The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-03-02

The Camp OF the Allies.
The New York Journal of Commerce, of
the 18th inst, publishes the following ex-
tracts from letter written at the seat of
the Eastern war, by r. G. Mccormick, Esq,
Of that city, of SO interesting character
that we gladly reproduce them for the en-
tertainment of our readers. The letter is
dated ------
BALAKLAvA, Dec. 29th, 1854.
Passing up the main road, in the centre of
the valley of Balaklava, which was occupied
by vineyards, at distance of two miles, l
came to small Greek village-Kaduko. A
neat looking church is now devoted to hospital
purposes. Near this place Sir Colin Campbell
is stationed with his renowned division. The
village is used by the army entirely the hou-
ses are few and unpretending the artillery
stables are here. Turning to the left, through
q mile or two of mud 1 passed the camps of
the English, French and the Turks. On the
rocks to the right, French band was pouring
forth sweet strains of music; on the left |
counted dozen dead horses, and throughout
my journey, at almost every pace, l saw the
carcasses Of defunct chargers. Poor creatures,
victims to starvation and excessive work.
The magnitude of the camp surpassed my
widest imagination. After riding for hour
upon hour, and mile upon mile, / still kept
within the trenches. Much of my time was
devoted to the French portion of the camp.
and I must join in the praise everywhere show
cred upon the arrangements made by England
brave allies. Throughout the entire campaign,
the French have displayed superior tact and
management. The men have not suffered near
so greatly as those of Her Majesty's service.
The French have bakers attached to each regi-
ment, and quantities Of fresh bread every other
piled with hard biscuit. A present of 10000
fresh loaves was sent from the French to the
English amp q few weeks since.
The English officers are constantly lauding
the movements of their allies. The Zouaves,
the French troops formed for the Algerian war.
are, perhaps the best soldiers in the field. They
are up to everything, and perfectly astonsh
staid John Bull by their agility. If there is
any plumber, they are sure to get it. l see
them every day engaged in foraging, and they
never 90 home without their hands full. They
let one another down the rock sides with ropes
and thus fish up irewood from the wrecks -
they 60 hunting for brush, and in divers ways,
creditable to their ingenuity, manage to keep
well supplied with stores. Their dress is sim
gular, something on the Boomer order, only
more chaste. They are splendid men in action
and their bravery at the recent battles has ad.
ded to their previous high reputation.
The Turkish troops look stupid and dirty
1 do not wonder that they are unpopular. They
still remain in camp in great numbers, but
have no important service to perform.
The forces of the allies command every val
ley and hill for perhaps Is miles about Sepas.
topoi. At present, rations are issued TO 125, 900
men, and it is believed that full 100000 men,
in full fighting trim, are upon the ground.
The French. English and Turkish camps are
ilterspersed; sometimes at distance of a
mile apart. After a very long ride, l secured
glimpse of Sebastopol- mighty, the great
unconquered. It was too late for me to pro-
coed farther, as / had to look out for my Christ
mas dinner Turning back, passed the quar-
ters Of field marshal, the Lord Raglan, comman.
der in chief of the forces - an old fashioned
house, 1.-THE late residence of Russian farmer)
surrounded with barns and sheds. The Eng
lish ensign and his lordship's private flag float
ed " front, and q regiment of servants, Ostlers,
&C., &c. inhabited tents around the premises.
The staff officers live with the commander. -
ThAFfench head quarters are about O mile dis
tant toward the sea. made another excur-
sion throughout the Camp, day before yester.
day, and had grand view of Sebastopol and
the trench operations. The day was a very
finezone indeed, contrary to all my expecta.
tions, the weather had been very pleasan. near
ly every day since I arrived. With Colonel
Robertson and two other officers of the third
division I walked down to the Green hill bat
terry and trenches, from the outer line of tents.
We soon came within the reach of the Rus
sian guns. Only short time since, q shell en-
tered one OF the tents of the division, distant
full mile and half from the batteries.
We found the enemy busily engaged in
sheling,. and the appearance Of the ground
beneath our feet, showed that they were not at
all pr0vident of their ammunition Balls and
shells of the largest size literally paved the
way. In pretty valley, appropriately named
the Valley OF the Shadow of Death Through
which we had to pass, the balls(36 to Sc poan-
ders)were fairly piled in tiers. We could not
walk without kicking against them. They had
all been fred at the English batteries. Dur
ine the entire time of our visit, the impolite
Russian gunners amused themselves by sending
enormous shells around us. They came like
locomotives through the air, and burst with a
tremendous conclusion, fortunately quite be-.
yond our beads. !. We could hear them whizz-
ing along, butsneyer saw them till they explo-
ded. I was surprised at the great noise which
they made inftheir6 Digit. saf.E - e.Ik
The allies were playing upon the city,which
~ jast at our feet. = The buildings, many OF
ifrfI ri = Il