The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-25 00:00:00

_RECONNOITRING IN THE CRIMEA.

Oa December 20th orders were sent from Sir Colin
Campbell to the 79th Regiment, aid to the four com-
panies of the 2d Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, com-
manded by Major Bradford, to be ready and under inns
at half-past six o'clock next morning. It was a cold but
fine day, and at dawn all the troops were drawn out, and
remained on the heights above Balaklava for some timo,
very curious to know what they were going to do. The
demi-battalion of Zouaves encamped near the Marines
were also out, and soon after 7 o'clock the advanced
guard of a strong division of French troops appeared
in the valley on the left, and- proceeded towards the hills
lately occupied by the Russian redoubts. The French
force consisted of about 8,000 men, and it was accom-
panied by two squadrons of cavalry. As soon as they
had occupied the plain of Balaklava the Rifles and
fouaves were pushed on in front, preceded by cavalry
skirmishers and vedettes. Sir Colin Campbell was on the
ground, with several of his staff, and, with Gen. Bosquet,
whose division seemed to furnish the bulk of the troops
on the field, bad the direction of the movements of the
day. Several English officers accompanied the expedi-
tion, but it was remarked with some surprise that none
of the Quartermaster-General's department were there to
avail themselves of such an excellent opportunity of ex-
ploring the country, and of making themselves acquaintal
with the roads and the position of wells, streams, and
ravines. The force was all in motion before eight o'clock,
the Rifles and Highlanders turning to the right, and
covering the flank of the little expedition as it marched
on, or beating through the -woods and ravines which
abound along themountain chain on the left of the valley.
As the force approached Kamera. the Cossack vedettes
came in sight, retiring slowly, but the French pushed on
rapidly, and the Cossacks retreated from the village,
which has been in a ruinous state since the storm of the
14th of November and the first French reconnoissance.
The vedettes fell back on a strong body of Lancers and
light cavalry, which seemed disposed to await the shock
of the French Chasseurs. The retiring and advancing
cavalry, skirmishers, exchanged a few carbine shots be-
fore they fell in with their respective squadrons, acid
when the French had arrived within about 800 yards
they broke from a trot into a gallop, and dashed right
at the Russian cavalry. The latter met the shock, bet
made no attempt to charge upon the French, who broke
them in an instant, and chased them right back to the
infantry, who were assembled in three small bodies on
the hills, close to the village of Tchourgenm. The Rue-
Kiang cut very feebly, and fought without spirit, so that
the French had only a few men wounded. One officer,
however, received a severe wound from a sword-thrust
through the abdomen. As the French approached
Tchourgoum they were received with a brisk fire of shot
anti shell frora some heavy field-pieces, to which their
guns were unable to reply at so great a distance ; but
they soon pushed within range of the enesnvt
and the Russians again retired, and abandoned
the village of Tcheurgouna to our allies, as
well as the line of cantoninents and huts which
they had constructed since Liprandi's advance in Octo-
ber. The abject of this expedition was merely to beat
up the Russian position and to ascertain the strength of
the enemy--it was, in fact, a reconnoissance in force,
and there was no intention of bringing the Russians to
an engagement. Had any such intention existed, it
would have been unsuccessful, for the enemy retired
with great speed, and fell back on the heights over the
Tchernaya and the road to Mackenzie's farm, covered by
their artillery, which was heavy as usual, and quite
sufficient to crush the fire of the light French field-guns.
Our Allies at once burst into the village, but the Cos-
sacks had hem there too long to leave anything to
I plunder, and so the French set it on fire. At the same
time they applied combustibles to the huts of the Rus-
sians, and soon the whole cantonment was in a blaze,
while groat volumes of white smoke curling up into the
air, and spreading in sheets along the crest of the hills,
indicated the destruction of the village, and informed
the Russians that they could no longer hope for snug
quarters there. The huts built by the Russians were very
commodious and comfortable. Each was capable of con-
taining 20 or 30 men, and held an oven for baking at the
end, which also warmed the room. The camp, though
rather dirty, was well built, and in excellent order. The
object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished,
the expedition was halted, and the men set to work at
once to avail themselves of the abundance of wood
along the hill sides, and to make enormous fires, which
almost obscured the retreat of the Russians. It was
ascertained that they were very weak, and that they
did not number mere than i,OOO or 6,000 men. Through
my glass I could see them from the hills in front of the
Marine Battery, and they appeared to march in broken
masses up the steep and difficult roads leading to the
heights over the Tchernaya. Two strong bodies of the
enemy were, however, visible on these hills, nearly oppo-
site to our right flank, towards Inkerman. They had a
tall white flag-staff erected in front of their position,
from which they hoisted one large red and one white flag,
when the French were enter'ng Tchourgoutu. Towards
evening they lighted their camp fires, and it was evi-
dent that a considerable force still remained on the hills
between the Tchernaya and the Belbek. The French
remained on the ground till it was almost dark, and then
returssed to their camp. Tho Highlanders and Rifled,
who had made a very romantic march through some
beautiful valleys on the right, returned without seeing
anything of the enemy, and did not fire a shot. The
French lost two officers wounded (one since dead) and
about 20 men put 110r3 de combat. They took 17 of the
Russian cavalry and a few infantry prisoners. There is
on dit that they found and released an officer of the 89th
in Tchourgouni who had strayed from our lines and hal
been captured by the Cossacks a day before, but I can-
not say if it is true.

