The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-05
SEVEN DAYS LATER FROM EUROPE.
Arrival Of the Baltic Quiet at Sebastopol-
meuts in the Sea of Azoff


Captain Comstock, arrived at II o'clock last
night in ii days and III hours from Liverpool,
having left that port at 1t P. NJ. of Saturday,
10th instant.
The Baltic made the passage out to Liver
pool in 10 days and 10 hours.
The United States mail steamer Arago, from
New York, arrived at Cowes on Friday morn
ing, the 18TH
The Bank of England has reduced the rate
OF discount from per cent at which it had
stood since the Sd of May, to 81 per cent. Mon
ey continued easy. Continental exchanges
again showed more frmness. Bullion decreas-
ed G25,O0O. Liverpool freights to United States
unchanged. Consols closed 9l} ex-dividend.
Strachan, Paul. & Co., London Bankers, and
Halford 4 Co., Navy Agents, London, have
failed, the former in half million sterling. In
trade generally, a more cautious feeling ap-
pears to have succeeded the spirit of specula-
tion although nothing of an adverse nature has
occurred. Liverpool cotton market has been
very quiet during the week, but as holders did
not press their cotton for sale, prices were main
tanned and closed firm. Manchester market
had been somewhat irregularly affected by the
reaction in Liverpool. Breadstuffs were dull,
at considerable decline. Weather magnif-
cent.
By this arrival, we have some information
respecting the Allied successes before Sebasto-
pol, but as letters lag ten days behind the tele-
graphic dispatches, we know nothing beyond
the words published by Government. From
these, it would appear that the fight for the
Mamelon was obstinate-not fewer than 5000
men being put hors de combat-and the success
was complete, 81 guns having fallen into the
hands of the French. An important element
in the victory is, that the French, from their
new position, can reach the ships in the harbor
of Sebastopol.
Copious details are at hand of the attack on
Kertsch; also, Geographic announcements Of
further successes in the Sea of Azoff, where the
fleets attacked and destroyed the stores at Tag,
anrog, Marioupol, and Genitch. Accounts of
these last exploits are yet rather meager. A
boat expedition, to be conveyed in steamers TO
the shallow water, is fitting out in all haste at
Portsmouth, destination supposed to be Pere-
have no new movements. The Russians are
stated (but doubtfully) to have evacuated the
whole of their Crcassian territory. Duke Con-
stantine is appointed Regent of Russia in the
event of Alexanders decease.
We have interesting news of the Empress of
France.
Mr.. Fillmore is quite lion at the English
Court.
THE RECENT SUCCESSES BEFORE SEBASTOPOL.
In order to form correct notion of the ope-
rations Of the Allies on the 18th of June, against
the Russian works at Sebastopol it is desirable
to refer to description of these works. Every
one is aware that the ground before Sebastopol
is ntersected with ravines descending to the
sea-these ravines being divided from each 9TH
er by ridges, upon which both the Russian
works and the principal batteries of the besieg-
ing armies are erected. The ravine furthest to
the northeast, and on the extreme right of the
Allied position, in front of what is now called
the Inkerman attack, is that descending to the
Careening Harbor. 1t was at one time intend
ed by the Allies to take possession of the whole
of the north ridge, down to the Careening Har-
Dor, but the Russians crossed the ravine with
great determination, and established two works
on the lower slope of it-one at 500 yards and
the other at 400 yards from the second parallel.
These redoubts have probably ere this fallen
into the hands of the Allies, for General PeliS-
sier's dispatch of the 9Th of June says: "Tke
enemy have completely abandoned the right
shore of the Careening Bay" This is an ms
portant position, commanding the ships in port,
and almost intercepting, the entrance to the
town.
The next ridge is that on which the Malakoff
tower stands and opposite to it, at distance of
about mile and half, the Victoria redoubt
has been erected by the Allies. The Victoria
attack, carried on by the French, is directed
from this point against the tower and adjoining
works. Descending nearer to the tower, and
about FIVE hundred yards in front of it, is the
Mamelon, which is described as commanding
the tower itself The conquest and occupation
of this hill by the French is the result of the con-
test of June Z.
The Malakoff tower itself, being one of the
few works in masonry on the land side of Sc
bastopOl was long since reduced to ruins but
it is now enclosed by very high semicircular
parapet of earth, pierced with twelve embrasur6s,
and surrounded by ditch. From the tow,ir
to the Careening Bay there runs long line If
parapet, broken at halfway by a battery Of
sixteen guns on two faces, and thus 1ankng tie
curtain between this point and the tower.
Another battery of twelve guns on the hill above
Careening Bay is connected with this work ~
a further parapet, which extends to the se..
We apprehend that the works taken on the lea
June are outside this line. The Redan is seq
arated from the Malakoff tower by what s
termed the Middle Ravine, and stands upon tie
ridge between the Woronzof Ravine and this
Middle Ravine On this ridge stands the Allied
Crown Battery, fronting the apex of the Redan,
which was further defened by an abdttis, and
by strong party of rihemen lodged in a stone
quarry in front of the work, and which quarry
was carried by the British on the 7th of June.
Sebastopol, it is to be remembered, is not
fortress but town defended by chain of forts
and field Notifications From this description,
it will be noticed that the several attacks Of the
besieging armies are advancing part passu on
parallel lines, and that the recent operations Of
the French and English, although distinct, as
sist each other, and are essential to the success
of the common enterprise-the plan of the Allies
L. fba &c Ho4.
tions within another line which shall gradually
advance until the besieged are driven into the
sea!
We now proceed to give the official accounts
of these operations.
Gen. Pellissier's first dispatches are quite
dramatic:
"June 6, 10 p. M-To-day, with our Allies,
we opened fire against the external works, and
tomorrow, please God, we will take them"
"June7, II p M-At half past our signals
for assault were given, and one hour afterward
our eagles foated over the Mamelon Vert, and
over the two redoubts of Careening Bay The
artillery of the enemy fell into our hands. We
have taken four hundred prisoners. Our legions
occupy the conquered works. On their side,
our Allies, with their usual resolution, carried
the works in the quarries, and established them
selves there. All the troops showed the most
admirable devotion and intrepdty."
"June S.-Last evening we took possession
of sixty-two guns in the captured redoubts.
Thirteen officers were made prisoners Our loss,
which has not been accurately ascertained, is
considerable, as might have been expected from
so great result"
"June 9.-The situation is the same as yes
terday. All the demonstrations of the enemy
against the captured works have been fruitless
They have abandoned the so-called battery of
the I'd of May; they have also completely aban-
u 70 ha irht chnro &C O. d..