The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-01
Seb1SlODOH.

The Paris Journal Des Debais has the follow
description of this celebrated fortress and the ap-
proaches to il by land, by which i! would appear
that the allied forces will meet with formidable
resistance:
Before 852 Sebastopol was scarcely fortified
on the land side, and commanded by the sur.
rounding heights; but those hills nearest the town
have been partially levelled, and the earth trans
ported 10 The lower grounds and hollows, which
might facilitate bPsiegng force in approaching
the place On the ground so prepared a circular
wall. started from the citadel, which rises behind
the quarantine fort, has been traced ont. This
wall must have at least three quarters of league
in circuit. and is exceedingly important work,
requiring much time and outlay Constructions
of strong masonry are necessary 10 constitute for
rifcations capable Of resistance and mere ram
part is not sufficient: and, in addition, fortified
place must have half moons and Iunettes also in
strong masonry.
So great work cannot be executed all of a
sudden. However, the report goes that all the
soldiers and seamrn are now employed on it, 10
The number Of 10000; and with the Russian
method, which consists Of sacrificing men by thou
sands for any works whatever, whether of war or
not, il is not impossible that the ortifcaions may
ne in part finished when The allies arrive before
the place. In spite ofthe works of leveng which
have been executed, Sebastopol not the less re-.
mains commanded by heights which it is Imposs.
BILE 10 remove, and on which is marked by
nature the position of an entrenched camp for a
beseigIng force. 1t IL true that outside neither
the port nor even the tops Of the masts of the
vessels can be SEEM account oil The depth OF the
maritime site with respect to the surrounding
cliffs. But when the siege works shall have been
carried toward the right, the great military port
will then be laid open, and NAV be raked by can.
non along its " hole extent. Thut will always be
the most vulnerable point OF Sebastopol on the
land side, unless immense Qualifications were rails.
ed there, which certainly The Russians cannot
have time to construct with sufficient solidity.-
Besides, every strong placr. besiegPd in the rules,
Of war, and with the necessary means, is Of ueces-
sty place taken.
But for the siege Of Sebnstopn, nothing less
than whole army is required, for most undoubt-
eddy the Russians will send one there for the de-
fence OF that great arseral. The preliminary
operation Of the siege will be he landing in the
Crmea OF an army with its material. landing
in an enemy's country is alwa VS. one OF the most
difficult operations Of war The coasts will Ger.
tainly be well provided with troops To oppose the
landing. Where will the allied forces be landed
on this occasion Is it the southern coast
at the monastery Of 81. George in the excellent
habor Of Balaklava. on the fire strand OF alta,
in the inlets Of Cape Chersonesus The most
distant Of these inets is only three leagues from
SebastopoI; four Of them are known, the follow
ing beng their names: Sirebeska, Pes,ehaaaia,
kamiesk and kasach. In landing in one OF these
iittle bays, there would be this advantage-that OF
being very near the place TO be attacked, for the
conveyance Ct siege materials. But our generals
and a6mrals will doubt know how 10 choose
the proper point for landing.