The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-30 00:00:00

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES

FROM

SIR CHARLES NAPIER.

[FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAZETTE.I
ADMIRALTY, AUG. 28.
Despatches, of which the following are copies or extracts,
have been received from Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier,
K.C.8., Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's ships and
vessels in the Baltic :
No. 380. Bulldog, off Bomarsund,
A 19, 1854.
SIR,—I beg to inclose a letter fromugust Rear- Admiral
Plumridge, who was. stationed, with the Heels and the
French steamer Cocyte (commanded by Lieutenant de
Vaisseau A. Georgette du Buisson,) on the north side of
Bomarsund.
2. I had intended to have brought this squadron
through the Presto Channel to have shelled the north side
of Bomarsund, but when the breaching batteries were
placed ho could not take that station without endangering
the men in the French batteries; ho, therefore, very
wisely took up a position so that he had the Presto Tower
and Bomarsund in a line, and did good service against the
Presto Tower, which I afterwards examined. He Was
rather too close, being within range of the enemy's fire,
and received some damage, but no one was hurt.
3. The ships I stationed to the southward were out of
range of the enemy's guns, and received no damage ; but
the shot and shells from the 10-inch guns, together with
the fire from the four French mortars, which never missed,
and the excellent fire from Captain Pelham's battery, to-
gether with the preparations the enemy saw in progress, I
presume expedited the surrender.
4. Had the enemy held out till the following morning,
when the breaching battery, judiciously placed by the
French Engineer (General Niel) withing 400 yards of the
rear of the fort, and the ships the French and English
Admirals intended to place in their flank, the fortress
would have been reduced_to ashes.
I. I have the honour of enclosing lists of the whole
British FPrce landed, and of casualties, together with a
list of prisoners and guns captured, being no less than 112
mounted, 3 mortars, 7 field pieces, and 79 not mounted.
0. The Commissioners are now taking an account of the
stores, and they are preparing plans not only of the bat-
teries in existence but of those in progress, which I shall
send home as soon as possible.
7. This has been a most arduous and laborious service,
and I have great reason to be satisfied with the great ex-
ertions of all the officers, seamen, and marines, and their
orderly conduct.
8. General Jones speaks in the highest terms of the con-
duct of Colonel Graham and his marines. The firing of
the seamen and marines and marine artillery, under Capt.
Ramsay, was most precise ; he himself was slightly
wounded.
9. The shells thrown by the ships were most destruc-
tive, and had the fortress resisted till the following day
when all was ready on shore, they would have been irre-
aistible.—l have, &ti., CHAS. NAPIER.
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
- - -

No. 10.
RESPECTING OPERATIONS AT BOMARSIIND.
Her Majesty's ship Blenheim, Bomarsund,
August
Sir,—lt is with great pleasure that I7have to report to
you, for the information of the Commander-in-Chief, the
exceeding good conduct and gallantry displayed by the
officers and men under my command on shore at Blenheim
Battery, during the attack on Bomarsund on the 15th and
16th lust., when under a very heavy fire of shell and shot
during the greater part of this period.
All deserve the highest praise, and I name in the mar-
gin* the two officers and captain of gun.
I have, &c.,
Rear-Admiral HenryCaptain.
D. Chads, C.B.
Edinburh, off Boniarsund, Aug. , 1854.
Submitted for the consideration of the CommlBander-in-
Chief.

Vice-Admiral Sir Charles
a , Rear-Admiral.l Napier,CHAPS K.C.B.

Leopard, at Bomarsund, Aug. 17, 1854.
Sir,— Observing on the 16th inst. the Presto Tower's
fire was harassing the constructors of General Jones' bat-
tery, I moved (in obedience to your orders) the Leopard,
Heck, and French steamer Cocyte into a delightful seques-
tered position, screened from observation by the trees on
the neck of land to tha eastward of the tower, having the
great Bomarsund Fort and it in one, so that our over shot
and shell should fall to the lot of Bomarsund.'
The simultaneous opening fire from the three broadsides
was the first intimation the tower inmates had of ou
movements, and I had the satisfaction of
seeing (at times
from aloft) the steadiness and precision with which the
shot and shell were delivered from each vessel. I only re-
gret that the trees alluded to obscured us all from your
view, as I feel almost assured this bit of service would have
been deemed worthy of better notice than it becomes me
to give at so sh
mostort a distance from your flag. It is, how-
ever, Sir, my gra,tifying
duty to state, on behalf of
the whole of the officers and ships' companies, that I en-
tertain the most lively admiration of their exertions, as
well as of the exemplary animation exhibited by Captains
Hall and Gifford, and Lieutenant de Vaisseau A. Georgette
of
Buisson, his
ave, &c, Imperial Majesty's steam-vessel Cocyte.
I h

