The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 24, 1855.

by the Crimean Army Fund, with comforts and necessaries
for the army in the Crimea, left Gibraltar on the 16th
inst. for Balaklays.

MILITARY.

The depot of the 92d Highlanders arrived in Edinburgh
Castle on Thursday morning from Belfast. It numbers
above 200 strong, and meanwhile garrisons the Castle with
the depot of the 82d, embarked for Corfu.
The 15th Hussars, the head-quarters of which are sta-
tioned at the Exeter cavalry barracks, have commenced re-
cruiting. During the last few weeks the regiment has been
actively engaged in training horses for the Crimea.
Two captains, four subalterns, six sergeants, two drum-
mers, and 100 rank and file from each depot of regiments
serving in the Crimea are ordered to be held in readiness
for immediate embarkation for Malta, where they will
form a provisional depot to the army under Lord Raglan.
The Crcesus, at Southampton, will be ready for the con-
veyance of troops by the end of the month, and will con-
vey some of these detachments to Malta.
A small barrack, on the Milldam, Portsmouth, adjacent
to the new garrison hospital, has been attached to that
establishment for the accommodation of the sick and
wounded en arrival at Portsmouth from the Crimea. It
will contain from 50 to 80 convalescents.

The new cavalry barracks at Hilsea, three miles from
Portsmouth, is at present occupied by a company of mili-
tia; but a field battery of artillery, with from 80 to IUO
hoi see, will be sent down as soon as the exigencies of the
service admit of the rerac.val of the militia from those
barracks.

The authorities of the Royal Clarence Victualling esta-
blishment, Gosport, are now loading with provisions, with
all despatch, for Malta and the Crinsea, the transports Isis,
Louisa, ifargaretta, and Shannon. All these will be laden
and despatched (or nearly so) this day.
A letter from an officer of the China squadron, dated
Hong Kong, the 27th of November, says :—" The Rattler
has just arrived from Shanghai, bringing back the Gover-
nor of Heng Kong. Wo have met with unsatisfactory re-
sults at the Peiho. The Comus, now at Canton, it is ex-
pected, goes down to Singapore. The Encounter, in a day
or two, proceeds to Shanghai. The Bittern relieves the
Comus at Canton, and the Racehorse goes to Amoy. The
Winchester and Spartan, Styx and Barraconta's destina-
tion is at present unknown. One of the marine officers of
the Sybille is to be tried by court-martial. J. C. Ansten,
assistant-sergeon, is appointed to the Sybille, vice Murrey,
who goes to England in the Lily. The Enterprise sailed
for England last week with all the officers under close
arrest, and a mate was sent to navigate the ship to Eng-
land, in conjunction with the ice-master, who lately had
been doing all the official duties of the ship."

THE SIEGE OF ,c'EBASTOPOL.

A private letter (French) from the camp before Sebas.
topol, of the Ist inst., is as follows:

" The cold begins to make itself felt. The thermometer
(centigrade) marks two degrees islow zero (freezing point);
but this is merely a prelude. Tae mountains above Inker-
mai are covered with snow, which does not fall until later
at the peninsula of the Chersomese. The camp, enclosed
on two sides by the sea, is partly sheltered from the north
winds, and the excellent arrangements adopted by our sol-
diers will protect them from the rigours of the season.
With their usual skill and intelligence they have succeded
in establishing chimneys in their tents. The fireplace
is dug in the ground, and a pipe laid under carries the
smoke out. The Zouaves have found, ne one knows where,
water pipes in cast metal, en that their warming ap-
paratus is ai object of admiration to their friends, the
English, who remain freezing till their wooden houses
come out from England to them. If the thermometer of
the weather gets low, that of the good spirit of the army
has not for a single moment fallen. Our young conscripts
rise very soon to the level of their seniors. I know not
what aro the intentions of our General-in-Chief, but the
day he desires to make use of it he will have an admirable
army to second him. In this respect he has no need to
hurry himself, for the army has confidence in itself, aLd
its vigour is becoming more and more solid.
" The difficulty of communications having delayed the
transport of supplies of projectiles to the English camp, a
step has been adopted which will greatly accelerate that
operation. They are brought up by men belonging to the
French corps of observation. In this manner about 300
projectiles (10-inch shells) are brought up daily from Bala-
klava to the depot near the English batteries. Our brave
soldiers apply themselves with an ardour really worthy of
admiration to all sorts of work, but in particular to that
which contributes towards hastening the moment for the
assault which they so earnestly desire.
"According to the most acourate information, convey-
ance by sledges cannot be considered in the Crimea, and
oven on a part of the steppes which are above Perekop, as
a mode of transport of a permanent and regular nature,
because 'the snow does not generally remain suffieiently
long and with the necessary degree of solidity. The Rus-
sians cannot therefore count upon the sledges in the interior
of the Crimea, and it will not be possible for them to make
use of it except to a certain distance above Perekop.
"There is as yet no indication of the arrival of the two
Russian divisions recently sent to the Crimea. They must
have found on their way great obstacles in consequence of
the rains. On the other hand, the country, no longer of-
feting aay more resources for the sustenance of horses, the
greater part of the Russian cavalry appears to have retired
towards Perekop.
"The day before yesterday General Morris made a recon-
naissance in the direction of Baidar with the Chasseurs of
Africa,several battalions, and abattery. He encountered some
posts of Cossacks, whom the Chasseurs charged, and of whom
they killed a few, and made some prisoners. The Russian
artillery in position on the right bank of the Tchernaya
fired on the party. Our artillery replied, and broke one
of the enemy's pieces. But the Russian corps stationed on
the right bank attempted Nothing. A. few battalions, how-
ever, got under arms. We have had four or five wounded,
one of whom is an officer, who received a lance thrust."
We 'borrow the following details of the siege of Sebas-
topol from the correspondence of the Moniteur de
CAratee

