The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING. JUNE 131 1854.

d'ttrb 12151tions

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS,

wards the middle of the mountains the trees are
more bare, and a litt!e be:-ond hale ee feleege at
all. Ttien the species changes from elm and oak
to pine and larch, which at first runs with and lights
up the other trees beautifully, and afterwards in
a thick black fringe have all the top to them-
selves. Mountains such as these occupy either, side of
the gorge, their tops a mixture of black pine and snow.
Towering beyond, in the centre of the whole view, are
huge peaks of unbroken and perpetual snow ; the whole
is a glorious combination of summer and winter—beauty
and grandeur. The fort of Gagri had evidently been
evacuated in a hurry, as the Russians had left their ord-
nance stores there. I counted thirteen 9-pounders quite
new, and there are also several 10-inch mortars and
howitzers, besides many piles of shot and shell in the
best condition. Their principal missile seems to have
been caseshot ; the whole place was strewed over with
old canisters and iron balls of this description ; one
storehouse was entirely filled with the latter, to be
fired from the 10-inch mortar. The fort is a square,
with bastions at the angles, and there is a block-house
at some distance from it up the valley to command
the passage. We did not anchor, and our stay did
not exceed half-an-hour. A number of Circassians
were sitting on the remnants of a chevaux-delria,
and welcomed us gladly, but advised us not to go far up
the valley, as their brethren on either side not knowing
what to make of us, would probably fire. They had col-
lected in some numbers as we left, and as we shoved off
all fired their rifles together, as a parting salute, which
we acknowledged by tossing oars to them. As the Cir-
cassians do not understand any sort of warfare but their
Own, all the military stores should be taken and given
to the Turks to make strong their towns upon the Black
Sea. The evacuation had been so recent that frag-
ments of books and other small wares were strewed
around. After leaving Gagri, we passed the town of
Paposi, and skirted the coast of Imeritia. ; its occupants
are Christians of the Greek Church, and are favourable
to Russia, their chief receiving 20,000 dollars a year.
Some people theorise that local scenery influences the
minds of those who dwell amid it ; these people should
be the noblest nation on earth. The mountains have
retired from the water's edge, and between them and
the sea is a plain some miles across, upon which
the trees and verdure are luxuriantly beautiful ; smoke
arises here and there, as if agriculturists were at work,
and distant houses of wood are bathed in the brightest
sunlight. This is summer—winter approaches half-way
up the mountains, its boundary again marked by firs
and pines and stray snow-patches in the ravines ; again,
there is a splendid black forest of firs, many miles in
length along the mountains ; above this fir-tops are seen
struggling through the snow ; above is winter indeed in
all its dreariness and fierceness. The immense quantity
of snow is perfectly dazzling ; it lies in one thick un-
broken mass extending high up into the heavens, except
where abrupt precipices and rocks will not allow it to
remain on their perpendicular surfaces ; and peak upon
peak, as fantastic aa the most insane artist could desire,
follow in rapid succession. In steaming along the coast
we passed a Russian monastery embowered in trees ;
one monk alone had taken up his quarters there, as it
had not been finished ; it is now deserted ; its circular
green top, crowned by a gold cross, has a pretty effect.
"In passing Paposi five guns were fired thence as a
salute, a gun to each ship (Agamemnon, Charlemage,
Highflyer, Sampson, and Mogador), which was duly
returned by the Agamemnon, which ship bears the flag
of Rear-Admiral Sir E. Lyons. We have had some
curious effects of mirage ; the Agamemnon greatly in-
creased in height, now becoming all white, then all black,
and then surrounded by a thin white stripe, which con-
tinually changed its position ; the Charlemagne appeared
to sink lower and lower in the water, until nothing re-
mained but her hammock nettings; after which proceed-
ing she suddenly grew to twice her height, and then dimi-
nished once more. We are rapidly approaching Suchum-
Kaleh; there is a glorious view of snow and rock; the
former on the more distant mountains appears to descend
almost to their bases; but, notwithstanding snow and ice,
we have below here tremendously hot weather. The
masses of snow are partially lit up by the sun ; in other
places they are partly concealed by cloud; it is diffi-
cult sometimes to draw the boundaries of heaven and
earth, for as the evening draws on both are fast melting
into one. One giant peak of porphyry, which shows
the perpendicular rock, presides over the glaciers be-
neath right regally.
"MAY 18.—On nearing Suchum-Kaleh we perceived
the walls were covered with men in the Circassian dress,
eight of them bearing flags of all devices and colours, but
nearly all having upon them the star and crescent. A
beau.iful bay, thickly wooded around, forms the entrance
to Suchutu ; in the centre of this we found 70 fathoms
of water. The wind blew from the shore, and brought