_
HANWAY PLIMIRIDGE,
Rear•Admirai of the White.
Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.8.,
Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c. &c.

In Camp, Bomarsund, Aland Islands,
, 1854.
SIR,—I have the honour to quaint you that in corn-
pli,nce with your directions, I landed at Bomarsund on
Marines, and placed myself under the orders of Brigadier.the Bth instant, in command of a battalion of Royal
Generale Jones, R.E., the general officer commanding the
brigad.
yesterday's date, thanked the offi
'en, non-commissioned
The brigadier-general, having
by a brigade order of
offic3rs, and
con of the Royal Marines under my command
tmoepderforni, and which
for their good duct during the period they have been
employed on shore, as also for the cheerful and willing
the various lab°.
which
they
weret h y
calledoef tPuheper upon
noorr p s
has contributed so greatly to the successful results which
ruiloaunsn'd'rutiines
have been oblained, I have only to bear my testimony to
under the direction
their zeal and steadiness in the performance of every duty
allotted to them.
with Lieutenants Mawbey,
Poore, and Hewett, .
R ALA., performed their 11
part we . th •
The exactness and precision of their fire from the battery
0 f Tch,etptain artillery
R a companiesm:a
y , it. s . ,
reflected great credit on the officers in command of the
several guns.
The divisional companies were repeatedly exposed to a
heavy fire of round and grape as well as from the Minie
rifle. The casualties have been few, for which we have to
be thankful to a Divine Providence.
I beg to bring to your favourable notice the zeal and
energetic conduct of the two officers appointed by brigade
orders of the oth instant, to perform the duties of field
officers, viz. :—Major Nolloth and Captain Harlot, R.M.,
of my brigade, Major Captain W. C. P. Elliott, whose
exertions in support of my orders call forth my warmest
thanks. - • --

acted as the adjutant, and
Rev.go7derly officer, and I have great
I beg also to assure you that the captains of companies,
subalterns, non-comtnJssioned officers and men, did their
duties in a manner highly satisfactory to me.
LiLeuieteunteannatnLtenFnroaxsera,s
pleasure in bringing them both under your favourable con-
sideration as deserving officers, together with Assistant-
Surgeon Daniel John Duigan, and the other medical offi-
cers employed under my orders, who evinced the greatest
willingness and promptitude in the execution of their
duties.---I have, &c.,

F. GRAHAM,
Colonel, Royal Marines, A•D•C in
command of Brigade in Camp'. •
Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B ,
&C., &c., Commander-in-Chief.

Head-Quarters, Bomarsund,
August 19, 1854.
Sir,—l beg leave to enclose a copy of a Brigade Order
which I directed to be issued previous to the seamen and
marines, who have been employed on shore, returning to
their respective ships, and it affords me groat satisfaction to
state that the discipline observed merits my warmest appro-
bation • not a single complaint has bean addressed to me on
the part of the inhabitants against any individual of the
force employed on shore under my orders.
I beg leave to bring to your notice the valuable assist-
--

* Fras. A. Close, lieutenant ; Leveson Wildman, acting
mate ; John Farrell, chief boat's mate and captain of gun.

Commander Cochrane was in the batteries throughout
the operations of the siege of Bomarsund, and General
Baraguay d'Hilliers has spoken to me in the highest terms
of his condec L.—l have, &c.,
CHARLES NAPIER,
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.

Bomarstmd, le 20 AoAt, 1851.

Monsieur I'Amiral,—Pendant les operations militaires
dont I'lsle d'Aland vient d'etre le theltre, vous avez en la
bente de detacher pres de moi pour faciliter les relations
de l'armee Francaise, aveo la marine Anglaise, Monsieur
to Commandant Cochrane dont j'ai eu beauconp ame
loner.

