The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-21 00:00:00

THE WAR IN ASIA.

The following letter from Constantinople, dated
the 10th, is given by the Pays :
" I announce to you with pleasure that it is now in
contemplation to act seriously in Asia, Six thousand
regular troops have embarked at Varna, and others are
doing so every day. It is intended to send 20,000 men
there. If they were but to add 10,000 French troops,
this force would be sufficient to expel the Russians from
the Caucasian provinces, which would be an immense
result, as Russia would lose all the sacrifices of men
and money which she has made for the last century.
The moral effect of the presence of the allies would
be immense not only on the Turks, but also on the
Christian populations of Georgia. The following
details relative to the forces of the army of Asia have
been furnished to me by a very competent person in the
country. There are at Batoum, Redout-Kale, and
Soukoutn-lial6e, 20,000 men under the orders of Seliin
Pacha, and at Ardaham a division of 6,000 men • the
army of Anatolia is composed of 30,000 excellent
troops, and at Bayazid there are 8,000 men, exclusive of
irregulars. If to all these forces, which appear to-me
to be already very imposing, you. add 20,000 who are
joining from the army of Omer Pacha, it will give a
large amount. If Russia wishes to defend herself in
Asia, she will be compelled to weaken her army of.the
Danube or of Bessarabia, which will be very difficult
under existing circumstances. Extensive preparations
are still making for an attack on Sebastopol, and it is,
thought that it will take place immediately. The moral
effect of the raising of the siege of Silistria has been
immense, and every one is at a loss to explain the con-
duct of the Russian generals. The death of General
Schilders has caused a great sensation ; he was the
best Engineer-General in the Russian army."

RUSSIAN ESTIMATE OF ENGLISH
COURAGE.
The following, written from Sebastopol by one
of the many dozen Prince Galitzins, appears in the
Northern Bee :
" We have convinced ourselves that the moral strength
of the combined fleet has not increased, but, on the con-
trary, diminished, in proportion to its augmented de-
structive powers. For instance, the English steam-fri-
gate Tiger, of 400 horse-power and 16 guns, was stranded
about six wersts from Odessa. 00 the shore where this
took place were poed two'field guns, a company of in-
fantry, and one halfsqualron of Lancers—and what fol-
lowed ? Why, an event unknown in the annals of the
most timorous and most insignificant fleets. This steam-
frigate, which borrowed its name from the most savage
of all beasts, took no measures to defend the honour of
its flag. Although it had only five wounded, and
its crew consisted of twenty-two officers and more than
200 sailors and marines of the guard,' it surrendered
itself prisoner to a mere handful of land troops ; and
as we had no boats, the English gave themselves the
trouble to row themselves ashore in their own boats.
This cannot be called manly conduct. At the same
time they distinguished themselves bya sort of polite

civility, which was not met with among the Turks and
Egyptians when Vice-Admiral Kornelow conquered the
ship."
Now comes the moral :—" These are the sorrow-
ful results with which premature vauntiugs are
crowned, and which so seldom are realised by facts."

The whole of the circumstances attending the
stranding of the Tiger, and the utter helplessness
of the vessel as she lay on her beam-ends, are too
well known to render it necessary to offer a word
in reply to this generous attempt to stigmatise the
honour of brave men in Russian prisons.

ANXIETY OF THE GERMAN POWERS FOR
FRESH NEGOTIATIONS.

It has already been stated that the Austrian
and Prussian Governments had addressed notes
to the Cabinets of London and Paris, in which
they gave it as their opinion that the answer of
Russia to the Austrian summons, calling on the
Czar to evacuate the provinces, contained propo-
sitions capable of becoming the basis of further
negotiations for the re-establishment of peace. It
is now said that the German Powers not only
urge the Western Powers to enter into the nego-
tiations, but that they invite France and England
to state the conditions on which they are willing to
conclude a peace. Letters received from Berlin
state that the note, of which M. de Manteuffel was
the bearer from Berlin to Vienna, and which is the
answer of Prussia to the answer of Russia, was in
the first instance communicated to M. de Budberg,
the Russian Minister.

