Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-12-20
TIE SIEGE OF SEVASTOPOL.
Details Of the Operations Continued Anack oy
Land and by sea-Ihe Russians hold fheir


o1n. A t.
LETTER FROM NAVAL OFFICER.
II. M. S. BRITANNIA, Oct 18th.
Alan. M. we were in action, and as time will
not allow me to give a long description, all can
saw IL. never heard such row in all my life.
We were firing Al hours; then up anchor and
went out at sunset. Our loss in the squadron
ia "A killed and 266 wounded. We had won
derful escape in this ship; the shot came into
us in all directions and vet, thank God! only
9 wounded. The worst of it is, the Russians
have sunk their ships across the harbor; we can't
get n and not half near enough outside on ac-
count of shoal water. However, think they
got a good dose; but no one can believe what a
place this is However if all's well, we will
have it vet. In month or less, our army alone
has been reduced from $4,000 TO 10000, by
deaths and wounded. And yet have no doubt
people in England are crying out because Sevas-
topol is not yet taken, and upbraiding men who
have passed through such as will never be de-
scribed. Yesterday, the shot, shells, and rock.
cts, began to fly about US before we anchored,
and the deafening noise, the hiss of the missiles
and the roar of some thousands of guns, you
may amuse yourself by trying to imagine. we
were ordered not to fire before orders were Civ.
en- to begin from on deck ! had charge OF 8 of
the heaviest guns, stood on the ladder, and wait
ed for the word. At last it came. | tried to
keep cool, but could not help getting little ex-
cited, and sung out" now you beggars let them
have it," And then began the row, which lasted
till we could not see, and has left US as deaf as
beetles and thirsty ms cabmen.
The loss of the Allied feet in this fruitless
cannonade-for such, in fact, it was--is stated
at 100 killed, and or 400 wounded, and having
two of their largest and best ships completely
disabled
The fire has been very heavy and we'll direct
ed against the 81 gun battery to-day. One of
the enemy's round shot struck the muzzle of a
large g. FOUNDER, breaking it, and killing and
wounding by the fragments several who were
around. Among the victims Of this shot was
Lieut.. Greathead, First Lieut.. Of the Britannia,
flagship. He had been nvalided home, but re-
turned TO his duty and was on the eve Of pro-
motion. A great part of his side was carried
away.
Among the deaths is that of the Hon. Fran
els Hood, who was commanding the Grenadier
Guards. He was killed by round shot, while
with covering party of his regiment in the bat
tery. His death was almost instantaneous. He
led on his men with great GOODNESS and gallant
ny at Alma, and was generally regarded as an
able officer, he was much liked, and his loss is
felt severely in the regiment.
NARROW ESCAPE OF THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE.
In front of the camp on the brow of the hill
is house known as the Pcquet house. Round
it is yard, enclosed by stone wall. Within
this the Duke of Cambridge and Sir G. Brown
were standing just now with many of the staff,
looking at the bombardment. A round shot
passed between the two generals, and whizzing
across the yard was stopped by the wall on the
opposite side. The Duke laughed the matter
off, but Sir George, thinking the number of con-
spicuous uniforms had attracted the fire, imme-
dately ordered the officer commanding the pic
quet to clear the yard.
THE SLAUGHTER IS COMING.
No one can say what will be the numbers of
wounded in the great assault which may oneday
take place. 1t is well to state the truth at once;
Alma is likely to have been far less deadly than
the struggle which will take place in the breach
es of Sevastopol The enemy there will proba-
bly, be unable to retreat, and il he have trace
of courage or natural instinct, he will defend
himself with desperation Every street may have
its barricade, and the very ground over which
the assauting regiments pass may conceal the
deadly mine.
SACK EXPECTED.
The prisoners and even the deserters say that
the Russian generals are determined to leave
the place ruin. The women and children may
probably have been sent over to the northern
side. 1t is to be hoped that they may be placed
in safety before the final assault, for such is the
obstinacy of the defense that the rage of the
soldiers is being aroused, and assuredly the
Zonaves aud other African regiments will
display no small ferocity when the place is
sacked.
The allies are no doubt in want of fresh
troops. The effective British force is not more
than 10000, so great has been the void made by
battle and disease. No less than 5000 men are
dead or hors de combat in the last weeks. Moro
Turkish troops are being sent up; to-day the
Golden Fleece arrived here from Vola,with 1000
troops who were engaged in opposing the Greek
invasion But it could be wished that reinforce
ments of better class could arrive from Ports.
mouth or Marseilles.
We have advices from Sevastopol to the 25th.
Women and children are said to be lying un.bu.
red in the street; everything is neglected in or
der to keep up the defence. The Russians are
constructing another line of works behind their
present ones, they have plenty of guns and am.
nniton
VERMoNT.--The Legislature of this State nd
journed on the 10Th inst, after session of five
weeks. Three new banks were chartered du.
ring The session--one at Hyde Park, one at
pan and M