Je suis tres•heureux, Monsieur l'Amiral d'avoir a
temoigner du zele de Monsieur le Commandant Cochrane
et de le recommander votre bienveillance.—Recevez, etc.,
(Signe) BARAGUAY D'HILLIERS

Le General-en-Chef.
A Monsieur le Vice-Amir' al Napier, Commandant
rEscadre Ailllaise- de Is Baltique. ---
No. 380. Biiiade Ordem, • ,
Camp, Bomarsund, Angast 17,1854.
The Brigadier-General cannot allow the force which he
has had the honour to command, during the operations
against the forts of Bomarsund, to re-embark without re-
questing the officers, seamen, non-commissioned officers,
and privates of the Royal Sappers and Miners and Royal
Marines, to accept .his thanks for their good conduct
during the period they have been employed on shore, as
also for the cheerful and willing manner in which they
performed the very laborious duties which they were called
upon to perform, and which has contributed so greatly to
the successful results which have been obtained.
The excellence and precision of the fire from the two
batteries was the admiration of every one who witnessed
it, and reflects great credit upon the officers in command
of the several guns.
Captain Ramsay, R.N., and Colonel Graham, Royal
Marines, are requested to accept the Brigadier-General's
thanks for the very able assistance they have afforded him
during the period he has had tho honour to have them
under his command.
(Signed) H. ST. GEORGE ORD,
Major of Brigade.

A return of the killed and wounded in the &trees under
the command of Brigadier-General Jones, between the 7th
and 18th of August, 1854, at Bomarsund, Aland Islands.

KILLED.

Tho Hon. C. Wrottesloy ; Henry Collins, private R.M.,
Duke of Wellington.
WOUNDED DANGEROUSLY.

Thomas Baughan, private R.M., her Majesty's ship
Blenheim, ankle joint, by a fragment of a shell ; since
amputated.
WOUNDED SEVERELY.

William Mitchell, A. 8., her Majesty's ship Blenheim,
by splinters of iron.
SLIGHTLY WOUNDED.

William Bridle, gunner's mate, her Majesty's ship
Hogue, by splinters of iron.
SLIGHT CONTUSIONS.

Captain William Ramsay, her Majesty's ship Hogue ;
Lieutenant G. F. Burgess, R.N., her Majesty's ship Edin-
burgh.

BURNT.
John McGug,an, A. 8., hor Majesty's ship Hogue, in the
foot; John McGriffin, A. 8., her Majesty's ship Hogue,
foot.

A. It. BRADFORD,
Surgeon of her Majesty's ship Hogue, and Medical
Officer in charge of the above force.
Approved, W. 'RAMSAY, Captain.

No. 381. Bulldog„ off tomarsund, Aug. 19.
Sir,—l have received their lordships' letter of the 7th
inst., approving of all my proceedings and their satisfac-
tion at Admiral Plumridge's activity and judiciousness.
2. I owe much to Admiral Plumridge for the manner he
placed his squadron to prevent reinforcements being thrown
in ; and I am informed two Russian Admirals were sent
among the islands to see if it were possible to pass the
blockading squadron, and returned in despair.
Rear-Admiral Plumridge, as second in command, I have
removed into the Neptune; Rear-Admiral Martin will
hoist his flag on board the Leopard, and take charge of
the Gulf of Bothnia, during the rest of the season, which
will not be long.—l have, &c.,
CRAB. NAPIER,
Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.

No. 397. Bulldog, Led Sund, Aug. 22, 1851.
Sir,—l am happy to inform their Lordships, that Rear
Admiral Chads has oonducted three of his line-of-battle
ships in perfect safety through all the intricate navigation
of the channels from Bomarsund to this anchorage.—l
have, &c., CHAS. NAPIER,
Vice-Admiral and Commander•in-Chief.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.

Return of Russian Prisoners embarked in the
undermentioned Ships.
Hannibal—Officers 9, privates 304, wives of officers 1,
wives of men 7, children 2 ; total, 323.
Algiers—Officers 8, privates 409, wives of officers 2, wives
of men 1; total, 420.
Royal William—Officers 16, privates 731, wives of officers
1, wives of men 8, children 8 ; total, 764.
Termagant—Officers 3, privates 199, wives of officers 3,
children 1, servants 1 ; total, 207.
St. Vincent—Officers 15, privates 499, wives of men 5,
children 2 ' • total, 521.
Grand total, 2,235.

