The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-26 00:00:00

THE AFFAIR OF THE PENELOPE.

The Portsmouth Guardian publishes the following letter
from an officer of her Majesty's ship Blenheim, dated off
Bomarsund, August 13, 1854 :—" We muster altogether,
with the French, ten sail of the line, and a proportionate
number of small fry. On Tuesday the boats of the fleets
were ordered out, and the troops were all landed, together
with 500 marines. On Wednesday all the seamen were
employed transporting guns from ships to the shore, and
they succeeded in dragging six 32-pounders eight thousand
yards from the shore, and within five or six hundred yards
of the left hand round tower. On Thursday last, about
noon, the Penelope steamer was ordered to pass on the
starboard or right-hand side of the large fort of Bomarsund,
for the purpose of ascertaining how many guns the enemy
could bring to bear on her from that quarter. The move-
ments of the Penelope were watched with intense interest
by all the squadron ; the seamen lined the gangways, and
the officers the quarter-deck, waiting to see the result.
The Penelope boldly stood on the course she was directed,
when, unfortunately, she took the ground—runningon the
top of a rock. The Hecla, commanded by the celebrated
Captain Hall, happened by good luck to be coming into
the harbour at the time, and a signal was made to her to
go to the assistance of ship ashore. Strange to say, the
surgeon of our vessel at the time said to me, ' How woul
you like to go into action with your friend C tptain ?
I made some careless reply, and said 'I would not
mind it in the least.' I had scarcely uttered these words
when the admiral's galley came pulling alongside like
mad, with a message direct from Admiral Chads, that he
had sent his boat to take mo on board the Heela,l.o pilot
her and assist in getting the Penelope off. To make a long
story short, we succeeded, after nearly two hours and 20
minutes, in getting the ship afloat, and towed her out stern
foremost in safety. During the whole of the tune the Pene-
lope was on shore, the Russians were firing shot and shell
at us, and latterly they commenced red-hot shot. Several
struck the Penelope and ourselves. I saw two Frenchmen
shot in a boat close to me. One of them, I believe, was a
French midshipman—the shot cut him right in two. I was
standing on the forecastle when a shot whizzed past within,
I think, two feet of my head. Another one at the same
instant came right through the ship's side, close to where I
was standing, and covered me with splinters. Fancy being
under fire of so large a fort for so long a time without be-
ing injured. Is it not a miracle ? There were some killed
and wounded, but how many I cannot tell. We had none
killed on board the Hecla, although the shot was plumping
about us right and left. You will see that the little Hecla
had the honour of getting the Penelope out of a serious
scrape. The breaching batteries opened fire on .the left-
hand tower at 4 o'clock this morning, and have been en-
gaged up to this moment. I can see them blazing away
this moment from my port. I fear there will be a good
many lives lost. One of our marines lost his leg yesterday.
Now for this day, Sunday. I was quietly writing this let-
ter about one o'clock this afternoon, when an order came
on board for us to launch one of our large 84-pounders im-
mediately. We soon hoisted ' Mr. Gun' into the launch,
when Capt. Pelham sent for me. I had just time to get my
sword and a revolver, when I found myself seated along-
side the captain, who wanted me to accompany him to
assist in getting the gun ashore. We landed, and got shot,
shell, and gu❑ slide, and were getting the gun out, when
one of the forts, observing our movements, opened fire on
us, the first shot coming right amongst us, knocking the
dust in our eyes. The admiral then ordered us to leave the
shore immediately. French and English got out of the way
as soon as we could, but not until we had several shells
burst amongst us. I can't tell if there was any one hurt ;
we looked too much to our own safety to think much about
any one else. The captain and I •were walking together,
thinking we were quite out of danger, when a round shot
passed so close to us that the skipper made such a duck
with his head that I thought it was off altogether; we went
up to the French camp, looking after the commander-in-
chief. I saw the French and English generals, two fine-
Looking old men."

MILITARY.

REVIEW OF THE TROOPS AT PORTSMOUTH BY

PRINCE ALBERT.

