The Sun.
London, England, 1863-09-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 9, 1 863.

SPIRIT OP THE PUBLIC 30ITRNALS.

Tmeas.—Apart from the interest naturally excited by a
struggle so gallantly sustained, we find in the incidents of
the siege of Charleston many lessons of the utmost import-
ance to military and naval science. While we are theorising,
the Americans are practising. Onr speculations and elperi-
ments proceed side by side with the actual war across the
Atlantic, and it behoves us to lose no opportunity of testing
our conclusions by the results of the experience there ac-
quired. Unfortunately, this is not so easy a task as might
be supposed, The Americans, from the very beginning of
the war, have adhered to one particular system with little
deviation, and this system happens to have no parallel in
our experiments. The comparison fails, therefore, for want
of homogeneous quantities. The Americans have not tried
our model, and we have made no trial of theirs. Besides
this impediment, it is almost impossible to obtain from the
scene of war details of such absolute accuracy as are required
for calculations like these. Before we could balance the
powers of attack and defence as exemplified in any particu-
lar operation, we should demand an exact description of the
armament on one side and the protecting works on the other;
whereas it is usually uncertain what guns are employed, or
against what defences they are directed. We learn the re-
sults in general terms, but nothing more. Just now, how-
ever, we have received a report which, although leaving
much to be conjectured or inferred, does undoubtedly con-
vey a remarkable piece of intelligence. It is announced, on
the authority of the general in command of the besiegers,
that one of the Charleston forts--the famous Fort Sumter
—has been practically demolished by the fire of batteries at
a range of two miles or upwards, This is an extraordinary
feat, and as such, indeed, it seems to have been regarded
by the combatants on both sides. The Federal General
Gilmore makes a special report of it to his Govern-
ment, and communicates also an opinion of General
Beauregard—a most competent judge—to the effect
that the projectiles employed were the most destructive
missiles ever used in warfare, But we are not told what
these missiles were. Beyond the general compliment
to their efficiency we get little direct information. From
the terms in which they are spoken of we infer that they
were shells of some kind, and not solid shot, and we also
learn that the bonibardment lasted seven days. We collect,
too, that some at least, if not all, of the batteries were armed
with 200-pounder Parrott guns, but it is not certain what
class or classes of ordnance are comprised in that designa-
tion, Of the number of pieces actually employed against
the fort from day to day we have no authentic return, and,
though we know that a powerful squadron took part in the
attack, we cannot tell exactly to what extent this co-opera-
tion was carried. Above all, we have no sufficient account
of the defences of Fort Sumter. We know that it was in
itself an old-fashioned piece of brickwork, and that it had
recently been sti engthened by all the additions and supports
which the ingenuity of the Confederate engineers could
devise. Still, though cotton bales and similar coverings
were doubtless useful, they could not turn a weak place
into a etrong one, and the shells from the Federal batteries
appear to have pierced the walls through and through.
Before we offer any remarks on the operations thus reported,
we wish to give some account of another event of the war
to which attention has not been sufficiently directed. A
month or two ago a new Confederate ironclad, called the
Atalanta, came out from Savannah to engage two of the
Monitors—the Weehawken and the Nahant—engaged in
the blockade of Charleston. The Atalanta was a larger and
heavier vessel than either of her opponents, and carried six
guns, whereas the Monitors carried but two each. But
the Atalanta's guns were only 6-inch and 7-inch guns,
mounted two on each broadside and two fore and aft, while
the guns of the Monitors, carried in turrets, were 15-inch
pieces, throwing solid shot of 4401 b weight. The Confe-
derate commenced the action confidently with her pivot-
guns, and fired three shots at the Weehawken, but to
little purpose. The Weehawken then replied with
with one of her monstrous cannon, and the first
shot, we are told, " virtually decided the action.'
It tore right through the Atalanta's side, and knocked
down forty of her crew. Four other shot followed, but at
the fifth discharge the Southerner ran up a white flag, and
the battle was over. It had lasted scarcely 15 minutes, and
was finished before the Nahant could get up to take part in
it. The incident is recorded not only with a natural grati-
fication on the part of the Federals, but as a convincing
preof of the efficiency—which has been somewhat stub-
bornly contested—of tie Dahlgren gun. We cannot deny
that the story is a striking one; but we happen, on this oc-
casion, to know something of its other side. The victors
gave a specification of the armament and defences of the
captured ship, and it turns out that the four inches of
wrought iron plating with which she was armed mean only
two layers of iron bars, two inches thick, placed one over
the other. In short, she was a second Merrimac, and though
creditable, we dare say, to the skill of shipwrights working
under difficulties, can hardly be regarded as an efficient
ironclad. To return, however, to the general question, we
find two great principles steadily preserved in American
practice. In artillery, the calibre of the gun and the weight
of the shot are made as great as possible; in shipbuilding,
the turret pattern prevails over every other. These prin-
ciples, too, would appear to be in some degree connected, if
we are to assume—what has not yet been proved—that
