The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-08 00:00:00

KALAFAT.

The Special Military Correspondent of the Morn-
ing Chronicle writes from Kalafat on Feb. 9th
The last few days have been exciting ones at
Kalafat. The attack which had been so long ex-
pected appeared positively to be about to take
place. On the 7th of February, the Russians
showed themselves in force ; three battalions of
infantry, with two regiments of cavalry, debouched
from-the road to Golenz ; while nine battalions,
accompanied by a similar force of cavalry, showed
themselves on that to Pojana. The number of
guns is differently estimated at 48 and 54. The
former number appears most probable. The force
was spread over a semicircle completely enclos-
ing the fortifications, which are six thousand
paces in extent. From all that has been
seen of the enemy during the last ten days, it
may safely be said that there is one division ob-
serving Kalafat—that is, four regiments or sixteen
battalions, accompanied by thirty-two guns and
two horse artillery batteries attached to the cavalry
—total forty-eight pieces. Two regiments of cavalry
and Cossacks, and one rifle battalion, of which arm
there is one per corps d'armee, will make the
17th battalion. This force, of about 14,000 men,
appeared before Kalafat, and drew out the fire
of most of the batteries ; they continued manoeuvring
during three hours, firing round shot at intervals at
the few Bashi-buzouks who were venturesome
enough to remain outside. All the hay and straw
which the Cossacks found they diligently set fire
to ; so that soon the whole country behind ap-
peared in a blaze. The object of this was, clearly
enough, to make it difficult to feed the cavalry at
Kalafat. But in this they have utterly failed, as
forage of all descriptions is abundant. The troops
remained under arms from eleven or twelve o'clock
at noon till four, when the Russians having retired,
they did so likewise. The same evening large fires
were observed in every direction towards th Rus-
sians, fires that could not be mistaken for bivouac
fires ; this was the forage which they continued dur-
ing the night and the following day to burn. Achmet
Pacha on the same evening, about 10 p.m., made a
reconnaissance towards Golenz. He took with him
nine squadrons of cavalry, 200 Bashi-buzouks, and
four guns. As a patrol it might be well enough,
but as a reconnaissance his night march did him
small honour. On reaching the hillock within a
quarter of an hour of Golenz, the force was halted,
the Bashi-buzouks alone feeling their way ahead.
Two Cossacks were seen galloping away, though
far out of range of firearms. One or two Bashi-
buzouks fired, and firing among soldiers spreads
like a plague ; in au instant there ,were two
hundred muskets discharged at nothing at all.
No ; not, perhaps, at nothing at all ; for there were
a number of haystacks there. This imaginary
enemy was considered very obstinate in not retiring,
so the guns were brought up. They fired seven
rounds towards Golenz, awakening the echoes of
the night. It is not known whether any one else
was similarly inconvenienced, for there was no
nply. The force then retired, having gained not
a particle of information as to the whereabouts of
the enemy. But the farce was not yet finished.
Half way home guns were unlimbered, and three
shells fired towards Pojana—distant five miles, or
thereabouts—after which feat of arms the force
returned home. On their entry into the lines, the
whole army was found under arms in the trenches ;
the three guns fired towards Pojana had been
heard, and were imagined to be a signal of alarm
from the reconnoitring force. This bit of child's
play has been the subject of ridicule through the
whole camp ; the commander's reputation, already
not too high, has suffered accordingly.
Yesterday afternoon. (Bth) three battalions of in.
fautry3 Raz ficluathons of cavalry, and two gulp)

were sent out to take possession of Czup erzin, a
village within three-quarters of an hour's march o
Kalafat. This operation was effected without en-
countering a Russian, though strong doubts are
entertained as to its ever having being occupied by
more than a few Cossacks. The position is worse
than useless ; and to-day or to-morrow the troops
will be ordered to return. On the same afternoon,
a reconnaissance was sent out to Golenz. They
succeeded in discovering that that village was still
occupied by half a regiment of cavalry and a couple
of squadrons of Cossacks. This probably is a rear-
guard outpost.
Such is the state of affairs at Kalafat. The
Russians have found the Turks very strongly en-
trenched, and in sufficient numbers to defend
themselves against everything but an enormous
force • 40,000 or 50,000 men might easily, nay
probably would, fail in an attack. They have
made a reconnaissance with all their available forces,
and, remembering the rough treatment at Olte-
nitza of a very superior force, and the tough way
the Turks defended themselves at Citale against
nearly double their number, the general considered
that he was not warranted in attacking, and has
therefore retired, either to manoeuvre so as to draw
the Turks from their trenches, or to await reinforce-
ments. What the manoeuvres may be remains to
be seen. Some persons predict the crossing of the
Danube by a . strong force ; this certainly will ne-
cessitate the evacuation of Kalafat ; but the former
is an operation of great delicacy, requiring a con-
tinuance of fine weather, a large force, an good
luck. Omer Pacha still remains at Schumla, bid-
ing his time and watching events, and would pro-
bably interrupt any such operation.
Rumours have reached the camp that Franco
and England have declared war against Russia ;
this is news which is looked upon as too good to be
true ; but its probability has been increased by. a
report that General Baraguay d'Hilliers has already
selected a site for the reunion of a French force be-
tween Constantinople and Adrianople.
Ismail Pacha, the gallant commander of the at-
tack on the village of Citale, has been appointed
commander-in-chief (mushir) of the army of Ana-
tolia. His loss will he severely felt at Kalafat, for
though he is not an officer of any education accord-
ing to European ideas, still he has had, what is
certainly half as good, if not more—considerable
experience in the field. His conduct at Citale has
proved him to be possessed of the most thorough
sang-froid, and of the utmost contempt for any-
thing like danger. His knowledge of tactics, it is
to be feared, is a negative quality ; of strategy, it
will probably be seen lie is equally ignorant.
The cavalry of the Turks is doubtless their worst
arm ; and their conduct in front of Kalafat will not
raise them in the opinion of the Russians. Some of
the scenes enacted with regard to the irregular
cavalry, under the fire of the Cossacks, have been of
the most laughable description. Four or five
days back, during a reconnaissance at Golenz,
they refused to advance, though urged forward
with the most forcible arguments. Captain !a-
couba, a Polish officer of great merit, their com-
mander, had one man pulled off his horse, laid him
on the ground, where he was held by two soldiers,
and iith his own hands administered some twenty
blows, of the most severe description, with the
back of his sabre ; this occurrence took place
under the fire of the Cossacks. Yesterday, again
eight men were sent in, on foot, prisoners to Ka-
lafat, and to-day will receive, without formal trial
or other order than the will of their commander,
200 blows with a stick. The argumentum bacculi-
num, will hardly ever make them worth the bread
they eat. The regular cavalry has not yet been
engaged with the enemy hand to hand. This is
owing to the want of spirit in their commanders ;
and as long as the command of that arm is given to
men, the sons of some of the great dignitaries at
Constantinople, men of no experience whatever, it
can hardly be expected to be otherwise. The sol-
diers themselves are good and brave; but they have
not yet had an encounter with their enemies, and,
therefore, they do not know their own strength or
weakness.