The partisans of Russia, in Paris, are in great
spirits at present. They say that not only are
Austria and Prussia exerting themselves to re-
commence negotiations on terms which will be
favourable to Russia, but that in the meantime
the military operations of the allies are nearly at a
standstill. The attack upon Sebastopol, they
affirm, is adjourned indefinitely; the attack upon
Cronstadt will not take place this year; and even
the great battle in the neighbourhood of Bucharest,
which has been so anxiously expected for the la3t
two days, is more than problematical. The opera-
tions of the war are consequently reduced to a
simple blockade, and with the exception of the
bombardment of a few insignificant villages, Russia
has nothing to fear. With such prospects, they
anticipate the triumph of Russia, by the same
means_which,have availed her on former occasions
—namely, her' diplomacy.

DESERTERS FROM THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

SHUMLA, June 3J.--The desertions from the
Russian camp are frequent, and the deserters com-
plained of ill-treatment and want of food. Not
the least among the extraordinary features of this
extraordinary siege is, that the besiegers came for
food to the besieged. The deserters said that
whole regiments would go over if they were certain
of a good reception, and that their generals would
not give the troops rations, saying the soldiers
must starve until they had taken Silislria. These
are the assertions of deserters, and, though not
improbable iu themselves, they may nevertheless
have that strong colouring which deserters are in
the habit of giving to their accounts of the state of
affairs in their own camp. But another fact I can
give on the authority of a British officer. The
Russians had opened a trench, and established a
battery within a very short - stone's throw of the
Arab Tabia. The besiegers and the besieged could
hear one another, and they very frequently in-
dulged in an exchange of not very friendly words
and sentiments. But on one occasion, when there
was a pause in the firing, a voice was heard to ex-
claim from the Russian trench, "I say, you Turks,
have you any tobacco ?" The answer was—".Of
course we have, you pesewang (anglice, pimp) ;
more than you can smoke." " Would you mind
selling me some ?" said the Russian. "No, you
may have it—we will send for it to the town, and
you may fetch it." The Russian then, cautiously
advancing from the trench, flung a silver rouble
into the Arab Tabia, a soldier went to the town
and came back with several okas of tobacco, which
were duly flung over to the Russians. This mer-
cantile affair being settled to the satisfaction of
both prrties, the firing re-commenced.

