Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-05-18
LATEST FROM EUROPE


 i pondence. )-The notions entertained in Eu- rope respecting the forces of Russia are so ex- agerated, that should almost fear of meet I 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 | agalnst France, and the Polish army was to pc employed as the vanguard. This fact has been proved by documents found in the resi- oence of the Grand Duke Constantine, and cannot admit of doubt. Thus prepared for an expedition of much greater importance, they entered Poland in numbers which, ac- Coroihg to their practice, they had made ap- l pear at least double what they are. The truth IS, thatthey commenced operations with oo'ooo infantry, 10000 regular cavalry, and a great number of irregular cavalry, and 400 pleces ot artillery.
 l ne hghtlnS commenced on the 17th of Fepruary, and continued until the 25th with out interruption. Notwithstanding their great suPeiiorlty m numbers, the Russians were in vahaoly beaten. The battles of the 19th and the 18th were real scenes of carnage. Since | thelr entrance into Poland, the Russians would never hgnt Tn open country, but always on the oorders of forests, into which they re-entered | whenever threatened with an attack at the point oi the bayonet, or with charge of cav airy he Russians were protected by their artillery, to which the Poles were only able to oppose about 100 pieces of cannon of infe- nor calibre. It is their immense superiority In artillery which has saved the Russians from entire defeat. Had the Poles been able to choose thelr held of action, and to fight in | open country, where their charges of caval- I ry and attacks with the bayonet would have met with no local obstruction, they would have defeated the Russians completely. The Po- ilsh cavalry, whose superiority is well known, mas never been able to act: and yet what are the results ot the campaign up to the present | tune! The Russians have indeed advanced, out they were suffered to do so in pursuance of the plan adopted by the Poles, and as the grouno was not disputed to them, there could be no great merit in their progress. The most material results for the Russians are, accord ing to their own acknowledgements, so, GOO Killed, wounded, or made prisoners, 58 pieces ot artillery lost as well as seven ensigns, which have seen in the Palace of the Government, and at the Hotel de Vile.
 Since the 25th February the Russians have not undertaken any thing, in consequence of severe snfferings on that memorable Jay, dur | ing which the Pcles themselves had 2, GOO men wounded. They remained some days before Praga, but they have lately abandoned that | position, and have commenced retreating.- Ihelr situation is no doubt critical they are apprehcnsve of wanting provisions, and the means of obtaining relief arc distant. Their wounded are in want of hospitals and of pro l per care, and after having advanced so spec ally, they ind 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 inSpain; 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 itis necessary to rcpress. -.... ,-r-' r... -r.t0 l he Poles have commenced war of par tisans, and will prosecute it with all the ac- tlvity which may be expected from their ha- tired against the Russians, and with despe- rate perseverance. Already has General Dwerncki, at the head of a corps of 20, GOO men, and with 80 pieces of artillery (27 of which he took from the Russans) completely destroyed the corps of General Kreutz, who was opposed to him, and carried the war in to Russia. He has entered Lthuania, where the population, which is eager for ndepen- dence. and hold the Russians in as much exc cration as elsewhere, have risen en masse. on his approach. Other partisan chiefs already are exerting themselves with audacty and success in the palatinates of Agustow and
 
 are Godlewsk, Olorski, Bardsk, Valentin, &c. They are all of them held in estimation by the army, and their operations must soon lead to important results. Let us not think therefore, that the Russians have only to ap- pear in order to carry every thing as they may wish. A whole people is not to be put down in hurry, and struggle for national inde- pendence is a very different thing from mere | political riot.
 The Polish army is a magnificent one; it is at present composed of 10000 infantry of the line, 20, 900 of the finest cavalry in Europe, and 50,000 men armed with scythes, in the use of which they arc particularly expert.- The whole ofthese forces are perfectly equip ped and exercised, and they are commanded by excellent officers; the only essential article they are deficient in is muskets. Let the Poles be well armed, and the Russians are sure to be vanqushed. It only arms that they ask for.
 The army has completed itself again since the 18th. All the regiments have their com plements, and they are about to take the ot1en- sive, because the thaw, which is now fast ap- preaching, will greatly impede the action of the Russian artillery, and -:ust also render difficult all communications with the interior. Having given you an account of the state of the army, shall now say few words rela- tive to the state of the country.
 The whole population is under arms. Old, young, rich, poor, nobles, peasants, have all become sodlers,--common soldiers,-con- founded in the same ranks,-all friends of the same soil, and all equally ready to stand or fall for the cause which they have determin- ed to defend. They know that it is necessa- ry to conquer or die, to risk all for all, and they face death with degree of enthusiasm which claims the highest admiration. Anti quity does not afford to our notice more mo-