with it a delicious perfume of flowers, and from the ap-
pearance of handsome detached houses scattered around
one sees that Russians and Georgians have lived toge-
gether on friendly terms. About two miles from the town
rises a small hill, covered with buildings, and farms, well
constructed in every respect, nestle at its foot. I began
exploring Suchum yesterday at 10 o'clock. On the
one flank is a battery of gabions and &seines, having
eight guns towards the sea (six of them remaining there,
though jammed up with shot). In the centre is a fur-
nace of brick, built with the amiable intention of heat-
ing shot for our reception, for our prisoners tell us that
the whole of the sea defences have been recently con-
structed. At the other flank is the old Genoese castle,
surrounded by a thick wall of great strength and extent.
Here are all the Government stores ; 12 or 14 guns,
ranging from 18 to 30 pounders (the latter are handsome
and serviceable pieces of ordnance), repose upon the
walls unspiked. Large stores of flour and wheat were
still burning with • a horrible smell ; and shot and shell
of all descriptions are strewed over the ground. Between
these two ports is a long street, containing shops and
houses of wood and stone; from the centre of this street a
spacious road leads to the country. It is well planted with
trees upon the walks on either side, behind which are
cottages built in excellent taste, and covered with roses
and jessamine. We visited the General's house ; his
coach-houses, stables, and kitchens excited our admira-
tion. A little beyond are botanical gardens. I never
saw roses in such profusion as here ; the hedges are form-
ed entirely of them, and they are in full flower ; their
scent fills the whole place. After nearly all the ships
had foraged enormous bouquets, we climbed up to the
houses ou the bill I spoke of ; these proved to be an
enormous hospital, beds still remaining there. We sat
underneath large trees in front of the building and
emptied our pocket-flaski with much gusto, for the heat
was tropical. Here I sketched a Circassian, and gave
him the performance, which caused reels of laughter
and ' Mashallahs I We soon got to know how it hap-
pened that the town had not been destroyed like the
neighbouring places. It seems the Russians marched
from the town overland to join the army in Asia ;
but, being too weak in themselves to make the
journey, obtained a large escort of Georgians,
the price of their service being the town of
Suchum. the Georgians having stipulated that nothing
should be destroyed, except military stores. Their
terms were accepted, and a Georgian detachment re-
mained behind to take care of the place until their
brethren should return ; but our friend Schamyl had
also kept his eyes open, and immediately upon the eva-
cuation of the town by the Russians and Georgians, sent
a lieutenant with a body of Circassians (some say 500,
others 2,000) to take possession. In consequence dis-
putes ran high between Georgians and Circassians (the
former Christians) at Suchum-Kaleh ; the one party say
they shall occupy the place and keep it, and the other
that they have earned it ; the returning Georgians, how-
ever, are but one day's march from the scene of dissen-
sion, and most likely Suchum-Kaleh will be a prize well
fought for. Schamyl's lieutenant had left for Batoum to
communicate with the Turks. On leaving Suchum-
Kaleh, we made acquaintance with the highest peaks of
the Caucasus, which run inland, and were left behind
before approaching Redout-Kaleh. We have been for-
tunate in the clear atmosphere, hot as it has been. This
morning the view of the wildest part of the Caucasus
was grand in the extreme. The highest peak (8,000 feet)
was in sight, its surrounding neighbours forming with
it. a magnificent snow landscape, which I shall never
Aorget.
We bad been told that Redout-Kaleh was deserted
by the Russians. On arriving at the place the Admiral
hoisted a large Turkish ensign, but no notice was
taken from the shore, not even a red pocket handker-
chief was shown in our honour, and people were been
riding about on shore, carrying lances of a most suspi-
cious Cossacky appearance. The fleet proceeded to
Nikolai (Shefkatil), where we anchored, and the admiral
went on shore, and after a conference there we got
under way again, and are now anchored at Zuluk Zee,
where there is a large Turkish camp, whence we are
to take a body of Turkish soldiers to occupy and
take Redout-Kaleh, which, as we suspected. is still
in the hands of the Russians ; the marines and marine
artillery of the fleet are prepared to land with the Turks
to attack the fort by land. The ships have been busy
in bringing off the Turks, to the number of 1,000. These
soldiers are excellently armed with French muskets ;
their clothing is not good, being both patched and in
holes, and they are heavily laden with large knap-
sacks, but, notwithstanding their having been encamped
for some months in a most unhealthy place, they are
generally hearty and strong, thickset fellows, and of
capital fighting material. Their officers are very so-so,
and treat their men harshly. Zuluk Zee boasts a bazaar,
a long narrow street filled with dirty little shops. There
are great numbers of sick in the hospital, for here,
as at Suchum, fever, ague, and consumption do their
woe at.