OMER PACHA AT THE BRITISH CAMP.
CAMP AT DEVNA, Monday, July 3. We have just
had a very exciting review. The men, who had had a
four hours' drill between half-past 4 and half-past 8
o'clock this morning, had finished dinner when news
arrived that Omer Pacha was coming on his way from
Silistria to Varna, and that he might be expected in a,
hour. Presently the Brigade Majors rode up from the
Brigadiers with orders to the Colonels to hold their
regiments in readiness to turn out, and in about half an
hour more the bugles sounded the assembly. The
Turkish infantry down on the plains below were ob-
served to fall in, and draw up in solid columns in front
of their tents. About two o'clock a faint streak of dust
rose over the white lines of the road winding far in the
distance over the hills which lie towards Shumla, and
through the glass could be discerned two travelling
carriages, with a small escort of horse, moving rapidly
towards the village of llevna. Arrived there, they
halted, and the whole of the staff present with the
division hastened to pay their respects to Omer Pacha ;
. Brigadiers Airey, Buller, Brigade-Majors Mackenzie
and Maxwell, Colonel Sullivan, Captain Mac-
donnell, Captain Pearson, Mr. Campbell, as well as
Colonel Bentinck, Brigadier-General of the brigade
of Guards, . and Captain Byngi his aide-de-camp,
who happened to have ridden up from Aladyn.
Omer Pacha mounted his horse, and attended
*by Colonel Dieu, by an English officer attached
to the British Embassy at Constantinople, and seve-
ral of his suite and followers, rode up the hill towards
the. camp, in front of which the whole division was
drawn up in line in a very short space of time. The
English staff rode after him, and at his side were the
two Brigadiers. The coup d'ceil was magnificent. The
blue outlines of the distant hills, over which played the
heavy shadows of rapidly-gathering thunder clouds—the
green sweep of the valley below dotted with tents, and
marked here and there with dark black masses of Turkish
infantry—the arid banks of sand, and grey cliffs, display-
kg every variety of light and shadow—and then the crest
of the hill, along which for a mile shone the bayonets of
the British infantry, topped by the canvass walls be-
hind them—formed a spectacle worth coming far to see.
Omer Pasha was dressed with neatness and simplicity—
no order glittered on his breast, and his close-fitting blue
frock-coat displayed no ornament beyond a plain gold
shoulder-strap and gilt buttons. He wore the fez cap,
which showed to advantage the clear well-marked lines of
his calm and resolute face, embrowned by exposure to
wind and weather for many a year of a soldier's lif and
the hue of which was well contrasted with his snow-
white whiskers. In the rude and rather sensual mouth,
with compressed thick lips, was traceable, if physiog-
nomy have truth, enormous firmness and resolution.
The chin, full and square, evinced the same quali-
ties, which might also be discerned in the general
form of the head. Those who remember the statue
of Radetzky at the Great Exhibition will understand
what I mean. All the rougher features, the coarse
nose, and the slight prominence of the cheek bones,
are more than redeemed by the quick, penetrating,
and expressive eye, full of quiet courage and genius,
and by the calm though rather stubborn brow, marked
by lines of thought, rising above the thick shaggy eye-
brow. In person he appeared to be rather below than
above the ordinary height ; but his horse, a well-trained
grey, was not as tall as the English chargers beside
him, and he may really be more than 5 feet 7or 8. His
figure is light, spare, sled active, and his seat on horse-
back, though too Turkish for our notions of equestrian
propriety, was firm and easy. He wore white gloves
and neat boots, and altogether would have passed 'ous-
ter very well in the ring at Hyde-park as a well-ap-
pointed, quiet gentleman. His staff were by no means
so well turned out, but the few Hussars of the escort
were stout soldier-like looking fellows. One of them
led a strong chestnut Arab, which was the Pasha's
battle-charger. As he rcda by, the troops presented
arms, and when he reached the end of the- line they
broke into column, advanced, and performed some
simple field-day manceuvres, to the great delight of the
Pasha. As the men moved off after exercising for
about three-quarters of an hour the cavalry came up at
full trot and at once rivetted the attention of the Paella.
There were one and a half squadron of 17th Lancers,
a troop of the Bth, and a troop of the 11th Hussars.
The Artillery horses and Dragoon horses were out at
water. There were two or three magnificent charges, and
the Pasha is said to have declared that such infantry and
cavalry could dash over any troops in the world. As he
retired from the field, the men, who had all been dismissed,
thronged, in shirts and fatigue jackets, to the front of the
lines, and cheered him enthusiastically, to his great delight.
About six o'clock, after reviewing the Turks in the
plain, he drove to Varna. It is said the Pasha brings
news that the Russians are retreating on Braila, and
that he has gone to consult M. St. Arnaud and Lsrd
Raglan concerning an advance of which we have heard
rumours the whole of this day. Sir George Brown re-
turned this evening from a forty mile ride through the
rain and rode over to see the Brigadier. He was much
disappointed in not being in time to see Omer Pasha.
Another letter from same place, dated July 8, says :
It was expected that Omer Pasha would have returned
from Varna on the following day (Wednesday), but he
was so busily engaged in transacting business and con-
sulting with the French and English Generals that he
did not pass by till last Thursday. As the heavy
cavalry under Brigadier-General Scarlett, and the horse
artillery and artillery battery had not been inspected by
him on the 4th, orders were given that they should
parade on the extensive plains near the camp by eleven
o'clock in the forenoon. Orner Pasha left Varna early,
and on arriving at Aladyn he found the Duke of Cam-
bridge's division ready to receive him. He expressed in
the most lively way his admiration at the magnificent
appearance of the Guards and Highlanders, and after the
review he retired with his Royal Highness the Duke
to his tent, where he remained for some time, and
partook of some refreshment. Meantime the Dragoons
and Artillery remained drawn up in the plain under
the sun till they were ordered to dismount and stand at
ease. General Sir George Brown, Iris Brigadiers Buller
and Airey, Colonel Sullivan, and the officers of the divi-
sional and brigade staffs, rode along. the road towards
Aladyn, and remained waiting for some time, and an
escort of two troops of Turkish cavalry which had
been sent out to meet the Pasha, tarried in vain hour
after hour for his coming. At length a cloud of dust
rose above the brushwood of the hill side, and it was
thought Omer Pasha was at hand, but as the horseman