Sir (4. GREY said they were addresses to her Ma
jesty, and he had received her Majesty's command to
acknowledge them.
The papers were ordered to lie on the table.
SAVINGS BANKS AND FRIENDLY ANOTHIIIt ACCOL7N7.
SOCIETIES BILL. Heights of Sebastopol, Jan. 1.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the To-day it is bitterly cold. Though it is now blowing
EXCHEQUER, the order of the day for the second half a gale, and the thermometer below freezing point,
reading of this bill was read for the purpose of being our unfortunate soldiers are still in tents. No huts have
postposed until to-morrow. yet been erected for the shelter of our men ; and as far
RESIGNATION OF LORD as we can judge from the condition of the roads, it will
still be two or even three months before the poor fel-
JOHN RUSSELL. Rms are under cover, or screened in any substantial way
from the inclemency of the weather. The French have
Mr. HAYTER said—Sir, the noble lord, the mem beon hutted these six weeks, so also have the Turks.
ber for the city of London, has requested me to It is only the Zgl kwho still are in tents.
• state that he has considered it consistent with Yesterday the whole
of
the French
e cavalry, with 12
his public duty respectfully to tender to her Ma-
guns, two regiments of Zeuavew, the 79th Highlanders,
j and 2d battalion of Rifles, advanced across the plain of
asty his resignation of the office which he held, which
Balaklava towards the Russian camp, on the left side of
resignetion her Majesty bast been graciously pleased to the Tchernays. The Costa.* picquets retired before the
accept. The noble lord will take an early occasion of Allies, who successively occupied Kamera, Tchourgoum,
stating to this house the grounds on which he was in- and all the huts and camps held by the enemy. All
dosed to come to that resolution. (Hear, hear.) these were' immediately destroyed by fire. The
Lori PALMERSTON. Sir, after the statement enemy's outposts fell back among the hills and ra-
which has just been made by my vines to the outb. The French cavalry advanced to'
right /M. friend, I the Tchernaya,a where they were unable to cross.
trust the house will not think that her Majesty's Govern- The Russians brought out their artillery to reply to
went are trespassing too much on their indulgence' if I the French guns, which threw shell among their
ask the house to adjourn until to-morrow.There are huts. A rather smart cannonade of about an hour
obvious reasons, I think, evil, 1 should make that pre. ensued, by
whichoutrad llies scarcely lost a man.
postal ; and I should hope, therefore, those gentlemen as they were much mhe iareby the nature of the ground.
Their guns being advantageously posted were enabled
who have motions standing for to-night will have the to fire apparently with severe effect among the Rut-
goodness to postpone them until to-morrow, when they 1 sian troops. Towards evening the Allies again returned
will stand in the same position as they do now. I beg 1 within the lines of Balaklava. The French captured 13
to move that this house do now adjourn.
, prisoners, with about 40 good horses, and lost 21 men
killed and wounded. The village of Tchourgouns, which
Mr. DRUMMOND—I must remind the noble lord has lately been the head-quarters of Liprandi's force,
that those who have notices of motion for to-night will wa_s_obturnt to the ground.
not stand in the same position to-morrow night.l don't
.. Nmore than 5,000 or 8,000 Russians were found in
,could have taken pouesrion with
house may be, the camp on the left of the Tchernaya. The Allied force
know, of course,
been provided any means for crossing the river. It ,
*or do I desire towbhriantgthi:f°rnellynfeitifonthteo-night, but I •
with perfect ease had they
is rumoured that the great b..ok of Li di's arm
cannot consent to any postponement unless the. noble
lord will gone toattackPrany,
Eupatoria.
No one here doubts the truth of this
give precedence to-morrow to the motions as with :reinforcements, hay,
they now stand, in the paper for to-night.conjecture, and, in-
deed, weze it otherwise than true, 6,000 or 7,000 of the
Sir J. PA.B.INGTON— Sir, in reference to the motion
Allies could never have marched out to attack the en-
of which I have given notice for te-night, on the subject
along_ the range of heights in the
trenched comp of 45;000 men in the manner they did yes-
of national education, I wish to state that after the ap- terday. Yesterdayllievening the bivouac fires of the
peal which has been made to us by the Government, enemy were visible ..
direction of Eupatoria. The Russians have received in-
night—(hear, I certainly shall not think of bringing on my motion to-
night—(hear, hear)—and I will, therefore, with the per- formation
d have
gone
ethetolaantdtaincgk otfheS,goaorOriTsounrkshaeftorEeuitpaitsosrtiaill
mission of the house, postpone it until this day week,
From the state of the notice book, however, it is highly In the few lines I wrote on the Ist of this
-
improbable whether I shall be able to bring it on then, JAN.
3.
l able, in consequence of another alte-
faunrther strengthened._
I was on y ,
but I trust that the Government will, in consideration of monthration a the mail, to inform you of the fact that the