The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-12-02

communl cation, but there seems to be no
means of doing so from our present position;
at least from the manner in which it is
spoken Of it seems to be an unavoidable
difficulty. A force of $4,000 men might
defend every street in the town. and the real
defence of Sebastopol begin where defences
commonly end at the moment breach is
made and the allied forces are pressing on to
the assault. 1t is also to be remarked that
the Russians have at ebastopol an advantage
similar TO the one which gave such aid to
The Turks at Silistria. The ravines which
break up the ground permitted the Russians
in that memorable siege to advance only in
small bodies and caused them to be repulsed
in detail If the Russian soldier were at all
worthy of his past reputation, the allies
might have to fear a loss which would make
the campaign Of the Crimea the most gloomy
success recorded in our annals. But there
is no doubt that from some cause, which
neither political nor military critics have
vet penetrated. the Russian cOnscript has
shown himself manifestly inferior to the
men who fought at Eylau and Borodino.
IL a cause for disquietude exists, it arises
from the presence in the field Of large
Russian force, which acts independently of
the garrison of Sebastopol, and will, no
doubt, attempt to effect diversion. The
strength of the army which lies on the
Tchernaya, and threatens the British com
munication with BaLaklava. is not accurate
ly known but the force of cavalry is said
TO be large. and is the more dangerous, as in
that arm he allies are extremely weak
More than two hundred of the horses of the
heavy brigade were lost at sea, or soon after
their arrival at the Crimea the riders of
course must b. mounted on whatever ami
mails may BE- found in the country, or remain
useless until the place of their former horses
be supplied Forage also is extremely scarce,
and the horses even of general officers are
suffering in consequence. The Russian force,
whose base of operations is Slmpheropol,
does not probably exceed fifteen thousand
men, and to expect large reintorcements
within the present month is out of the
question But the general opinion seems to
be that the enemy are advancing in consid-
erable strength by forced marches, and it is
not impossible that in three or four weeks
there may be an army Of fifty thousand Rus
slams in the field besides those who hold
Sabastopol That any force which the Gar
may dispatch will lose fourth of its num-
bers before it reaches Simpheropol there can
be no doubt.
SO far as it can be observed, tn Russians
have about three hundred guns in position
at Sebastopol. Probably one-half of these
have been taken from the ships, and will be
worked bv sailors, between whom and the
land troops less distinction prevails than in
our service. One point is said to be of great
strength it is the southwestern angle of the
town, and must be attacked by the French
one of their engineer officers declared that
10 capture it will cost them dearly. On the
other hand, the preparations of the allies
are on the grandest scale-far more exten-
sive, indeed, than the generals anticipated
when they first seized the heights which en-
circle the town. The necessity for cautious
operations against place which is naturally
strong, and has at least a numerous and well
provided garrison, with a communication
with the surrounding country, is evident, and
the public must not be disappointed if the
work has continued longer than their san
guine frame of mind led them to believe
When once the preparations are completed
and the attack commences, we may expect a
speedy issue. 1t is we'll, however, to know
the difficulties that are to be surmounted, il
it be only that those engaged may not be
robbed of their well-earned reputation by
those envious critics who find everything
extremely easy after it is effected.