The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-03


of serfs who have escaped were infesting the con
Speaking of these reports Col. ShafHner says
there is no reliance to be placed on them;
that he never heard Of single case In which
compulsion was employed, and that the Russian
serf enters the ranks chcerfuIy at the command OF
the Czar, whom he regards as the vicegerent OF
God on earth. No difficulty whatever is experienced
in executing the orders Of the Emperor; and such
is the aiacrity with which they are carried out on
the one hand and submitted to on the other, that
believes if it were left to the free viii Of the serf,
themselves, hundreds Of thousands Of volunteer
would flock TO the standard Of the Czar New levies
raised with wonderful despatch, and In two o.
three months out Of the raw material thus furnished
q well drilled efficient and powerful army Is formed
and ready for active service. Although it may up
pear somewhat unreasonable, when his state Of serf
dom.s considered, yet the Russian soldier has
great deal of personal pride, and he shows it par
ticularly in perfecting himself in the use Of his
arms As to the acts Of brigandage, and in
some cases even Of murder, there is no doubt
that they have been committed, but not to q
greater extent than formerly; and that they are
committed now Is not to be regarded as proof
that the serfs are discontented or opposed to be-
ing sent to the Crimea.
The entire force of the Russian army including
that portion Of 1t stationed at Perekop, numbered
on the middle of October last, about two hundred
and fifty thousand. These occupy different positions
along the route from Perekop to Sebastopo and this
is so well defended by forts to render all attempts
Of the Allies to cut of their supplies utterly power
less. Perekop itself is said to be 80 strongly pro-
tccted that it would employ the whole Of tho allied
forces in reducing 1t.
The means of transportation, contrary to the state
ment of the Allies, have not been cut off, nor have
they suffered any interruption from the capture OF
Kertch and the destruction OF the immense
quantities of grain in the Sea Of Azoff. The grain,
it now appears instead Of belonging to Russia, was
the property of Greek merchants, who had
offered 1t for sale to the Russian govern
ment ut such an exorbitant price that they
refused TO purchase it. They never received
provisions in this direction, as they have always
been sent by way Of Perekop. The Greek mer-
chants, fearing the capture Of their property, it
seems applied to the Russians for protection; but
long before their application was made they were
informed that the Sea Of Azof would not be defend
ed against the allied fleets and they were according
ly advised to take their own counsel in time. The
Russian government however, although 1t refused
to protect them, made an appropriation Of large
amount of money to sink vessels, filed with stone,
in the channel at Kertch, to prevent the passage Of
the euemy's vessels. The contract for the perform
ance OF this work was given to the Greeks them
selves, no doubt being entertained that as it was
for their benefit, the work Would be promptly and
faithfully executed. The prospect Of present gain,
however. being more powerful than the dread OF
approaching danger the Greek merchants, instead OF
filing the vessels with stone, used sand, which was
washed away by the current leaving the channel
free for the passage of the allies As this was known
at St. Petersburg, very little sympathy, it may be
supposed, was manifested for the merchants, who,
blinded by their avarice and false to their agree
ment, had reaped the reward of. their own dis
honesty.
The transportation of provisions has been so cf.
fectively carried, on that the Russian army in Sc
bastopol have never suffered, and the Commssariat
has always been well supplied. There were several
occasions on which the soldiers were put upon re-
duced ratons but these were days Of fast prescribed
by the church, and which pretty strictly observ-
ed They are allowed five pounds Of meat per week
to each man, and there are two days Of abstinence
from meat ont Of the seven, leaving an average
Of one pound per day. The provisions are gene
satoT countries to the Crimes in wagons,
which are loaded on their return with SALT The
same wagons, before the war; went TO the Crimea
empty, but now they are laden both ways, and make
double their former profit, notwithstanding the rs
serticn Of st. Petersburg correspondent Of the
Paris Pays, that the wagones, having no employ
ment are compelled to follow the army.
While travelling through the wheat producing
districts, Colonel Shaner saw crops which, he said
were as extensive AZ any that had been rcaped for
many years before; and 40 slight has been
the draft on the agricultural population by the
raising Of new eyies, that it will not in the least
diminish the next years produce. When 1t Is re.
membered BESIDES that this will have to be kept in
the country In consequence of the allied fleets be-
ing in possession Of all the outlets from the Black
and Baltic seas, there would seem to be very little
danger Of the Russian army suffering from want Of
provisions.
The gallant and protractcd defence Of Sebastopol
bas proved that, in her Notifications, Russia Is in
fcrior to no other country in the world. Compare
lively little was known Of her system Of dcfences,
ard mp 20 the last few months such places as Nj
colaief and Sweaborg were never heard Of. In the
case Of sebastopol 1t Ii a remarkable fact that
some Of the principal dcences earthworks, and
.tiIl more remarkable, that they were found to be
more easily defended against an assault than any
other kind Of fertilization. Setastopoi, however
has not furnished the first proof OF this fact, for In
our War Of Independence, they formed the chiei
brlwarks, against which the dogged courage OF the
British troops broke in vain. frsm the battle o
Bunker Hill, on whose heights the patriots had en-
trenched themselves behind breastwork Of earth
to the last struggle with the retreating foe forca
tioDs OF earthwork were used, and traces Of then
may sti be seen all over the country. Whether
ToIteben Is indebted 10 us for this important fact
cannot now be determined, but the value Of earth
works for defence was established here three quar-
ters Of a century ago.
The whole line Of Notifications around Sebastopo
was constructed Of bundles Of sticks, placed upright
and overlaid with earth; and the farfamed Maakof
was nothing more than a mound Of earth, with
FACING of sfnne. Duriuu tho hntxpver flf.