Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-20

Jefferson and Silas Deane, that there was an
ocean of liquid fire between this and the Old
World
Strength or sebastopol.
Tho correspondent of the London Morning Her
aid, writing from the camp, on the 18th, thus de-
seribcs the appearance Of the town Of Sebastopol
and the condition ofthe Russian deences, as viewed
from the Ovens:
Sebastopol is not in ruins, and, what is more i'm
portant STILL the defences are four times stronger
and more vigorous than on the first day we opened
fire. / know this statement may make my letters
unpopular with certain set, who will see nothing
but victories and causes for graduation in all We
do; but nevertheless it is only the truth, and am
confident that time win vindicate my assertion even
in the eyes of the public.
To satisfy myself ON this point beyond all posi-
bilty of doubt, yesterday determined to visit the
.'ovens," our most advanced picquet post, within
two hundred yards Of the Russian batteries and
close overlooking the town and harbor. 1t is per
fectly easy to approach this place now, for a COW
cred way has been constructed to it, and both
sides have, comparatively speaking ceased firing
for some time. therefore 90 to the ovens easily,
and, lying under shelter Of broken wall, was en-
abled with my glass, to survey the whole town
infinitely.
vorable circumstances Except now and then from
an occasional Russian gun, there was no smoke,
and, the sky being lowering and heavy, objects
could be distinguished with unusual clearness. At
the first glance was led to suppose that the town
had in reality been much injured, for all the little
huts and storehouses connected with the dock
yards were indeed in ruins; but, changing my
point de yue for one more lofty, l was soon con-
vinced of my mistake.
The real damage inflicted on the town of Sebas-
topol amounts to this All the huts used by the
dock-yard laborers, and the Turkish parts of the
town, outside the ,cdlis, are nearly destroyed-that
is, laid almost level with the earth. This quarter
appears to be the only dirty and wretched part Of
Sebastopol, something Of the same kind our Rat
cliff highway The walls are here and there marked
with shot, but most unquestionably, as defences,
they are still uninjured.
One large barrack inside the walls, against which
our FIRE, as against government building has been
particularly directed, Is rddled in every part, and
most Of its roof destroyed. The same is the case
with about sixty or seventy Of the houses nearest
to the walls; but, beyond this, nothing has been
done. Had any of the principal mansions, more to
the centre of the town, been injured, 1t would be
easily seen, as most of them are detached, and all
are white as snow, and instantly show shot-mark.
The splendid structure which we called the Par
thenon,n the Government House, and, indeed,
Of injury.
But 1t is principally Of the north side thatI wish
to speak. was told before set out upon my sur
vey that should be astonished at the immensely
Of the Russian batteries reaching from the head Of
the harbor to the east right round to Star Forta
st. Severina on the north, and all of which had
only been unmasked two days previous.
/ know something ofthe nature Of Russian works
am nf hut gtil
the tremendous extent Of redoubts and batteries
which then saw thrown up all aroundth city did
indeed astonish me. Every space from the circular
earthwork and martelo tower 1.-THE latter now a
mere pile Of rubbish) round to the sea near Cape
Constantine is one long line OF redoubts and bat
terics. Malta, Gibraltar, or the lines Of Chatham,
all In one, would be farmore vulnerable than these
formidable entertainments, covered with infantry,
pits, and deep bitches in front, and protected by
scarped banks, stockades, and masses Of cannon.
| have seen many Of what are called frst-cass
fortresses, but the present aspect Of Sebastopol
might vie with any. That which struck me more
than all was a certain coxcombry Of finish about
these works which have never yet seen attempt
ed elsewhere; no, not even in the elaborate re-
doubts of Chobham ridges. Every bastion was
lined with stone; every cmbrasure perfect; every
angle and scarp smoothed off with beautiful regu-
larity as IL the whole was rather an architectural
kinds Of defence known to modern warfare.
II viii scarcely be credited, but inside these lines
were regular footpaths and made roads, covered
with gravel and loose stones and laid out with rs
much neatness as II intended to pass through pri-
vate gardens. | could hardly believe my eyes
when these latter adornments we're pointed out 10
me, but there they were sure enough. 1t must
have taken the enemy nearly as much time 10
make them as the batteries, and as a matter Of
course, beyond the mere effect of bravad6, such as
it Is, they are utterly and entirely useless Yet,
useless as they are, they have been made as IL to
show us how little the progress Of our siege EN-
ploys or impedes their numerous garrison.
The Union defends the Washington letter.
writers from the late wholesale denunciation Of
Mike Walsh. Considering that at least three
fourths Of those gentlemen speak habitually of
the administration in no very complimentary
terms, this tribute to their worth shows quite
an unexpected degree Of generosity on the part
Of the Presidents servitors. The Union says:
'We are acquainted with number Of gentle
men who are residing temporarily in Washington
MS the correspondents OF the distant partisan as
well ss neutral press and we take great pleasure
in thus publicly bearing testimony TO their abilities
rs writer's, their fidelity as correspondents, and
their honorable standing in our social circles. We
have never heard Of their being even suspected in
any scheme or combination TO influence legislation
by awaiting themselves of the privileges granted
by the courtesy Of Congress, or by abusing the
trust reposed in them by their employers. On the
they have so conducted themselves as 70
secure not only respectfor themselves individually,
but respect for the papers which they represent"
AcoUIrrAL OF 0nMspY.--Thc Cincinnati papers
state that young ormsby, who shot Jennings for
reporting that he had seduced his wife, has been