Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-01-19
interesting from the Crlmea.

The following is an extract Of private letter from
an intelligent American addressed to gentleman IN
Washington Nat. Intel
PARIS, Dec 49, 1851 have had long ana IN
terestinp conversation with officer OF high rank
xho has inst returned from the Crmea. He tells me
hat ncluding the Turks there will be at this time
one hundred and twenty-five thousand men IN tue
Allied army before Sevastopol, and that they must
send fifty thousand more to Perekop to smut out re-,
Inducements coming the Russians, for the belief
now is that the place only be taken by starva-
ton. He says if we take the outwoiks we have no
Sevastopol even the south side as the Russians
have erected and very powerful forts 10 protect
the city These forts stronger than those which
the Allies have been attacking for months. As to
tbs reports Of the town being in ruins, houses demol
ished streets encountered by dead bodies, &c there
is not word of truth in them. The AH'es are. an
fact, the besieged They valley with heights
so strongly fortified that their position is lmpregna-
bic, and an army Of five hundred thousand men could
not drive them out, though the Russians frequently
bayoneted their very sentines. There are very few
Russian deserters or prisoners they fight with great
courage and die like soldiers. If the Russian officers
and army had the same military talent and know
ledge of the Allies, the latter would have been
obliged to re-embark In the last battle, if the two
Russian generals (whom the Emperor has since dis.
graced) had followed up their first success, the VIC
ory and very decided one, would have been on the
other side. AT present the Allies cannot retreat from
the Crimea they must drive the Russians out, though
L
men, with attending expense which is almost in
credible, and probably will lead to general wal
against them and the destruction of Turkey.
The typus fever RACES in the Turkish camp, anc
the cholera has re-aPpeared in that of the Allies
The weather frghlful, attended with heavy rain
severe cold, and raging winds; all of which may ht
expected 10 continue for nearly three months longer
All these plaques combined destroy great number
of lives. Sickness prevails 10 alarming extent
and the recoveries comparatively but few, as tht
hospital accommodations are both lmited and inie
rior.
! The English suffer more than the French. The,
have but few tents, have not the care, and sup
port the fatigues and dangers with less patience
Both officers and men complain bitterly. The I'm
gsh very brave, and 60 into battle as if on ar
ade receive two or three rounds from the enemy be
fore they come into contact as they move like wal
and soldiers of " ancient days." without the i'm
provement OF modern times The French, tn
contrary, never give the Russians chance for NOR
than one, it even one. fire before they at them
nor are they surprised. Their soldiers OF Al
RIGA " have been accustomed to ambuscades and sur
prises, and are always the alert but it is the con
trary with the English, who have twice been sur
prised, and suffered severely in consequence, and OF
one occasion. would have been annhiated but TO
the rapid advance of the French their assistance
They gloomy, dissatisfied, and have I" nothing
comfortable" they bitterly complain. The French
eat, fight, and laugh; they laugh even at the awk
wardness of their allies and go into battle if the
were going to dance. The English have made lit
tie no improvement in modern warfare, but thei
courage is indomitable fearful future is before tn
Allies but they must, however conquer, or the result
will be dreadful