, 1855-01-06


"Thc combined fleet was lying here about
u fortnight, during which time two attempts
were made To take the place, both OF which
from some unknown cause, failed. Al
'hoagh the RusS.anS made brave aud de.
term.acd resistance, the force opposed tc
them MAS 50 decidedly superior, m l.o,it 81
numbers AMI "rps. tii.t it was he general
expectation that the place wonli he takca
which. wjlG0gt Nouhi, wo1ll have been the
eiSc # the attacking party h1d followed m
The advantages they obtained IN both ac.
tloaS. Tde first time they attacked the
place IA its strongest position, receiving
the lire Of three forts mounting together
10 guns, also Of the Russian frigate Auro.
ra and transport DvinI-,n all 40 guns
The tlect bad in acton three CrigatcS and
steamer, morniin{, so far as known 50
gnnS After a shdr1 contest of ab0u; TWEEN
minutes, one OF the forts of five guns WAS
SiIenccd, another of three guns taken by
storm, in ano'hcr hour five guns of the only
rcmIinng tor' we're made useless for he
rest OF the acton, leaving six guns of the
forts in order and the frigi'e aud transp0r,
to engage. At this time, which was aLont
noon, the English and French ceased firing
they only having maintained the fire for
some time-and soon hauled of beyond
the reach OF the guns Of the fort, thus ter
nIinatjng The action
After this affair no further attempt was
made for four days, during which time the
Russians had entirely repaired their DANA
geS, with the exception of two guns COM
pletely disabled. Upon the fourth day au.
oiher attack was made at an early hour OH
the weakest point in the place, defended by
TWO iorts mounting nine guns. In half an
hour, after The first gun was fired, both
forts were silenced, and the steamer COM
menced landing men, which was effected
with hut Little loss The spot chosen for
landing was at the base Of II high hill, leav-
ing the shore about midway between the
forts which had been qnieted After land
ing, they marched in the direction of the
tort situated at the back Of the town, aud
RON there made II successful attempt TO
scale, which was well done, although II was
very steep aud triverseti only by small
paths and thiVkly covered with small wood.
Al THIS point the scene Of action was oh.
Scured irom observers by thick fox and
smoke from muSketry which had been en-
gagged some fifteen minutes Shortly aller
the firing ceased aud when the fog cleared
np which was soon. the Russians we're
iound to bc III possession Of the place still
fhe asSailans had returned to their YES
Seis. This concluded the affair, as the sec.
und day after the entire fleet got nnder
way and stood out OF port, and af;er lying
OIL aud on for day or two, disappeared
altogether. %. -
Tne loss TO the Russians iul5oth engage.
ments was not above 200 K Ned and woun-
ded. The loss Of Government property
little or nothing. That of the other party
cannot he correctly stated, but is known to
be much more severe, as they suffered much
from the fire of the Rdllans while retreat
ing to their vessels frgin The last engage
mut There have been found here three,
French and one English officer killed, and
three sailors taken prisoners two of whom
have since died, leaving one Euglishman
living. -'thn 4
Upon the person of one Of the French Of
fcers killed,-supposed to have been in
command Of the landing party,-was found
a plan Of attack upon the iown, with the
forts, etc, but not altogether correct, be-
ing evidently taken FROM some old account
of the place. Therein was also stated Chat
tue number of men selected for the landing
was 675, aud after the Grst parry Landed,
i've more boats came ashore, probably
swelling the number TO about 1000 men
but this cannot be positively known.
The Rasslans report their force in &C.
ton to repulsc the landing party. to have
been 800 men; hut probably this is n low
estimate, although the assaulting party
were evidently mnch superior in numbers.
omitted 70 mention that upon the FIRST
appearance of the feet oil the port, the
steamer entered the harbor under the
American aig, although her nationality
was suspected. She went out again imlne-
diately, aud the next morning they all came
in together. The Russians are very iudig-
nant at tie use of the American Gag, and
that, in connection with an account Of the
bat lie, has determined the Governor here
to send an officer as q special courier to the
Emperor direct.
Pnget Sound A Agricultural S0ci-
A