The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-31 00:00:00

RAILWAYS-FOB CASH.

fr. c. fr. C.
Orleans 1250 LO Lyons., 1207 ISO
Western 765 Rouen

892 50
Cate 647 50 Strasburg

Mediterranean 1287 50 Havre - 652 50

Northern

THE BALTIC FLEET.

DANTZIC, July 27.—The Lightning (despatch
boat, Lieutenant Campbell commanding) anchored
in the roads at 11 o'clock a.m., bringing the weekly
mails and despatches. She left Nargen. (where
Admirals Dundas, Seymour, and Penaud still re-
main, with. a portion of the fleet) last Tuesday
afternoon, and encountered some very heavy gales
during her passage to Dantzic.
The chief, and, in fact, the only incident of im-
portance to be recorded this week is the successful
attack on a Russian fort at Frederickshamm, a
fortress situate on the western coast of the Gulf of
Finland, midway between Wiborg and Helsingfors.
This expedition was commanded by Capt. Yelver-
ton, of the Arrogant, an officer who has gained for
himself a well merited reputation, on account of his
intrepidity and cool daring, added to the dexterity
with which he conducts his ships scatheless through
the most intricate and difficult passages. The
particulars of the affair are as follows :—The Arro-
gant, Magicienne, Cossack, and gunboat Ruby,
having joined company at Hogland, proceeded on
the 20th to Frederickshamm, off which place they
anchored the same evening. Captain Vansittart
then proceeded in the Magicienne's cutter to sound,
and approached to within 1,600 yards of a six-gun
fort, which opened fire upon him with a couple of
well-directed guns, without, however, doing any
harm. The next morning, the Magicienne lead-
ing, with the Arrogant, Cossack, and 110aby, got
into position at about 1,900 yards distance, and
commenced the attack upon the fort. The enemy
returned the fire of our ships with briskness for
the space of one hour and a half, but were at length
compelled to abandon the position, all the guns
being disabled, and the fort itself terribly knocked
about. No landing was attempted, Captain Yel-
verton not thinking it judicious to do so, as a
great number of troops were plainly to be seen,
drawn up behind embankments. Both the Arro-
gant and Magicienne were struck several times,
and the rigging of the latter vessel was much da-
maged. On our side no one was killed. The Ruby
had two men severely wounded, and one man be-
longing to the Arrogant was slightly injured. The
town of Frederickshamm could have been destroyed
with the greatest facility, but strict orders were
given to fire at the fort only.

THE WAR IN ABTA.

R*ouT KALE (Coast of Circassia), July 3.

On leaving the Crimea we received an order to
push on towards Batoum, in order to see the state
of affairs among the troops composing the division
commanded by Mustapha Pacha. On the route I
found myself once more in this place, which I had
the misfortune to see so frequently when I arrived
on this coast on board the Wasp, under the com-
mand of Lord John Hay, its gallant captain.
We landed to take a view of the fortifications,
planned by an English lieutenant of engineers, and
executed under his orders. I found them in a
better condition than I expected from the care of
the Turks or that of their gallant colonel, whose
countenance was always more florid in the evening
than in the morning. I was not long in compre-
hending this phenomenon. The enemy was in his
front, and all retreat cut off.
I have collected at Redout Kale some facts re-
lating to the Russian army and the interior of the
country, and I communicate them to you, suppos-
ing that they will prove interesting to your
readers.

The Russian division of the army of Colchis is
composed of 24 battalions, and of 1,000 Cossacks.
Its extreme right is at Rouhy, on the River In-
gour. That position completely bars the direct
route from Soukum Kale to Kutais ; but as this
might be turned on the left by the road which leads
from Anakria into the interior, the Russians have
posted some battalions at Sugdidi Hata and the
monastery of Khopi.
The main body of their forces is placed on the
route from Redout Kale to Tiflis, and forms the
centre of the Russian line. The head-quarters are
at Sanakhi, two days' march from Redout Kale.
Five battalions are posted at Tchekhotaoursk, in
the Gauriel, on the left bank of the Rion. This
point of junction of the different routes of Imeritio
and Mingrelia is situated at the foot of the chain of
mountains of Akhateyk. It is by Tchekhotaoursk
also that the Russian division of Kulais can commu-
nicate by Akhateyk with Gumri and Russian Ar-
menia. The two mountain roads, without being
praCticable for carriages, are still very good for
infantry and for baggage horses.
The detachment of Tchekhotaoursk forms the
left of the Russian forces, and can observe at a con-
venient distance the movement of the division of
Kuruk-sou.
The native militia watch over the approaches to
the Russian cantonments, and the Cossacks are de-
tached along the line.
The son of the late Levan Dadiane, Prince of
Mingrelia, being still a minor, the government of
the kingdom has been confided to his mother, an
Imeritian princess, of the family of Schiotchevadre;
her usual residence was at Sugdidi, four hours' dis-
tance
from Redout Kale; but the Ittmiane, find-

