The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-12 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, I'EBR U Y 12, 1855.

THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.

The
is
post
ENGLISH e CAMP,ilei
eI
alteredgh tso Sebastopol,
;f
instead
.0 f Jan.
leav 29.
in gto-
morrow at twelve o'clock, notice has just been given
that it closes immediately. Under these circumstances,
[have only time for a few lines.
Nothing of interest has occurred since my last. A
sortie was made on the French on the night of the 28th,
in which the Russians were signally dAatea, and the
officer who led the party dangerously wounded and
made pri,oner. Ile had just arrived from St. Peters-
burgh, and was covered with military oriers. A flag of
truce was sent in next day from SebastepOl to learn his
fate, and propose an exchange. The French bare re-
fused to give any information about him till his name is
divulged. He is believed to be a prince of high rank.
All our guns are packed and waiting to be put in po-
sition. We have 103, an I the Frencli 107. We are
not likely to open fire for two or three weeks to come.
A great deal of sickness prevails ; 400 men. were in-
valided yesterday, and 350 to-day. !More again will be
sent in to-morrow. . .
The Russians have opened fresh batteries.
JANUARY 30.
The authorities here have again chosen to alter the
time-of the mail, so as only to give time for a few addi-
tional lines. -
Beyond the occasional sallies from the garrison no-
thing is doing. The army which moved from the Tcher-
uaya has not yet been heard of, though it is believed to
have marched in the direction of Eupatoria. All the
new English siege guns have been forwarded to camp,
and are.there in park. No one knows the reason why
they are not got in position at once, especially as the
French.have long been ready and are waiting for us. A
new advanced work of ours, which, may be termed our
second parallel, has had the platforms laid for its guns,
which consist of 10. and 13 inch mortars, and 24
long guns. One or two guns have been placed for the
defence of the work in case of a sortie.
The French works are entirely completed, and mount
167 guns and mortars. Our lines will mount 103 ditto.
We also lend 10 mortars to the French, which will make
in all 280 pieces of ordnance bearing upon the town and
tatteries. It is still quite problematical when we are
likely to open fire. The sanguine say that the whole of
our guns can be placed in a week. It is quite true such
a thing is possible, but not with the small disposable
force which the English can spare. Judging from the
general progress which we have made in other matters,
I should say it will now be at least three weeks before
all the new guns are placed.
The enemy in the meantime is not idle • each week
witnesses the completion of some new battery earth-
work. On the south side of the town our artillery offi-
cers estimate the number of Russian guns at 450. Of
the north side we have but few means of judging, except
from the general appearance of the place, according to
which it seems almost impregnable. The Russians show
fearlessly outside their batteries, in large numbers. All
of them wear the same kind of sheepskin coats which
have lately, been issued to our men. I inspected the
town from our right attack yesterday, but there was
little worthy of remark beyond the extreme neatness and
strength with which all their works are repaired. A
large number of troops were employed in throwing up a
second line of defence in rear of the Flag-staff Battery.
The cemetery, which is situated outside the walls, tells
in unmistakeable language that the mortality in the town
Must have been very large. Not only the cemetery itself
but all round it is completely covered with mounds and
fresh-made graves, which would seem to indicate that
some thousands ad lately been interred there. If this
is the case with the only cemetery exposed to our fire, it
is not too much to presume that others more sheltered
and to the north had been even more crowded. We have
had continuous fine weather since I wrote last, and all
the men are now completely clad in their warm sheep-
skin coats. The soldiers appear to think it an essential
part of their duty to wear on all occasions all the cloth-
ing which is issued to them. For instance, men em-
ployed in dragging,up huge guns, or in fatigue parties
working with picks and shovels, turn out to their labour
when the sun is almost hot swathed up to the chin in
thick comforters, flannel shirts, and great-coats, and
sheep-skin coats over all. It is sometimes ridiculous to
see them moving about in this way, and it isgenerally said
that the men now suffer as much from over-clothing as
ever they did from being short of it.
The huts, I 3111 sorry to say, make no progress. One
has been erected to each brigade, to serve for hospital
purposes; but beyond these three or four the men are
under canvas as usual.

Thank heaven we' may now look forward to fine
weather. It would be hoping against hope to rely on
the wooden huts, which, even if we continua at our pre-
sent rate, will not be erected much. befqe 4iie-eAsneseez-,
is: well ifs. - -
' A mdst.deplefahle amount of atilt
lent throughout the whole of our divisions. As the
weather is finer, and our troops much better fed, it can
only ho accounted for by supposing that the sufferings
which our men have undergone iu past months is now
telling en them.

