The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-27 00:00:00

THE CRIMEA.

HEIGHTS BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, October 12.
" Ground" has at length " been broken," and the
siege of Sebastopol, the most memorable of modern
undertakings, may be said to have commenced,
notwithstanding that not a gun has been fired on
the allied side (in fact, very few are as yet in posi-
tion), and that the works which have been thrown
up consist merely of trenches, traverses, and other
preliminaries to more serious engineering opera-
tions. This intelligence will create iu England the
most lively satisfaction. The delay occasioned by
the landing of the vast number of siege artillery
and ship-guns, and by the difficulty experienced in
dragging them from Balaklava to the heights before
the town, may have rendered John Bull a little
impatient.
On our arrival before the town a fort mounting
fifteen guns alone defended the approach ; whilst
at the present moment numerous batteries (toge-
ther 76 guns of heavy calibre) menace our lines.
In addition to this, the march downwards of the
numerous Russian reinforcements has been consi-
derably shortened, and at this very moment a
powerful army may have concentrated in our rear.
But theae advantages, though important, are by
far surpassed by those which have accrued to the
Allies in the same period. The siege-train waits
alone to be placed in position to silence the fire of
the mushroom Russian batteries ; whilst the de-
struction or capitulation of Sebastopol can be as-
sertedovithout boasting, to be but a question of
time. Success appears not only certain, but easy
beyond expectation ; yet Lord Raglan, with admir-
able and characteristic caution, has ordered works
to be constructed to the rear of the present posi-
tion, where the army could retire in case of any
unforeseen calamity, and defy all attempts of the
Russians to reap advantage of their temporary suc-
cess. Still more to the rear, two well-constructed
redoubts, thrown up by the French, command the
roads from Belbeok and Balaklava, and render any
attack on that side impossible. The positions oc-
cupied by the allied troops can almost be deemed
impregnable, both from the side of the town and
from the rear. Should the Russians venture to
assail these, they will encounter heights as formid-
able as• those occupied by them at Alma, but
defended by soldiers of a far different stamp.
Yesterday the work was continued, and consider-
able progress was made. This night the labour
will be renewed ; and with a little energy, and a
continuation of the enemy's bad luck and want
of skill in the management of his cannon, our
engineers will be enabled to place the siege train
and ship-guns in position, and commence opera-
tions on Monday, the 16th inst. Sanguine indi-
viduals are of opinion that Saturday morning
will witness the opening of our fire ; but these, I
fear, are doomed to disappointment. The French
commenced their siege operations on the same day
as the British, but earlier in the day. I have given
below the details connected with the events, which
may prove interesting to the reader. Our men, invi-
gorated by an extra allowance of rum, worked ad-
mirably. A report has been current amongst the
men, in which they had too fondly trusted, that
the Turkish contingent would be employed in the
trenches.

A necessary though severe step .has been taken
at Balaklava. In consequence of some information
received by Lord Raglan, to the effect that an at-
tempt to fire the town and shipping was meditated
by the inhabitants, instigated by the authorities of
Sebastopol, his lordship ordered the immediate
expulsion of all the remaining inhabitants of this
little port. A nightly patrol now visits regularly
every house in the harbour, to ascertain if any of
these fanatic and malevolent Greeks still remain
lurking behind. Had an attempt to fire the town
been successful, the result would have been awful.
The immense amount of stores and ammunition
then collected at Balaklava would by their loss
have severely crippled the resources of our army.
The heights to the rear td Balaklava are now
mounted by a heavy battery of guns, which sweep
the whole plain, and render any attack in that di-
rection out of the question. Further on, the roads
have been destroyed, so that before Balaklava can
be menaced, they must undergo repair. The Ma-
rines have charge of the heights on which the bat-
tery has been erected ; and in case of need both
the French and Turkish divisions, to the rear of
our army, could be detached to their assistance.
The following are the present dispositions of the
allied forces :—The British occupy the centre and
right. To the extreme right is encamped the
second division (General Sir De Lacy Evans),
leaning towards the mouth of the Chernaya, ; to its
left is the first division (Duke of Cambridge) ;
having again on its left flank the light division. (Sir
George Brown). The light division leans on the
high road which connects the harbour of Sebas-
topol with Balaklava. The fourth division (Sir G.
Cathcart) lies to the left of the light division ;
and with the third division (Sir Richard England)
the. British lines terminate. The French main
strength extends from here to the coast. A French
division is posted in the rear of the British to
cover the army from any attack in that direction.
Vis-d-vis to this division, occupying the heights
which command the road from Belbeck, lies the
Turkish contingent. The British cavalry is sta-
tioned between the above French division and
Balaklava. The Scots Greys, with Captain Maude's
troop of Horse Artillery, occupy a position outside
of Balaklava.
On the 9th instant the Russian batteries opened
a very heavy fire upon the 3d and 4th British
divisions. Hitherto their shells had been thrown
at long intervals only ; but on that day they
commenced a regular fire, which has since con-
tinued night and day. One shell burst near a tent
belonging to the 68th without injuring any one.
Two men of the 63d met with one of those mira-
culous escapes which, however authentic, always
read fabulous. A roead shot, a 48-pounder,
passed so close to the head of one of these men that
the chin-strap of his cap, tied above the head, was
torn by the wind of the ball, which passed on and
smashed the firelock of the other man, which he
was then occupied in cleaning. Neither were in-
jured in the least.
On the 10th instant, towards evening, the French
working party, strongly guarded, issued forth to
break ground. A tremendous fire was instantly
opened upon the advancing body, but without any
effect. A skirmish took place between some of
the French and a party of 'Cossackti, foot and I

