New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-11
THE AFFAIR AT PETROPAyLOFsK.


THE AFFAIR AT PETROPAyLOFsK.
The fortune Of the war does not seem propi-
tious to the allied arms. The Russians defend
themselves with skill and vigor not counted on
at the beginning With regard TO Sevastopol, We
do not undertake TO judge until the arrival Of our
files Of journals and correspondence but the indi-
cations afforded by the telegraphic dispatch from
Halifax are that the expedition to the Crimea is
in rather difficult position, and that the capture
of the besieged stronghold if accomplished at all,
will require frightful expenditure OF the best
blood of both armies. Simultaneous with the ar
rival of this intelligence and of the doubt 1t casts
upon the success of the allied forces, we hear
from the other side Of the world, from the north
east of Asia, of check they have sustained, more
important morally than materially, and especially
remarkable from its having been altogether IN
expected in that quarter
On the south. eastern extremity of Kamtchatka,
at the head of the little Bay of Avatcha, our read
ers will find upon their maps the Russian town of
PetropavlOfk. 1t has some 900 inhabitants only,
and 10 important for the excellence of its harbor,
and with the Kurle and Aleutian Archipelago;
itserves likewise as the depot for the stores sent
yearly from st. Petersburg by the Russian Gov
eminent, for the use of its posts in that region.
It's worth is small, even to the Russians. whose
most valuable possession in north eastern Asia, is
the river Amoor, with the island of Saghalien at
its mouth, and the territory on it's shores; all Of
which they have lately seized and fortifed though,
of course, without giving notice to their enemies
in Europe But at Petropavlofsk a part Of the
Russian Pacific squadron had taken refuge, and
thitber the allied feet proceeded, to take the
town and capture the hostile ships.
To form an idea of the harbor of Petropavlofsk,
let the reader thrust his thumb straight out aud
bend his fore finger at right angles, so that the
point may be quarter Of an inch from the joint
of the thumbs this will show the shape of the
harbor and its entrance, with the two necks Of
land, which give it great military strength The
town is situated at the knuckle or base Of the
fsre.fneer The allies found battery ON the
spot represented by the middle OF the thumb; two
batteries near the main bend of the fore.fnger,
and an open or barbette battery on the finger
near the point Just inside of the harbor, pro-
tected by the bend of the fore-fnger, lay the
heavy Russian frigste Aurora, and the armed
transport Dwina. The channel around the point
of the fore-fnger was obstructedby sunken hulk,
stated in some reports to be mound Of sand.
The allies who arrived there with five frigates,
one sloop, and one small steamer carrying in all
1876 guns and 1900 men, had expected to find an
insignificant fertilization and to have no difficulty
in taking the place, but when they came in sight
of il, the wiser officers shook their heads. 1t
was, however, determined to try what they
could do; but just as the attack was made, it was
found that Price, the English Admiral was skot
through the heart. He is said by some to have
been in the act Of picking up bis pistol when he
was shot. Others, who had good opportunity
to form an opinion, have stated that he COM
nitted the deed rather than sustain the ignominy
of what he considered to be certain defeat. The
former is more likely to be true.
On the morning of the 3lst August the battle
began in earnest. The allied feet lying close
before the last joint Of the forefnger, silenced
the open battery directly in front of them, did
serious damage to the rigging and masts of the
Aurora, and silenced many Of the guns in the
forts, on the thumb, and at the bend of the fore.
finger. After that little was done for three
days. but on Sept. heavy fire was commenced
upon the fort Cd the strip of land represented by
the thumb, in our imaginary diagram, and 600 men
were landed to take it, They succeeded, and then
started to go around to take the town, but they
were caught in an ambuscade, and completely
routed. In their retreat they posted an ambus-
cade, and caught the Russians, who were checked
in the pursuit. until the allied troops managed to
carry of many OF their wounded and dead aud to
reembark safely. The next day the Allies set
sail, and were very glad to get of. The French
flagship, the frigate La Forte, had four shots in
her hull, serious one in her mainmast, aud the
other vessels were injured considerably. They
lost 200 men, killed and wounded. On leaving the
harbor, the Allies captured two Russian mer-
chantmen, one with Russian General on board,
and with supplies for the place, the want Of
which, 1t 10 thought, may cause serious incOnven-
fence and suffering to the garrison and inhabit.
ants, as it may be impossible, during the entire
winter, to procure another cargo from the mouth
of the AmoOr.
II does not appear that the forts at Petropsv.
lofsk are very deliberately constructed, but their