Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-14

yond this nothing has been done. Had any oil
the principle mansions more to the centre OF
the town been injured, it would be easily SEEN
as most OF them are detached, and all are white
as snow, and instantly show shot mark The
splendid structure which we call the "Parthe-
non"-the Government House-and, indeed
i9-20ths of the buildings, show no trace of in
jury.
The streets which could see, and which, Of
course, were those nearest to our batteries
were oil in most enviable state of cleanliness
and good order. For these were numerous
bodies OF troops lounging about unconcernedly
with their muskets piled upon the pathways
Many civilians passed constantly to and fro
and now and then an ammunition wagon but
saw no trace of either women or children, OF
other vehicles of the ordinary description.
vi the earthworks round Sebastopol, it is
more difficult to speak with accuracy. Sc
numerous are these deienses that of them it is
| quite impossible to gain at once q near and
extensive view. As far as l can Judge, from
traverslng nearly two-thirds of the allied lines
the enemies batteries appeared generally in
good working order.
The whole Of the enemy's batteries are now
protected by deep ditch in front, with regular
db6dttis and rows of stockades and chepaur Ok
.frise From this fact alone it is evident that
they are guarding against, and, therefore, fear
an assault. But it is principally of the north
side that wish to speak.
The tremendous extent of the new redoubts
and batteries which saw thrown up all around
the city, did, indeed, astonish me. Every space
from the circular earthwork and Martello
tower, the latter now mere pile of rubbish, J
round to the sea near Cape Constantine is one
long line of redoubts and batteries Malta,
Gibralta, or the lines of Chatham-all in one
would be far more vulnerable than these
formidable entrenchments, covered with infan.
try, pits, and deep bitches in front, and protect
| ed by scarped banks, stockades and masses Of
cannon. have seen many of what are called
hrst class fortresses, but the present aspect Of
Sebastopol might vie with any.
On our extreme left, the French push the
enemy closely. They have not lately advanced
their works. but their third parallel is still
within 200 yards of the Russian batteries, and
only 400 or 500 from the houses outside the
walls, The part of the town opposed to the
French IS certainly more injured than on our
side, OF course, because Of their being nearer
their guns have longer range. The mud fort
which at the commencement of the seige
mounted nearly forty guns, is now almost un.
tenantable, and rarely fires. The Quarantine
Fort, of stone is nearly ruined, and is certain
to be completely destroyed the instant we re-
sumo our fire; but the flagstaff earthwork,
which did the French SO much injury, is still
| regret to say, almost as strong as ever
However, with regard TO this latter opponent
our allies speak most confidently Of being able
to dispose of it when they wish. On this point
shall only say that think their coniectures
are well founded
RUSSIAN ITEMS.
The Cars two sons passed Perekop on the
9th, returning to ST. Petersburg.
General Murawieff is appointed to the com
mand OF the Caucasian army, with all the
powers previously enjoyed by Prince Woron
zof. General Osten Sacken is removed from
the command of the third to the fourth corps
vice Dannenberg, disgraced.
The expectation of sheepskins, provisions
rope, sailcloth, linen, and live cattle is pro-
hibited from the Russian ports of the Danube,
Black Sea, and Sea of Azof
Odessa letters state that some anxiety ex.
listed, there from the hints of the London press
respecting an intended bombardment of the
place; but on the spot there was no appear
ance Of any hostile demonstration.
1t is not generally known that the chief en-.
gineer Officer VINO conducts tho dafanse of Sc
bastopol is General Destrem, a Frenchman
Destrem was presented to the service of the
Emperor Alexander by Napoleon ]. at the
time of the treaty of Tilst Destrem is no,
not only an accomplished engineer, but poe,
Of considerable talent He has translated into
French verse the fables of Kriloft, called, @The
Russian Lafontaine."
The Journal of st. Petersburg contains an
order relative to the forwarding Of gifts to the
wounded in the Crimea. Officers are appointed
to visit the wounded Of the feet, to administer
relief in money and comforts, to take their in
structions respecting the care Of their families
to take charge of their letters, and otherwise to
administer aid. Sixty Sisters of Charity have
been sent as nurses.
Eight English steamers have been taking
soundings off Etchakof'; hence it is surmised
that the allies will make an attack on Kinburn
preparatory to an attack on Perekop.
A ukase, dated Decembr Is, orders levy Of
10 men in every 1000, throughout the eastern
half OF the Empire, to commence on the 18th
February and be completed by the 18th o,
March. Jews are not exempt.
ENGLAND.
Captain j. t. Peat, late of the Austrian
packet ship Golden Era, has been tried at Liver
pool for neglect Of duty, and is sentenced to
eight months imprisonment.
There is man named Fletcher one hun
dred and eight years Of age now living near
London. He was a soldier during twenty.eight
years OF his earlier life, and fought against the
United States in the first American war.
The English Chancellor of the Excheouer
has notified that the further reduction Of the
tea duty, under DIsraelis bill, will be post.
poned for the present on account Of the war.
This created no change in the London tea
market
Referring to the fact that the bullion Of the
Bank had increased f23,455, the London
Morning Herald says:
"A small increase, il is true; but in the pres.
ence of a constant drain Of bullion for the Con.
tineHt, and the expectation that considerable
effiux will take place to the United States, any
increase in that head is, Of course, q matter Of
congratulation."
FRANCE.
The Emperor's Speech Comments of the Press
Mereon--hs Effect on the Funds Great Way
Loan Of Fire Hundred Million FTancs-
The British Vote Of Thanks to the French
Army.
On Tuesday, the Goth of December, the
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