Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-19

All the Slips were drawn up in lines and ex.
tended front Of nine miles All ewes and tel
escapes were turned toward the beach, but not
hostile uniform was visible. From The ships
the invaders could see homesteads and villages
lying peacefully in the rays Of the autumn sun,
and the inhabitants quietly pursuing their or
binary occupations. Hundreds of cattle cover
ed the fields, and the farmhouses were sur
rounded by the evidences of an abundant har-
vest in the shape Of stacks Of grain. The In
habitants, in dress and aspect, bore resem.
blance to the better class Of Bulgarian far.
mers.
AT seven o'clock, on the morning of the 18th,
most OF the feet we're in their assigned posi-
tons, and without any very great deviation
irem their prescribed order, the ships drew up
IN parallel line to the beach, the French run
ming close in shore below the cliffs Of the plat
i teau.
a little after Z, a French boat, containing Is
or 10 men, pulled quietly to the beach, and
landed her crew, who advanced short dis
lance and commenced digging hole. Pres
entity the anxious spectators from the ships
saw flagstaff raised, and the tricolor run up 1
Immediately the French Admiral fired a gun
boats dashed out from every one of the French
ships, and in y minutes they had landed
5000 men The French were thus the first to
take possession of the Crimea. The instant
the French had landed regiment, company
was pushed on to reconnotre, and skirmishers
or pickets were sent in front. AS each regi-
ment followed in column, its predecessors
deployed extended front-and advanced in
light marching order, en- Tralleu,, spreading
out like fan, over the plains. 1t was inter.
esting to observe their progress, and to note
the rapid manner in which the appropriated
the soil. In one hour after their first detach
mant had landed, 5000 troops, of all arms
were on shore, and their advanced posts were
ialntly observable between three and four
miles from the beach. The French had in all
$4,000 men.
| The British, whose fate it seems to be to do
everything cumsily- although, in the end,
ehectiyely-proceeded much less skilfully, in
their debarkation, and nearly had Gen. Sir
George Brown captured before their eyes by
picquet of Cossacks. The work of the day
was under the immediate orders of Admiral
| Lyons, for Admiral Dundas, although present
| IN his flagship, took nc part in the proceedings
1t being probably mira dig. in the admiral
ln-chief to attend to such small matters as
landing cargo.
| AT o'clock Ill the morning one black ball
was run up to the masthead Of the Agamem-
non, and gun fired. This signal meant
attend to the following orders: Divisions Of
boats assemble round ships to disembark in
| fantry and artillery No enemy had hitherto
appeared in sight; but now the figure CT a
mounted Russian officer, followed by few Cos
sacks, was distinctly seen on the heights. The
Russian was within ] 100 yards, and through
glass his every motion could be watched.
The Russian rode slowly along by the edge
| OF the cliff, apparently noting the number and
| disposition Of the feet, and taking notes with
great calmncss in memorandum book He
wore dark green frockcoat, with little silver
lace, cap Of the same color, sash round his
waist, end long leather boots. His horse, a
line bay charger, was strange contrast to the
shaggy, rough little steeds Of his followers,
There they we're, the Cossacks' at last stout,
compact looking fellows, with sheep-skin caps,
uncouih clothing Of indiscriminate cut, high
saddles, and little fiery ponies, which carried
them with wonderful ease and strength. Each
of the Cossacks carried thick lance of some
l5 ieet in length, and a heasylooking sabre
AT times they took rapid turns by the edge of
the cliff in front of us-now to the left, now to
the rear, OF their officer, and occasionally they
dipped out of sight, over the hill, altogether.
Then they came back, fourishing Il ,r lanees,
and pointing to the accommodating masses Of the
French on their right not more than half
mile from them, on the shore, or scampering
over the hill TO report progress as to the lines
OF English boats advancing to the beach.
Their officer behaved very well. He remain
ed for an hour within range Of mimic rife,
and when the Highhyer stood in close to shore,
while he was cody making sketch in his port
folio Of our appearance, we all expected that
they were going to drop shell over himself
and his little party. We were glad our expec-
tations were not realized. if il were only ON the
chance Of the sketch being tolerably good, so
that the ear might really see what our arma-
da was like.
The Russian continued his sketching. Sud
denly Cossack crouched down and pointed
with his lance 10 the ascent Of the cliff. The
officer turned and looked in the direction. We
looked too, and 10 cooked hat rose above
the horizon. Another figure, with similar
head dress, came also in view. The first was
Sir George Brown, on foot; the second we
made out to be Quartermastergeneral Airey
The scene was exciting. Il was evident the
Russians and the Cossacks saw Sir George,
but that he did not see them. picket of flu
siliers and rihemen followed the general, at
considerable interval. The Russian got on
his horse, the Cossacks followed his example,
4 uuu Onc VI bucu ChuttItu 10 the lett 10
| that the French we're not cutting of their re-
treat, while the others stopped down over their
saddle bows and rode stealthily, with lowered
lances toward the Englishmen.
| Sir George was in danger, but he did not
know il. Neither did the Russians see the
| picket advancing toward the brow Of the hill.
Sir George was busy scanning the country, and
pointing out the various spots to the quarter.
mastergeneral. Suddenly they turn and slow.
ly descend the hill the gold sash disappears
the cooked hat is collapsed; Cossacks and
officers dismount and steal along by the side
! Of their horses. They, too, are hid from sight
for short time, and on the brow of the Cliff
appears string Of native carts. In about
Eve minutes two or three tiny pnffs Of smoke
rise over the cliff and presently the faint cracks
of rife are audible to the men in the nearest
ships. In few minutes more the Cossacks
are visible, flying Ike the wind on the road to-
ward Sebastopol and crossing close 10 the left
Of the French line Of skirmisbers.
The rest Of the Decentralization was effected
without any incident worthy Of notice. Each
A. - ~. 80 l. I