Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-08
Division among the Allied connaadsrs.


Division among the Allied Commanders.
Our readers doubtless recolect the many ri-
mors current not long since in regard to the
division among the commanders of the allied
armies, as to the proper mode Of attacking the
common enemy. The details Of this division,
however, have not hitherto been made public.
IA private correspondent Of the New York
Times, writing from Paris, processes to supply
these details which, il correctly stated, win
tend to explain many things heretofore involved
in mystery. lie writes as follows:
"PARIs, Nov 1854.
Before the embarkation of the troops at Varna,
il win be rendered council of war was held. The
first proposal submitted, was the advance of the
allied troops through the Danuban prosincesto the
line Of the Pruth. The English troops to occupy
the Dobrudscha, having the Black Sea on their
right flank and Isma in front; the Turkish army to
form the centre, while the French corps daymee
wheeled round 80 as to face the Russian centre at
Jassy. Hating upon the Muscovite frontier, a
further appeal might be made TO the Gar before
crossing the Prnth and performing the act of in-
vasion. II forced to battle in the open fields Of
Bessarabia, il was presumed that Russia would be
defeated
!" The allied troops would then proceed upon
Odessa, where Osten Sacken's force was stationed
az the base Of action for the retreating army.
Here the feet which should accompany the allied
army along the coast would cooperate with 1t in
its assault upon the city. The allied troops would
here receive their renfsrcements previously to an
advance upon Perekop. This isthmus was con
sidered the key to all future action. Here the
Russians would have made determined stand II
was proposed to land portion Of troops and guns
in the Crimea together with the whole Of the ma
rines, with large force of blue jackets This
force would be landed near as practicable TO the
isthmus at the moment when the allied troops en-
tered it from the northern end. BY this means the
dcfences OF the Russians, of whatever nature they
might be, being attacked in front and rear, must
have yielded In possession Of this isthmis, all
reinforcement was cut Off from Sehastopol and its
reduction might be undertaken in any form, either
by investment or assault that might be considered
expedient.
Such was the matured advice proposed by the
corps OF French engineers, to whose opinion Lord
Raglan leaned
The Marshal st. Arnaud, whose temper had been
infamed by the attacks Of the English and French
journals upon the inaction of the armies was de-
termined upon coup de main. Odessa was but
mercantile city, and its capture was no feat of
arms-a blow must be struck at the power Of mil
itary Russia, and the public voice demanded the
attack of Sebastopol.
The English corps Of engineers pronounced in
favor of the Marshars plan. 1t was furthermore
urged that Austria was still in doubtful attitude
and it would be highly imprudent, by advancing
on the Pruth, to place the allied troops between
the Austrian and Russian forces.
The Emperor Nicholas, whose object was to in
duce the allied army to embark at once for Sebas-
topol, had privately assentad that Austria should
occupy the municipalities, and withdrew his troops
hastily, so that the Austro-Turkish forces should
seem to keep him in check. The French and
English camps were filed with Russian deserters
and Spies whose real mission was to spread the
report of the ease with which SebastopoI might be
attacked from the land side IN
We know the result of this fatal step. The ar
mics embarked and have been caught in trap.
1t was found impossible to invest Sebastopol and
its defences on the land side; that Of detached
forts, the least formidable in appearance are known
to be the most difficult of attack.
The English engineers made their first report
that the town could not hold out a week. The
French corps de genie having reviewed it, declared
II to be impregnable, or if carried by assault it
would cost $4,000 men.
Such Is the present attitude of affairs. 1880
men have fallen among the allied troops since they
landed in the Crimea. The town is reported ready
for assault but it is also known that every fort and
every street Is undermined All the stores have
been transferred to the north side of the harbor,
and when the besiegers shall have driven the rem
nant of the besieged foot by foot to the waters
edge they will plunge into the harbor, and at the
same moment the great mine under the whole city
and its forts viii be sprung, reducing Sebastopol
instantaneously to mass of ruins.
This is the juncture at which it is expected that
Menschikof with his entire force win fall upon the
allied army.
The resume Of this complicated attitude was adj
mirably expressed by French colonel of engi-
necrs who had just completed a reconnaissance
Standing up in his stirrups, he threw look over
the city and bay beneath, then shaking his head
with smile, he turned to his officers and said
/" That rogue st. Arnaud; @hat a lucky dogi
He is dsadr