Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-05-24
MAILS BY THE BALTIC.
SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL,
THE PLACE IMPREaNA BILE
PROBABLE ABANDONMENT BY THE ALLIES.
From the London Chronicle. MAY ST.


although the private communications received
from the seat Of war unite in declaring that
the fire Of the allies had been almost totally
suspended This result has been either pro-
duced by the exhaustion of the supplies of
ammunition possessed by the besieger, or,
as we believe from motive of policy on the
part of the allied commanders. The force at
their disposal is recognized as being too weak
to incur the fearful loss of life that an assault
upon the Russian positions would necessarily
occasion. That operation has, therefore, wise
ly been deferred until the arrival of the Sar-
dinian contingent and of the large French re-
Inducements now on their way TO the East
shall have insured its success, either by
Strengthening the allied force before Sebasto-
pol, or by creating diversion on some other
point of the Crimea.
The French force at present encamped at
Maslak, on the Bosphorus with the divisions
that have already sailed from Marseilles aud
Toulon in that direction will, ere long muster
a strength of thirty-five thousand bayonets,
in addition to a fine force of cavalry. To this
army may be added fifteen thousand Sard;ni-
ans, and seven thousand English troops now
on their way to the scene Of action; and thus,
with eight thousand Turks that form part of
the garrison at Constantinople, an allied army
little short of seventy thousand strong will
be concentrated before three weeks have
elapsed, ready to menace the rear or flank of
the Russian position on the South of the Cri-
mea. 1t Is evident, as the assault upon Sc
bastopol has been either abandoned or defer
red, that a continuation of the bombardment,
without any defined result, would have ex-
hausted the stock Of ammunition, or weak
ened the allied cannons, the cooperation of
which will be required.
1t is gradually becoming more certain that
the ultimate success of the allies, though it
may be facilitated by the efforts of the engi
neers, will be conquered by the MIME and
the bayonet and by dint of sheer hard fight
ing. The present position occupied by the
allies though admirable for defense-haying
been rendered impregnable by wonderful
network of redoubts and breastworks-is most
fortunate when We consider that offensive
operations must speedily be adopted. Then
will become apparent the utter hopelessness
of taking the field in the direction OF the
Chernaya, without encountering unconquera-
bic difficulties in the shape of the formidable
lines of fortifcation constructed BY the enemy
on that point.
There are, however, other points on which
the eneiges of the allies may be directed
with less danger, and certain chances of sue
cess. The immediate result, and, in fact the
aim of an advance in the field, directed 10y
the allies, would be to engage general bat
tie, and it would consequently be necessary
to select the most unfavorable position pos.
sessed by the enemy. To advance on the
Chenaya would be to reverse this order o
things, and encounter the foe under the wors
possible auspices. 1t, therefore, appears evi-
dent that from some distant point must the
attack of the allies be directed To disem
bark the French army of reserve, with thu
Sandman contingent and a British division
at Eupatoria, and to advance on Bakshi Seria
is feasible A march along the coast in tn
direction of the Alma and the katcha woul'
be unadvisable, for these naturally stron
positions have doubtless been strongly fort
fed by the enemy. II may be maintaine'
, that operations conducted with energy agains
Perekop and the northern portions of tn
Crimean peninsula would result to the bes
advantage of the allies The arrival of re
endorsements on a large scale to the enem
: would thus be rendered impossible, Will
his forces would be taken between two pow
erful fires. One or two successful battle
would probably result in the fall of the Cri
mea, and the equalization of the RUSSIA
5 armies. A descent on Kaffa or Alousht
would be dangerous, from the mountain
ranges through which an army would b
, tcompelledto fight its passage.
A few weeks must still pass away befor
: the operations which are to decide the fate O
, Sebastopol can I've commenced. When tn
plans that have been doubtless well natures
by the allied commanders are brought int
, execution, and the intelligence shall be com
municated to us that powerful allied arm
= has happily disembarked on the norther
= coast of the Crimea, then shall we anticipat
a speedy and successful termination of tn
campaign.
The New York Herald of the 18th inst
says:
ut is stated that both the English an
French governments have received intelli
d gence by the electric telegraph from the CIR
mea to the effect that the bombardment b
+ the allies had not met with such success 8
: to Justify an assault 1t is further afhrme
u that the General commanding the Frenc
a artillery has written to the Emperor to tn
v effect that having, according TO promise, keI
q up the bombardment for fourteen days, h
task was accomplished /; that the allies ha
not reduced the place, and we've not in COZ
dition to attempt an assault; that their gun
u from protracted firing, were completely III
r, serviceable that it only remains for them I
:, withdraw their troops in good order, and leay
4 the guns, as old iron, in the possession OF Ii
enemy.
at was admitted by Sir C. Wood, in ii
: House Of Commons, that Geographic di
IS patch from Lord Raglan, lated Sunda
f April 20, had been received by the govern
ment announcing that the bombardment
. Sebastopol had been discontinued"
It The correspondent of the London Hera
= thus speculates upon the result Of the siege
"As soon as the fifteen thousand Sardinia
d have arrived, / believe battle will be give
d to the Russians outside, under Liprandl; an
n then, if victorious, the Allies will attempt
. carry the place by the point of the bayont
1t will be fearful affair when il does con
d of. The squadronis drawn up in line of ba
II tie at the mouth of the harbor, and, tn
: about, the ships she'll the town every evei
. inc. From Prince Gortschakoff's reports it
!. evident that the garrison suffer severely fro
or ten officers lately; among Others Gener
e Blot, very distinguished French officer, an
d Colonel Egerton. The spirits of the beseige
are excellent. The French camp at Masla
is now nineteen thousand strong. Ii forms
u reserve A few cases of cholera had occurre
p there; also at Constantinople and Galata; b.
V the cholera generally prevails more or less
the East"
RUssIA.-Priyate letters from st. Peter
l. burg state that the appearance at that city d.
notes the activity displayed for the energet
V continuance of the war. The Car devot
!, his whole time and attention to the militaI
!, preparations that are going ON. Prince Do
II gorousky and General Rostowgow are dali
g sent for several times by the Emperor. Coul
e Rudiger is also seen hurrying to the whit
: Ialace The towns and villages around swat
with soldiers of the militia, clothed in the
half-military dresses. On their caps the
wear a cross; underneath are the words,
Russian, "For Religion and the Car"