Washington sentinel., 1855-02-13

dent Right-Blunders OF the AIiies-AI-
ma and the Death OF ST. Arnaud-ths
Cause, &c.-LocaI Items. -
NEw YoRK, Feb. 9, 1855.
GENTLEMEN The news by the Atlantic, ar.
rived to-day, confirms in every essential particu.
lar the opinion and estimate of your New
York correspondent, "Uncle Sam,' touching
the Eastern wsr. There is no peace. The re-
ported acceptance by Russia Of the "four
points" is not confirmed. The peace negoti
ations at Vienna have proved to be all moon
shine. There has been no decisive battle at
Sebastopol. In all these particulars our esti
mates, based upon the simple elements of plain
reasoning from cause to effect, are completely
borne out.
There is vague rumor OF battle, in which
the Russians are reported victorious, but which
is not credited. Your correspondent, in his
last letter, suggested that the policy Of Men
schikof was to cut of the Turks at Eupatoris,
to the north of Sebastopol, before effecting
junction with the Allies on the south side of
the town. AS a military movement, this often.
sive demonstration is so manifest that it will be
surprising if it is not carried out. It may have
been done. There may have been battle;
and, as we have heretofore surmised, the Turks
at Eupatora may have been attacked and de.
feated, in simultaneous assault on both sides,
by the Russians. This could be accomplished
with the Russian reinforcements pouring in
from the North, and a supporting corps from
Sebastopol on the South. According to the
Atlantic's news, you will perceive that it is the
plan of the Russians to "crush out" the Turks
in this army, and then to take the offensive
against the French and English behind Sebas-
topol
You will, therefore, indulge little egotism
on the part of your war correspondent, if he
claims the credit of having proved himself
little superior to the London and Paris journals
and the diplomats at Vienna, in their specula-
tions and views Of the war.
Lord John Russell and the British Ministry,
are charged with the Sebastopol failure, and
they give way to Palmerston and new cabinet.
But what is the cause of this disastrous cam.
paign to the Allies in the Crimea? We have
said, month ago, that it was the death of st.
Arnaud. Had he lived--had his strength per
mitted, while he did live, he would, we doubt
not, have saved the advantages gained at the
Alma, in an immediate march upon Sebasto
pol, when it was actually left open by Mensch
koff in rapid retreat into the interior He
retired from that battle to save his army, not
to save Sebastopol st. Arnaud died-the
Allies fingered upon the feld-Menschikof
saw his advantage, marched into Sebastopol,
sunk a line of ships across the mouth OF
the harbor, which was perfect blockade
against the entrance of the Allied fleet
Three or four hundred pieces Of artillery in
the forts defending the inside of the harbor
could thus be spared; and they were taken out
and transferred to the defenses of the land side
Of the town in the rear; and hence the tremen
dous resistance and terrible sorties of the Rus
slams.
In this light the battle of the Alma was
terrible defeat to the Allies, and correspond.
ing victory to Menschikoff He brought the
invader to halt, and left him upon the battle
ground sufficiently long to make good the splen
did defense Of Sebastopol, which has followed.
The plan Of St. Arnaud was to carry sebasto-
pol by coup de main. He had to leave. and
died just at the crisis Of the march. The conn
de main was changed to siege, with no pro-
vision, no preparations, no materials, no ord
nance, no supplies of any kind 10 meet the
emergency. siege was no part of the plan.
The allied generals are responsible for il, AID
not the British ministry. Lord Raglan and
Canrobert failed to follow up their advantage
at Alma, in march forthwith into Sebastopo,
while Menschikof was forty miles in the inte-
rior. Had they walked in they could have kept
him out but failing to do this he moved his
own army back into the town, in order to give
his French and English visitors reception be.
fitting the hospitalities due to the invaders OF
his country.
We have shown the subsequent blunders Of
the Allies, excepting one which deserves to be
noticed. Their lines Of communication ex-
tend for several miles around the south side
of the harbor where lies the city OF Sebastopol.
They are thus enclosing the town in the form
of semi-circle. Their plan seems to be
general bombardment all around, against
larger number Of pieces Of heavier artillery than
their own. Now, does it not appear to you
that having entrenched themselves securely
against the Russian sortes, the plan Of the
Allies is, TO concentrate, under cover Of night,
tenfold weight Of metal against one fort at
time, to shell it out in bombardment and
finish the work by the bayonet. Such was the
plan, in similar cases, Of Napoleon Bonaparte,
(Toulon, for example,) and he is pretty good
military authority. Do you not think so?
Consols down; markets dull Look out
next for crushing defeat Of the Turks at Eu-
patoria.
During the last three days probably not less
than an average Of a foot and half OF snow