" Beforo Sebastopol, Dec. 31.

" Starting from the Belfry-house, inhabited by the major
who commands in the trenches, and which is the centre of
all the orders relating to the siege operations, you enter
the covered zig-zags heading to the parallels. The first
parallel joins the second on the left ; it leads now, without
interruption, to the Quarantine faubourg. The second
parallel, which on the left stretches 300 or 400 metres into
the bay, touches on the right the third parallel ; it passes at
the point where two ravines meet, and which unite at a
depth of 100 feet.
"At their point of junction there is a knoll called the
Green-hill, occupied, it is said, by 1,000 Russians, and
distinctly visible from the right extremity of the third
parallel, by raising one's head carefully above the parapet.
The sinuoaities of the valley protect the Russians there
from the guns of a battery placed between the English and
French lines of attack. _

"On the decline they have constructed ambuscades or
shelters one metre in height, of solid stone ; they have
crenellated the walls and keep a watchful eye on every
living thing that shows itself. It is from this point that
they often 'make sorties,
.either on the French right or ou
the English left. The difficulty of mating a way in the
rock has greatly retarded the moment when our works can
force this important point, which is supported by twoguns
loaded with grape ; but it will inevitably be carried by the
first success of the third parallel.

In advance of the Green-hill there is a small lake where
the two ravines disgorge. It separates them from a third
ravine which descends from the English lines, joins the two
others, and pisses behind the Flagstaff Battery. Oa this
spot the eye dwells with delight. It is a great pleasure to
behold still water, poplar trees, gardens, and a mill, it is
true, without its clapper. This oasis, which the cannon
ball alone protects against the cannon ball, is too dan-
gerous to be inhabited for any one to think of seek-
ing a refuge there. Above the mill, still on tho op-
posite incline of the deep valley which stops us, are a
number of Russian cottages, which, seen from the right
of the third parallel, appear on the flank. They are all of
the same dimensions, of the same whiteness, with the
same two black, open windows, On the left is the town ;
the church and an isolated house, with a green roof are
isible. The plateau between the incline which we see
and that which descends to the seashore is crowned by
batteries with a formidable row of cannon mouths. Here
the English will have a great part to play when the
general assault takes place.

" The Flagbtaff Battery, 80 metres in front of the 3d
parallel, is a ruin, but it holds out. In front of the bas-
tion there is a deep ditch, well furnished with palisades,
and the counterscarp of which bristles with chevaux de
frise. A French battery of six mortars can send shell and
rocket into the bastion tram the 3d parallel.
"Along the whole development of our trenches there
aro, at the distance of about 20 metres, erenellated earth-
works. Our sharpshooters ambuscade there, and keep a
sharp look-oitt. Woe to the workman or curio's indivi-
dual who shows himself t In vain have the Russian rifle-
men constructed along their whole front ambuscades simi-
lar to ours. In boldness and skill we bear off the pales.
It, is an interesting sight to see our riflemen creep along,
like.f•xes or snakes, from stone to stone, under the very
walls of the town, when cannon are brought to bear
against them is reply to their rifles. At night it is a con-
tinual feu d'artifice.

