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

were sent out to take possession of Czuperzin, 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 withal' 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, and good
luck. Omer Pacha still remains at Schurnla,bid-
ing his time and watching events, and would pro-
bably interrupt any sucCoperation.
Rumours have reached the camp that France
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 be 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
sangfroid, 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 he 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 fa-
couba, a Polish officer of great merit, their conk'
mander, had one man pulled off his horse, laid hilh
on the ground, where he was held by two soldiers,
and with 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 ICa-
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.