The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-27 00:00:00

I ga.to long files of troops and bazgage ero,s the bridit e
to the north side ; confhgrktions soon hurt out on all
fid-s, and all doubt on tile suljecf, vanished. I should
like to !,are pushed forward, gained the bridge, and cut
off the enemy's retreat ; but the besieged kept blowing
up their fortifications, powder magazines, and buildings,
and those explosions would hare destroyed us in detail,
and made it impossible to carry out the idea. We
waited in position till the dawn broke over this scene of
desolation.

" When the sun rose it threw light upon this work of
destruction, which was even greater than we thought.
The remaining Russian vessels had been sunk in the
port, the bridge was doubled back, the steamers alone
remained busily employed in taking away the last fugi-
tives, and some fanatic Russians, who were endeavour-
ing to spread the co❑flagration through the town. But
soon these few men and the steamers were compelled to
retire and seek a refuge in the creeks on the north side
of the roads. Sebastopol was ours.
" Thus terminated this memorable siege, during which
the relieving army was twice beaten in the open field,
and the means of defence and attack of which had as-
sumed colossal proportions. The besieging army had in
its different attacks about 800 guns in battery, which
fired more than 1,600,000 rounds, and our approaches,
dug during 336 days, of open trenches, through a rocky
grou❑d, with a development of more than 86 kilometres
(20 leagues), were made under the constant fire of the
place and with incessant combats by day and night.
"The day of the Bth of September, on which the allies
gained the mastery of an army almost equal in number,
not invested, entrenched behind formidable defences, pro-
vided with more than 1,100 cannon, protected by the
guns of the fleet, and the north batteries still possessing
enormous resources, will remain an example of what
may be expected from a brave disciplined army hardene d
by war.
" Our losses on this day are-5 generals killed, 4
wounded, and 6 with contusions; 24 superior officers
killed, 20 wounded, 2 missing ; 116 subaltern Officers
killed, 224 Wounded, 8 missing ; and 1,489 non-commis-
sioned officers and men killed, 4,259 wounded, and
1,400 missing ; total, 7,551.
"As you see, Monsieur le Mareehal, I shall have
names to mention to your Excellency ; it will be the ob-
ject of a special report.
"The fleets of Admirals Lyons and Bruat were to
have taken up a position at the entrance of Sebastopol
roads, and to hare made a powerful diversion. But a
strong gale from the north-east, which was severe
enough on shore, lashed the sea into fury and rendered
it impossible to think of weighing anchor. The English
and French mortar boats fired, ne►ertheless, with great
success into the roadstead, the town, and the different
sea forts. As usual the Naval Brigade on shore emu-
late I the gunners of the land artillery, and distingui,he I
themselves by the ♦igour of their firs and the precision
of their aim.

"The English army behaved with its usual intrepidity.
It was preparing for a second attack, which would
doubtless have overcome the unexpected obstacles met
with in the first ; but the capture of the Malakhoff of
course rendered a second attack unnecessary.
The Sardinian Brigade of General Cialdini, which
General del la Marmora had kindly placed at my dis-
posal to reinforce the Ist clrps, stood the terrible cross
fire in our trenches with the aplomb of veteran troops.
Tile Piechnontese were eager to cross bayonets with the
enemy, but, as the attack on the Flagstaff Bastion did
not take pla,ce, it was not possible to satisfy the ardour
of these brave troy p i.
"As usual, M. le Marechal, our wounded, and even
those of the enemy, have received every attention. We
owe the recovery of many to the excellent organisation
of our hospital service, and to the personal devotion of
the hospital staff.
"I cannot conclude this report without mentioning
to your Excellency how, on this occasion, as on ninny
others, I am indebted to Major• General Hugh Rose and
Lieutenant-C ,looel George Foley, commissaries of her
Britannic Majesty at the headquarters of the French
army, for their services in the numerous relations I
have had to k •ep up during the action with General
Simpson, the English Commander-in• Chief.
"Accept, M. le Marechal, the expression of my re-
spectful devotion,
"PELISSIER, Marshal, Commander-in-Chief."