followed by two mounted officers drew near, the men
recognised the well-known features of Lord Raglan, who
had ridden over to pay a visii to. the Light Division.
His lordship looked somewhat tired after his ride, and
did not scorn the use of a white cap cover, a "night
cap" which Sir George Brown has not yet been driven
to adopt. He informed the officers of the cause of Omer
Pasha's delay, and then, after he had gone down the
line and inspected the dismounted Dragoons and Artil-
lery, he repaired with Sir George Brown to his quarters
to partake cf some refreshment. About two o'clock
Omer Pasha's travelling carriages, escorted by Turkish
cavalry, appeared in sight. The Pasha, mounting one
of his led chargers, and followed by a small suite of
aides, pipe-bearers, &c., rode up towards the review
ground, and was receivd by Lord Raglan, Sir George
Brown, Brigadier-General Scarlett, the Brigadiers of
Division, &c. He was dressed simply, as on the first
day he visited us, except that he wore. a star on his left
breast, and he seemed vivacious and pleased as he en-
tered into conversation with the English Generals.
After a time the Dragoons went past in splendid order,
and then the two troops of Royal Horse Artillery
and the battery came by at a trot, which was gra-
dually quickened into a dashing gallop, so that the
61b. and 91b. guns, and carriages, and tumbrils
went hopping and bounding over the sward. The evo-
lutions were simple but effective and imposing. A
charge in line, which shook the very earth as men and
horses flew past like a whirlwind, wreathed in clouds of
dust, particularly excited the Pasha's admiration, and
he is reported to have said, " With one such regiment
as that I would ride over and grind into the earth four
Russian regiments at least." He was particularly struck
by the stature of the men and the size and fine condition
of the horses, both Dragoon and Artillery, but these
things did not lead him away from examining into the
more important question of their efficiency, and he
looked closely at accoutrements, weapons, and carriages.
3t his request Sir George Brown called a Dragoon and
made him take off his helmet. The Pasha examined it
minutely, had the white cover taken off, and requested
that the man should be asked whether it was comfort-
able or not. The soldier replied that it was, and it is to
be hoped that the Turkish cavalry may get something
better than the wretched fez to put on their heads now
that the Pasha sees that brass and leather can be
fashioned so as to protect the skull without inconveni-
ence to the owner, The usual field-dAy inanceiivres
were performed by the Artillery. They did just what
they are wont to do when his Royal Highne s Salts'
some-place-or-other visits Woolwich, moving like pie
man, wheeling as if men, horses, and guns formed part
of one machine, sweeping the plain with the force and
almost the speed of steam-engines,_unlimbering guns,
taking them to pieces, putting them together, and;
vanishing in columns of dust. The inspection was over
at half-past 3 o'clock, to the great delight of the men ; and
Omer Pasha, who repeatedly expressed his gratification
and delight at the spectacle, retired with the Generale
to Sir George Brown's quarters, and in the course
of the evening renewed his journey to Shumla. Frenl'
what he is said to have let drop to those around him
there can be no doubt but that he will at once order an
advance of the troops under his command across the.
Danube about Rustchuk, and that the army between:
Silistria and Shumla will be sent into the Principalities r
if their movements depend on the will of the Turkish
Generalissimo. He cannot understand the delay which
has taken place in our movements, and, accustomed to;
the easy foraging habits of their troops and a Bashi'
Bazouk Commissariat as they are, it is very hard for-
Osmanli Generals to understand how we are haniPered
and impeded forwent of carts and arabas. Indeed, sew°
of the men about Shumla do not hesitate to attribute
" cowardice " to French and English, though they have
seen Silistria at least saved by the skill and devotion of
our countrymen.

