The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-29 00:00:00

GENERAL ORDER.

" Until further orders the issue of fuel will be limited
to the troops 'encamped upon the heights before Sebas-
topol."
From the wording of this order, ono would be
led to imagine that fuel had already been issued
to these troops, but such has never been the case.
No feel has yet been obtained ; and indeed, if it
could be got, there would be no moans of trans-
porting it from Balakiava to the regiments, unless
carried by the men themselves. I hear a question
constantly asked—" Where are our private bat
horses ?" They were left at Varna when the
army left for the Crimea. The officers would gladly
part with these for•less money than they gave for
them, as they are utterly useless to them where
they are. Some say they have left Varna, and
have been sent by land up to Constantinople.
We have experienced great varieties of weather
and temperature since I last wrote, but the gene-
ral state of the atmosphere has been favourable for
carrying off the excessive moisture on the surface
of the ground, and the mud now only remains
accumulated in certain localities to such an extent
as seriously to impede the progress of vehicles or
passengers. The 7th inst. was particularly favour-
able in this respect. A cool dry wind blew from
the north, while the sun exerted unusual power
through the medium of a cloudless sky. An unex-
pected atmospheric condition followed. No sooner
had the sun set below the horizon and its rays been
withdrawn than the abundant moisture which it
had caused to be evaporated from the surface of the
earth became suddenly chilled and condensed by
the north wind, and a thick fog enveloped.every-
' thing around. Many returning from Balakiava
could not find their way to camp. The fog came
so rapidly that it appeared like a wall of dark.
cloud sweeping along from the northward. There
had just been an alarm that the Russians were
coming out of Sebassopol in strong force, and notice
of an expected attack on the works had been sent
up by one of the advanced pickets to the General
commanding the Light Division, but the thick mist
quickly removed all opportunities of observation.
The covering parties iu the trenches wore put upon
the alert, sentries were increased in all directions,
and every precaution adopted, but, no attack fol-
lowed. Darkness, where due care has been taken,
must always be more unfavourable to an attacking
than to the attacked force. The fog continued all
night, and did not disappear until the following
morning, after the sun had again exerted its rare-
fying influence. During the night there was a
sharp frost, and daylight showed the ground
covered with a white coating of hoar and thin ice
and the distant mountains capped with snow. The
wind changed to the south-east and south on the
9th, and has continued blowing from the same di-
rection. Slight rain has fallen once or twice, and
the temperature since the change of wind has been
remarkably mild.
Senn) guns have been brought up, but with im-
mense exertion, as many as 40 or GO horses having
been employed in some instances: Not only the
state of the roads, but the weakened condition of
the horses also, have acted as serious impediments
L to their transport, The larger kinds of mortars

require much exertion for their conveyance—the
.dead weight of the mass of metal falling upon two
wheels instead of being distributed over the carriage,
as in the case of ordinary cannon,- in some measure
will account far the difficulty of their draught.
The new road from Balaklava is progressing. The
great depth of the mud in parts, and the labour in
making a firm foundation before covering itwiththe
smaller fragments, so that it may resist sufficiently
the heavy weights which will have to pass Over it,
prevent it from advancing so quickly as might be
wished. But several French regiments have af-
forded their aid to that part of the road which ad-
joins the port of Balakiava, and they, as in all else
they do, are working at it systematically and
with alacrity. Thera at least will be an excellent
macadamised road. In other parts working parties
of the Otton?an troops are erlga;ed, but it is evi-
dently a labour they have not been used to, or
don't Understand. What an advantage a few hun-
dreds of oir railway excavators would be to us just
now, if we only had the means of feeding, hutting,
and keeping them in the condition we are used to
see them in England ! The labour and expense
of constructing a -seven miles railway a mouth or
six weeks ago would have almost been repaid by
the saving. in time, labour, and lite which would
have been effected through its ai,ency ere this
time. _ _