only turret ships can carry very heavy guns. But neither
one principle nor the other has yet been recognised in this
country. We are building turret ships, it is true, among
other models, but we have not given them any preference,
while such a thing as a 400-pounder or 500-pounder gun
has not been conceived. Our artillerists, indeed, have ex-
plicitly condemned the very doctrine on which the Dahlgren
system of ordnance is based—that of throwing heavy pro-
jectiles with low velocities—and prefer to rely on velocity
rather than weight. It must be remembered, however, as
two systems, that the Amercans are shaping all their
explanatory in some degree o.f the contrast between the
:
efforts according to the exceptional requirements of a spe •
cial emergency. They build their ships for coast work
and harbour service only. It is by no means certain that
any one of the ironclads engaged in the siege of Charleston
could be sent to sea with safety. They were intended only
for such work as they have been performing, wheras the
conditions of our experiments are far more extensive.
shore batteries left
Nevertheless, until our inquiries have been
haveaided
now
byfurhtehLenr
evidence, it would be unwise to assume that we are right or
that the Amer jeans are wrong. The ironclads were once
beatentmhoerme onolf off
y an
ny successful,ituh
fee Charlestonbut
trpart in the performance. Before weit
seem s a s forts.it the
They
can form, however, any safe conclusions it will be necessary
to ascertain with accuracy what means were employed on
each occasion on either side, and in what respects either the
attack or defence had improved or degenerated between the
first assault and the second. At present we see that the
assailants have not only gained considerable advantages,
but have achieved a very remarkable feat. If Fort Sumter
were a good specimen of a modern fort, we should say that
forts had been fairly beaten by guns; but we know that the
fort was only a piece of patchwork, and we are by no means
sure that it was effectively armed. We therefore suspend
judgment, and content ourselves with indicating the suc-
cessive incidents which this war produces for our instruc-
tion and guidance.
POST.—While the tide of insurrection is apparently rising
in the interior provinces of the Russian empire, the Polish
question is gradually ceasing to present itself to Europe in
the light of a diplomatic and international question. A great
change has taken place in the character and bearing of the
revolutionary movement, which we have been watching the
last eight months, among the Slavonian subjects of the
Emperor of Russia. It may be fraught with still greater
danger to the Russian empire than when it was exclusively
restricted to the kingdom of Poland, but the progress of the
arrangements which are likely to be made for that part of
the Emperor's dominions at present renders the insurrection
a Russian, more than a European question. With the
internal condition of the Russian empire, properly so
designated, Europe has no concern. Her right of inter-
ference, arising under the Treaty of 1815, was strictly
limited to the Kingdom of Poland; and we have reason
to think that the French Government, as well as our
own, are likely to be satisfied if solid concessions are
made to the wishes of the Poles. It had become, indeed,
absolutely necessary to Russia to disembarrass herself of a
European question. The revolution, far from being limited
to " Congress Poland," is spreading in fresh provinces of
the Russian empire. It will have been observed in the tele-
grams which we published yesterday that it has broken out
in considerable force in the territory of the Ukraine. As
many as 26,000 peasants were declared to be in arms there.
They had had two successive encounters with the Russians.
Worsted in the former, they were victorious in the latter;
and it appears that they have captured extensive stores of
arms, which will serve to equip a fresh legion of the pea-
Bantry. 1 hese events carry the revolutionary movement
into the heart of South-Western Russia. In the meanwhile
the insurrection appears to be advancing in Lithuania,
where the peasantry are declared to be contending with the
imperial troops on at least equal terms. They have become
facts of deep import to a Government which, hitherto
blindly secure in its own maladministration, had only sought
to impose its officious protectorate on its neighbours. The
struggle seems, therefore, to be involving considerations of
great magnitude to the Russian empire in Europe. In order
to give the Imperial Government the means of coping with
this extended danger, it has been found necessary to clencir
and concentrate its energies upon the growing disaffection
in Russia Proper. There, the Court of St. Petersburg well
knew that no diplomatic representations and no foreign in-
terference were admissible. It has been found, therefore,
that even the most grasping policy rested, to a certain ex-
tent, in moderation; and that it would be more prudent,
for the (present at least, to close an international ground
of controversy than to allow a foreign and an internal
question to grow into dangerous magnitude together.
The Russian Government have therefore found them-
selves placed face to face with the question, what were
the terms in respect to Poland which would set them free
from the constant menace of European intervention, and
which might also disarm the fierce hostility of the Poles.
They have accordingly, as we are given to understand,
propounded their view of reverting to the constitutional
system of 1815, if not only to a yet clearer distinction be-
tween "thetveveebne;evethat liaitngFdreamnceo, a most strenuous champion of thef Poland" and the Russian empire.
Polish cause, is likely to be satisfied with a bona fide re-
sumption of the form of Government that had been guaran-
teed by the Congress Treaty of Vienna. Indeed, this was
probably all for which the three Powers possessed any right