THE WAR.
THE SIEGE OF SILISTRIA.

The Ost Deutsche Post of Vienna of the Bth
says —"The siege of Silistria still continues with-
out the occurrence of any important events. The
Turks every day make sorties in order to destroy
the works of the besiegers. The fort of Ab-dul-
Medjid must be taken before the fortress so called
can be attacked by the centre of the besieging
force. The fort of Abd-ul-Medjid is mounted by.
60 guns, and surrounded by a triple wall in ma-
sonry, and occupied eight months' constant labour
in its construction. On the left of it are two
towers with which it communicates. If the fort
were to be taken the garrison could readily retire
into Silistria, by a covered way which leads into
the place."

MAY 22. And now to give you an account of
our adventures at Redout-Kaleh. We reached that
place at about four o'clock, and, before doing so saw
hosts of Georgians. mounted, intermingled with Cos-
sacks, and riding hard along the beach into the town ;
and, standing about the parapet of the fort, could
distinguish eight or nine Russian officers by their
uniform. The Admiral immediately sent a flag of
truce, requiring the immediate evacuation of the place.
The officer in command replied that the Prince was
two miles distant, and it was necessary to communicate
with him on the subject. Upon this the boat waited
for a quarter of an hour (five minutes longer than agreed
upon), then shoved off, and, making signal to the ad-
miral, "Have received no answer,' pulled out. They
were ordered back, however, by signal, to remain an-
other quarter of an hour ; but, upon again reaching the
shore, r.o one was to be seen—officers, Georgians, and
Cossacks all having disappeared as if by magic. On
this being made known, the Agamemnon immediately
opened fire, the Turks were got into the boats, and as-
sembled near the Simpson, with a few gun-boats to cover
them, and waited until ordered to approach, but, as the
first shot was fired, a thick mass of smoke began to
rise from the town, and soon afterwards I counted
ten such ascending straight into the clouds—in short,
the Russians had fired the town, and right well
had they commenced their work. The old Caucasus, who
shone against the sky with all his snow peaks without a
cloud, eehoed loudly the cannonade of the Agamemnon
and Charlemagne, and the gunboats ane. Turks advanced
and disembarked, having but one gun fired at them from