New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-11

third parallel. From this point they constructed
a subterrsneous parallel or mine, running in the
same direction as their trenches, and placed in
it at short intervals weak charges of powder.
The simultaneous explosion of these charges
formed on the surface long irregular ditch or
first rudiment of fourth parallel afording suf-
fcient cover to allow the sappers to establish
themselves in it and to complete it by the aid OF
fascines and gabions. Ii was by this tedious
and heightened process that the French were
enabled, on April l6 or IL, to boast of having
opened the fourth parallel. How they could
manage to get il completed and armed under
the artillery and rifle fire of the Russians, re-
mains to be seen. There are ten chances
to one that before accomplishing it their
ammunition was expended and the lombard
me Mt brought to a close; in which case fourth
parallel is position worse than useless, as it is
extremely exposed to strong sallies OF the be-
seged and therefore serves as continued in
ducement TO bring on useless losses of men.
On this left or exclusively French attack, We
therefore find that the business has undoubtedly
been conducted with more skill and sense than
during the first bombardment; that the fire has
been concentrated upon one chief point
in far higher degree; and that no means
has been left untried to push the trenches on
ward. Bnt we also find that the means put into
play were sorely deficient for the purpose, and
consequently the total want of success which
now seems established beyond doubt is fully
explained.
The eastern front of defense inclosing the
shipping suburb has but two prominent points:
the so-called Redan fort, with large bastion
few hundred yards east of the inner harbor, aud
the MalakO bastiOn, erected on the slope ola hill
crowned by the tower of that name. The great
extent Of these bastions allows of their flank
ing effectively, not only the lines connecting
them, but also those extending to the head of
tie inner harbOr and that of the Careening Bay.
Malakoff Hill from its elevation commands the
ground both in front and rear, and may be con-
sidered the key Of the whole suburb, as the
Flagstaff bastion ard the hill on the slope of
which it is situated are in some degree the key to
the city itself Ii vas therefore to strengthen
this important point that the Russians threw up
first the redoubts of Selenghinsk and Yolhynsk,
east Of the Careening Bay aud taking in flank
any attack from the right upon Naakof-and
aitorWard the redoubt Of Kamschatka or the
Msmelon, as & detached work Immediately in
front Of it.
The attack upon this southeastern front was
carried ON in a manner not even deserving that
very limited praise which may be bestowed upon
the left attack. The key Of the position was
Malakof which originally was fanked on one
side only by the Redan, while the other side
toward the Careening Bay had no Russian
work TO support it. Consequently the front to
be attacked was the portion Of the lines east of
the point or salient angle of the Naturalization.
Thus, the occupation Of the whole of the plateau
and hills between the Careening Bay and the
Chernaya was the first thing to be made sure of;
q few batteries would have driven away the
vessels in the Great liarbOr aud senced the guns
ON the Russian side of the Coreening Bay; and
then the Mamelon: as matter of course, should
have been occupied before the Russians took
possession Of il. But all this was neglected,
and the besieged were thus enabled to take
possession Of positions which during six months
Of siege they had not considered it prudent to
hold. This apparently unaccOuntable neglect
on the part Of the Allies is however accounted
for by another fundamental error in the arrange
ment Of the siege. Instead Of combining their
efforts to one portion of the lines they encircled
the whole of them by their parallels, which now
extend from the batteries near Inkermann
TO the great raVne forming the con-
tinuation of the Inner iarbor, and
there joining the trenches OF the left attack
which complete the s.micircle as far as the
Quarantine Bay.
This right attack" against the Redan and
Malakof was carried on from four sloping
plateaux separated by three deep rayines. Next
to the batteries of the French against the
Flagstaff Bsstion was the English left attack"
(Chapmans Batteries, the only one of which we
are enabled to state Gas we do from The London
Times the exact number of guns. They were:
q 81 Sin. 10 H. 10 in IS,
pdrs. pdrs. gun guns mort mort To.al
q