The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-13

last two days the place has kept up toleraby brisk FIRE
The enemy has made two vigorous sortes against our
lines and those Of the English As he reached the
parapet he received by wellsustaned fire Of mus
kerry and repused at the point Of the bayonet after an
obstinate struggle
December l5-To-day Gen Ostensacken reconnoitred in
force and skrmish occurred the ruins Of nkermann
We have details.
December Menschkof reports that nothing particu-
lar occurred this day Unfayorabe weather hindered the
progress OF the works and the fire feeble especially
from the English batteries.
December isThe Paris Aopts,r publishes @satisiacto
ry accounts this date Renorcement continue 10 ar
rive Turkish troops were beginning to arrive nom
Narna
December 2o,-The latest dates are from Menschkoff
who reports that TO the goth there was no change IN the
aspect Of affairs.
i pEEP INTO sERAsroPoL.
The correspondent Of the Morning Herald writing from
the camp the 7h thus describes the appearance OF the
town Of Sebasopo and the condition of the Russian de-
fences viewed from the Ovens;
SebasopoI is in ruins and what is important
still the detences four times stronger and more vigor
than the first day we opened fire know this state
ment may make my letters unpopular with certain set,
who will nothing but victories and causes for graua
ton in all we do but nevertheless, Il is only the truth
and am confident that time will vndicate my assertion
even in the eyes of the public
To satisfy myself on this point beyond all possibility Of
doubt yesterday determined to visit the Ovens our
most advanced picket post within 200 yards OF the Rus
batteries and close overlooking the town and harbor
Ii is perfectly easy approach this place now for cover
ed way has been constructed to IL and both sides have
comparatively speaking, ceased firing for some time
The real damage inflicted the town Of Sebasopol
this all the huts used by the dockyard labor
ers and the Turkish parts OF the town. outside ne rats
nearly desuoyedthat is, laid almost level with ths
EARTH This quarter appears to be the only dirty and
wretched part of misunderstanding of the same kind
Ratclin highway. The walls are here and there
marked with shot, but most unquestionahy as deences
One large barrack inside the walls against which our
FIRE, against government building, has been partcu
larry directed is dded in every part and of its ROO
npad Thp 10 he wi
enty of the houses to the walls but beyond this
nothing has been done Had any of the principal mansions
the centre of the been injured it would b'
easily SEEN most of them detached and all are m
white snow and instantly show shot mark The SPLEEN
did structure which we call the Parthenon the govern
ment house-and indeed nneeen-tweneths of the build
ings show trace of injury.
The streets which could see and which, of course were
those batteries all in most envlab'
state of cleanliness and good order In these were hume
bodies of troops oungng about unconcernedy Will
their muskets piled upon the pathways Many eivlan
passed constantly to and fro and now and then an ammu
milton wagon but trace of either women o.
children or other vehicles Of the ordinary description
OF The earhworks round Sebastopol it is more Difficult
speak with accuracy So numerous are these defence
hat of them it is quite impossible to gain at once nea
and extensive view As far as can Judge from raversnt
nearly wo-hirds of the allied lines the eneys battere
appeared generally in good working order
The whole Of the enemys batteries now protected b.
deep ditch in front with regular ab5aths and rows
stockades and chepaux de ise From this fact alone II
evident that they guarding against and therefore fear
assault But it is principally OF the north side mat
The tremendous extent of the new redoubts aud bate
ries which thrown up all around the city did m
deed astonsh Every space from the circular earth
work and marello tower 1.-THE latter mere pile
rubbish round the Cape Constantine, is on
long line Of redoubts and batteries Maita Gibraltar,
the lines of Chathamal in one, would be far more wi
nerble these formidable entertainments covered wit
infantry pits and deep bitches in 'front.' and protected
scarped banks stockades, and masses OF cannon nav
seen many of what called rst-cass fortresses but IN
present aspect of Sebastopol might vie with any
On extreme left the French push the enemy closet,
They have not lately advanced their works but their thr
parallel is still within 200 yards OF the Russian battere
and only 400 500 from the houses outside the wall
The part of the town opposed to the French cerianl
more injured than our side OF course because OF tne
being nearer their guns have longer range The mud Tor
which, the commencement OF the siege near
Quarantine fort of stone nearly ruined and is certain
be completely destroyed the instant fire
but the flag staff earthwork which did the French so niue
injury, is STILL regret to say, almost strong as eve
However with regard to this latter opponent our allie
speak most confidently of being able to dispose of ii whe
they wish On this point | shall only say that thin
their conjectures are well founded
GREAT DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE.-THE TRIAL ron pEAc
high diplomatic conference be held on the est
of December, at Lord Westmorelands Office, in Venna
4 The ambassadors of England France Austria Prusss
and Russia prince Gortschakof were take part in h
discussion The conference is to be of positive charat
ter" Lord Wesmoreland being reported sick the confer
ence for greater convenience and privacy will be held
! his chambers
The remaining diplomatic news is comprised in the fol
lowing despatch from Vienna 26h Prince Gortschako OF
has presented note which be has receyed from st Pc
ersburgh to Count Buol 1t is believed to be unsasfaco
ry, but IS not the final reply Of Russia
The event OF the week the speech of the Emperor
France which makes alusion any prospect Of
and is followed up by loan of FIVE hundred millions
francs There has been important diplomatic confer
at Vienna, The Prussian mission England proves
to have been OF importance The bill for the enlstmen
OF foreigners into the British service is passed into
Parliament has djourned. Affairs before Sebastopol
unchanged The Araii ~ivring snip enterprise, Capt
eunsh has arrived at Hong Kong her way to England
Liverpool cotton market quiet favorng buyers but mol
quotably lower. Not much activity in the grain market
but prices are firmly maintained Money market I'M
changed American securities in good demand especially
Virginia stock and Illinois Central bonds Erie neglected
fair inquiry for New York Central skies sevens
tbe Consos have varied very little, and closed at Oh
1 9ls
THE pRUssIAs TO ENGLAND.
High expectations formed Of the mission of Count
Won Usedom who it may be remembered recently arrived
in London, charged it said with message from the
cabinet of Berlin The general opinion was that Use
dom instructed to make OFFER on the part of Prussia
TO enter into separate treaty with the western powers
which should possess the advantage without the draw bac
OF Prussias adherng to the treaty of Vienna No ndica
tons having tranpred of any such mission now sur
missed that NJ Usedom merely The bearer Of an auto-
graph letter to Queen Victoria that his Instructions
are merely to watch the spot the course of events
ms however may be supposition equally erroneous
GREAT BRITAIN.