Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-10-22
VOL. 4-.-NO. sc.
DAILY VIRGINIAN.



Tho Semaphore Of Marsees publishes the
following letter. giving account of the state Of
Sebastopol when occupied by the allies:
After crossing the cemetery, where there is
still chapel riddled with balls and bullets cn-
tered Sebastopol through enormous breach
madc in the central bastion. A large fortified
wall protects all this side Of the town; within IL
lies suburb composed of small houses, which
doubt occupied by various small trades
men. This suburb gradually descends towards
the watcr, four streets converge to sort OF plat
form. connected with little bridge. which en-
nbled the inhabitants to cross a street below,
when violent rains transformed ii into n torrent
In this small space counted sixty-eight shells
that had not burst, and balls. We then proceed
ed to the street aud boulevard which bear the
name Of Catharine; il is the elegant quarter of
tho town; all the houses have but story,
very neat, and are surrounded with gardens
There is not one that has not received ball,
they are completely gutted; all tho furniture;
snoh us mahogany bcdsteads chests of drawers,
writing dests, DO, was lying about the streets.
] remarked considerable number Of pianos,
many prints, (most of them rather centious,b
and, what is very extraordinary, portraits Of the
Emperor Napoleon and the Empress Eugcnie.-
The whole of this quarter rises in an ampths atre
Just Opposite Fort Constantine; the theatre is
untouched it is u pretty white building. When
passed by the scenes were lying outside against
the will. Tho church called 81. Catharine's, n
Doric temple, with gilt pediment. has also suf
fered very little. In this quarter not n soul was
to be seen; the streets were deserted, the houses
completely abandoned; and il made one melnn-
choy to these vast sotudes. The whole
town is now peopled with only 1000 French sol
dicrs. who are encnmped in the streets. General
Bazane, who has been appointed governor Of the
plncc, occupies pretty house, pierced like 9TH
,rs with th go or four balls In Catharne street
is a house which was occupied rs tavern; the
doors had been tern down, and the soldiers have
written board, "Entrer sans fropper." The
soldiers amuse themselves with playing at pitch
md toss. and shooting Mt cats, which are tho
eml, inhabitants of the town. Most of the houses
l.ave n story underground where artisans had
their shops. From this quarter we went down
tn the quays The nearer ono gets to the port
tho greater is the number Of barrioades. The
Russians evidently intended to hive defended
Sobastopo street by street, for at the top Of eve
~ street is wall of large stones, two metres in
height, behind which small pieces Of artillery
were placed.
On the quays which are wide and planted with
trees, il was more difficult to enjoy ones walk,
ms the Russians still occupy Fort Constantine
opposite and every three minutes they throw
rhcr n shell or ball at the people who are walk
ing about; 4; an Englishmnn killed in that way
ten steps off from where was standing. From
this quay and as far as the docks, we may distin-
euish the mast top of tho Russian fleet rising
above the water; II has all been burnt and sunk,
with the exception Of small steamer on her
beam ends at tho corner of the militar, port
The streets arc actually covered with projectiles
Of every description. Tho docks have suffered
considerable from our fire skiring them was a
quarter Of the town, set apnrt mostly for work
women aud invalids il is now shapeess mass
Of ruins. Nothing in the town has been destroy
ed by us ; our artillery has only ruined what
was Indispensable; it was the Russians, who,
during the retreat spung an enormous number OF
minest and we are finding more daily. Even on
Monday and Tuesday the 10th and llth, there
were explosions every moment, and many fell
victims to their curiosity. Russian Colonel.
| thev tell me- was killed Mt the moment that he
| was STOPPING down TO fire new mine while hur-
| riedv retreating. Since then, our hremen have
| thrown water all the suspected spots, and
| put out all the fires. Our soldiers behaved well
during the first hours of tho occupation they
did not then pillage to any very great extent,
and allowed noffensve men, women and chill
dren, to retire unmolested. Afterwards they
spread over the town, and you may be re.took
exact inventories of all that could be turned to
| any use Thus met soldier carrying Oft an en-
| enormous mahogany bedstead for frewood. To.
| conclude, the general aspect OF Sevahtopol Is
beart rendering nothing but ruins, backened
walls, ard gutted houses; the ground strewed
with projectiles, and broken and spoiled furniture
But few vsiters in the streets not cry, not
the slightest noise denotin9 living city-al Is
mournful and silent. The Russians are shut up
in Fort Constantine; their camp extends beyond
Fort Svernaia. There Is rumor that they are
about to evacuate the north; but in order to
make them do so sooner, General d'Herbillion is
to attack them on the side of the Tchernaya with
| 10000 men. Our fleets are still opposite the
Quarantine Harbor aud, as soon as the entrance
into great harboris cleared, they will enter 1t.
and then if the Russians have not yet evacuated
the north, the fleets will cannonade Fort Con-
atantine on one side, and harrass them on the
other, and that part of Sevastopol will then soon
be in the power.
MARSHAL PELIssIER.- Newark Mercu-
ry publishers, from private letter, the following
interesting description of the personal appear
ance of this distinguished officer:
81 was rather astonshed at the appearance oi
the French commander of the forces. From MS
character, / expected to have seen young ae-
five man. whereas General Pelsser is an eno.