(Signed)

F. W. GREY, Commodore.

GRANITE BATTERIES.

(From the Examiner.)

At the moment when some of our contemporaries
were reprobating in language most severe and unmea.
sured the indiscretion of those who advocated in Parlia-
ment or the press a rather more vigorous action on the
part of our fleets in the Black Sea and the Baltic, and
at the time we were told, on the authority of an admiral
who had seen Cronstadt from the top of a lighthouse,
that " the batteries were of solid granite, to attack
which would be certain destruction, on the authority of
Sir Charles Napier," we ventured to remark :
" Cronstadt is no doubt as strong as it can be made,
but if it has any extraordinary look of solidity, such as
to strike an observer of cannon-shot range at the top of
a tower, it is to be suspected that such a show is false,
that it is postiche, that the place is padded out, that
it is an impostor of a fortress, or in one word, Russian,
which expresses every mystification."
Well, as far as Cronstadt is concerned, the accuracy of
our guess remains to be verified. But we have had a
specimen of Russian fortification at Bomarsund. The
batteries there were also pronounced to be granite, and
we were told to prepare for a siege of some duration,
because the ground is extremely unfavourable for dig-
ging trenches and approaches ; and of course the line-
of-battle-ships, though carrying guns of larger range
than the fortress, were not to be risked against the
granite batteries. So the siege is commenced by land,
and in due form. But how unlike is the attack to that
upon Silistria ! The form is very soon neglected—the
Frenoh speedily grow tired of being methodical, and
do the work allotted to them by assault—the English
mean while have dragged six 32-pounders by main
force over rocks and ploughed fields, without making
a single zig-zag to a point whence the guns
can be directed at pleasure against the towers
or the principal fortification. Captain Pelham takes
a line of his own, and places a ten-inch gun
in a wholly irregular, but very annoying position. There
is a moment when Sir Charles Napier has made up his
mind to rush to certain destruction, but be is restrained,
and the fleet merely throw a shot and shell every five
minutes, by way of diversion for the Russians.
Now mark the consequences, as related in a private
letter published by the Standard. It is Captain
Pelham's fire.

Three or four shots set the great stones visibly chattering
as I could mark by a pocket telescope ; one block then fell
out, then another, then a third, fourth, Sze., and these were
followed by an avalanche of loose rubbish, just as you see
macadamising stones pour out from the end of a cart when
the back-board is removed.

Next as to the face of the fort exposed to the distant
fire of the ships, not one of which appears to have been
damaged.
The large blocks of granite that formed the face of the
fort, and which in appearance offered an immense resist-
ance, fell out in masses, and the rubble with which the
wall was filled in, tumbled out in heaps. The Edinburgh,
the Ajax, .and the steamers fired at long range on the Bo-
marsundfortress, while at t'ae same time the Leopard at-
tacked the fort of Presto, ou the other side the narrow
channel. At 12-30 a flag of truce was held out at an em-
brasure at Domarsund, towards the fleet ; a boat, with an
officer, was sent on shore, and at about half-past twelve
the governor surrendered.
Now, supposing that Fort Menscliikoff had been ex-
posed fur a forenoon, not to a shot and shell every five
minutes, but to the sustained fire from the broadsides Cf
, five or six line-of-battle ships, is there not a strong pro-
j bability that the solid granite would have been '‘tea.
cadamised" into the loose blocks of rubble to which
the Bomarsund forts were reduced by the employment
of a twentieth part of the means supposed ? Possibly
Fort Menschikoff might have surrendered as nimbly a 4
Fort Presto himself.
The construction of granite towers is in fact a return
to a wholly obsolete method of fortification. When ar-
balests were superseded by artillery, it was speedily per-
ceived that stone walls could no longer be relied upon.
The "gins and cracks of war," imperfect as they were
in their infancy, produced a speedy revolution in the
construction of fortified places. The lofty towers and
L high walls of the castle disappeared, to be replaced by