Washington sentinel., 1855-02-18
FRoM sEDAsToPoL.
pru.reeis u lhs 81 led .rmles.

INTELLIGENCE FROM sEDASTOPOL.
Prospects pf The 81 led Armies
The following cslaa,Ls tom a letter from
Mr.. X. G.. McCornick, jr., we'll known and
highly respectable citizen Of New York, to A.
l.. Stimson, the editor Of the Erpress Messen-
ger, has the more value to readers in the United
States, because presenting an Americans
views Of matters and things in the Crimea,
and that ne is an eye witness of the scenes
which he SO graphically describes:
BALAKLAvA, CRIMEA,
Dec. 20, 1864.
My residence at Constantinople had served
to interest me so deeply in the siege OF Sebas-
topol, that l determined, some time since, to
make personal examination of the famous
war regions. BY the kindness of Rear Admi-
raj Boxer, | was provided with an order for
passage on the good steamer Medway. Two
hours of steam work brought us through the
beautiful Bosphorus, and we entered the Black
Sea. We brought an assorted cargo-a little
OF everythlng-camp stoves and stovepipe in
any quantity, and no less than fourteen hun
dred bags OF charcoal; rum, plenty Of it; sol
diers, sheep, horses, and wheel-barrows sur.
geons, civil engineers, and world of large
and small round, square, and triangular boxes,
bales, and parcels Of every imaginable species
OF goods, mainly for the use of the army. /
noticed many neatly prepared packages, deli
cately marked, evidently tokens of the kind re-
membrance Of mothers and sisters at homer
those dear ones whose affection follows the hus-
band, the son, the brother, wherever he may
roam.
Many poor fellows heart was made glad
by the arrival Of our heavily laden ship. /
heard one gallant officer say, that the receipt
Of small parcel of good things (clothing and
provisions) from home, cheered him more than
would the arrival Of a reinforcement Of twenty
thousand men. AS soon as we had anchored,
army and navy oficers-men worth thousands
Of pounds-rushed on board, anxiously seek
ing an interview with the steward. One went
away with keg of butter, another took off
turkey, another went, laughing away with
head Of cabbage; while another carried
basket of bread and still another walked off
with sheep! and seldom have I seen men
more thoroughly delighted with their purchases.
Many inquiries were made for longlegged
boots; and several of our passengers, who had
brought up few pairs on speculation, made
speedy and profitable disposal of their stock.
Wnat the Soldiers think.
/ have mingled with the soldiers in their
daily visits to the town, with desire to ac-
quaint myself more perfectly with their exact
condition and spirits. They all speak of great
suffering in the camp, and look fatigued and
worn, but their spirits have not fallen. "Only
let us 60 at Sebastopol," they say, "and we will
soon secure good quarters" AS intimated
in my last, great dissatisfaction is expressed at
Lord Raglan's refusal to permit an attack upon
Sebastopol Immediately after the brilliant battle
Of the Alma. II is the general opinion, that
if such an attack had been made, it would have
been successful, and of course the months of
exposure endured since that date would have
been avoided, thousands of lives saved, &c.
How they Fare.
1t is amusing to notice how the shipmasters
forage for fresh provisions. AS soon as ship
comes in, some one goes to look for game. /
heard one captain ask another, (who was in the
small boat by the side Of the newly arrived
steamer,) on Christmas morning, whether he
had any important news. "No," was the quick
reply, but I've got id fine turkey!n The
poor fellows who serve in the trenches are al
ways ready for good dinner when they come
to the harbor; and it is pleasant to note the
liberality with which the ship masters univer.
sally treat them, and all Of the soldiers. Only
this morning, gentlemen going back to Con.
stantinople, left me quantity of wines, sar
dimes, &C., to carry to the camp on my next
visit, for present for some needy company.
The eCamp-Appearance of the Allies.
The magnitude of the camp surpassed nv
widest imagination. After riding for hour
upon hour, and mile upon mile, / still kept
within the trenches. Much of my time was
devoted to the French portion of the camp,
and must join in the praise everywhere show.
cred upon the arrangements made by England's
brave allies. Throughout the entire campaign
the French have displayed superior tact and
management. The men have not suffered
near so greatly as those in Her Maiesty's ser
vice. The French have bakers attached to
each regiment, and quantities of fresh bread
every other day; while the English are but
poorly supplied with hard biscuit. A present
of thirty thousand fresh loaves was sent from
the French to the English camp few weeks
since.
The English officers are constantly lauding
the movements Of their Allies. The Zouaves,
the French troops formed for the Algerian war,
are, perhaps, the best soldiers in the field.
They are up to everything, and perfectly as
tonsh staid John Bull by their agility. If
there is any plunder they are sure to get it. |
see them every day engaged in foraging, and
they never 60 home without their hands full.
They let one another down the rock sides with
ropes, and thus fish up fre-wood from the
wrecks; they go hunting for brush, and in
divers ways, creditable to their ingenuity, man
age to keep well supplied with stores Their
dress is singular, something on the Bloomer
order, only more chaste. They are splendid
men in action, and their bravery at the recent
battles has added to their previous high repu-
tation.
The Turkish troops look stupid ond dirty.
do not wonder that they are unpopular. They
still remain in camp in great numbers, but
have no important service to perform.
Glimpse OF sebastopoI.
The French, English, and Turkish camps
are interspersed; sometimes at the distance Of
a mile apart. After a very long ride, / Sc.
cured q glimpse at Sebastopol-the mighty,
the great unconquered. 1t was too late for me
to proceed further, as had to look out for my
Christmas dinner. Turning back, passed the
quarters Of Field Marshal, Lord Raglan, com.
m .chief of tho forooo-on old Ca, ,b;ornJ