Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-09
foreign SntsIligsnts.
BY THE AFRICA.
Particulars of the Capture OF Bomarsund.

Tha English napers. by this arrival are full of go-
rifcation over the capture OF Bomarsunu. lney
saw that " more gallant and brilliant operaton
has seldom occurred" The following are inc
facts of the case l "a -
The first Decentralization Of French troops took
place on the morning Of August ., al landing
place selected by the genera anu aumi,a, ~,
bay about three miles in width, situated 70 inc
southwest of the Russian forts, ana at a ais'amce
of $500 wards from the westernmost tort, called
Fort Tee No efficient resistance could be oher'
ed bv the Russian garrison 70 the landing OF SO
strong a E,rce. covered by such an imposing
strength Of ships. From diary kept by an ohicer,
we are informed that at o'clock on the evening OF
the nh. The whole fleet stretched across the
non,h If the bay Of Bomarsund and brought
,bei- force TO cover the west shore, on which the
landing was 10 take place. Soon after O'Clock,
SIGNAL was made 10 the whole fleet 10 get out
boats - -, $500.
Haf,past lO-The Termaganl, British steamer,
crept silently under the headland OF the western
prononlory and brought up within Two hundred
wards of the shore, but protected by the promon,
tory from shore fire. Al succeeding Intervals OF
quarter of an hour the steamers StromDoii ahd
Sphynx likewise crept in, and LOOK up similar mia
position. AT one o'clock, morning OF the Slh
The Russians commenced firing from three heavy
guns in the Earthwork battery, on such boats as
passed within range. Three O'Clock, morning
the Edinburgh, British steamer, towing boats
rounded the promontory, followed by the French
line-ofbattle-ship Duperre, towing pon1oon ,ooa,s
containing field guns and horses. The Edinburgh
threw shells into the woods 10 dislodge rifemen
-Four O'clock, morning Phlegethron (French) and
Amphion (Eny lish) steamed through an intricate
passage, and moored west OF the Earthwork bat
iery, where none of The guns could be brought to
benr against them. From this safe position they
threw Shells awth beautiful precision" for half an
hour, and then sent three boats TO spike the guns
On landing, "wavng the French and English
flags" they found the Russians had saved them
the trouble by blowing up the battery FIVE
o'clock, a. M, of the Sth, the Stromoon was sent
10 clear the bush of riAemen, on which the first
round tower and the main fort had an opportunity
Of throwinx shells at the Amphion and Phlegethon,
causing the latter to move her berth. t,
In the meantime Napier, in the Bulldog, came
up, and assisted the Strombol to engage the round
tower, while the troops were being rapidly landed
on another part of the beach BY o'clock IL 900
troops had been safely landed, formed and marched
through pine forest TO a village on the heights,
about TWO miles distant from the fortress. Eleven
o'clock. the Bulldog, with Sir Charles Napier on
board, ran aground, within range OF the lors' ana
at O'Clock, evening, the ship foated Off The
ships at this time in front of the forts were, the
English (all steam) Bulldog, Admiral Napier Ed
inburgb, Admiral Chadz Hague, Ajax, Blenheim,
Amphion, Termagant, Belle Isle, Penelope, Sphynx,
Gladiator, Yalorous, Vulture, Pigmy, Lghtnng
cutter Sparowhawk; yachts Mavis Foam, Es-
meraIda French ships-Infexibe, taagshpD Bres-
lau, Trident, Tage, Duperre, ST. Louis, Agerne
steamers, Phegeihon, Darien, Souffieur, Asmodee,
Dan Refine. Hortense On The north side OF The
island were Leopard, Arrogant, Odin, Hecla, Lo-
Gust, Porcupine, Otter, Alban, and Cuckoo. Dur
ing the remainder of the Sih the small craft were
employed in carrying provisions, ammunition, &c,
from the ships TO The shore; the Amphion moored
in front of the disabled battery 10 prevent the Rus
SLAMS from repairing il and Sir Charles Napier
finished the days work by dining with General
PARAGUAY d'Eiili
