Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1855-05-10
Correspondence Of the London Times.
An AFmistice ut sev9stOpOI.
BEFORE SKVAsToPoL. Monday,
Mnrch OR foEE

MhOu ~O' 1000.
Early on Saturday morning flag of truce
was sent in by the allies, with proposition 10
the Russians for an armistice to bury the
dead, which we're lyingin numbers-ive or six
Russians to every Frenchman and Englishman
in front OF the Round Tower and Mamelon,
and, after some delay, an answer was returned,
and it was arranged that two hours should be
granted for collecting and carrying away the
dead on both sides.
The news spread through the camps, and the
races, which the Chasseurs d. ARGUE had got
up in excellent style, were much shorn of then
attractions by the opportunity afforded US oI
meeting our enemies on neutral ground.
All the ravines leading to the front trenches
we're crowded with officers Fastening on horse
and foot down to the scene of SO much hard
fighting The crests Of the hills and the slopes
in front Of the batteries we're covered with men
and they dotted the deadly interval between
the batteries, which had been before occupied
alone by thousands of tons of shot and frag-
meuts Of shell discharged by French and
English and Russians during this protacted
siege.
Not a soul had been visible in front of the
lines an instant before the emblems Of peace
we're run up to the Aagstaffs, aud sullen gur
from the Mamelon, and burst Of smoke from
Gordon's batteries had but a short time previ
ously heralded the afmistice. The instant tn,
flags we've hoisted, friend and foe swarmed ou
of the embrasures. The RiAemen of the Al
lies and Of the enemy rose from their lairs IL
the rife pits, and sauntered toward each othe
to behold their grim handiwork. The whole o
the space between the Russians lines and oul
own was filed with groups Of unarmed sol
diery. %
The sight was strange beyond description =
French, English, and Russian officers were
walking about saluting each other courteously
as they passed, ard occasionally entering into
conversation, and constant interchange oI
little civilties, such as offering and receiving ci
gar lights, was going on in each little group
The Russians were rather grave and reserved
but they seemed to fraternize with the French
better than with ourselves.
But while all this civilty was going on we
were walking among the dead, over blood
stained ground. covered with evidence of re.
cent fight. Broken muskets, bayonets, car,
touch boxes, caps, fragments of clothing, strap;
and belts, pieces Of SHE'LL little pools of clotted
blood, shot-round and grape shattered gab'
ions and s&ndbags, were visible around US or
every side; and through the midst of the crowd
stalked solemn procession of soldiers bearing
their departed comrades to theiI long home -
| counted N litters borne past me in is min
utes each filled with dead enemy.
| The contortions Of the slain were horrible
| and called to memory the fields OF Alma and
| Inkermar.
Some few French were lying far in advance
toward the Mamelon and Round Tower, among
the gabions belonging to the French advanced
trenches, which the Russians had broken down
They had evidently been slain in pursuit Of the
enemy. .f.......g-
The Russian soldiers were white faced anc
seemed Ill fed, though many of them had pow
erful frames. square shoulders. and broat
| chests.
In the midst Of all this stern evidence of war
| certain amount OF lively conversation began
TO spring up. in which the Russian officers in
dulged in little bSdinsge. Some OF then
| asked our officers when we were coming In t
take the placep others when we thought o
going away? Some congratulated US apoI
The excellent opportunity We had Of getting
| good look at Sevastopol, % the chance Of
nsarsr view, except on similar occasions, wa
not, in their opinion, very probable. One Off
Ger asked private con6dentislly in Englisl
1 how many men We sent into the trenehes?-
'Begorra. only seven thousand night, and
wake covering party Of ten thousand was th
ready reply. The officer laughed and turne
sway, AT one time Russian with q lite