American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-10-13

h'o VI oui "'lIeS, PHcIoSeu between the
Flagstaff and crenellated sea wall, and look.
ing over this wall, take in at coup d'ceH
the civil town behind it, still presenting
mos, stately appearance as it rises on the
hillside, tier over tier full Of churches
stately mansions, and public buildings of
fine white sandstone, with gardens inter.
spersed and trees growing in the walks
These structures are not exempt, from low
neIehborhoods Of whitewashed houses.
which belong TO the poorer nhabi,au,s.-
The hills IN which this part of the CITY
stands rise from In" rear of he FLAGSTAFF
Battery, to the height OF 900 feet or more
and presenting a steep face TO the creek to
the dock yard, sweeps round 10 the roads,
into which it descends sheer behind the
Southern forts.
THE BoMBARDMENT.
Tho bombardment is beginning to tell on
these buildings. A church decorated with
many small plnnacles at the angles of the
root has been struck by shelf. which has
burst III the roof. Some Of the best mansions
have been split open, or cope from their
cracked walls on the day; Others are pprGora-
ted right through with sho, holes thronoh
winch the light is vi<abIe-windows,
l"ors, pillars and columns are broken or
destroyed. In The rubbish of the suburb
mex, To the Flagstaff Works, there are sever
al batteries it, excellent order, which are
M I,tI,, rad H.. 4
which have not vet fired much if at all
They are mostly .Qcches and seem intended
as oulIaying works of the srconi line of de.
fences. Near the top of the hill, inside the
creneIia'ed wall, portion OF the interior
lines OF these defences is to be seen.
a battery, called the Grows Nesln from
its elevated position is placed near this line
and has an extensive command over the
right C' the French left attack, and over
our sailors batteries in the left OF our left
attack. to which it is rather iroublpsome.-
THIS contains couple of large mpttars IN
addition TO some long range guns, and can
bear on any troops between the outer defen-
ces and the foot of the hill on which the
town rises. and the ravine between our left
and the French left attack. A very strong
series OF earth work crowns the ridge of the
same hill, and the defences broken by the
creek are continued to wards The right by
'ar'"us batteries (Barrark Roads, Garden,
Black, Batty, &c.) which ara connected
with the Great R"dan aud thence to the
Maakolf and is out laying works. The SUI
burb behind these detcncrs next the creek
and in front Of our left attack, is in complete
runs bnt our line Of batteries is almost TOO
far to do injury to the public buildings be.
hind the suburb, although our old parallel
has been di-urmeh as beng too lar and the
guns moved into the second parallel, and va.
rous batteries in front of it,
THE sOLDIERY.
II one of the few persons who we're
IN The secret off, opening oflhe French
batteries had been on Calhcait's hill
on the morning Of the 5h he would have
heheld then, ust ere half past 5 &C lock
the whole of this scene marked out iu
keen detail III the clear morning air.
The men III our trenches can he seen
sitting down behind the traverses, or
siroliing about in the rear Of the para
pets. Small trains of animals aud files
OF men are passing over the grounds
between the trenches and the camp. "
the only smoke that catches The eye a
rises from the kettles oflhe soldicry, or
from liH" in the advanced works. On
the lett, however, il eau be seen that
The French trenches are crowded with
men, aud that their batteries are all man.
ned, though the men keep well out Of
view, and the nantles and screens are
yet down before Ibe muzzles of some of
their gus. The men beneath the par
apets swarm like bees. A few grey
coated Russians are in view repairing
the works of the Flagstaff Battery, or
engaged in throwing up new work,
which promises to ho of considerable
strength in front Of the second line Of
their defences.
THE JETS OF FLAME.
Suddenly, on the cartheu curtain be-
tween No. and 8 Bastions, three Jets
WI ha'ne sprung "p lhtp tue AIT, aDu nUTl
up as many pillars of earth aud dust,
which are warmed into ruddy hues by
the horizontal rays of tho SUI. The
French have exploded three fougasses
to blow III the counlerscarp, aud tn
rive rs signal To thci, men. Instant.
Iy from the sea to the dock yard creek
there seems 10 run steam Of FIRE, aud
flcecy, curling rich white smoke, as tho
the earth had suddenly beon rent in The
throes of an earthquake, and was vom.
ting forth the materials Of her volca.
noes. The lines of tho French trench.
es were at once covered as though
the very clouds Of heaven had settled
down upon them aud were wbirled a.
bout III spiral jots, in festoons, in clus.
tering punches, in columns, & in sheets
all cOmmiupled, involved tuoether hv