August 9th.-The French, with their usual fore
sight, appropriated all the horses and draught
cattle of the peasanry, in order TO transport bag
gage, &c. TO head quarters; and foraging parties
were sent 10 bring in everything eatable that could
be obtained, either with or without money The
main body of the army rested on the pretty VII
lage of Skarpans, built on an eminence, four
miles inland, and one mile and a hall distant from
the enemys first tower. Between the village and
the towerextended narrow valley, with long
sheet Of water, and beyond these rose an extended
ridge of rocks and high land to the height OF 200
feet, under shelter OF which the advanced body
were encamped, consisting OF QUO Engiish ma
rines, and the 18th battalion OF the Chasseurs de
Vincennes. AT o'clock afternoon, Gencral ba,
raguay d'Hilliers inspected the encampment, and
was cordially received. He is described as
noble looking old man, standing firm and erect,
although "a years Of age, and minus hand
which he lost in the French war against Russia IN
1912. BY evening of the 9th, bake-house and a
slaunhter-hOuSe were cStdDllsucu-tuc NiNauuiSies
had opened their tents, and the whole economy
OF camp lie was in active operation. On The
shore pier was built, and cranes erected for the
purpose of landing the heavy guns
August 10th was chiefly signalized by the BRUSH
steamer Penelope going ashore Just within range
ofthe long fort which kept up steady fire upon her
for two hours and half Their fire was good,
twenty-oae shots having struck her in hull or
digging. out Of the total number l2l fred. During
this affair, the Edinburgh and Vaorous, from their
previous safe position, continued to throw smell
from IO.inch guns into the tort. by evening. SoO
men from the ships had succeeded in landing six
siege guns.
August l1th.-Four hundred sailors harnessed
then. selves 10 the six 32-pounders, and, win
band a; their head marched TO the advanced camp
the Russians firing from the round tower wnen-
ever they caught glimpse OF the procession: De-
snltorv firing continued all day, shells set hre 10
"a very picturesque village and burnt u TO the
ground. Men employed all day in filing up sand
bags, and making gabions. Napier says 10 ms dis.
patch, aThere were many instances IN the ias'
war. OF guns being placed in extraordinary posi-
tons, but do not believe that in any one case
such difficulties were overcome as in the present
instance To-day Russian, in the garb OF pr,es',
attempted 10 convey a lady out oil the iorL Inc
Ietter.writer copgratulates himself that the pres,
was fred at, and either killed or wounoeo, ,or ne
fell down Ia the carriage, and the horse gahoPeo
back through the gateway Of the fortress
August i2th.--Some bDockheads Of British hreo
ON The French relief picket, installing them for
Russians. Two were killed and i've wounded
Tw, English sailors killed on board the Penelope
were buried by torchight beneath pine, on the
bark Of which their companions carved the WORDS,
"Woodman, spare that tree" During the wno'e
Jav The artillery Of the Chasseurs were filling
shells and building battery. Had 800 or 4oo
shells ready by evening.
August 18th. AT 4 o'clock in the morning the
Ru.sians CONNIE need firing on the French. Inc
FRENCH had now three mortars, and three brass
field pieces in battery: che latter IN point pisnk
range ana after half an hours practice they
found the range OF the shells had commenced
bombardment In earnest. They kept up a ire.
meudous cannonsde Cor some IL hours, their shells
bursting in the embrssures and over the roof, and
their shot destroying the acings Of the embrasures
AT every round by p. M. they had sllenced
of the towers guns, and flag of truce was hung
out OF a port hole. General Bsraguary q Hhliers
rode 10 inquire what they. wanted The reply
was two hours to burythe dead" " hhlie,s gave
dor burial purposes, but also TO bring up reinforce.
menfs from the fort below. and TO obtain further
=. orotu until