Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-01
DAILY STRUGGLES IN THE CRIMEA-THE CON.
nlrInNS OF THE PARTIES

DlrIONS OF THE PARTIES.
The Allies appear to make very little heedway
in the capture Of Sebastopol The important event,
81 freouently predicted is likely to be postponed,
Tor weeks, II not for months, longer The Rus
slams are evidently es determined as ever, and do
not Yield an inch of ground. Nay, scarcely week
goes by IN which they d. not make sorties.
and although they are most invariably repulsed.
they return to the bloody work as vigorously as
ever. The adyiees by the Nashville are by no
means favorable, 10 the assailants. The garrison
within the fortress has teen greatly strengthened,
and all the attempts OF the French to secure the
possession OF the rife ambuscade pits, had been un-
successful Ca the night of the 3d. fearful strug-
gle took place, in which three thousand men were
killed and wounded. Both parties were strength
ening then positions, preparatory to the opening
OF the Spring campaign.
The London Tines, abiding to the condition of
affairs and especially to the encounter of the night
of the 3d. admits that great valor and enterprise
were shown on both sides, but laments with more
than ordinary regret, the loss of men killed in
nocturnal afray, followed by no other consequence
than the repulse OF the enemy. II also states that
tue lines OF the enemy were gaining on the en-
trenchments of the beslegers instead Of the latter
| gaming on the works of the town. The number of
guns 10 position was so large and the stores of an
munltlon ready to open the fire so enormous, that
powerful force was required at all hours ID pro-
tect these preparations from the salles of the Rus
SLAMS. The Editor adds:
There is great reason to suppose that the allied
forces about to repeat the attack of the 18th of
! October on a much more formidable scale. This
intention has at any rate, been constantly an
nouneed, aud a great part of the tolls and hard
| ships sustained by the army during the winter
arose from the preparations necessarily carried on
| for this long-expected attack We must assume.
in spite OF the delays that have interviewed, that
the same intention still exists; for if it were other
wise, the perseverance of the commanders in pro-
! longing these arduous siege operations would be
wholly inexpicable. Nor can the moment be
much longer deferred at which such a attack may
still bepractcabe, for the enemy has already shown
with what incredible activity and vigor he has
found means to bring his reinforcements against
US. We will suppose therefore, that the attack
by prolonged cannonade is TO be made sooD and
that if we succeed in siencng the fire of any of
the fronts ofthe place it will be followed by an
immediate assault. God grant that such may be
the case, and that while we are discussing the ad-
verse as well as the favorable chances of the war
some glorious and triumphant achievements may
terminate our uncertainty! But it is not the less
our duty to consider the other alternative, and to
contemplate position in the event of the failure
of such an attack. That would indeed bring us
hack to the situation the armies in on the eve
of Balakava and 1nkermann, with this difference,
Ludl we COulu hopes OF success
against the southern side Of Sebastopol by the
means hitherto employed to reduce it. and that in
stead of the approach of winter, which served to
impede the movements of the enemy, we must
now prepare for the approach of summer which
exposes our troops to new class of dangers, and
leaves our adversary in full possession of his re.
sources. Such a state of affairs is at least so far
possible that it ought to be provided against, and
we ought to foresee by what means these difficult
carried on. A multitude of expedents instantly
suggested themselves to the mind for the large ma
val force constantly at the disposition of the Gen.
erals, and the facilities offered for every sort of
operation on the southern coast of the Crmea,
might enable them to proceed by means which
have not hitherto been attempted.
We abstain from mere speculations on this SUBJ
ject, which would be valueless if they were I'M
founded, and might be injurious if they were cor
rect. But we protest against the supposition that
an Ango-French army upwards of 100000 strong
had done all that be done for the attainment of
our objec;s when it has succeeded in maintaining
an intrenched position against the enemy and in
opening fire of great power but of doubtful eff
feet upon the town Such troops, handled by the
D axe of Wellington, or by ons of Napoleon's Mar
shals, would sweep the country before them and,
though we despair of nothing when we see the
courage they have on all occasions displayed, yet
even that courage is wasted when it is not guided
by military genius in the chiefs of the army.
Similar language is held in other leading British
journalists, and the feeling throughout England and
France was, at the last accounts, evidently Of
Impotence and disappointment The London
Morning Chronicle says that it should be guilty
alike OF meanness and Of treason, were it to coun
tenance the suicidal act of concluding a peace,
which would not have for its definite object the to-
tai demolition of Sebastopol Such peace, it
adds, would be a calaRtous event, not only to
Great Britain but to Europe. The Editor con-
tlnues:
In whatever light we examine the question, we
see nought but humiliation to England and the
certain triumph OF Russia. The British and French
governments will not be blind to the danger which
is palpabe to the understanding OF their subjects
a peace that will preserve to Russia the possession
of the Crimea and Sebastopol cannot but be i'm
prudent and dishonorable The blessings Of peace
are great, but they may be purchased at too large
sacrifice. The total destruction of Sebasopol
can alone guarantee to Europe a continued and
satisfactory peace and, with the assistance ofProy
idence that inevitable result will crown the efforts
of the allies. 1t better for Great Britain to re
double, if necessary, her exertions, and to renew,
without hesitation the immense sacrifices she has
already sustained. The cause Of civilization and
eerchance, the grandeur of the British Empire are
at stake and therefore we protest against peace,
which would affect the National dignity without
anoTdng restraint 10 the amolueuS PROJECT OF nus
STA.
In brief then, the Allies must venture upon
some great movement soon, or must abandon The
work in despair. They must attempt the achieve
ment Of bloody victory, or they must Withdraw
from the Crimea, in disgrace.
The Russians are not only strengthening tLeir
Notifications but they are also adding to their forces
by thousands. Thesumm too is approaching when
the heats of the Crimea will prove more exhausting
than its colds, when languor and sickness, despair
and death will appear among the troops of the allies
and prove far more potent than even the balls Of
the Russians A crisis is indeed at hand, aud al
ready it is argued that if the armies of Great Bri
tain and France be not prepared within u very
brief period either TO make the assault, or aband-
their defensive position and penetrate the coun-
try, they should at order up their transports
and re-embark, before the men are cut off by the
hot weather.
INTERESTING FROM CUBA have letter da- |