The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-11 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1855.

THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL.

SUN OFFICE, Three o'Ciock.

1713 to the hour of our going to press no

further intelligence than that which we published
in our Third, Fourth, and Fifth Editions, last

night, h'as been received at the War-office.

Sebastopol has fallen ! There -will be mourning
and lamentation throughout the wide-spread donii-
nions of the Czar., and honeSt, fervent exultation
in France and England—exultation chastened by
sincere regret for the heroes who have freely shed
their blood, in achieving this glorious triumph.
The anticipations which we yesterday put forward
have been already realised. We then stated that
the " Sebastopol problem" had been " virtually
solved," and that, consequently, the Russian Fleet
and the south side of the city must speedily fall
before our fire. Within a few hours the accuracy
of the prediction was verified. During the night
of Saturday and the following morning the south
ide was evacuated, the magazines exploded, and
the whole of the town set on fire. The Fleet, too,
was burned or sunk, with the exception of three
steamers, which were busily plying about the har-
bour, from whence they cannot possibly escape,
and which have, doubtless, already been satisfac-
torily disposed of.

The Allies have thus completely achieved the
arduous task in which they were engaged. We
say " completely achieved," inasmuch as it mush
• be kept in mind that no attempt has as yet been
made against the northern forts, with the excep-
tion of the limited bombardment on the first day
of the siege. That work has still to be accom-
plished. But we are justified in believing that it
will not be by any means so protracted as that
which has just had so triumphant a termination.
A large proportion of the Russian resources were
" melted in the crucible" of the South side. The
victory was not hastily or easily obtained, and in
proportion to the difficulty of the task and the
obstinacy of the defence will be the consequences
of our triumph. Had we gained Sebastopol by a
" surprise," or after a faint resistance, the Rus-
sians might still hope that the disaster could be
repaired. But they have now had ample proof
of the impossibility of coping with the
Allied troops on anything like equal terms, or of
resisting a combined attack. Their comparative
weakness It ts been established beyond the possi-
bility of doubt ; and they will be ready to act on
tie conviction, and to make full submission when
s Ltisfied that they can neither bully nor eljele the,
Western Powers into a transitory peace or the
acceptance of inadequate terms.

Our triumph has unquestionably cost us dearly.
General Stmesox says that " the casualties are
samewhat heavy ;" and it iOmmoured, and we
fear with too much truth, that no less than 2,000
of our gallant soldieri have been ':placed hors dc
`'C'orn. bat, while the losses of our brave Allies, who
undertook, and nobly achieved, the most arduous
partof the labour, must necessarily have been far
morn serious. When we add to this melancholy
.
!
catalogue the names of the mighty dead at Alma
13alaklava ! Inkerman ! and the TellernaYa—be-
sides the nightly destruction in the trenches,
and the deaths from disease and overwork—it will
be seen that Russia has to render a heavy account,
from a single item whereof she cannot be relieved
or exonerate 1.

It is now indigpensable that we should fully
"itnpiove the oceasioe—that we should follow
our advantage with promptitude and energy,
so that the result may be indeed " decisive."
There must be no sparing of Russia—no mercy
to the unconscientious brigand--,,cmerc, which
would prove cruelty to the meritorious pasties-
who have been reluctantly forced into the struggle
by a uecez.w:fit It la uot