to contend. Mit upon other grounds, readily intelligible,
it has been proposed by ittuirsla to make common to the
Russian empire Certain parts at least Of the constitutional
privileges to be assigned to Poland. The general grant of
constitutions is calculated to arrest the tendency to insur-
rection in other parts of the Czar's dominions. This, how-
ever, is a matter of municipal and not of international con-
cern. The acquieserce of Russia in the spirit of our terms
must terminate the "Polish question" or at the least post-
pone it for the next six months. But as the Russian Govern-
ment has to deal with domestic dangers which have sur-
vived the importance of her international differences, it
has become matter of grave necessity to satisfy the Poles
themselves, as well as to defer to the contractors of the
Treaty of Vienna. The truth is, that Poland, as a part of
the Russian empire, has added little to its influence, while
she has incessantly added to its external danger. It would
really, therefore, not involve so great a compromise of am •
bition as might at first sight appear, for Russia to acquiesce
in the devolution of the Polish crown on some other head
than that of the Czar; so long as the King of Poland were
a member of the Imperial house. Such a course would in-
deed be more dignified to Russia than the continued spec-
tacle of a Polish revolution, which she cannot put down ;
for it is probable that it would meet with the concur-
rence of the Poles, as carrying with it the greatest measure
of liberty that they could reasonably expect to attain. Much,
of course, would depend on the choice of the prince. The
Duke of Leuchtenberg,whom the Russian Government were
lately ready to put forward for the throne of Greece, is a
young man of a moderation and intelligence that might
render his name not unpopular among the Poles, and whose
close relationship with the Imperial family would secure the
concurrence of his foreign policy with the interests of
Russia. We are inclined to believe it by no means im-
probable that the Polish revolution may be attempted to be
closed by a concession of the crown to the prince we have
named; and in that event we shall have the prospect of a
compromise which, if brought about in good faith and upon
liberal bases, might possibly prove to be an adjustment of
the difficulties by which the "Polish question" has been
beset.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

WARWICK SEPTEMBER RACES.-TUESDAY.

The proximity of the Great Doncaster Meeting imparts
considerable interest to the Warwick September gathering,
from the movements which annually take place upon the
absorbing struggle impending in the North. Apart from
this the programme at Warwick gave promise of sport
beyond the average, considering the great number of ani-
mals that have been run through all over the country. The
Course to-day was more crowded than we ever recollect to
have seen it, an immense number of holiday people having
arrived from Birmingham. The betting enclosure was
crowded with professional speculators and backers, but, ex-
cept on the Leamington Stakes, for which everything that
run was backed, speculation was of a limited character. The
results will be found amply recorded below, and it is suffi-
cient to state here that the principal event, " the Stakes,"
produced a most interesting race and a fine finish between
Magnum Bonum and Flirtation, the first mentioned, who
had not run since his " head" defeat of Blackdown at
Brighton, obtaining the judge's verdict in this instance by
a neck.

Betting upon the St. Leger absorbed the attention of
" the ring" during the intervals between the races. It was
almost impossible to make anything out of Lord Clifden,
for at one time a reaction took place, and as little as 7 to 1
being taken about him, and a few minutes afterwards 100
to 8 was laid amidst shouts of laughter. Then 23,000 to 190
was betted, and finally those odds were offered. The Ranger
was not so firm, 5 to 1 on the field being offered early in
the afternoon, and remaining to the end. Queen Bertha
and Avenger were unquestionable, and probably for money
Avenger was as good a favourite as anything.
The Trial Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 50 added, for two-yr-
olds S d upwards; winners extra; mares and geldings
allowed 41bs ; the winner to be sold for 600 sovs, unless
exemption from being sold is claimed at the time of en-
trance, and horses for this claim are made to carry 91b

extra. One mile. 5 subs.
Lord Uxbridge's General Hess, G yrs, 9st .. (S. Rogers) 1
Mr. E. Brayley's Golden Dust, 3 yrs, 7st 121 b (Cannon) 2
Mr. Fleming's Cadiz, 3 yrs, 7st 81b (Norman) 3

London also ran.

