The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-21

\
tul in his arrangements with the Japanese for
having three ports open for the supply of stores,
coal, SIC. Com. Perry is expected here this
month.
In harbor, 9th, u. S. sloop j. p. Kennedy
at Whampoa, the u. s. steamer J. Hancock,
and the sloop Vincennes; at Shanghai, the u.
S. steamer Susquehanna, and eloops vandalia
and Plymouth. - -s
EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE.
APENRADE, Aug 2s, 1854.
TO the Editor of the National Era.
The Austrian vanguard has already entered
Wailachia still, the Russian ambassador re-
mains at Vienna. Seems This not to prove
Notwithstanding all that is said to the contrary,
that there is o secret understanding between
the Austrian and Russian Governments In
deed, the Austrian Cabinet has declared that
the entrance of Austrian troops in the Danu-
bian Principalities would take place without
any hostile intention on the part of Austria
against Russia. Moreover, the Cabinet of
Vienna is attempting to induce the Turkish
Government TO cause Omer Pasha to eyacuate
Wallachia, and to recross the Danube or at
least to prohibit him, and every other Turkish
commander, from entering Moldsvia. IL is
the evident intention of Austria TO make its
troops living barrier between the Russian
and Turkish forces in that quarter. The Gar
may, under present circumstances. feel no dis
satisfaction with this scheme of Austria, as it
would enable him to send strong reinforce
ments to the Crimea, to Caucasus, and to his
army in Asiatic Turkey, where his Generals
have lately gained one or probably two splen-
did victories over the Turks 1t would appear
as though the Gar has adopted the reverse Of
the original plan relative to the war against
Turkey, which was to act sggressiyely in Eu-
sope while playing defensive part only in
Asia. He would thus be able to preserve the
neutrality OF Germany, and compel Turkey to
chan re the chief theatre of the war to a region
which is still more distant from its allies
France and England. This would be the way
By which to turn to the best account the occu-
patton of the Danubian Principalities by the
Austrian troops.
But Omer Pasha, perceiving how the Aus
trian snake is intending to wind its coils around
the Danubian Prinoipalities is endeavoring 10
Illustrate its scheme by rendering the Turkish
Government sensible Of the folly it would COM
NIT, were it to order him and his army 10 re-
cross the Danube. The views of Omer Pasha
being supported by the Emperor of France,
there is much reason to suppose that Turkey
will not consent to withdraw its troops from
the Prinoipalities, or check the advance of their
victorious course. Still, Omer Pasha cannot,
unsupported by the French and English troops,
attempt to force tho passage of the Pruth, but
will at least be able to compel the Gar to
keep strong army stationed as guard along
the banks of that river. This is also the surest
means of defeating the plan of Austria to &C..
quire for herself slono the proteotorate over
tho Danubian Provinces.
The latest news from st. Petersburgh con-
firms the rumored victory of the Russian Gen.
eral, Baron Wrangel, over the Turks at Baja-
yet According to the official report of Baron
Wrangel, did the forces engaged in that battle,
on each side, amount to about 1000 men.
The Turks lost 2, 1000 killed and wounded, be-
sides q great number Of prisoners, and their
wagons with ammunition and provisions. The
loss of the Russians was comparatively triflng
But, though not much reliance can be placed
upon the details of this report it is neverthe-
less on the whole, true, because this victory of
the Russians is farther confirmed by dispatches
received at Constantinople
The Vienna papers contain the news of an
other Russian victory, which Gen. Bebutow,
the commander in chief over the Russian army
on the frontiers of Turkey and Circassia, is
said to have gained very lately over the Turk
ish army, consisting of Sc, 900 men, which, as
mentioned in my last letter, was on the 18th of
July encamped in the vicinity of Hadischi Vel
ikoi. 1t would thus appear that the reverses
which the troops of the Gar have met with in
Europe, begin TO be oounserbalanced by the
advantages gained by the Russian Generals in
Asia.
Certain it ia, that the affairs of the Sultan
are very badly managed in that quarter The
Turkish Government has therefore resolved to
commit an important command to the able
hands of the Magyar General, Klapka, who
has already set out from Constantinopls for
his place of destination in Asia.
The reports relative to the intended exped-
ton of the French and English forces, under
the command of Marshal Sc Arnaud, against
the Crimea and Sebastopol, are so contradict
DRY that no reliance can be placed upon them,
except so far as the expedition ITSELF which, no
doubt is to be undertaken, though secresy
prevails-or at least an attempt at secrecy is
made-with regard to tho place against which
il is to be directed.
Bomarsund is as mentioned in my last
letter, in the hands of the French and English
The chief honor of this exploit belongs to the
French. 1t was on the Sth instant that about
| 10000 Frenchmen, and 1 900 English marine
soldiers, were landed on the island of Aland !;
but it was not until four days later, on account
of the many difficulties which the nature of
the country opposed that they were able to
erect their batteries of heavy cannons, near
enough to use them with the desired effect
against the forts Or Macmillan towers which
hanked and demineared the main fortress.
But on the 18th, at the break of day, most
vehement bombardment, at the distance of
1900 feet, was directed against those towers.
The precision of the fire of the French, espe-
oially, was admirable, according to the &C.
count of an impartial eye witness The chas-
seurs of Vincennes distinguished themselves
pre-. eminently in the attack On the fort called
the Tee, which, though bravely defended BY
the Russians, fell IN few hours into the hands
of the French. The Russians lost here ninety
killed and wounded or about three-fourths Of
their number. The other fort, called the Not
itch, was, somewhat later ON the same day,
captured by the French and English jointly.
The Russians stationed here showed less spirit
of resistance, and lost only fifteen of their
number.
On the following day, or on the 14th inst,
the allios took possession of the little island Of
Presto, near and opposite to the main fortress
of Bomarsund, which thus was entirely en-
closed by the French and English, who on the
same day finished their preparations FOX their
intended attack upon it.
At seven O'Clock in the morning on the 18th
instant the Napoleon day, most terrible
bombardment was directed from the land bat
tories, as well as from some gun-boats under
the command of Admiral Plun,ridge against
tho fortress, which, however, returned very
spirited, though less effective, fire, especially
on account of the smaller calibre of the Rus
sian cannons and mortars, compared with a
part of the English and French-some of the
English mortars, especially, were of very heavy
calibre-from which shells were thrown, caus-
| m ha faaf frtlp-