The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-04 00:00:00

Pxscr SD.

THE BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL.

The Moniteur of yesterday publishes the follow-
ing despatch from General Canrobert, a summary
of which has already appeared. It is dated April 17 •
" Monsieur le Marechal,—l have the honour to mu-.
der you an account of our successive' operations before
this place.
" After having maintained a fire during the day with
a marked superiority over that of the enemy, we ad-
vanced our approaches during the nights between the
9th and 12th in the direction of the Flagstaff .Bastion,
struggling all-the time with success against the posts,
supported by strong reserves, which the enemy keeps in
his ambuscades.
" In the night between the 13th and 14th General
PPelissier took efficacious 'measures to assure to us the
possession of the ground upon which the engineers were
to advance towards the Central Bastion. The, operation
was divided into two parties--Lthat of the right directed
by General Rivet ; that of the left towards the Cmetery,
directed by General 'Breton. , -
" First of all the enemy's ambuscades were carried with
great vigour by four companies of the 46th, commanded
by Chef de Battaillon Julien, and a company of the sth
Chasseurs (Lieut. Copri): The-resistance of the enemy
was most energetic, and the reserves made two or three
vigorous attacks, but which could not overcome the re-
solution of our companies engaged. 'Supported by 'a de-
tachment of the Foreign Legion (Captain Robert), two
companies of the 42d (Capt. Beauregard), and a company
of 'the 14th (Lieut. Sauve), they valiantly maintained
their ground. The ambuscades, `notwithstanding the
solidity of their construction, were razed. On the left
and in the rear the work of the engineers was protected
by three companies Of the 26th, under thnrders of Cap-
n'= giclint rathaitt ittrielitheSigr Oirfi_ Reit excellent,
and who was wounded at the head of his troop.
" While these events were taking place, General Bre-
ton caused to be carried on the left, with the same
energy and success, all the Russian ambuscades of the
Cemetery, by six companies of the 98th, commanded by
Chef de B ttaillon Gremion. Those companies, rein-
forced during the action by two others of the 9th
battalion of Chasseurs, gave proofs of the most remark-
able intrepidity and solidity. The 98th (23d Leger)
made here a brilliant debut. The enemy gave way after
a very sharp fire, which did not cause our men to retreat
even for a moment. These ambuscades were occupied
and destroyed like those on the right.
"Protected by this vigorously conducted double
operation, the engineers were enabled to complete their
levels and push on their works with activity.' A. new
parallel was formed ; we propose to turn it to great
advantage.
"In this nocturnal affair, which was very brisk, and
which does the greatest honour to our troops, we had 40
men killed, of whom 4 were officers, and 117 wounded.
"As regards our approaches on the Flagstaff Bastion
the effects of the enemy's artillery, acting at a very short
distance, almost rendered them impossible, or at least
they were only practicable at a considerable loss. Under
these circumstances we endeavoured to form a trench
half-way between our own parallel and the salient of the
bastion with the assistance of our mines, which had been
conveniently placed for that purpose. The train was fired
on the evening of the 15th. The operation was per-
fectly successful. The engineer officers and sappers
were immediately enabled to lodge themselves in an im-
mense fosse, of an average depth of four metres, the pos-
session of which was not disputed by the enemy. Thgir
troops lined the fortification, and,kept up a sharp fire of
musketry and cannon.
" Our mortars, on their part, sent a shower of bombs
upon the thickly-massed troops ; and I am informed by
a non-commissioned officer who deserted that the garri-
son there suffered considerable loss. Our workmen,
though in a difficult position, worked actively all the
night on the disputed ground to complete as much as
possible the crowning of the shaft, and to connect the
new trench with the third parallel. That night the
tro ps continued their labour with ardour ; 100 picked
men of the 74th now occupy this fourth parallel during
the day.

"In the midst of these combats and laborious works
the troops have always conducted themselves with the
greatest firmness, and shown the best spirit. General
Pelissier, who commands the left, is satisfied beyond
measure.

"To the right, on the side of the Malakhoff Tower,
the superiority of our artillery has also been main-
tained, but without succeeding in silencing that of the
besieged, except, however, in the two works of counter-
approach of Careening Battery, which have not fired a
gun for the last two days. In this part of our attack,
as in the other, we advance slowly, perfecting our exist-
iog trenches, and leaving nothing to chance.
"A new battery, established opposite the counter-
approach, called the Mamelon Vert (Green-hill Battery),
the fire of which was opened yesterday morning, has
produced good effect..

l- " Accor-lin2; to deserters the garrison has suffered
considerable losses, especially the marine artillerymen.
who form its most vital link, and show the greatest
moral courage. The Central and Flagstaff Batteries
are seriously damaged. Their armament has been re-
peatedly rendered unserviceable ; but the almost inex-
haustible resources of the place in artillery do not yet
tail them, and every night thousands of workmen repair
the damage which most requires it."

