The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-05 00:00:00

VARNA.

The writer of a letter from Varna dated May 16,
says,—" Time passes on with but little to mark it in
the way of military movements. The Russians re-
main in the Dobrudscha, without making any fur-
ther advance than that of edging down the Danube
towards Silistria, within five hours of which a
Russian cavalry picket has established itself. Ac-
cording to the best authorities, they have twelve
regiments of infantry on the right bank, amounting
probably to 36,000 bayonets—that is, three divi-
sions, or one corps d'armee. This will therefore be
accompanied by four regiments of cavalry, and the
usual proportion of artillery, Cossacks, and sappers.
The force would then consist of about 50,000 men.
It is clear that this is not the army with which
Schumla and Silistria are to be attacked. Their
remaining quietly at Tultscha and Matschiu would
lead one to suppose that their object in crossing the
Danube was simply to command the mouth of that

river, and like;vise to have a fortress across
which would be free to act on Omer Pacha's flank,
or on the flank of the allied armies, should
they threaten to invade Wallachia. The only
movement of troops on the part of the Turks
has been the despatching of from 8,000 to
10,000 Egyptians, under the command of Selim
Pacha, to Silistria. This detachment will about
double the garrison of that fortress, and the move
appears to be a wise one. Silistria is decidedly
the best fortified, best appointed, best victualled,
and now best garrisoned stronghold in Bulgaria.
It has for its commander Mussa Kboosool Pacha,
president of the artillery council of the Otto-
man empire—an officer of the highest intelli-
gence. He has received an excellent education
(for a Turkish pacha), and has been well in-
structed in all the details of European armament,
drill, and system of artillery. He was sent some
years back to fortify Silistria, which then could
only boast of the enceinte which the Russians
had breached and taken in the last war. With
him were a few European engineers and artillery
officers, the chief of whom was Malinoffski, the
principal designer of the exterior fortifications.
The Pacha's judgment on this occasion ryas ac-
knowledged to have shown itself to be of no mean
order ; and among other ways in which he proved
it was one, invaluable in his position as military
governor, viz., in implicitly following the plans
of the designer to the minutest particulars, for
it was under him that most of the repairs and
new forts were afterwards constructed. He ori-
ginally was to have been the governor of Varna;
but Omer Pasha, thinking that Silistria was a more
important point, changed his destination. Among
other persons composing the garrison is an offi-
cer of artillery, who served for many years in
Prussia in that arm. His name is not mentioned
here, as it might be inconvenient to him hereafter
possibly. To him is due the efficiency of the Otto-
man artillery regiments, of which he is the instruc-
tor. He has been garrisoned at Silistria for a con-
siderable period. He knows exactly in which
direction every gun in the fortress and outworks
ranges, for it was he that installed them in their
embrasures and barbettes. Not a shot or shell under
his orders is mislaid. He knows to an ounce the
quantity of powder in hand, and how it is distri-
buted. He has received the highly practical and
theoretical education of a Prussian artilleryman,
and is one whose sang froid and savoir faire will
enable him to bring his knowledge to bear in every
circumstance. He•is, moreover, much liked by the
Turks, who consult him on all engineering and ar-
tillery matters. He is invariably addressed by them
as " usta," or " master "of an art. In Silistria
and its now very ample garrison every confidence
may be placed. If the Russians besiege it, they
will find it, not the Silistria they saw formerly, but
a fortress which will require a very large force,
equipped with most Maple siege materials to con-
duct the operations against it, and most probably
one of the hardest nuts to crack they have had for
many a long year, and one, too, which will break a
good many of their teeth during the process of crack-
ing. The only other movement of troops by the
Turks, or more correctly, projected movement, is
the ordering a small detachment to reinforce the
troops at Bassardchik. It was mentioned in the
last letter addressed to you by your corre3pondent,
that a force of cavalry had been despatched in
that direction. It has been found impossible
to get at the numbers accurately, but it is
known to be only a small body, whose duties
are simply to fall back in case the enemy
should advance, and thus to give timely
notice of any movement against Schumla.
A traveller from Schumla ln.s brought the iep )rt
that a convoy of ammunition, l ouud from that
place to Silistria, had returned, unable to proceed,
the communication being cut off by the Russians.
The same authority states that the force under
Selim Pacha had just got into Silistria before the
road was taken possession of. These reports want
confirmation, which possibly may be received
Lefore this letter is closed ; or, still more
probably, they may prove to be pure in-
ventions. The force under Selim Paella is now
reduced to 2,800 men. Silistria, however, is
amply garrisoned with a larger force. Sorties on
a grand scale might have been undertaken ; but on
th other hand it would have been found difficult
to feed such a large garrison for any lengthened ,
period. The crews of all the vessels that have been

captured in the Black Sea have been released, the
captains only being retained at Constantinople
custxly, alternately on board the Banshee ena
Caradoc, being turned over from one to the other,
according as those vessels were required for carry"
ing despatches; They are eventually to be sent to
Malta. _

MAY 18.—Omer Paella reached Varna to-dal
about mid-day, accompanied by an' merous staff.
Captain Simmons, R.E., on deputation from the
British ambassador, was the only Englishman wit°,
accompanied him. His Highness was received
with a salute of 19 guns. He immediately Pm'
ceeded to one of the Government offices close by th,e,
pier, where he was received by the governors, ulvt,
and military, of the fortress, and by the consuls*
Arrangements were then made for the receptiol
of the English and French commanders-in chief.
t
They enventually turned out to be of the
description, namely, that the English gem ral should
become a guest of the English consul, and that the
French marshal should honour the French (hun°-
rary) consul with his presence.
MAY 18.—Positive news has reached Varna that
Silistria is invested by the Russians. Lieut. N. o nYt''''
of the Bombay Artillery, and Capt. Butters of til?
Ceylon Rifles, finding that the Russians were allow'
either to blockade or besiege the place, and not think-
ing it consistent with their position as English officer 4
to leave it at such a moment, have remained there,
" prepared to accept the eventualities of the &UP
tin." Lieutenant Nasmyth succeeded in sending
a note to this effect to a friend at Schumla, so the;
there can be no doubt of the accuracy of the inter
ligence. The garrison amounts, according, to
Omer Pacha, to 18,000 men of all arms, including
irregulars. A considerable body of cavalry, ]atell,
sent there, have just reached in time to reline'
great services, if well handled, especially durini
the commencement of the siege. This movement'
will probably determine a counter-movement of the
allied troops, who will hardly permit so valuable !
fortress as Silistria to be taken without an attar
at relieving them.