The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-09-27
The Expedition to the Crimea,

The expedition TO the Crimea, if it sail
ed on the 3Oth Of August. as proposed. is
probably now engaged in active offensive
operations. Since the siege of Antwerp,
more than twenty years ago. no military
or naval enterprise of equal magnitude
has been undertaken. The late success at
Bomarsund greatly increases the chances
Of victory at Sebastapol. since it has dem
onstrated that stone walls are not so i'm
pregnable against wooden ones, as had
been supposed. The expedition, more
over, appears to have been organized with
the greatest care. The land force, which
accompanies the fleet, is more numerous
than that which defeated Napoleon at
Waterloo. and is composed. in great part.
Of soldiers superior in every respect. ex-
cept that of being veterans. |, must be
admitted, in justice to the allies. that
though they move slowly. they act decis-
lively and cautiously. This fact affords a
strong presumption that, in the present
enterprise, they will also carry off the
palm Of victory. And if they subdue the
Crimea and reduce Sebastopol, they will
have won glory enough for one campaign
Sebastopol itself is probably one of the
strongest fortresses in Europe. The to wn
OF that name lies on a narrow winding
arm of the Black Sea, the hilly shores oi
which bristles with batteries, large and
small. Hostile vessels. entering this estu-
ary, are subjected to concentrc fire from
not less than nine points, besides the fire
of the citadel, which. perched on a COM
manding elevation. covers the entire neigh
borhood with its guns. The port Of Sc.
bastopol is smaller branch of this arm
Of the sea, running at right angles to the
larger one; and it is in this latter, and
doubly sheltered harbor. that the Russian
ships are moored. The town is built in
the angle formed by the port and the arm
OF the sea. the navy yard. dry dock and
batteries being on the opposite side of the
cana like-harbor. 1t will thus be seen
that the place is almost impregnable on
its sea front.
But the allies, however, do not intend to
run the risk involved in an attack of this
kind only. Their plan is to assail sebas
topol, by land as well as by sea, and this
scheme they will probably carry success
fully out, unless on landing and reconn oil
tering they find the place even more than
impregnable than they have been led to
suppose. In that case, they will content
themselves with holding the Crimea.-
Should the rumor prove correct. that an
advanced corps has already seized the
isthmus connecting this peninsula with the
main land. they will only have to over
come the army already in the Crimea. |
such an advanced guard has not preceded
the main army. one OF the first movements
of the allies will be to seize that peninsula
In either event, the Russians will have to
be as disciplined and skilful as they are
brave, in order to maintain their stand
against troops like the French. who ap
pear, at Bomarsuad, TO have fulfilled the
highest expectations formed of them, and
to have delighted the English in their dex
terity. rapidity and cool courage.
If, therefore. Sebastopol does not fall
there is little faith to be had in cause and
effect in military affairs. but everything
must be set down to chance.-Philadel
phia Ledger.