, 1854-10-21
From the San Francisco Herald.
War in the Pacific.

Frigates Forte and EHYidtce, and the
French brig ObHgado we have stirring
news from the first scene of the conflict be-
/, tween the allied powers and the Russians,
on the Pacific @ g
On the Ist and 4th Of Sept. an attack
was made by the combined fleets upon tho
Fortress of Petropolovski. The English
vessels Of war comprised the President, the
Pique, and the Virago, and the French the
Fort, EWridies and the Obhgddo The
action was very severe one the English
vessels firing 5000 balls. Two of the Rus
sian batteries were destroyed and two
crippled. The loss on the side of the latter
was very heavy but is not ascertained. OF
the English and French forces, sixty-four
men fell during the assault. The Russian
Frigate aurora, of forty-four guns, and tho
Diana Of twenty guns, were moored inside
and protected by sand banks, behind which
they operated as batteries beyond the
reach of the French and English. a
One of the English vessels suffered So
verely in the fght, having lost her foremas,.
but the feet is expected to arrive in the
course Of few days, and we suppose will
be recruited by the addition Of the Am
phitrite and TriHeOmalee, which with the
French corvette ATtenese, now cruising on
our coast. The combined feet of Eve
British and four French will then probably
proceed to Petropolovski and complete the
work. 2li
When leaving the port and short dis
tanee outside, the Russian merchantmen
Sitka was captured by the allied forces and
sent to Vancouver. A Russian supply
vessel was also taken and burnt. Through
out the seige, we learn that the Russians
fought with great courage as the result
proves. The information afforded In re-
gard to the details Of the battle is however
meagre and unsatisfactory. 1t does not
appear that the English and French have
come of with any very distinguished honor.
but they may fare better in a second trial.
The defences Of Petropolovski undoubted-
ly render its capture quite a formidable
undertaking.
The Fort is ship Of 60 guns, the EH-
ridice Of 80 guns, and O6ligado Of 30 guns.
The feet is anchored of North Beach,
The Russian ship Sitka was captured on
tho 9Th Of Sept. Sho carried 10 guns, q
crew of S5 men, and had 25 passengerss
The crew and passengers were taken on
board the Fort and EETidice, and the ship
was taken charge Of by the PTeadeHty
PiqSe, and steamer HragO. to be conveyed
10 Vanceuver's Island. The Sitka was
loaded with provisions for the Russian set
Elements and had touched at Ayan, where
she discharged part Of her cargo, and was
bound thence to Petropolovski, when she
fell in with the feet and surrendered at
discretion, declining to engage in conflict
with the odds Of seven to one. It Is re-
ported by the EEridioe that one American
vessel was lying at Petropolovski, (probas
bly, the brig NObk. on the 1slandG .
Dutch ship l3O days from Hongkong for
San Francisco, was spoken, short Of water,
and intended to put 10 at Honolulu. Her
name was not learned. s'-''
The death Of the English Admiral Pfics
occurred on the 8lst August, and was not
caused by wound in the siege, but asR6
gather the facts, from the discharge Of .
pistol which be was picking up. THERE'S
no reason to suppose that the act was pre-
meditaded, and the conclusion is, this ~
fortunate occurrence was purely accidental
Capt. Frederick, of the AmpAit1itt, sue
ceeds in command Of the 6eet, A bearer
of dispatches for England has arrived on
the Fort, and will leave on the steamer OF
the middle Of the month. The French
feet have been twenty-six days from Pc
tropolOVoski. sa q % 81 l7fur1
We regret that during the presence Of %
large French and British force in our
harbor, there are none Of our own vessels
Of war here Of large class, to reciprocate
those national courtesies so appropriate to
the occasion. As the U. 8. steam frigates
Susquehaana and Misaissippi are shortly
expected from China and Japan, we hope
they may arrive before our European
friends take their departure ' 'o,aiIo
We give list Of officers attached to the
French feet: .al- -tu % 1-n3isiX9
ERIGArs "FoRr."-Capt Min ais /, Ad-
miral Des Sointes Lieuts. Candean, Har-
ley, ,Doye, Rayer, Bouillion, Thomas, Gau-
vim, Keserint Purser Beawlieu; Surgeon
Laporte Assistant Surgeons Despefies;
Lucar, Geierin; AdmiraPs Secretary, Des-
periers t.l m ~ .rfasog b1alT
FRIoArE "EURlDIoE. La Gran
diere Commander Massallion Lieuts.
Fiessolc, De La Passe, De Lecombe, De
Laplanche, Giquet, Des TOUGHER Carstren-
sen Purser De GtaAery Surgeon Rey-
mand Assistant Surgeon Guiersult Nv
BRIG "0BIIGADo. ."-Capt. Rosencoat;
Lieuts. Vanechout, Tournel, Dinel, Mont
periat, Dire Moulrey, DR.. Lagorde.
Austria continues to arm, and TO do
nothing her Generals are continually