There is one phrase which serves as the universal ek
ponent of peace, goodwill, praise, and satisfaction be—
tween the natives and the soldiery. I have been unable:
to determine its origin exactly, but I rather think iw
arose from the habit of our men at Malta in address'
ing every native as " Johnny." At Gallipoli Oa.
soldiers persisted in applying the same word t°-
Turk and Greek, and at length Turk and Greek
began to apply it to ourselves, so that stately Gene'
rals and pompous Colonels, as they stalked down the,
bazaar, heard themselves addressed by the proprietors
as " Johnny ; " and to this appellation " bono was,
added, to signify the excellence of the wares offered
iir public competition. It is now the established ell
of the army. The natives walk through the carol";
calling out " Bono, Johnny 1 Sood, sood "
" Bono, Johnny ! Yoomoortler " (eggs) or, "
Johnny ! Kasler" (geese) ! as the case may be ; and the -
dislike of the contracting parties to the terms offered ell'
either side is expressed by the simple phrase of "N°
bono, Johnny!" As you ride along the road friendly
natives grin at you, and think, no matter what foil;
rank, that they have set themselves right with you, OP-
paid a graceful compliment, by a shout of
Johnny." Even the dignified reserve of Royal Duke"-
and Generals of Division has had to undergo the ord _,.
of this salutation from Pashas and other dignitaiies.
a benighted Turk, riding homewards, is encountered by
a picket of the Light Division, he answers the challenge`
of " Who goes there?" with a Bono Johnny," andif,ii
immediately invited to "Advance, friend, and all's well!
and the native servants sometimes use the same phrase.
to disarm the anger of their masters. It is really a moio •
wonderful form of speech, and judiciously applied, it
might now " work " a man from one end of Turkey
Europe to the other. The most singular use of it WO •
made the other day, when Omer Pasha first visited the
camp. After the infant6* had been dismissed to their.
tents, they crowded to the front of their lines in fatigus°
jackets and frocks to see the Pasha go by, and as heap' ,
proached them a shout of "Bono 1 bono ! Johnny
rent the air, to the great astonishment of Omer, while-aef
flight of " foragers " into the air gave him some notion -!
of a British welcome. He smiled and bowed severe
times in acknowledgment, but it is said that as the
whoops, hurrahs, and yells of the Connaught Ranger!
rang in his ears, he turned to one of the officers near WO
and said, "These are noble-looking fellows, but it Must
be very hard to keep them in order 1" He could nct
comprehend how such freedom could-be made consistett
with strict discipline in the ranks.

BRITISH TROOPS ON THE MARCH.
The special correspondent of the Times gives tie
following account of the march of troops from t3°
camp near Varna to Devna

