The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-05-19
STERN AFFAIRS.

the war preparations prevails in the Russian
ports. The Emperor had n heavy 60 gun
frigate placed at different ranges off Cronstadt,
to ascertain the effect Of shot and shell upon
the forts at the greatest distance.
From Kel, 10th, it was stated that all the
Russian ports in the Baltic are under block
ade.
The French squadron that has sailed from
Brest to reinforce Naper's fleet in the Baltic,
numbers twenty-five ships, Of all sizes, Of
which nine are ships Of the line.
The Russian force aloat in the Baltic
amounts to thirty sail of the line, and Il cor
responding number Of frigatcs, steamers, and
smaller craft, whose crews are well trained
and have been together six or seven years;
also 800 gun boats.
The Black Sea.-All the Russians ports in
the Black Sea are declared in state Of block.
ade. A part of the combined fleet had an
chored before Odessa.
THE DANUBE Vienna, April lSh-Tho
important frontier town Of Fokahani, inWal-
lacha, which had just been fortified, has been
destroyed by fire.
All the Russian stores, provisions, arms,
clothing, ammunition, and all the military
hospitals have fallen prey to the flames.
The Russians occupy Kostedje.
communication from Orsova, of the 10th,
states that on the l4th the Russians occupied
Turnu Sevwlin, Serv'a.
On the 18th, the Cossacks crossed the
Danube at New OrsOva, n Turkish fortress
on one of the Danubian islands, and occupied
Wartsierova. The Turks bombarded the
place. According to these accounts, it isnot
clear wethcr regular passage Of the Danube
is intended nj that place
Shun,la, April 2.-ln my letter OF the27th
ult., the number of Russians then across the
Danube was estimated at $4,000; they have
since succeeded in bringing over about 10000
more, making altogether Il total Of $4,000 or
10000 men, as near us can be ascertalned, Tor
there is a great want of accurate information,
nor do the Turks seem to be aware of the
value Of it.
The Russians have already advanced to
Cabadagh, and hold all the country OF the
DO5rudscha as far us the Kara-su, whence
mur dorillon and an old Roman wall extend
to Kostendje, on the Black Sea. Many otl-
GERS here (French and Englisl) are of the
opinion that the Russians are concentrating
large force in this district, and it els also
expected that another passage will also he
attempted above Rutschuck, between which
and Widdin little opposition could be offered
by the Turks, and we know that the Rus
slams have already made large preparations
Of boats and poOntoons on the Wallachan
side.
Omar Pasha seems perfectly aware of his
great deficiency in cavalry, and the disadvan-
tage of risking an engagement on the open
plains of Bulgaria. He is therefore conccn-
trating rs many troops as possible, principally
infantry, in the neighborhood of ShunIa.-
There are now here upwards of 10000 men,
and reinforcements are hourly arriving from
the reserve at Adrianope and some of the
posts on the Danube. 1t is expected in the
course of four or five days more that 10000
men will be assembled, and ample prepara-
tions, both inf provisions and tents, have al
ready been made for them ON the hills around
this place.
Isnail Pasha, the hero Of Citate arrived on
the Goth, from Turtukai. He is one of the
ablest generals the Turks have, and at the
present moment is u great acquisition, as
there is nm urgent demand for good staff OIL
GERS.
Yesterday there was y current report of
10000 French troops having arrived at CALI
poll, but it is much to be hoped that it is not
yet too late to change their destination to
Varna, where there Is tolerable accommoda.
ton, and supplies prOcurable as easily, if not
more so, than at Enos or Gallipoli. A sc.
we're battle is certain within very short pc.
riod, and it is the earnest wish OF the Turks
that the English and French may be present
to help them, otherwise the issue is very
doubtful.
Even at this critical period the Turks are
not so alert us they might be, and their laXl.
ty of system and idOlence of character are
too apparent. c
Provisions and forage, although plentiful,
are doubled in price, and the town bears ratll-
er the appearance of an entrenched camp
than that of the most fourishing town in Bull.
garia.
TIE British Government has ordered the
fine steamers of war built by Mr.. Pitcher for
the Russian Government to be made ready
for launching, and on their being completed
according to contract with the Russian agents,
will hand over the remainder one.third of the
price to Mr.Picher, and will settle with Rus
sia Mt some future period for the amount al
ready paid to Mr. Pitcher on account for
the vessels. One, the Cossack, has been
launched.
Such of our regiments as are not yet aAoat
are filling up their numbers to full service
compliment with extraordinary rapidty,
by means of cheerful and general vOlun-
teering.
LATER FROM THE GREEK 1NsURREcTIoN.-
The Insurgents have been defeated with great
loss.
Russia has imposed heavy war tax on all
classes.
April 24.-Authentic accounts state that
Odessa was bombarded ten hours by the al
lied fleets,
Eight Russian and one Austrian merchant
ships were burned in the harbor. Three
British bombarding steamers were badly dam
aged. -.
The attempt of the British to land 1900
men failed.
The Russian fleet came out Of Scvastopo
during the fight and threatened the allied
fleets, but returned without battle.
SHAsGHAIs, AvAUNT The Committee on
Poultry of the New Hampshire Agricultural
Society arc "out" against the Shanghais, in
no mincing terms. They urge the careful
breeding Of the domestic varieties Of fowl
the Dorkings, Bolton Grays, and their crosses
in preference to Giant Chinaman. Neither
profit nor good taste, they say, suggest the
breeding Of China hens. They are not great
layers; not prolific; are long in getting their
growth, and are great eaters; upon the table,
are coarse and stringy; and of a certainty are
no ornament TO the farm-yard, their form
being awkward and ungainly, and their crow
being, as has been observed, ''not the honest
Saxony crow, expressive of day-brcak, love,
war, animal spirits, but horrid ejaculation,
between a Chinese sentence, as described by
missionaries. and a badly blown dinner.