EitCll day numbers of sick are sent in for invaliding
to Scutari, and unless the mortality is as great there as
here, the hospital in the Bosphorus must be full.
On the 28th the French mules took in 400 of our
poor fellows, and on the 20th 350 more. Another hatch,
I am told, is to be sent in to-day. I know well that we
caunot be losing far short of 2,000 or 2,500 men and
officers per week, asd we certainly do lot receive snore
than 1,000 in the same time as reinforcements. In fact,
it is raw reinforcements—the boys— that are sent out
here, which swell our sick list to such inordinate pro-
portions.
The sufferings which our poor fellows undergo, in the
transit on mules from the camp to Balaklava, is almost
beyond belief. Several always die on the way ; and the
long time which they frequently have to wait at the edge
of the harbour, until all are taken on board ship, only
adds to their severe trials. In order to lighten the last
as much as possible, Commander Derrirnan, of the
Caradoc, has, with the assistance of his officers, built a
little shed, in which a ship's copper is fitted, and some
50 or 60 gallons of hot tea kept ready for the arrival of
the unfortunate invalids. As the mules bring them in,
and while waiting to be embarked, a pint of this is given
with some biscuit to each man. It is impossible to de-
scribe the gratitude which the risen express for the com-
fort which they say they derive from this slight suste-
nance. Yesterday I went down to the hut to see it in
working order, and it was painful to the last degree to
see the miserable, broken-down frames of our men, cla-
mouring and struggling with all their little strength for
a cup of the steaming drink. The whole management
of this little store is vested in Mr. Frederick Shead,
second master of the Caradoc, and the unremitting
kindness, patience, and attention with which he
arranges all for the comfort of the sick men,
deserve the highest praise. Morning, noon, and
tnhigialst,trwuhlyenecvhearrittahbele sick
workc;orn i
we
hicnh, he
, at is busy
a merely
erealyt
nominal outlay, relieves more misery and suffering
than some of the richest charites in London. Some
of the invalids sent in yesterday were fearfully frost-
bitten in the face, arms, and legs, and some were in the
very last stage of existence. Five died on the way down,
and two while in the boats to be conveyed to the ships.
At Balaklava, there is very little worth notice. Many
of the wooden huts have been erected at the head of the
harbour, and the streets under .the now commandant are
certainty better looked after. There is still no sign of
the railway.

The Malacca, 17, has arrived with one of the yachts
from the Crimean Fund, about the name of which latter
I am uncertaiu.

The Golden Fleece left harbour yesterday, with sick
on board • and the A.ndes, Gornelza, and Jason leave
there to-day, also full of sick.

The mortality among the Turks in Balaklava is per-
fectly appalling, considering their now reduced numbers.
In all the most dirty hovels of the town they congregate
in scores and die, without leaving their huts, er making
the least complaint. The reckless system of interring
them all round the town still goes on, though not to the
same extent as formerly.
A. number of nurses for the sick have arrived with
Miss Stanley from Scutari. They will attend to the
hospital at Balaklava, wnich I am bound to state is now
in excellent order, and really far surpasses what might
have been expected from an hospital in such a place, and
conducted under such trying circumstances.
Very few of the Cossacks remain round Balaklava, so
that the old route by the military road to Sebastopol is
now almost entirely open. Horsemen may ride to camp
by it with safety. For foot passengers there is still risk,
though many go by that way.
The enemy has recently erected a heavy battery on
the other side of the river Tchornaya. It is composed
entirely of long ship's guns, and throws its shot and shell
to a considerable distance. It is situated on a precipitous
bill, about midway between our right at Inkermau
and our rear, over the plains of Balaklava. No one
had axy suspicion that such a battery was ever con-
templated, until, to the surprise of all, it suddenly
opened ire two days since. No one cai conceive the
object which the enemy had in view i❑ throwing up this
work, as its very longest range shots fall nearly 2,000
yards distant from our lines. Yet the Russians fire
from it constantly at the few straggling soldiers who
quit our lines to search for wood and roots with which
to cook their rations. Though it is quite evident to all
that the !Russians might fire for ever from this battery
without once hurting one of the allies, yet still they keep
on wasting their powder and shot without even disturb-
ing us or the stragglers at whom they are aimed. This,
at all events, shows that the Russians are not short cf
ammunition of any kind, and are determined to give us
all the hindrance they cat), no matter how slight.

RUSSIAN PRODUOR.—The anticipations entertained
among the dealers in Russian produce regarding the
forthcoming proclamation to stop all intercourse with the
Queen's enemies having proved erroneous—the measure
not bearing upon trade, but being simply directed to
dealings in munitions of war, kc.—a reaction from the
sudden rise of Saturday has taken place in the tallow-
market, and the quotation, which had advanced to 595.
is again 575. per cwt., at which, however, there is a
tendency to hrmness.

LORD MALMESBURY AND THE
GRENADIER GUARDS.