" At intervals, also, the trenches are enlarged, and in-
stead of a simple parapet surmounted by gabions and
earthwork, a flight of many steps en fascine is con-
structed. Here the support battalions advance when a
sortie is made. It would be difficult to convey a just idea
of the hard work of the siege division. Duty in the
trenches lasts 24 hours, without counting the time em-
ployed in going and returning. We pass one night out of
three in a hole or ditch full of water, whore it issarn-
possible to light a fire to keep out the cold. One's back
against the gabions, one's feet en a heap of stones, the
musket within reach, almost without seeing one another,
officers and men struggle against sleep, and are ready
to start to their feet on the first alarm of the sentries.
It is military heroism en permanence. The siege army
has bored 20 kilometres in the rock; it obstinately
defends its works under a shower of missiles against an
enemy hidden behind walls and in ravines, continually
reinforced by men and ammunition. Alma was settled
in three hours; Inkerman in one day; the siege requires
months

" The yenng soldiers recently arrived from France take
a long tine to get accustomed to such hard work, but the
veteran troops only exhibit impatience at waiting for the
g'orieus object they have in view; they know that their
enemy is harder up than themselves, and this thought
makes them brave every sort of enffering.
" The other night, in a deluge of rain and in complete
darkness, some 20 of these intrepid volunteers known in
the army as enfans perdo, because they risk their lives in
the most daring enterprises, passed out of our trenches.
Two led the way, ono behind the other at thedistance of five
paces. The rest of the band followed, commanded by an
officer called Benner, formerly of the 7th Regiment of the
Line. They all crept along on their bellies in dead silence
Their chief, an old Zouave, had taught them how. As
getsbou bound
dn
to without
h hie
fee t
sho
each man lies down he glides along his rifle to the full
stretch of his arm, he then glides on himself, and thus
noisetilietranemebnaemrryasssumrepnrti,sealhwimay.s ready
tset
in advance acted as a guide ; he felt the way ; the second
communicated with the officer surrounded by his band.
Every man had his eyes and ears on the alert. The path
they took made a circuit. They had to leave on the rig'. tan
earthwork occupied by Russians. To fall upon it, carry it, or
kill its occupants, would not have been a difficult task, but
it would have given the alarm. It was necessary to double
it and glide between it and the ditch, inspect the enemy's
works, and return without letting them be aware of the dan-
ger they had incurred. Before entering the narrow strip which
separates the /base from the Russian post, the officer left
more than half his men on station. Should his party be
discovered, they were to fall upon 'the post. He himself,
with five or six determined men, enters the dangerous
path, and preeeeds alongside the fosse—with his hand ho
tries the strength of the defences ; they are bound firmly
together, and are fixed fast in the ground. The fosse is
six feet deep and full of rain-water. It seems possible to
scale the fosse—to tear up the defences would require time;
it would be better to burn them ; elteraux de frise are con-
nected together by chains. If the one burns the other
Will remain ; it is more advisable to carry them off some
20 yards—once there, they are ourr.
" The night is pitch dark. A few steps ahead a man
appears. Astonished he glides towards him. It is one of
his own men. If they all get up they are lost ; a trench
stops him • he hears the sound of the spade and the pickaxe
in the rock ; •he hears the workmen converse, the guard
splash with their feet in the water, the men cough. What
does this mean? The sound is bellow; it is a mine. It
commences here and leads there. But the rain continues
t 3 pour down. It is bitter cold, and the flash of a
gun may lead to their discovery. The officer gives the
signal to retreat. They returi the way they came. Their
track on the moist earth guides them. They pass again the
Russian outwork. The Russians little suspect a mortal
foe is so near to them. The men speak low together ; they
might take them all prisoners, but it would be imprudent.
There are other parts of the defences to be examined. The
success of the enterprise is more valuable than the death of
ten Russian soldiers. Finally, all having been explored,
they rejoin the remainder of the band who are waiting for
them lying down in the mud. Anything new, boys ?' says
the officer. Nothing.' Than let us return.' And these
20 brave fellows, wet to the skin, pass our sentries, who
were becoming anxions about them, in the same silence as
before.

" It is said that in the night between the 28th and 29th
of December the same men destroyed some works which
annoyed our troops, took a prisoner, derpit• of themselves
and carried off some sacks of powder. Ono of them received
a ball in the foot."

The suspension was announced yesterday at Liverpool
of Messrs. Miller and Thompson, a well known and re-
spectable firm in the shipping trade. The liabilities are
supposed to amount to about 60,000/.
TESTIMONIAL TO ROBERT BRIGHT, ESQ., OF BRISTOL.
—A. meeting of merchants and others, subscribers to the
testimonial to Mr. Bright, was held yesterday, in the
Council Chamber, for the purpose of presenting to that
gentleman a splendid service of plate, in token of the
esteem in which he is held by the citizens, for his inde-
fatigable and unwearied exertions in releasing the port
of Bristol of the heavy dues on its commerce, and as a
grateful tribute for his noble and disinterested liberality
on that occasion, by which the trade of that port bad
considerably increased, the imports of the last year
greatly exceeding any former occasion. Mr. Bright, in
an eloquent and feeling speech, sincerely thanked the
subscribers for their splendid testimonial.