"On Friday morning (30th June) tents were strutig
at half-past three o'clock, and the men were parad?4 •
and in readiness to march at half-past four o'clock. It
five o'clock they commenced their march. The followilg
is the order of march for the Light Division, but in ail,:
instance we bad no light cavalry :—First there is an
vanced guard, consisting of a squadron of Hussars its" '
two companies of the Rifle Brigade, cavalry or infanirl
leading, according to the nature Of the country ; ci•""„1
comes the Horse Artillery ; thirdly comes the iti'w
Brigade, under the command of Colonel Lawrence ;
fourthly, the infantry of the line, right or left in front,
as may be directed, and the surgeons' panniers in thil
rear of each battalion ; fifthly, the reserve ammunition;
sixthly, the pontoons • seventhly, the led horses of the:
Generals and Staff Officers ; eighthly, the baggage°':'
the divisional staff ; ninthly, the baggage of the 13.7'
gades, in the order in which they respectively mara;
tenthly, the slaughter animals ; eleventhly, the rest'
guard of Riflemen or Infantry. Their duty is
see that neither baggage nor stragglers are left
.hind. The morning sun was excessively hot, the road
were covered with fine duet and sand, which iiefu
in clouds into the faces of the troops, and the air
minable shako, which is at once hot and heavy,
caused so much annoyance that many of the men carried
them on the points of their bayonets and marched 0*
either with uncovered heads or with handkerchiefs 010
them. Every one—officers and men—complain of the*.
Even the white covers fail to make them more bearabl*
and the heavy bob of wood (pompon), covered with COP,' , •
ton plush, and its long brass shank, serve as a kindot
lever to weigh the shako down on the head of the weak''
The bob certainly adds to the height and appearance '
the men ; but in war everything should be sacrificed t 0
utility. A stout forage cap with the peak of-the, slisio
put on, and a roll of linen round it, turban faehiat'!
would be far more suitable to this climate. Notwitn i
standing the heat few men fell out on the march, b_A"
every regiment had some. About 9 o'clock the advancu""
guard (two companies of the Rifle Brigade) reached tbe‘,
camping-ground, and the regiments of the division civil,
slowly up the hill after them. They were an hour at
a-half covering and taking points ere they pitched they
tents. The tents are drawnyup in double rows to thet! =
number of 28 (56 rows in all), and in each row are eight
tents for the men and two for the officers. During thef
march Sir George Brown rode out from Varna, s"`;',
overtook the baggage guard, whom he "stirred Och
very vigorously. The baggage was, indeed, in a goo
deal of confusion, and some was left behind on tr, dsl;
march. All the sick men were sent into Varna thel
before, in accordance with orders, as the Generals a"
not wish the division to be encumbered with them."

A DESERTED CAMP.
We extract the following from a graphic account
of a camp near Varna, after the departure of tho'
British troops : •
"As my baggage-horses were laid up—one
staked himself, and the other being lamed by a nail '—
shoeing—l had to remain on the ground after the troop
left. Nothing can exceed the desolate appearance of
deserted camping ground. In the place which once), re'
sounded with the hum of men, the neighing of barge
the trumpet call, the bugle, and the drum, silence leignil
uninterrupted save by the cry of the vulture as he Oa
overhead in search of carrion, or by the buzz of il)„,1111,.
merable flies of every variety of shape and colour.
little arbours and shady bowers constructed by the 0,7
for the officers and women, all blanched and faded, au,
to the blighted look of the plain, seared and scorcbe!
as it is by the camp fires and marked with arid circle'
where the tents once stood. A debris of old coo ea
tins, sardine•eases, bottles, pickle-jars, old ropes, broke
pack-saddles E addle-perches, waterjars, bits of accoutre;
ment, old ;hoes, and the etceteras which a 'wain.?
off' always deposits, litters the ground, and bits cci
letters and newspapers flutter about the bushes. BY ap
by tortoises of retiring habits, who had taken to t"
bush in a fright, and lay there till the men went, We!,
out and waddle about inquiringly among the tent Peg',4
snakes and lively little lizards, of different shades "f
green, stray about among the mummified 'corpses 12
their tribe which mark the energetic lifeldestroyilge.
habits of the departed soldiery ; an eagle comes 81°sIrja '-
along, allured by the scent of a deceased mule Ali
perches on a stump hard by, eyeing the tempting " 'ea
cacy with a steady stare, only diverted by a quick elect
at the stranger in thedistance. Then comes a to,
Bulgarian, as shy, as wild, as cautious as any of tu
ver
and prowls about the site of the camp, pondering °:.,ar'
claret bottle capsules, picking up corks and bottles,,_Se:
grovelling over battered tin cases and lids of c°°"`"