1

ing this place to be too much exposed, have caused
Ler removal to Sanakhi, the head-quarters.
Since the departure of the English steam boat
the silence of death reigns in the environs. All
connection between the garrison and the Min-
grelians is broken off. Nothing is seen but dismal
fires, that are visible all round at night to a dis-
tance of 10 leagues. The Turks and the natives set
fire to the forests and underwood, which makes
the whole country assume the appearance of a
burning river.
The Russians have in the waters of the Rion a
dozen vessels armed with cannon. This formidable
squadron is of use in transporting the Cossacks
who appear from time to time in the Black Sea,
and seize the Turkish calque:d. which pass from Tre-
bisond and Batoum to7fards Redout Kale and the
coasts of Circassia. The Ottoman authorities, not
being able to reach these skimmers of the sea, are
waiting for the English to do the work for them.
The toast between Redout Kale and Chekfetit
belongs to the Turks, and as far into the interior
as they can carry their cannon and their ships, and
as long as they can maintain their possession. Far-
ther in they dare not enter, for though the Russians
may be at a distance, the inhabitants know very
well how to protect themselves. These are the
Gourielis, the handsomest and bravest among the
natives of the Caucasus.

I shall not quit Chekfetit without giving you an
account of its c=.lpture. It will differ much from
the accounts which you have had in the journals ;
but it will be the only real one--curious because
it shows how the Russian Government is served
by its agents. As to the veracity of this recital it
cannot be doubted, because it was detailed to me
by Aali Aga, and you will see what an important
part this worthy man played in this history.
Chekfetit had a custom-house. It is by that are
entered in Gouriel all merchandises drawn from
1 Europe. The contraband trade, which always
marches side by side with that of the custom-house,
has here free play, and of course the employes were
always the first to encourage it. Aali Aga, a Turk-
ish merchant, was one of the best practitioners.
Some days before the declaration of war he caused
to come to the frontier a large quantity of mer-
chandise in order to send it into Russia. The rup-
ture of relations between the two countries was
imminent. Aali Aga, dreading to have his mer-
chancl.lse left on his hands, desired to get it passed
as soon as possible but the employe, his friend,
was inflexible-3,000 roubles, and not a para less,
must be paid. He knew that Aali Aga was pressed,
and he resolved to profit by it. Aali Aga was
forced to pay double the ordinary price ; he paid,
but he swore vengeance.
The firman of war had been read at Batoum, but
hostilities had not commenced on the spot. The
Russian consul was still there. Aali Aga conceited
with Selim Pasha, and the plan to be acted on was
as follows :—The Turkish merchant came again to
Chekfetit, and communicated to the faithful em-
ploye, who did not expect that war would break out
so soon, that his correspondents would send for-
ward a vast quantity of goods, and he urged him to
manage the affair. The employe accepted the charge
of the business, but as soon as the peace was over
sentries were sent to watch in the night. A com-
pany of soldiers came to Chekfetit, and it was
requisite, in consequence, to arrange with the
captain. The officer merely replied that it was
necessary to forestal the arrival of two companies,
who were expected next day. Everybody was hur-
ried. The bargain was concluded, and the execu-
tion fixed for the same night. " The Giaours ran
to their post as if Satan pursued them," said Aali
Aga to me in a melancholy tone, while thinking of
his friend the official.
It was at the close of October, and the night was
gloomy, and the wind and rain descended violently,
when 400 Gourielis Mussulmans, under Hassan
Bev, came in silence to the banks of the river.
Aali Aga was with them. They had but one
Tessel to convey over all the body. About 20
Bashi-Bazouks passed first. A sentry heard them
land, and went to acquaint the commandant, who
told him to take no notice of it. Five minutes
after the captain was informed that many men
were passing the river. The captain went with
the official, and asked where Aali Aga was. Aali
Aga hearing him, said lie was there. The captain
withdrew upon that assurance. When the half of
the Bashi-Bazouks had passed the river, they

marched directly on the entrenchment ; the rest
followed quickly. Hassan Bey, as a true hero,
caused himself to be carried by his men, as his leg
was paralysed. The captain, seeing how matters
went, saved himself in the woods. The soldiers,
surprised, and deserted by their chief, still fought
bravely, and died like heroes. Sixty Turks fell,
but Chekfetit fell also. With the exception of
about 20 men and a Russian priest, few prisoners
were made. The wife of the priest, she being still
young, found pity, but her husband's throat was
ordered to be cut by Selim Pacha's command.
" Let them cut his throat" said this brave marshal,
when the priest refused to abandon his religion.
The report of Selim Pacha modestly recounts
how the mighty fortress of Chekfetit fell into his
hands, and that 3,000 Russians had bitten the dust.
Fifty pachas and officers were advanced and deco-
rated for their valour proved in this battle, of
which they did not even hear the sound. Selim
Pacha, recompensed beyond measure, becomes one
of the heroes of the empire.
Hassan Bey received the gift of a copper watch !
" As to the official of the custom-house," said
Aali Aga to me, " I caught the rascal in his own
chamber ; but while I was searching for the 3,000
roubles, he made his escape, stealing from me my
gun !"