PORTSMOUTH, Friday. His Royal ill,ghness the Prince
Albert having signified his intention to inspect the troops
in this g trrison, especially the regiments of embodied mi-
litia now quartered there, the inspection took place this
afternoon on Southsea-common, in the presence of a most
numerous assemblage of spectators of all ranks, the beauty
of the day having been an additional inducement to visi-
tors and residents to congregate in the vicinity of the scene
of the review. As it had been previously intimated that
the Prince would land at Hollingsworth's Rooms, on
Southsea-beach, that gentleman, by the aid of the Govern-
ment representatives, made preparation for the landing of
the illustrious visitor, of a character suited to the occasion ;
and a very brilliant company assembled at the rooms to
greet the Prince. On Southsea-common the regiments to
be inspected were drawn up in review order, some time
before the hour of the expected arrival of the Prince
under their respective commanding-officers.
Prince Albert, attired in a field-marshal's uniform, and
attended by Lieutenant-Colonel Du Plat, attired in the
uniform of the Royal Artillery, embarked at Osborne-pier,
on board the Fairy steam-yacht, and, with his standard
flying from the main, came up to Southsea-beach at four
o'clock. When off the King's Rooms the royal barge was
lowered, and the Prince and equerry were steered ashore
by Captain Crispin, of the royal yacht; on touching the
strand the royal standard was hoisted on the King's Rave-
lin, within Portsmouth garrison, and immediately the
battery mounted thereon fired a royal salute. The Prince
was greeted by a large multitude with every demonstra-
tion of respect. A brilliant staff of officers were in wait-
ing to receive his Royal Highness, who proceeded to mount
a splendid charger, and rode to the field, where the troops
wont through the evolutions of actual service. The review
was over so late that we cannot give military details. The
Queen came up in the Fairy (which had gone back for her
Majesty after landing the Prince) at six o'clock, and
Prince Albert re•embarked about that time in the royal
tugs, sai feat bock to Osborne with
_"1 eiatlnNY. The

[pßicE SD.

usual salutes were fired by the Sag-ship and the garrison
battery.

---
TEE NEW
,UNIFORM.
The following has just been promulgated :
" Horse Guards, August 18, 1854.
" CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM.
" The Queen having been pleased to approve of a change
in the uniform of the army, sealed patterns for the infantry
have been deposited at the board of general officers in
Whitehall, and the General Commanding in Chief is
pleased to direct that the regiments now serving in Great
Britain and Ireland— viz., 18th Foot, 80th Foot, 82d Foot,
90th Foot, and 91th Foot—shall be clothed accordingly,
commencing with the year 1355 6.
" All other regini.nts will adopt the uniform, commenc
ing in the year 1556.7.

Her Majesty has also been pleased to approve of a new
uniform and helmet for the Light Drago.m regiments, as
well as a uniform fur Rifle corps, patterns of which have
been sealed and deposited at the general board of officers.
" The girdle and sash at present worn by those corpi
have been abolished, as well as the pelisse in Rifle regi-
ments.
" The sabretash will not be worn except in Hussar regi.
ments.

All officers about to have new uniforms will provide
themselves with uniforms according to the new patterns.
" By command,

"E. T. WETHERALL, Deputy Adjutant General."

The above regulations will dispense with about two-
thirds of the quantity of gold lace at present worn, as
about one yard will be used instead of two yards and three
quarters as at present.

The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, Secretary at War, in
reply to a memorial addressed to him from the gold and
silver lace weavers of the metropolis, has stated that the
quantity of lace hitherto worn by officers has been consi-
dered to be superfluous, as well as expensive to tbe officers,
particularly those of junior rank. He added a hope that
the alterations would not be so serious as the trade feared,
and his desire to do anything in reason to meet the wants
of the working men.

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE.
We believe that during the absence of Major. General
Sir George Cathcart, upon special service in Turkey, the
duties of the above office will be solely performed by
Major General Wetherall, General Cathcart still remaining
Adjutant General of the forces.

Captain Dalrymple, 39th, embarked yesterday in the
Ajax steamer for Gibraltar, to join the service companies.
DRAFTS FOR INDIA.—The ship Clive, s`lo tons, is
ordered to Gravesend, to embark detachments, on the 31st
inst. of 60 men of the 12th Lancers, with two officers ; 47
men of the 43d Foot and three officers; 40 men of the 74th
Highlanders, and two officers; and 33 men of the 84th
(York and Lancaster), for conveyance to Madras.