`iorse, who were lying in ambush. The Russians
'la I been observed, and the French advanced
alder, cover of a ravine to surprise them. Iu the
ueanwhile a field-piece was brought forward t ►
`rear upon the ambush, and quickly disperse 1
it. The Cossacks, in their wild flight, came
upon the spot where the forty of French
awaited thorn, and were received with a volley,
a,id low a few, and caused the remainder to pre-
eipitate their retreat. In the afternoon the alarm
was given in the 2d and light divisions, caused by
the appearance of a large body of Cossacks at tdie
eastern right, who evidently had intended to
attempt to outflank our position. On perceiving
that preparations were made to receive them,
they retired. The Ist Dragoons, Colonel Yorke,
had a long chase after a body of Cossacks, but
were of course unable to overtake these light-
weighted rascals. In order to increase their speed,
many of the Cossacks threw away their valises, which
were picked up afterwards. These Cossacks are won-
derful packers, and the number of articles (none of
the slightest value) which they contrive to stow
' away in their small valises is quite. remarkable.
Towards nightfall the working and Covering parties
of the different divisions marched downwards to-
wards thp spot selectNl to break ground, and com-
menced operations. The 4th division contributed the
largest nu Luber of hands, and at least 2;000 men of this
division alone were in the trenches. The Russians
soon discovered the working party; and opened a
fire of shell, round-shot, and rockets. Not a shot
told, as the enemy failed in obtaining the range.
After some hours' had work, a trenCh, 1,200 yards
tong, was partly dug, and the working party then
returned to camp, without having lost a single
man. Towards daybreak a body of the 57th Regi-
ment was sent to the trenches, to relieve the
covering party of the• 68th ; and on passing a
point which left them open to the view of the
Russian batteries, a few shells were sent amongst
them. One unfortunately I urst .a few yards
from the ranks, and killed one man, besides
wounding another. As the 68th marched up, a
shell fell in the very same spot, and took off both
legs of an unfortunate private, who has since ex-
pired from loss of blood. An officer of the 20th,
Lieutenant Rotherham, received a slight contusion
in the knee from a piece of rock. The first step,
and an important one towards the reduction of
Sebastopol, has thus been made ; and when the
importance of the event and the customary loss
sustained in opening the trenches are considered,
the trifling nature of our loss (four killed and
wounded) is certainly amazing. On the 11th the
Russians employed their morning in repairing their
field-works, which had evidently been much shaken
by the heavy work of the preceding night.
Towards noon a transport-ship, showing Austrian
colours, could be seen from our heights, drifting
within range of the guns of the granite forts.
The high wind, however uncomfortable to poor fel-
lows under canvas, had been favourable to this
vessel, which turned out later to be an Austrian,
employed by us, and laden with hay from Varna.
The wind had died away, and the ve-sel having
borne too near shore, now paid the penalty of over-
hastiness. Fort Constantine commenced the fire
by sending a round shot about a mile beyond the
vessel. The captain and crew, having bound the
helm, then left in the boats. All the guns of Fort
Constantine—and their name is Legion—opened
upon the unfortunate Austrian, which calmly pur-
sued her course towards the shore. Now the turn
came to Fort Nicholas, and here the vessel rau
considerable danger of being sunk. The amount
of shot and shell burled at her was enormous.
Several shot passed through her rigging, and one
large spar was carried away. The Firebrand now
approached to render assistance, but was unable to
prevent the vessel from running ashore, from
which she was, however, soon towed off by the
above steamer. The Firebrand was forced to ap-
proach within range of the forts, and received four
balls in her hull.