Lord Malmesbury, in his late spoech, said be could
only find 18 officers in the Grenadier Guards "at all
connected with the peerage ;" I have also looked (says
a writer in the Times) over the Army List, and find as
follows :

His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Colonel and Field
Marshal. _
Hon. Augustus Foley, Colonel.
Hon. R. Bruce, Colonel.
Hon. J. Lindsay, Colonel.
Hon. G. Cadogan,
Hon. A. Gordon, Colonel.
Hon. H. M. Percy, Lieutenant-C,)lonel.
Hon. H. T. Forrester, Lieutenant-Colonel.
Hor. R. W. P. Curzan, Lieut?.Pant Colonel.
non. C. H. Lindsay, Lientena-0,,10ne1.
Lord Arthur Hay, Lieutenant-Colonel.
His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar,
Lieutenant-Colonel (son-in-law of the-Duke of Richmond.)

Captains,

Viscount Balgonie.
lion. W. Quin.

Lord Frederick Fitzroy.
Hon. A. F. Egerton.
Hon. Ashley Ponsonhy.
Lieutenants.

Hon. W. F. Forbes.
Hon. Amias Poulett.
Earl of Carrick.

Viscount Stormont.
Viscount Molyneux.
Viscount Hood.

Hon. John Stanley. Hon. J. B. Donner.
There are also two Baronets, Sir Charles Russell and
Sir James Ferguson, making in all 27 with handles to
their names.

Of others "not at ali connected with the Peerage"
there are—.

Colonel Wood, son of Lady Caroline Wood, nephew
of Lord Hardinge.
Colonel Craufurd, married to a Cavendish, grand-
daughter of Lord Burlington, and cousin to the Duke
of Devonshire.

Colonel Ridley, nephew of the late Lord Colborne,
and married to a daughter of Lord Oranmore.
Colonel Mitchell, eon of Lady Harriet Mitchell, and
nephew of Lord Raglan.

bolonel Goulburn; nephew of Lord Rokeby, and son
al the .ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lieutenant-Colonel Reeve, son of Lady Susan Reeve,
and nephew of Lord Harborough.
Lieutenant-Colonel iViaitland, son of Lady Sarah
Maitland, and nephew of the Duke of Richmond.

Captain Crichton Steart, son of Lord James Stuart,
presumptive heir to the Marquis of Bute.
Major Ponsonby, son of the Hon. F. and Lady Emily
Ponsonby, of the Besborou,gh
Major Ellison, nephew of Lord Rokeby.
Captain Cast, son of the Hon. P. Cust, and Isabella,
sister of the Duke of Buccleuch.
Ciptain De Horsey, son of Lady Louisa de Horsey.
Captain Higginson, ■on of Lady Frances Higginson.
Captain A. Fox, son of Lady Caroline Fox.
Captain Koppel, great grandson of the second Earl of
Albemarle, K.G.
Captain A. Ponsonby, brother of Major Ponsonby
above.
Captain Sturt, son of Lady Carlotta Sturt, and nephew
of Lord Cardigan.

Lieutenant Fullerton, son of Lady G. Fullerton, and
nephew of Lord Granville.
Lieutenant Parnell, nephew of Lord Congleton.
Lieutenant Thynne, ion of Lord John Thynne.
Lieutenant Buck, son of Lady Elizabeth Bnck, and
grandson of the late Marquis of Thomond.
Tn all 48 persons, nearly connected with the Peerage.
There are also five eldest eons of baronets, and the un-
der-mentioned officers, also closely connected with noble
families:—
Lieutenant-Colonels.—Clifford, Hopwood, and Wyn-
yard.
Captains.—Hatton, Digby, and Mitchell.
Lieutenants.—Clive, Tracy, and Clayton.
62 in all ;—tolerably well for one regiment
There is here an evident suppressio 'seri on the part of
Lord Malmesbury ; and also in his omitting any men-
tion of the officers of the Life Guards, the show soldiers.
A correspondent in this day's Times asks, if Lord
Raglan still receives the salary of Master-General of the
Ordnance ? which, for his satisfaction. I answer in the
affirmative ; also, that he has 1,6001. or 1,8001. as
Colonel of the Blues, a pension for wounds, and his ap-
pointments in the Eaet, amounting iA all to not far short
of 10,0001. per annum. What services he has rendered
to his country to entitle him to such great rewards I
leave to others to discover. I know that he is the son
of one duke and the proteg6 of another, and he was made
a Lieutenant-Colonel at 23 years of age, and has for 30
or 40 years had an easy birth at somewhere about 2,0001.
per annum, besides a regiment, &c.

