The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-30
MILITARY CONDITION OF THE CRIMEA.


The last steamer brought military Of notable
importance touching hosttes in and about Sebastopol
The terrible blow laid by Menschkof at Inkermann
seems to have struck down the heart of the
army and substantially raised the siege Since that date
however the elements and the done more
darken the hopes of England and France than the repeated
disasters of all the battles appears us in view of the
season far advanced the rgors of the climate the
pests and gales that rage almost unnterrupedy during
the winter months in the Black sea- that reasonable
pecaton be entertained of continuing winter hos
lites in the Crmea What Menschikof had not done to
of war; and the mette of the Muscove they had desped
impressed with most melancholy significance.
We find no satisfaction in the reflections our humanity
would suggest that there yet hope that the armies be-
fore Sehasopo may be saved the horrors of position
imminenty threatened with defeat for in our better
Judgment possibility of recfno escape from
the disasters that God alone can avert The supplies the
allies have depended upon have been destroyed Materials
of war of every kndhoptal stores clothing provisions
camp equpage, tents and houses and ordnance
sells and men, every kind of appointment and means of
attack and deencehave gone down with the hearts and
hopes of England and France with brave the depths
their energies retrieve these disasters But appears
us that they struggling vainy against and
climate and storm that have mercy, and enemy that
in sagacty, vigilance and courage will strain every
and snew of their mighty energies profit by these
losses and to strike blow that will fall with crushing
weight upon the little that is left of the power of the allies
in the Crimea
We sincerely wish we could better things, and
realities and with realities the journalist must deal.
Where them look for suspicious facts Who
change the rgors and perils of Russian winter
Who control the winds and the whrlwinds the
and the tepests of without harbor and roadseads
whose the forresses of enemy vglant in
duty and faithful themselves? These disasters how
ever single in their effect If they operated only
to weaken the allies their of strength would
heal the damage But they doubly the enemy. They
give Russia the time and leisure gather up her mighty
energies and her undimnished strength for
the crisis Her armies reinforced. Her defences
strengthened Her fortresses provsioned. Her
successes inspire her victorious troops with ideas of irwin
cblty and valor that make them nvunerable The En-
peror sends them his gratitude and thanks He claims
the pleasure of providing for the sick and the wounded
He decorates his officers and distributes presents and
trophies to his men re Deuns offered up in their
churches Her armies go forth with the prayers of the
faithful Their banners consecrated to the of
Christ and re-estabshment of the in the Holy
City These mighty elements in the work of war; and
intensified by every calamity TO the enemy and
crbed to the agency of the Almighty who is invoked
the aid of the Cross against the Moem and his unhoy
alliance.
We not disposed to accredt any OF the vague rumors
that Sebastopo is in any distress for provisions clothing
other of defence The Car has calculated too
well his costs to commit so fatal bunder. War is not
only science calculated with certainty by him. but its
practice for centuries has taught him the reality of the
truth'take of your army, and will take Of
the country Sebasopol is in the of of Rus
sias best grain-growng regions Bread literally costs
nothing there Cattle and sheep the seppes that fall
down to the Black in innumerabe herds. No man
who Alright for moment entertain idea that
Sebastopo uninveed with all her communications Open
is in distress of any kind The public mind should be
corrected in this misapprehension.
With these honest but sad the real condi-
ton Of the contendng armies in the Cmea the immediate
results longer conjectura. Everything of the
chances of the war; everything that is of calculable
tainty is the side of Russia She has not yet been
On the contrary she has been concentrating all her ener
GIGS and she stands in unmpaired strength defying
all Europe trusting the recude of her the God
of Battles for success and victory.
The relations that will spring out of the conem-
plated alliance of Austria with the western powers will
not change the military operations in the Crrnea There
is yet doubt in the intelligent sentiment eff England whether
Austria ia sincere whether England can secure such
guarantees win effect stable alliance so important 70
the allies.
Should such treaty be effected 10 throw Austria into
state of war with the Car, every and sinew of
in the vast domnions of Nicholas will be aroused
and a thunderbo will be hurled upon Europe that may
shake every throne there with its fury and vengeance
Our impressions have been that Austria has been play
ing high game of diplomacy, and should she vet see fit
to revoke the chances of cards run Nicholas will
guaranty the stake whatever cost We expect to hear
of some inesse by the next steamer
In conclusion let eye once more upon Sebas
topo AT the last accounts there had been nine day. of
silence and preparation in the camp of MenschikoH He
had been largely reinforced and repairing the little
damage bis artillery had ered in his welLpanned and
execution in the battles that have smiten
down the pride and power of the Anglo-French allied
army To mind this preparation and silence are sig
nfcant of results that will starte again all Europe with
unexpected calami,ies and Unless he has changed
his policy and the allies have entrenched themselves ss
be nvunerabe he has before this time fallen upon them