Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-01

MtoBothef Tue fruits OF this bloodless engage
ment remained with the allies. Upwards Of two
into the camp Of the English, and three prisoners
were taken. The French quartermaster general, /
am informed, with much generosity, gave up all
claim TO the horses, which have accordingly been
distributed among the cavalry who were decmated
at the battle of Balaklaya. This supply has come
most opportunely, as the horses are remarkably
fine and spirited animals. Remounting our men
with fresh English horses Of course was out Of the
question.
All the approaches TO Balaklaya occupied by the
allies have been strengthened with additional en-
trenchmcnts since the enemy came into the neigh
borhood. A deep fossc and bank protects our
whole 'front.' and, for two hundred yards in front Of
this again, are infantry pits closely set and staked
at the bottom.
On my return to camp this evening, / found that
the fire from our two gun battery up the valley had
told with much effect upon the vessels moored at
the end OF the harbor One steamer was COM
pletely crippled and the other vessels had been
compelled to slip their moorings, and warp out Of
range, taking up their position close to the mouth
Of the harbor stern on.
During the early part of this morning flag Of
truce was sent into Sebastopol to inquire to the
fate OF those officers who were left behind near the
Russian batteries at Balaklava- An answer was
returned that only thirty men and two officers had
survived. IF this report is true, have not the
least hesitation in saying that the Cossacks must
have murdered in cold blood the unfortunate fell
lows who were left upon the field, as have been
informed by cavalry officers OF the light brigade
that when they were compelled to retire they LETT
behind upwards OF $50 men and officers, who were
either only dismounted or slightly wounded; ! am
certain from all have heard from prisoners that
very few Of the allies who fall into the hands Of tho
Russians win meet with quarter-the English cs-
pecially. From all we can ascertain their hatred
to us appears unb0unded
October 31.-The weather has changed for the
worse permanently. All our aroba drivers and in
terprcters say that the winter here is fast setting
in, and indeed it requires no prophet to convince
us Of the fact. The wind and cold during the day
may be avoided by exertion, but 1t becomes unen-
durable in the night, when lie on the ground in
our tents, and shverng, thinking Of the happy
times when we took off our clothes and went to
bed under a more stable covering than an ordnance
umbrella, as the tents are called But, seriously
speaking the change in the weather during the
last few days has shown to oil concerned the i'm
portance Of bringing the present struggle to
speedy conclusion. In fact, the cold and damp has
now become so intense, that any attempt to re-
main under canvass for another week viii put half
of the allies in the hospital. Ye gentlemen of
England who sit at home," &C., can have no idea
of the positive suffering which is entaied upon all
who, in this weather, live under canvass, and sleep
three nights have been compelled to rise nearly
every two hours and run about outside my tent
literally to keep myself from freezing, and on no
occasion have thus hurried forth into the raw,
keen moonlight without finding hundreds of others
similarly engaged Bs
The actual cold one might contriye to keep out,
but the wind and dew penetrate through every
thing Fortunately, in the midst of our distresses,
we have near prospect of the termination Of all
Ia nj
south side) in the course Of five or six days more.
This assertion, which ! leave time to prove, is by
no means based upon the fire Of our batteries but
on the new positions which the French are taking
up. Il have been over their lines to-day carefully.
As they are placed at present, they are an over
match for the Flagstaff and other Russian batteries
to which they are opposed, and which they have
already half destroyed. But since my last visit
they have progressed considerably in their most
advanced or preaching battery. Three covered
ways, stretching from their first parallel lead to
their advanced post, which is precisely $50 yards
from the Flagstaff battery, and 200 from the wall
of Sebastopol itself This battery is to mount Is
guns, five have been placed already Until visit
ed il, i had no conception that any work of the
kind could have been placed 30 close to the enc
my's guns, and within few yards of their Skin
mishes.
The French had always a high reputation as
besieging army, but the ability, courage and per-
severance with which they have planned and per-
fected this battery ought to raise their reputation
still higher. They have taken advantage Of every
turn and variation Of the ground in such manner
as to complete the battery without the possibility
Of the enemy offering any effectual resistance 1t
is expected that in two days more all the guns on
the work will be placed, and most probably on the
following morning il viii open fire. forty eight
hours ihcessant batterng day and night win suffice
to destroy the greater part Of the wall and then,
and not till then, we shall storm. Under the para
pet of this battery is the mine Of which have
already spoken. 1t is intended to proceed in
straight line under the Flagstaff battery, and part
Of the wall Of the town. ! am informed that the
springng Of this mine win be the signal for the
assault Certainly the preaching battery viii open
fire before II is completed, in order TO distract the
attention of the enemy, who might otherwise easily
discover and Illustrate the plan.
The two six gun French batteries which were on
our extreme left close down to the shore Of the
Quarantine Harbor, have been much advanced,
and completely en6lade the Russian defences on
that side so close their trenches that at little
distance they appear to be firing in the very midst
of the houses Hardly building Of any kind re-
mains in the town which is not perforated with
shot in all parts.
The firing during to-day has been considerably
less on the side Of the allies and also think, on
the part Of the enemy. The latter, however, still
nre Two BnOtS 10 our one. Inc Of1ect oil our Dat
teries now is merely TO engage the enemy's atten-
ton, until the French are ready with their mine
and preaching trench. When that IL done the
game is in our own hands. II the Russians were
better artlerymen they might certainly do us
much mischief but not 10 per cent of their shots
come near the mark. Every one who has watch
cd the progress Of the seige can see at glance
that their firing now is infinitely worse than il
was atthe commencement, when il certainly was
not 10 be trilcd with Ipresume the cause Of this
Is, that most Of their artiereymen have been killed
at the trenches.
Two Circassian prisoners, who escaped from Sc
bastopol into lines this morning, state that the
slaughter among the enemy has been terrible.
They also assert that there are abundant supplies
of water on the south side Of the harbor, but that
on the north the reverse Is the case and that XII
riakof who now commands in chief in the town,
was endeavoring TO supply this important de6cien-
cy by sending over barrels Of water daily. This
seems as II the enemy had already given up all
thoughts of being able to hold the south side and
were concentrating all their energies for the de-
fence Of the north. Nearly oil the inhabitants
have left Sebastopol except those who have all to