The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-26
THE WAR.

THE NAVAL ATTACK ON sEBAsTOPOL.
[Constantinople (oct 28) Correspondence of London
Times
Tha Are'husa arrived yesterday evening With
fuller accounts Of the great events Of the siege up
to the l9th and from IL We are able to learn some
thing Of the details Of the naval action. In case
you should receive no better narrative Of 1t from
the spot, the following may be interesting :--Oa
the morning Of the 18th, when the caanonade
opened, II was intended to storm the works during
the day, should tie effect Of the shot and shell on
the Russians render the plan possible. One part
great batteries at the mouth Of the bsy, SO as to
make diversion, and draw certain number of thu
Russian arterymen from their guns. Tae cannon
ade on the land side commenced little b:fore 10
the morning and for an hour all went we'll, until it
became evident that some Of tAe French works were
enfajed by the Russians, and that the latter we're
able &c keep up fire much stronger than WAS as
first eupioaed. The terrible explosion which took
place on the Left Of the Freu n line threw every
thing into confusion; many OF their guns were dis
mounted: ard though tee loss By the accident was
not more than 100 men, yet the encouragement pro-
duced seems to have been very great TIE details
Ct the action for the next iew hours you have
already LEARNED; the main features OF II were
vigorous fire on the part Of the British, return
ed by one equally obstinate from the Russian
works, while the French were only firing oc adDaal
shots along part OF their line, and Ia some places
their batteries were slenced alsos tier. About
uic-cay the fleets stood in to engage TIE batteries
at the mouth Of the bay. Il IL said that some dis
0Rret ment TOOK place between the French auC
British authorities, and that Admiral Duaias gave
in to the views OF his French colleague whose plan
was adopted. At oil events, tbs French went Ia
and engaged the batteries on their right. The fire
OF their vessels Was "a effective couid b. expect
cd, and In better circumstances the combined fleets
might bsve won an easy victory. But nature inter
posed dhy uties perfectly insurmountable. The
water in the neiehborhood q the works on each
side Is shoal, and 1t Is impossible for even q
frgate to run in closer than from 800 to 1,l00
yards. At such distance the action of shot upon
stone walls s only triaing. The consequence wac,
that although the enemy were several times driven
from their guns, OF which not q few were dis
mour ted, yet tte damage done to the works waich
guard the entrance to Sebsstopol was xTenely
smell. The precise loss of the French We have not
vet learnt. The Vile de Pals engaged the Qua
Tantine battery, and after On hours firing the Rls
sian punners were driven OF; they however, re-
turned shortly alter wards aud renewed the fight
At about o'clock they seem TO have begoa to ooen
with redhot shot. Some time after this shell
came into the Vile de Paris, aud blew Away great
part Of her poop deck, killing and wouuiiug con-
siderable number Of men.
The English had come up within range OF the bat.
teries ON the left shortly before O'clock. The
Agamemron steamed in aud engaged Fort Uoastan-
tine with great determination. The Britannia vas.
believe, towsd in BY the Retribuiion then followed
the Aiethusa, Albion, and London. Toe sphinx,
newly arrived from the P.'ic weut In hrag her
long fore and aft guns ut Fort Constantine With
considerable effect, for the enemy took especial
pains to be nd Of her. and the sht which fell round
Der kept the sea in continual foam. Two or tntee
Turkish sal VI the las Alse st0od " end aet ~ he