The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-13 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1855.

The national exultation for the glorious triumph
at Sebastopol is largely tempered by regret for
the mighty dead—for those who have nobly
fallen in the discharge of their arduous duties, or
who have received wounds that must permanently
damage their constitutions, and the effects whereof
can never be eradicated. The sorrows of the
widow and orphan cannot as yet be alleviated by
the knowledge of the universal sympathy enter-
tained for their irreparable losses. To them the
hour of triumph is one of the deepest mourning.
As yet they refuse the consolation that will be
freely tendered by every true-hearted Englishman.
But time will pour halm into their wounds.
Their heart-felt affliction will be tempered by the
knowledge that the names of those for whom they
are mourning, will remain enshrined in the recol-
lection of their country—that the Sebastopol
Gazette may be regarded as a monument more
enduring than brass or marble—and that glory
will ever illumine the memories of the fallen
heroes ! Where could a more enviable death have
fallen to the lot of man ? The anguish of the
fatal blow was assuaged by the shouts of victory
ringing in their ears, and the knowledge
that they had not fallen in vain ! that
every drop of blood, so lavishly shed on
the memorable occasion, would conduce to the
honour and safety of their fatherland—would pro-
duce happiness and prosperity to future genera-
tions, and that ample retribution would fall on
the unscrupulous aggressors. Such a death was
to be envied, rather than deplored, and the nation
must take due care of the mourners—must act
the part of husband, parent, and son, to the
widow, the orphan, and the childless. As to the
wounded, they are to be congratulated rather than
condoled with. Who is there among our readers
who would net willingly endure the pain and suf-
fering, for the glory attached to the result 2 To
have taken part in the fearful conflict will pro-
duce a life-long ovation to the victors ; but he is
indeed to be revered who has cemented with his
blood the triumphal arch commemorative of
French and British valour.

There wore 26 officers killed—exactly the same
number that fell at the Alma. There are, besides,
113 wouuded, being 40 more than those recorded
after the great victory of the 20eli September,
1854. The numbers of the men placed hors de,
combat has not as yet been announced ; but,
looking to the ordinary proportion, we can form
a tolerably accurate estimate, and we may reason-
ably caleulat 3 that 2,000 of our gallant country-
men have Leen either killed or wounded. Two
THOUSAND MEN ! It is a heavy price for even the
greatest triumph. But, thanks to " the LORD of
Hoses," their blood has not been shed in vain. A
substantial gain has been achieved, that may save
ten times the number from less glorious termina-
tions to their military careers
The great achievement may probably turn out
far more important than had been anticipated.
From the despatch of General PELISSIER we learn
that the attempt to destroy what could no
longer be retained was not as successful as Prince
GoaeseneeKoer supposed when he informed the
Auroers2 that the Allies had only come into poE-
seasion of " a heap of blood-stained ruins." We
are told that an amount of materiel and immense
establishments, the importance of which it is not
as yet possible to state exactly, is placed in our
hands ; while even the experienced mind of the
brave General was astounded at the extraordinary
skill and almost unbounded resources applied to
the protracted defence. He says—" The mind
cannot form an exact picture of our victory,. the
full extent whereof can only b 3 understood by an
inspection of the place itself." EmPhatically,
adding--" The multiplicity of the works of de-
fence, and the material means applied thereto,
exceed by far anything hitherto seen in the re-
jou of War !"
It is thus clearly established how great was
the importance which the enemy attached
to a Successful defence. I a fact, Russia
staked everything on the cast. Her chief
resources were:" intited th© crucible,"
and it seems certain &at, the great)bi 3 Ii ayirg