At night the working parties marched out the
trenches, and, as a matter of course, the Russians
opened their fire. This they kept up with extraor-
dinary vigour, though with little success, until the
ntorning. In one of the trenches a little panic
was created. Shells and rockets were pouring
around in all directions, save the right one, when,
from among the sailors employed at the works, a
voice exclaimed, "Jack, it's getting too warm
by half ; I'll hook it." In accordance with this
expressed determination, the speaker retired
or, to use his own phraseology, he " hooked it."
A few others followed, and in some few minutes
not a blue-jacket was on the ground. The panic
spread amongst the workmen, who also " hooked
it." Order was, however, soon re-established, and
everybody returned to the work. Whilst the men
were joking at the occurrence, in one of the works,
a shell suddenly fell right amongst them. In an
instant everybody was flat on his belly • in some
parts three or four living beings were piled upon
one another, and all were shouting out, "Shove it
out, shove it out !" A young Rifleman had the
pluck to take the shell in his hands, and rolled it
over the parapet. Something had gone wrong with
the fusee, for the shell did not burst ; but of this,
the man who courageously took it up in his arms
was not aware, and his conduct merits re-
ward. All night the Russian guns were
very active, and a little musketry fire was ex-
changed by some of the pickets ; and all the
divisions, with the whole of the French army, were
under arms part of the night. Towards morning a
round shot fell on the head of a man of the the 20th
(fourth division), who had fallen asleep from fatigue.
The poor fellow's head was completely crushed.
In the course of this afternoon another battery bas
been established; consequently Balakla,va is safe
from an attack from the rear. The French were
obliged to quit their works in the course of the
afternoon owing to the perfect range acquired by
the Russian batteries. Two shells fell into the
trenches, and then it was considered advisable to
withdraw the men until evening.

OCT. 13.-=The works were continued last night
without much annoyance from the Russian bat-
teries. Seventeen guns are in position, and by
Monday or Tuesday the whole of the allied guns
will, it is expected, be in position. Then, and not
before, the bombardment will commence.
A rumour (I give it as such) has reached head-
quarters that Enpatoria has fallen again into the
hands of the Russians. A strong body of infantry,
artillery, and cavalry approached the town, which
the weak garrison of the place (400 marines) could
not hope to defend. Captain Brook, the governor
of the town, embarked with the troops, after
having spiked a gun, taken from the Leander. So
goes the report, which, if true even, will be but
of little consequence.
Sickness has, I am happy to say, considerably
decreased in the army, and all are impatient for
active operations.
Four battalions of Turks arrived to-day from
Constantinople.
The French army has likewise received consider-
able reinforcements in infantry, and 1,400 cavalry.

( From the Second Edition of the Morning Post.)
Sir George Brown had a miraculous escape on
the night of the 7th inst. Sir George had been out
visiting his advanced picquets in front of the enemy,
and was returning by another route into the lines,
accompanied by hisaide-de•canip, when a party of
Rifles, on duty near the spot, opened fire. Sir
George was untouched, but a ball passed through
the coat of his aide-de-camp.
Colonel Upton has afforded valuable information
touching the fortifications of Sebastopol, and no
doubt is entertained that the fortress must fall
very shortly after the attack is opened.
Captain Cameron, Grenadier Guards ; Lieute-
nant W. Knollys, Scots Fusilier Guards ; Captain
Connolly, 30th Regiment ; Captain Raines, 95th
Regiment ; and Lieut. S. R. Chapman, 20th Regi-
ment, have volunteered to act as engineers, and
their services have been accepted by,Sir John Bur-
goyne.

The following lamentable fact is announced—
that out of 3,003 effective bayonets in the Guards
brigade on the 20th of July, only 1,740 are now
available. And out of nearly 40 officers, then at-
tached to each battalion, only 14 remain on the
effective list.