Star.
London, England, 1831-03-31 00:00:00

IRELAND.

Counties and Univer. or Dublin

Towns— . .. ..

Total

T0ta1.....

ENGLAND
WALES
SCOTLAND
IRELAND

Total

193 - 291.9
465 - 70 LI

650 - 100

596 - 100

POLAND.
LETTER FROM WARSAW, MIRCU 17.
The notions entertained in Europe respecting the forces of
Russia are so exaggerated, that I should almost fear of meet-
ing with disbelief in stating the exact truth on the subject,
and without any partiality. When the insurrection broke
out in Poland, the Russian troops were in readiness to march
against France, and the Polish army was to be employed as
the vanguard. This fact has been proved by documents
found in the•residence of the Grand Duke Constantine, end
cannot admit of a doubt. Thus prepared for an expedition
of much greater importance, the Russians entered Poland in
numbers which, according to their practice, they had made
appear, at least double what they are, un paper. The truth
is, that they commenced operations with 80,000 infantry,
20,000 regular cavalry, and a great number of irregular
cavalry, and 400 pieces of artillery.
The fighting commenced on the 17th of February, and
continued until the 25th without interruption. Notwith-
standing tite great superiority in numbers, the Russians
were invariably Imotten. The battles of the 19th and the
25th were real scenes of carnage. Since their entrance
into Poland. the Russians would never fight in open coun-
try, but always on the borders of forests, into a hich they
re-entered whenever threatened with an attack at the point
of the bayonet, or with a charge of cavalry. The Russians
were protected by their artillery, to which the Poles were
only able to oppose about 100 pieces of cannon of inferior
calibre. It is their immense superiority in artillery which
has saved the Russians from entire defeat. Had the Poles
been able to choose their field of action, and to fight in open
country, where their charges of cavalry and attacks with
the bayonet would have met with no local obstruction, they
would have defeated the Russians completely. The Polish
cavalry, whose superiority is well known, has never been
able to act: and yet what are the results of the campaign
up to the present time ? The Russians have indeed ad-
vanced, but they were suffered to do so in pursuance of the
plan adopted by the Poles; and as the ground was not dis-
puted to them, there could be no great merit in their pro-
gress. The most material results for the Russians are, ac-
cording to their own acknowledgment, 30,000 killed,
wounded, or made prisoners, 58 pieces of artillery lost,
as well as seven ensigns, which I have seen in the Palace
of the Government, and at the Hotel de Ville.
Since the 25th of February the Russians have not under-
taken any thing, in consequence of their severe sufferings on
that memorable day, during which the Poles themselves bad
9,000 men wounded. They remained some days before
Praga, but they have lately abandoned that position, and have
commenced retreating. Their situation is no doubt critical ;
they are apprehensive of wanting in provisions, and the means
of obtaining relief are distant. Their wounded are in want of
hospitals and of proper care, and after having advanced so
speedily, they find it necessary to retrace their steps in order
to join their reserve, so as to ensure the freedom of their
communications with Russia. The Russians are in Poland
in the same situation as the French were in Spain ; they can
only occupy the ground on which they stand, and the instant
they quit it, it is against them. This compels them to leave
men every where, and puts them constantly in fear of partial
revolts, which it is necessary to repress.
The Poles have commenced a war of partisans, and will
prosecute it with all the activity ‘vhich may be expected
from their hatred against the Russians, and with a desperate
perseverance. Already has General Dweruicki, at the head
of a corps of 20,000 men, and with 30 pieces of artillery
(27 of which he took from the Russians) completely de-
stroyed the corps of General Krbutz, who was opposed to
him, and carried the war into Russia. He has entered Li-
thuania, where the population, which is eager for indepen-
dence, and holds the Russians in as much execration as
elsewhere, have risen en masse on his approach. Other
parti.an chiefs already are exerting themselves with audacity
and suet ess in the palatinates of Augustow and Plock. The'
names of these intrepid men aro Godlewski, Oloniki,
Bardski, atin, &c. They are all of them held in esti-
mation by the amiv, and their operations must soon lead to
important resi.its, Let us not think, therefore, that the
It iwsiaiw have only to appear in order to carry every
thing a:, they may wish. A whole people is not to
be put down in a hurry, and a struggle for national in-
depeudent e is a very different thing from a mere poli-
tical rm.,t.

The l'olibh army is a magnificent one ; it is at present
composed of 70,000 infantry of the line ; 20,000 of the finest
cavalry in Europe ; and 50,000 men armed with scythes,
in the use of which they are particularly expert. The
whole of theme forces are perfectly equipped and exercised,
and they are commanded by very excellent officers ; the
only esst ntial article they are deficient in is muskets.—