithstanding the vigour
with which this double attack was conducted, the
courage of the allied troops failed of success ; they could
not effect a lodgment in the works which they were to
carry ; but although compelled to retire they have not
lost an inch of ground, and they fell back in good order
on their parallels, which they still occupy. From the
very first streak of daylight every eye was directed to-
wards the Malakhoff Tower. The failure of our attack
was not confirmed officially until late in the day, but
various circumstances had already made it known.
Admiral Lyons and I had agreed befor'ehand that we
would not commence any attack until it was evident
that such a diversion would be useful. If any re-
liance may be placed on the accounts given by prison-
ers, the failure of the attack on the Malakhoff Tower
must not be solely attributed to the strength of that
work. Our troops found before them considerable
masses of the enemy, who were themselves preparing to
make an attack on the Marnelon Vert and the white
works. If one object, therefore, has not been obtained,
that of the enemy has been also defeated, and although
repulsed we have not renounced the offensive. No one
feels any doubt of our being able soon to take our re-
venge. Never did troops display mure ardour. After
having passed the whole day under steam, the squadrons
again came to anchor just out of cannon shot before
Sebastopol--I am, &c.,

" BRUAT."
The following private telegraphic despatches
have been received to-day :
" VIENNA, 2d.—Yesterday evening M. de Bour-
queney introduced M. Thouvenel, the French
ambassador at Constantinople, to Count Buol,
and the two French diplomatists remained for a
considerable time in conference with the President
of the Austrian Cabinet."
" BERLIN, 2d---ST. PETERSBURG, 2d.—General
Gortschakoff writes from the Crimea that up to the
29th nothing of importance had taken place before
Sebastopol. At that date the fire of the allies con-
tinued very slack."

BOURSE, JULY 3.—CLosnza PRICES.
Cash. fr. e. End of Month.
41 per Cents 92 —92 f. 400 c.
3 per Cents 65 8i 66
Credit Mobilier 922 50 Roman
Credit Foncier — Austrian
Belgian Fives ...... .. Spanish Threes —
Piechnontese Bl 50 Homo Debt 29}

ILUILWAYS—FOR CASH.
ft. c. fr. fk,
Orleans
Western 746 25 Rouen —
Cstte
Mediterranean 1195 Havre 635
Northern