The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-27
ONE WEEK LATER FROM EUROPE.

The United States mail steamship Baltic.
Capt. COmStock, with Liverpool dates to the Sth
inst, arrived at New York the 9Th inst. She
brings one hundred and ninety-three passen-
gers, including the newly-appointed Spanish
Minister to Washington, Messrs. Pringle and
Morgan, members of the House of Representa-
tives from New York, and B. F. Angel, ESQ,
late U. S. Consul at the Sandwich Islands
Mr.. y. brings special dispatches from our en-
bassies at Switzerland, Paris, and London.
The Vdr.-The bloody episode of the fight
of Traktir seems likely to have little effect on
the course of events in the Crimea. The Rus
slams have retired up their narrow and well-for-
tilted passes to the steep plateau, where, accord.
ing to General Simpsons latest report, they are
once more prepared for offensive movements.
Attention is therefore again turned to the siege
| OF Sebastopo. Little which Judgment
| may be founded can be learned, either from the
| dispatches Of the General, or from the cores
pondence of letter-writers before the city.
| On the great preparations of the last ten
weeks the hopes of the besiegers are fixed, and
| the fire that will opel when the time comes
will be unexamped in the history of warfare.
"The cannonade Of October last" says the
Times, "was trifling to that of April. April
was surpassed by the two dayt which preceded
the capture of the Mamelon; but all will sink
into insignificance with the iron tempest which
will shortly be poured on the besieged city,
The range and weight Of the guns, the number
and size of the mortars, the new positions of
the batteries won by the steady progress which
has marked the summer, will try the endurance
Of the Russians to the utmost. The great scale
on which such bombardment is carried On,
and the preparations necessary for its execu-
ton, render the delays which precede it a mat.
ter Of Iittte surprise. In April, the Allies threw
against Sebastopol, in nine days, $50 900 shot
and shell. The cost of the British ammunition
alone was 100000 sterling Yet April is now
looked back upon as time when we under
valued the enemy, and did not know what Sc.
bastopol was.
Even on ordinary days, the Russians often
throw 1000 shot in the twenty four hours, and
600 shells into only one part of the British po-
sitiOn. Whatever the resources Of the garrison,
and the strength of the works at which they
labor night and day, there can be no doubt
that the approaching struggle will determine
the fate of Sebastopol, for the winter at least
No one can pretend to foretell the issue; all
that is spoken of with certainty is, that the line
of-battle ships in the harbor will be DESTROYED,
or at least driven from their position, so as
to be made powerless against the assaultng
troops. Whether the besegers shall take the
Malakof; whether they can keep it; whether it
will lead to the Immediate capture of the town,
or only to Interior success are all matters of
doubt Should victory not favor the besiegers'
arms, they will probably be forced to wait in
inactivity till another spring, when change Of
tactics may assure success. The besieging
generals have set all on the hazard of q doubt
full struggle at single point, and we must wait
the result"
The Russians meantime, are actively en-
- a. l.
defence to the north, should the south be taken.
The following arc the latest official despatch
es from General Simpson:
BEFORE SEBAsTOroI, dug. %, 1855.
Ny LORDS: Having been engaged since day
light in careful observation OF the position in
front of Balaklava, ! am unable to address your
lordships at any length to-day.
The enemy have been concentrating troops
at the Mackenzie, Tasova and Karales, their
left extending far as the village of Makoul,
and are supposed to have received considera-
BILE reinforcements, which probably consist of
two divisions of grenadiers, which have been
conveyed in carts from Bakshiserai and Sim
pheropol.
The bridge across the great harbor is nearly
completed and large bodies of men are en-
ployed in erecting earth-works on the north
side of the harbor. Entertainments have been
thrown up on the Severnaya Hill, extending
from the sea coast to the site of the first light
house facing the north.
From various sources, we learn that the Rus
slams on the right bank Of the Tchernaya are
held in perfect readiness for an offensive move
ment.
Our siege operations progress steadily, with,
regret to say, heavy casualties On our side.
j. SIMPSON.
Generals Simpson and Peissier telegraph to
the Sd nothing new respecting the progress Of
the siege, but that the Russians on the Tcher-
maya are again threatening an attack; hence,
the Allied army is kept completely on the alert,
and parties remain constantly under arms. The
question in doubt now is, as to whether the
Russians will attack the Tchernaya lines or
BalakIava, via Bridar Valley.
September lst, Prince GortschakoG briefly
says; "The fire of the enemy continues as be-
fore, There is nothing new"
Same date-Pelissier telegraphs: "All CESS
well; everything advances, We ave masine
progress