Betting-6 to 5 agst General Hess, 100 to 40 agst Golden
Dust, 4 to 1 "bar two."

The running was made by Cadiz, closely followed by
General Hess and Golden Dust, London being left at the
post. They ran without any variation from this order until
reaching the five furlongs pest, where "the General" took
a slight lead, but, upon entering the straight, appeared
beaten, and gave way to Cadiz and Golden Dust. After
seeming hopelessly defeated, General Hess came again, and,
after a most brilliant display of patient riding on the part of
Sam Rogers, won a splendid race by a neck ; a head only
separated the second and third.

The Racing Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 25 added, for 2-yr-
olds and upwards ; selling and other allowances. Three-

quarters of mile.
Mr. Mills's Vulture, aged (£3O), Bst (J. Daley) 1
Mr. R. Sty's Acceptance, 2 yrs (£4O), 6st 21b (in. 31b ex.)
(A. Woodhouse) 2
. .

The betting opened at 5 to 4 on Vulture, but closed at 6
to 4 on Acceptance.

Vulture made play throughout, and won easily by a
length. The winner was bought by Mr. Reeves for 50
guineas.

The Leamington Stakes of 25 sovs each, 15 ft, and 5
only if declared, with 100 added, for 3-yr-olds and up
wards ; winners extra. Two miles. 56 subs., 39 of
_ _

whom declared.
Mr. Fleming's Magnum Bonum, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b
(Norman) 1
Captain Coates's Flirtation, 5 yrs, Bst 31b (Midgley) 2
Mr. G. Lambert's Aurelian, 5 yrs, 9st (J. Goater) 3

The following also ran :—Twilight, Amy, The Prophet,
The Principal, Taunus, Dunkeld, West End, and For•
midable.

Betting-5 to 1 agst Magnum Bonum, 11 to 2 agst Au-
relian, 6 to 1 agst West End, 100 to 15 each agst Dunkeld
and Flirtation, 8 to 1 agst Formidable, 10 to 1 each agst
Twilight, Amy, and The Prophet, 100 to 6 agst The Prin-
cipal. _ . .

After a little restive display, which fully occupied the
seven or eight minutes the 11 runners were at the post be-
fore time, they were capitally started, Formidable, Taunus,
and The Principal showing in front to the stand, where
Dunkeld was fourth, West End fifth, and Magnum Bonum
next. After rounding the top turn, Formidable took a clear
lead, followed by The Principal and Taunus ,D unkeld,
Magnum Bonum, and Twilight succeeding in a cluster, the
last two being Aurelian and Flirtation. Ascending the
hill Dunkeld was third, Taunus dropping back into the
company of The Principal, who at the mile-post was beaten
off. On reappearing in sight, after a momentary absence
from view, Dunkeld had obtained second place, Aurelian
and West End being third and fourth, and Amy and The
Prophet lying close up with them until half way across the
meadows, when they were joined by Twilight. At the half
mile post Formidable still maintained the lead, having close
up with him Dunkeld, Amy, and West End ; the others,
with the exception of The Principal and Taunus, well up.
Rounding the turn, Amy dropped back to the rearmost pair,
whilst the rest, upon fairly gaining the straight, where the
lot, with the exception of the three—The Principal, Taunus,
and Amy—might have been covered with a sheet. Quarter
of a mile from home Dunkeld deprived Formidable of the
lead, and at the distance Flirtation headed Dunkeld, and
was at the same moment challenged on the left by Magnum
Bonum and on the right by Aurelian. Opposite the stand
Aurelian gave way, and an interesting race between Mag-
num Bonum and Flirtation resulted in the victory of Mag-
num Bonum, who won by a neck ; Aurelian was beaten a
length from Flirtation; The Prophet was fourth, and Dun-
keld fifth, close up; West End was sixth; the last three
runners up wereTwilight,.the Principal, and Amy; Taunus
walked in with the crowd.