Y,TIN GUIS TIE R.V2Pgs-7

. _
(From lice United Service Gazette.)
A correspondent of tho United Service Gazette, serving
before Seba,topol, cAlls our attention to several oases of
promotion fur "distinguished service " of t•t,ff officers
who, neither at Alma, Balaklava, nor Likerman, were
wit'iin range of the fire at those battles, and are there-
fore so questionable that they call for the strictest in-
vestigation—in defiance of aristocratic or Parliamentary
influence—on the part of Lord Hardinge, for the satis-
faction, not only of the country, but of the profes-
sion so deeply interested. It is his Lordship's im-
perative duty to institute inquiry, and failing to du
80, we trust that the matter will be taken up and ex-
posed by some ineependent member of Parliament.
Besides the whole of the staff of Sir Richard Eng-
land's division, which was in reserve, anti scarcely heard
the din of battle on the 20th of September and the sth
of November, and to whose questionable position in
these combats wo shall call attention further on, we are
particularly referred to the promotion of Brevet-Major
Hamilton, of the 47th Regiment, as Deputy-Assistant
in the Quartermaster-General's department—that de-
partment to whose culpable negligence, in not immedi-
ately constructing a road from Balaklava to the camp,
is chiefly imputed the calamities and sufferings which
our brave soldiers have endured. We should like to
know whether Brevet-Major Hamilton or Brevet-Major
Stuart Wortley, both of the Quartermaster-General's
staff, were under the enemy's fire, either at Alma, Bala-
klava, or Inkerman ? On the contrary, was not the
former on the beach, out of earshot, while the battle of
the Alma was razing ? Was he not afterwards snugly
ensconced, out of danger, in his office at Balaklava dur-
ing the other two battles? Did Brevet-Major Stuart
Wortley partieipate, under fire, in any one of the three
battles ? No ; the division (Sir R. England's) to which
he was attached was in reserve, and not engaged.
The above two officers of the Quartermaster-General's
staff obtained the brevet rank of Major, for " distin-
gutshed service !"
The other cases to which we would refer are the whole
of the staff, with the exception of the subalterns, of Sir
Richard England's division who have also obtained
steps of promotion for "distinguished service," and
who, like Brevet-Major Wortley, were, for the same
cause, out of danger of the enemy's ire. Their names

are :

The Hon. F. Colborne, 15th Regiment, as Assistant-
Quartermaster-General, gazetted from Brevet-Major to
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel.
The Hon. Adrian Hope, 50th Rifles, Brigade-Major
to the Division, also gazetted from Brevet-Major to
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel.
J. S. Wood, lath Regiment, Assistant-,Adjutant-
General, gazetted from Brevet-Major to Breyet-Liente-
nant-Colonel.
Captain 1 evill, Scots Fusilier Guards, Aida-de-Camp
to Sir R. England, gazetted to Brevet-Major.
Captain Daniell, 38th Regiment, Aide-de-Camp to Sir
J. Campbell, Commanding Ist Brigade of the Division,
gazetted a Brevet-Major.
Captain Graham, 11th Regiment, Aide-de-Camp to
Major-General Eyre, commanding 2d Brigade of the
Division, obtained a brevet-majority after being less
than five months a captain !
All these, be it observed, were selected for their dis-
tinguished service !—in the reserve ! Shame— thame—
shame

Having brought the above canes to the notice of the
public, Lord Rardinge, we presume, being already cog-
nisant of their merits, we shall look forward with much
intermit to the coarse which his lordship may adopt to
remove the stigma attached to him by the wholesale,
should the facts be proved, perversion of patronage,
exhibited in the promotion of so many persons.
Should the Commander-in-Chief order the necessary
investigation, or, failing it, should the public insist on
inquiry, we hope, in the particular case of Major Ha-
milton, that whoever recommended him to Lord Raglan
for promotion for distinguishei service before the enemy
may be deservedly exposed for abusing the confidence
placed in him, by surreptitiously smuggling the name of
an officer and by false representation, obtaining advance-
ment in the service.

QUERIES RELATING TO THE NEWS-
PAPER STAMP.

Is not the stamp equivalent to a newspaper copyright ?
and if it were repealed, would not the most important
contents of the daily newspapers be immediately re•
printed in all large towns, and sold in penny or half-
penny sheets, to the injury of nil existing newspapers ?
Has it not been owing to the security afforded by the
stamp, together with the guaranteed free circulation of
newspapers by post, that an immense capital has been
employed in their production thus rendering the
British press altogether unrivalled both for priority of
information and for the talent with which it is con-
ducted ?

Would not the abolition of the stamp, and that of the
free circulation of papers by post, not only injure, if not
destroy, the present newspaper press, but also create
another inferior to it in every respect !
Would an unstamped penny or halfpenny political
press be desirable in seditious times ? If not, would it
be wise to create one at present !—Morning Chronicle.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.-The
general meeting of this society was held at the society's
house, Hanover-square, on Saturday ; Mr. Miles, M, p*7
presideht, in the chair.