The American patriot. (Clinton, La.) 1854-1???, 1855-04-06

Allies. and without sufficient means 10 prose-
cute the war; and that he was always under
stood to be inclined to peace, he was scarcely
expected to continue the struggle. The ad-
vance in cotton and consols, and fall in bread
stuffs, would all go to show how strongly this
was believed.
Private letters received by the Atlantic, how
ever, report that the prospects Of peace being
effected had subsequently become fainter
The new Emperor had appointed Gen. Ru-
digger his Minister of War.
Lord John Russell had arrived at Vienna,
and had had lengthy interview with the En-
peror Francis Joseph.
The first preliminary session of the Peace
Conference was held at Vienna on the 9Th inst.
Prince Gortschakof was not present on the
occasion He had received from the Emperor
Alexander confirmation of his appointment
as the representative of Russia, and renewal
of the instructions sent to him by the late En-
peror.
Prussia, according to one report, had been
excluded from participation in the proceedings
of the Conference but another account states
that she was about to join the Allies. 1t has
already been announced that until she did so
she would not be allowed to participate in the
Conference, as far as they have gone.
The Waf-ImpOrtant Movements.
The Atlantic brings us intelligence Of more
fighting in the Crimea, with success as usual
reported on the side of the Allies. The siege
of Sevastopol was being continued with UNI
abated vigor.
The French had stormed redoubt which
had been skillfully erected by the Russians du-
ring the night. The conflict was as desperate
as any previous one. The Russians defended
the place most obstinately, and several hun
bred of them were killed. There was gen.
eral rumor that the Grand Duke Michael was
among the wounded on the occasion, and that
he had subsequently died, after having been
conveyed into Sevastopol.
The Flagstaff Battery before Sevastopol had
been nearly destroyed by French mines.
The plan of the grand attack to be made by
the Allies is now said to have been resolved
upon. In the first place, the forces under Ii
prandi are to be attacked, and then the city is
to be entirely invested.
Dispatches from Paris state that immediate
ly on the death of the Gar being known there
instructions were sent to Gen. Canrobert tt
press on his operations with the utmost posi-
bic vigor The British Minister of War is un
derstood also to have sent similar instructions
to Lord Raglan.
1t is now considered very doubtful whether
Louis Napoleon will pay the visit to the Crimea
which he had contemplated.
Omar Pacha had arrived at the Allied camp
before Sevastopol, and was engaged in con
certing measures for future action with tn,
British and French forces
The Russian movements, respect to til,
war, although they have not yet been report
cd to have led to any important results, wer,
significant
Previously to his death, the late Empcro,
Nicholas had recalled Mcnschikoff from the
chief command in the Crimea, and had az
pointed Gortschakotf to succeed him. The new
Emperor, it is believed, will carry out this ster
In similar manner Gen. Luders has been ap
pointed to the chief command in Bcssarabia
Imperial orders have also been issued nomna
ting eleven general officers to commands il
the army of the Crimea.
At latest accounts, the Russians were said tt
be threatening Balaklava in great force.
A disagreement had arisen between the En-
peror Napoleon and the English Government
He had declared that the Allied armies should
not any longer act together, if the Rccbucl
committee of investigation into the conduct o
the war proceeded in their inquisition.
Lord Clarendon went expressly to Boulognt
to offer explanations to Napoleon, with which
it is stated that the Emperor was satisfied. Ii
the meantime, the obnoxious committee con
tinued to sit; but it was believed that it would
soon be dissolved.
The condition of the sick and wounded
among the Allies is reported to have consider
ably improved, as well as the health of tn,
troops generally. The mortaly in the hospi
tails at Scutari and elsewhere was declining.
Great preparations were being made to col
lect very strong force in Cuba. A battalion
Of marines had already left Cadiz for the isl
and. A force of 5000 more were to leave r
May; and it has been resolved to increase the
army in Havana to 10000.
Serious difficulties are reported to have bro
ken out in Switzerland
The Ministerial crisis in Belgium continued
unadjusted, and the state of affairs in tn,
kingdom was far from satisfactory. An out
break of some kind was feared to be immi
nent