The Avon Stakes of 5 soya each, 3 ft, with 30 added; for
two and 3-yr-olds; the winner to be sold for L5O; maiden
allowances. Five furlongs. 13 subs.
Lord Coventry's Salvioni, 2 yrs, Est 111b....(Maidment) 1
Mr. J. H. C. Wyndham's Queen Fastrada, 2 yrs, 6st 61b
(Dowling) 2
Ler d Bateman's Coimbra, 2 yrs, Est 41b.. (J. Grimshaw) 3
Mr. Merton's Telscombe, 2 yrs, Est 71b........ (Zanker) 4
Mr. H. E. Handley's Outpost, 2 yrs, 75t.... (11, Covey)
Mr. Hodgman's Rosa Lee, 2 yrs, fist 41b ...... (Morris) 6
Betting-6 to son Salvioni, who made all the running,
and won by a neck ; two lengths separated the second and
third. Tho winner was bought by Mr. Wood for 200
guineas.
The Castle Park Stakes of 5 sous soya each, with 50 added,
for 2-yr-olds ; colts Bst 41b, fillies Bst 71b; winners extra,
and maiden allowances. T.Y.C. Three-quarters of a
mile. 18 subs.
Mr. J. Merry's Phemy filly, Bst 21b ...... (A. Edwards) 1
Captain Gray's King George, 9st 31b (inc 71b extra)
Mr. Longfield's Union Jack (F. Adams) f
, 9st (including 41b extra)
(Custance f
Mr. Barber's The Clown, 9st 31b (including 71b extra)
(J. Osborne) 4
The following also ran :—Lord Cochrane, Bigotry, and
Cynthia colt.

Betting-2 to 1 eget the Phemy filly, 3to 1 agat The
Clown, 4 to 1 agst Union Jack, 5 to 1 agat King George.
The Phemy filly made play with the rest, barring Lord
Cochrane, following in a cluster to the commencement of the
turn, where the favourite held a clear lead of King George,
Union Jack, and The Clown, who in close company were
proceeding eeveral lengths in advance of the remaining
three. King George and Union Jack challenged the Phemy
filly, but both failed to get up, and the favourite won
cleverly, after making all the running, by half a length ;
King George and Union Jack, who finished a dead heat for
second place, beat The Clown a length; the Cynthia colt
and LordCochrane finished side by side many lengths in rear
of The Clown, and Bigotry pE.ssed the post at least 100
yards behind the winner.
The Queen's Plate of 160 guineas, for three-yr-olds and up-
wards. Two miles.
Mr. I'Anson's Caller Oa, 5 yrs, 9st 21b (Challoner) 1
Mr. T. Ivens' Sir William, 5 yrs, 9st 121 b (car lOst 21b)
(Owner) 2

No betting.
Caller Ou made play throughout, galloped her opponent
to a standstill, and passed the winning post 50 lengths in
front of the butcher's horse.
- -

Tile Siloam Handicap of 5 am each, 3 ft, with 25

added; for all ages; winners extra. Five furlongs. 27
subs.
Lord Coventry's Zara, 3 yrs, Est 91b (Inc 6st 111 b)
(Maidment) 1
Lord Uxbridge's Liston, 3 yrs, Est 71b.. (A. Woodhouse) 2
Mr. Robertson's Paddy O'Rourke, 3 yrs, 7st llb
(Whiteley) 3
The following also, ran :—Miss Livingstone, Wave,
Fanny Seaton, and Virginia.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Paddy O'Rourge, 4to 1 agst Liston,
9 to 2 each agst Zara and Miss Livingstone.
Miss Livingstone, Paddy O'Rourke, and Wave raced
head and head for the lead, followed by Liston and Zara
about a couple of lengths off, with Virginia behind them,
and Fanny Seaton tailed off. Miss Livingstone gave way
upon entering the straight, where Zara joined Paddy
O'Rourke, and Wave having dropped into the rear, Liston
joined the leading pair, Zara and Paddy O'Rourke. At
the distance Liston challenged Zara, but never getting up
was beaten a head ; Paddy O'Rourke was only beaten a
neck from Liston; Wave was beaten three lengths from
Paddy O'Rourke; Miss Livingstone was fifth, and Vir-
ginia sixth.
LATEST BETTING.
ST LEGER.
sto 1 agst Ranger (taken)
6to 1 agst Queen Bertha (taken)
13 to 2 agst Avenger (taken)
9to 1 agat Golden Pledge (taken)
18 to 1 agst Blue Mantle (taken)
20 to 1 agst Lord Clifden (offered)
25 to 1 agst Donnybrook