Scarcely any change has taken place in the bat-
teries the last few days. The French have a num-
ber of new guns mounted, which are being kept in
reserve ; for use, it is presumed, at a period not
very long distant. The tiringin the Greenhill and
Frenchman's hill batteries has been very slack,
and generally in ,the Russian batteries- opposed to
them. Our position in rear of Frenchman's-hill
(or Gordon's) battery is being strengthened by a
breastwork - and -ditch, which, when completed,
will extend from the two ravines known as the left
ravine and the middle or Otchakov ravine. Some
guns aro about to be mounted for the purpose of
more efficiently guarding against an approach of
the enemy by these ravines, especially ie latter,
which, as I mentioned in a letter some time since,
has been left7too wholly dependent on the alertness,
and determination of a single picket for its protec-
tion. The attack upon the poeition occupied
by the Second Division has roused the authorities
to take the necessary steps to prevent the recur-
rence of a similar attack upon the portion of the
encampment which crosses the southern extremity
of the left ravine and, ravine of Otchakov. The
Russians have been making frequent attempts to
impede the progress of the new works to the right,
but the shells which they have thrown have done
little mischief. They are thrown from vessels iu
the roadsted, lying near its south shore, and it
appears that these have to be so far careened over
in order to acquire the necessary elevation that the
precision of. the aim is thereby destroyed. The
enemy succeeded in disabling one of oar large re-
cently mounted guns on the Bth inst., in the Green-
hill battery, by a well-directed shot. A shell en-
tered the gun and burst
_within it, ripping up the
side. No one Was hurt, as sufficient warning was
afforded for every one near to run into shelter.
The same day that this last-mentioned occurrence
took place loud and prolonged cheering was heard
in Sebastopol. It was generally attributed to being
the sound of welcome to fresh reinforcements. Boats
laden with troops and cattle had been observed fre-
quently d uringetli e day crossing from the north side
towards.the south side of the. roadeted. Prepara-
tions were made for au attack on the batteries in
the evening, but none was attempted. On .the 10th
a very long convoy was observed approaching the
direction of Sebastopol by the coast-road, on the
heights between the Katcha and Belbec valleys.
They were readily distinguished as they came along
that part of the. road which slopes down to the
latter of the two valleys. With a good telescope they
could be observed to be solid, well-constructed
waggons, not country arabas, covered with a sort
of hood, and of uniform colour and shape, There
were about three hundred. Whether they con-
tained troops or provisions could not be made
out. This road, after descending into the valley,
crosses the Belbec river and then diverges into two
distinc routes—one leading to Bakshi-Serai, the
other being continued southwards and terminating
at the back of Cape Constantine. A. large herd of
cattle and two or three flocks of sheep are seen on
the hills on the north side of the roadstel, a little
below and to the west of the Star Fort, so that it
is difficult to understand the reports brought in
by deserters of the great scarcity of provisions in
the Russian camp.
It is doubtful whether the Russian army on the
heights north of the Inkerman valley has not re-
ceived an increase in its numbers ; it appears to
stretch over a greater extent of ground. The
movement which took place among the Russian
troops in the plain near Balaklava, on the 6th inst.,
appears to have been in all probability an exchange
in position with a part of the force on the northern
heights. A reconnaissance was made the following
day by a French force of infantry, and it was dis-
covered that the position had not been abandoned.
Some of the force previcusly lying on the plain
has moved higher up the hills, probably on account
of the marshy state of the low ground t.an the
valley.
Leave of absence to proceed to England for the
recovery of health has been granted to Major-
General the Earl of Cardigan, commanding the
Light Cavalry Brigade. Lieut.-Colonel Berkeley,
Scots Fusilier Guards ; Captain Watson, 7th Royal
Fusiliers; Quartermaster Nowlan, 62d Regiment ;
and Paymaster J. Thorp, 63d Regiment, have
also left for England on the recommendation of
medical boards. Lieut.-General Sir George Brown
has nearly recovered from the effects of his wound in
the arm, and will resume command of the Light
Division in a few clays. Major-General Pen nefather,
who took command of the 2d Division after the de-
parture of Lieut.-Geaeral Sir Dc ',ley Evans, has
also been compelled_ to leave on account of a serious
attack of illness, and Brigadier-General G. Buller is
now acting as general of that division. Lieut.-
Colonel Shirley, commanding the 83th, or Cm-
! naught IZaiir_ers, is now acting as brigadier of the
2.1 isrigade oe the Light Drision, in place of. Gen.
Bailer. Lieut.-Colonel Daveney, of the let Royal
Regiment, resigns his position as commandant of
Balaklava, being unable to continue discharging
the duties of this office, which are somewhat ardu-
ous, on account of ill health. It is understood
that lie is to be succeeded by Brevet Lient.-Gel.
Haines, of the 21st Fusiliers. Many officers of the
regiments in camp aro suffering from sickness.
The plan adopted for their medical treatment is as
follows : if the regimental surgeons find that the
means at their command are not sufficient, they
recommend a removal to shipboard at Balaklava,
where the sick have at least protection against
weather, and the opportunity of obtaining better
food. This failing, the officer is recommended
leave of absence, for change of air, for_ a stated
period, either. to Therapia or Scutari. In cases
where the case is likely to be very protracted, and
the medical board recommends such a course to be
adopted, the patient is permitted to leave for Eng-
land, reporting himself for further observation to
the military authorities at the Horse Guards.
We have a French baker at Balaklava, who sells
loaves which in England would be 41. at the fa-
mine price .of 2s. Incredible as it may appear, the
Turkish private -soldiers are the best customers of
this baker, who, by the bye, is said to net Si. per
diem. After this, let the tradesmen of. Sydney and
Melbourne for ever hide their diminished heads.
For it must be understood that this fortunate baker
might net 101. instead of 5/.,•if he would but work
harder, and bake up to the demand.
DEC. 12.—About half-past 11 o'clock last even-
ing the Russians made a most determined attack
upon the advanced work in front of the -Greenhill
battery, and also upon the advanced work of the
French. After an hour's sharp fighting the fire
was silenced and the enemy driven back. The
moon had risen, but the atmosphere was hazy.
The attack commenced in the left ravine which
winds between Greenhill and Frenchman's-hill.
FOrtunately about a fortnight since a breast-
work and ditch were thrown up across the ravine,
and extended up the sides to be connected with
Captain Chapman's battery on the left, and
Captain Gordon's on the. right. The earthwork
was defended by a party of the Rifle Brigade.
The enemy *came stealthily on at first, but, finding
the picket prepared, rushed on in great force, and
with a loud cheer which was heard an the English
camp. The heavy guns, which had been discharg-
ing at intervals all the evening, ceased their fire ;
th combatants were at too close quarters for artil-
lery to be used without equal risk to friend and
foe. Presently the fire of musketry extended along
the advanced position before Captain Chapman's
battery, and not long afterwards a smart fusillade
opened in the French lines. The bugles of the dif-
ferent regiments, .and the drums of the marines in
camp had long since sounded the alarm, the men
had got under arms, and were now moving to their
respective stations in support of the pickets.. The
Russians, surmising or perceiving the approach of
these supports,. threw rapid discharges of shell and
round shot, in the hope of annting or arresting
.
them in .their advance, After the lapse about