THE 46TH REGIMENT.
This regiment which, on its arrival at Windsor, was
destined for Australia, will, as soon as a vessel can be got
ready be sent to the East, whither nearly 300 of them have
already embarked. We infer from this that Col. Garrett,
or any other officers of the regiment whom the Horse
Guards may think necessary to put upon their trial, will be
left behind. It is to be lamented that this regiment is so
unfortunately officered, for there is not a finer set of men,
either in appearance or discipline, in her Majesty's service.
A subject of no little merriment occurred iu the barracks
at parade on Sunday last, which Colonel Garrett, in conse-
quence of so many desertions, addressed the privates, and
recommended them to be more circumspect, as the eyes of
the whole world were upon them. This
piece' of advico
naturally caused a general titter among the men, who
very reasonably thought the remark would apply wort
to the officers than to themselves. It is not generally
known to civilians that there is a very serious diffei•
ence between the sentence of being dismissed from a
regiment and being cashiered. In the former case
,t4e
officer loses his commission, but is allowed to enter another
regiment if he has the money and inclination to make
another purchase ; but, in the latter case, when an officer
is cashiered, he not only loses his commission, but his
sword is broken over his head in the face of the whole re-
giment, and he is declared to be ineligible to hold ever
afterwards any appointment under Government, either
civil or military. Neither of the sentences on Lieutenant
Perry or Lieutenant Greer has yet been promulgated.
Greer is expecting to know .his fate every-day, but whether
favourable or unfavourable he has expressed his determi-
nation to leave the regiment imind.ately he can get
away. The subscriptions to defray Lieutenant Perry's law
expenses, are already numerous and liber.d.

THE CHOLERA IN THE ARMY.
The sudden reappearance of the mysterious and de-
vastating disc Ise which has for nearly forty years iseep
the scourge of mankind, has naturally created much
alarm in England, and philanthropists now eagerly presr
forward with remedial suggestions more or lass worth:
of attention. Our gallant, troops, English and French
alike, appear to have been severely visited, and there is
great reason to apprehend a very serious diminution
in the numerical strength of a force lav no means too
large for the great object it has in hand, unless an im-
portant change takes place in the physical condition of the
men and the duality of the atmosphere they inhale. At
this distance, it is not likely that any suggestions we' ma}
offer will be of much avail in the North or id the East
but there may be other afflicted localities nearer home iv
which troops may be stationed, and for their service,
well as for future use in remote places, we shall mention
remedy which seems hitherto to have escaped attention. Thy
remedy is peculiarly within roach of the soldier or sailor, an,i
comes recommended by its professional character. , W.
allude to gunpowder. A more effective agent in the de
struction of noxious atmospheric particles cannot be im-
agined. We have a lively recollection of its application
by a venerated. schoolmaster to the dissipation of foul
smells (only another tern) for the tainted atmosphere),
and we also remember—for happily our memories are
not so treacherous as those of the officers of the 46th—
that the commandant of a regiment marching in
India dispersed the cholera which assailed the cam!
of the corps by causing volleys of musketry to be dis•
charged from time to time, until every impurity ha,
yielded to the destructive powers of " villainou.,
saltpetre" and sulphur. But a better authority than our-
selves—a traveller and a clergyman —presents us with in-
stances of the anti-cholera properties of gunpowder, which
irresistibly recommend the preventive to the attention of
the occupants of houses as well as camps. The Rev. Wil-
liam Gillespie says, that cholera does not visit China, be-
cause the people are constantly consuming gunpowder, in
the shape of fireworks, and he is of opinion that if the in-
flammable material were burnt in the lanes and streets ot'
large towns, we might hear of wonderful sanitary results.
At a time when the most fearful ravages are being com-
mitted by the disease, it believes the healthboards, and all
who have charge of large bodies of men, to give every re-
medy a trial ; and with the above facts before them i.
would be highly blameable on their part to omit gunpow -
der. Commanding officers might easily direct the content,.
of a cartridge or two to he placed upon a shovel in every
barrack-roout and canteen, and ignited each morning ;
the same process might be profitably resorted to on tip,
lower decks of men-of-war,—United Service Gazette.