THE LONDON GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT.

LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S-OFFICE, JAC 23.
Orders for the Court's going into mourning on Thurs-
day next, the 25th inst., for her late Majesty the Dowager
Queen of Sardinia, and for her late. Majesty the Queen of
Sardinia, Consort of the reigning King, viz.

The L'adies to wear black milli, fringed or plain linen,
white gloves, necklaces, and ear-rings, black or white
shoes, fans, and tippets.
The gentlemen to wear black full-trimmed, fringed or
plain linen, black swords and buckles.
The Court to change the mourning on Thursday the Bth
February next—viz.:
The ladies to wear black silk or velvet, coloured ribbons,
fans and tippets, or plain white, or white and gold, or
white and silver stuffs, with black ribbons.
The gentlemen to wear black coats, and black or plain
white, or white and gold, or white and silver stuff waist-
coats, full-trimmed, coloured swords and buckles.
And on Thursday, the 15th February next, the Court to
go out of mourning.
WINDSOR-CASTLE, JAN. 19.

This day had audienco of her Majesty the Count Charles
Vitzthum d'Eckstaedt, Minister Resident from the King
of Saxony, to deliver his new credentials ; to which he
was iutroducod by the Earl of Clarendon, K.G., her Ma-
jesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

6th Regiment of Royal Lancashire Militia—Edward
Fleetwood Hesketh, Gent., to be Lieutenant, Jan. 17.
Light Infantry Battalion of the Royal Sussex Militia—
James John West, Gent., to be Ensign Jan. 16.
Royal Sherwood Foresters or Nottinghamshire Regi-
ment of Militia—John,William Preston, Gent., on half-pay
in her Majesty's 76th Regiment, to be Lieutenant ; Thos.
Davies, Gent., to be Lieutenant. _

Royal Wiltshire Militia—Edmund George Benson,
Gent., to be Ensign, Jan. 12. . _ _

Queen's Own fight Infantry Regiment of Tower Ham-
lets Militia—Francis Jennings, Esq., to be Lieutenant ;
Francis Valentine Lee, Esq., to be Lieutenant.
King's Own Light Infantry Regiment of Militia.—
Ensign George Fuller Howes to be Lieutenant, vice Red.
man, retired.
Ist or Western Regiment of Norfolk Militia.—Herbert
Wodehouse, Esq., to be Captain ; Frank Astley Cubitt,
Gent., to be Ensign, Jan. 17.
2d or Eastern Regiment of Norfolk Militis.—Henry
Coldham Mathew, Gent., to 103 Lieutenant, Jan. 17.

Ist or Royal East Middlesex Regiment of Militia—
Lieutenant Edwin Dinning Colo to be Captain, vico Dy-
son, appointed Paymaster, Jan. 8 ; Ensign George Hamil-
ton Kittoe to be Licut, April 18, 183 • Ensign Jas. Ross
to be Lieutenant, vice Carnaby, promoted, Jan. 8; Rivers-
dalo Elliot, Gent., to be Ensign, vice Ross, promoted,
Jan. 8.

4th or Royal South Middlesex Regiment of Militia—
Ensign Wm. Piers Brisley to be Lieutenant, vice Boniton,
promoted, Jan. 15.

sth or Royal Elthorno Light lofantry Regiment of
Middlesex Militia—Charles Jaquet, Gent., to be Ensign,
Jan. 15.

Ist Regiment of Royal Cheshire Militia—William Fer-
guson Currie, Esq , late of the 81st Regiment, to be Cap-
tain, vice Lord Langford, deceased, Jau. 15.
2nd Regiment of Royal Cheshire Militia—Henry Fran-
cis George Webster, Gent., to be Ensign, *Jan. 12 ; Ensign
Edward Reddish to be Lieutenant ; Charles ontresor
Rodney Reyne, Gent., to be Eusigu, vice Reddish, pro-
moted, Jan. 15._

[Erratum in the Gazette of 12th January, 1855.]
2d Regiment of Royal Cheshire Militia—For John
Jestyn Williams Fredericks, Esq., Into Lieutenant in the
46th Regiment, to be Captain, Jan. 5,
Read, John Jestyn Williams Fredricks, &c.
Queen's Own Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry—Thomas
Bowyer Bower, the younger, Gent., to be Cornet, vice
Yeatman, promoted, Jan. 17.
[This article is substituted for that which appeared in
the Gazette of Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1855.]
Hampshire Regiment of Militia Infantry William
Samael Greatboed, late Lieutenant, 41st Regiment, to be
Captain, Dec. 30.
Hampshire Regiment of Militia Artillery—James Harry
Bartlett Raynolds, Gent. to be Second Lieutenant,
Dec. 30.