The Moniteur also publishes the following :
" BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, April 16.—Monsieur le
Marechal,—General Bizot has just succumbed, at the
very moment that I received assurances from all sides
that ho was out of danger.
"This death is truly a public calamity, a grief for the
whole army. General Bizot enjoyed the most deserved
popularity. He pushed his love of duty almost to fana-
tici.nr, and for six months we have seen him day and
night at work, displaying in the midst of the most ar-
duous difficulties the most extraordinary calmness, deci-
sion, tenacity, and serenity. Al! our soldiers knew him ;
they admired his zeal; hie dashing courage, and they
were surpri,ed at seeing him return every day from the
trenches after confronting danger with a recklessness
and gaiety which gave a peculiar stamp to his courage
and character.
"I should never end. M. le Mardchal, if I were to
repeat to you here all that this excellent man was to us,
'and the regret we feel at his loss. His mind, full of
resources, and initiative, was always up to the mark of
the task we had in hand.
" I am, M. le Mar4chal, the organ of the Army of
the Crimea wh( n pointing out to you the claims that
general officer has acquired to the regard of the Em-
peror.
It is also my duty to bring under your notice all
that the Corps of Engineers have deserved and deserve
daily in this memorable siege, and to renew my solici-
tations that the services of its officers, who are as brave
as they are skilful and devoted, may be handsomely re-
warded."

.The Moniteur likewise publishes the following :2--
" On the news of the attempt from which Providence
preserved the Emperor the whole of France was pene-
trated with a double sentiment of indignation and of
gratitude. Everywhere the popaction 'crowded the
churches to thank God for having so visibly protected
France, and to pray to Him to preserve days so precious.
" Although the Emperor has expressed the desire that
on this occasion no official address shall be presented to
him, his Majesty could not behbld without being deeply
mo jed this unanimous and spontaneous manifestation of
the sentiments of the nation."
Under date of Vienna, May 2, the Moniteur
publishes the following :--
"The French Legation bad a divine service of thanks-
giving celebrAted this morning, followed by a Te Deum.
Although no invitations were issued, the Grand Cham-
be,ilan Count de Lanckorou-ki, Count Buol, and all the
members of the Austrim Cabinet ; General -Hess, who
is on the eve of departure for the army, Marshal Nugent,
Baron de Prokesch, &c., proceeded to the church ; also
the members of the Diplomatic Corps."

PROGRESS OF THE BOMBARDMENT.
(From the Special Correspondent of the Morning Herald. )
ENGLISH CAMP, HEIGHTS OF
SEBASTOPOL, APRIL 17.
The mines which the French sprung under the Flag-
staff Battery (Bastion do Mars), the particulars of which
Is mentioned in my last letter, were made, not only with
a view of injuring the work, also for the purpose of
throwing up sufficient loose earth to enable them to rush
in with their gabions and endeavour to effects lodgment
close to the battery. This latter attempt, on the night
of the 15th, was only very partially successful. They
succeeded in filling several of the gabions, and throw-
ing up a kind of breastwork, but the musketry fire
from the Flagstaff was too hot to enable them to
remain there and complete it. Yesterday night they
renewed the attempt, and nearly completed a strong
, i„
breastwork before they were- discovered bY
enemy, when they again retired. To-night they ho_p
be successful, and be able to retain this post. If they
can do so, nearly one half of the Flagstaff
becomes use-
eh toey
less to the Russians, and the other half it is to be hoped
will soon become equally so.

APRIL 18.
tthoisesttite-
theavy fire
lwi si hLti
with
complete
themselves t nighto
suaurteactlehl allies
FlagstaffmOadinagn oßttohaettrthe Battery, ,tveeamrnypd
which wee kept op yesterday upon the battery, the Rus-
sians were unable to effect anything towards the de-
struction of the breastwork which the French lied par-
tially made. Ahyouptiaeciewgdhhtoao:'cdalotcekr asosm:aell picked Patty
of French sappers crept cautiously into the breastwork,
and, undercover• of a skirmishing fire from behind, '
ceeded in repairing the little damage whi c h th e e n evamemyt
II:hi had
inflicted upon the gabions. The covering party, and the
fire of mortars completeluy.kpenroatescutedddethridimv,o
gabionfish pdartly filled. These
until near ten o'clock,
ithresliosotsaencee7trhe,.
fire wasf oepened on the Russian
by 250 men, carrying
were immediate]
and, thus sheltered, a
soldiers in the Redan,
tired to another part of' the
in complete possession 01
their lodgment.

APRIL The firing was slack last night, in consequence
ofl9.
the
supply cf bombs being still further restricted by Lord
Raglan's orders. No attempt was made to dislodge
the French from the Flagstaff Battery, which Augurs