New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-08-12
Foreign Items.

TIE AUSTRIAN PRrsoNERs.--M Many amusing anec-
dotes are related of the joy shown by the Austrian
clared. In one Of the provincial towns, where seve
raj hundred Of them are, it was hard to make them
believe that such was the case but at last they
ceived the official notification Of the fact that peace
was declared. They Immediately began shouting
"viye l'Empereur Napoleon and rushing up to
the French soldiers whose barracks they shared,
they commenced shaking hands with them. A few
moments after, the citizens who lined the favorite
promenade, which is near the barracks, were much
amused to see the soldiers in couples, French and
Austrian, executing lively dance. The inhabitants
at brought bread and wine to the soldiers who
thus had feast after their dance. Most of the Aus
trian officers have applied to the Minister of War for
permission to return via Paris to Austria none of
them wish to pass through Italy on their way home
Large numbers of the soldiers have been sent to
Algeria and it is most likely that many of them will
prefer to remain in the country, as inducements will
be held out to them to do In several cases the
soldiers had been allowed to send for their families to
join them in Algeria and these will most likely wish
to remain, as they escape the Austrian service.
MOUNT VEsUvIus.-At 8 A. NJ. on the morning of
the Sd instant, (says correspondent writing from
Vesuvus) the crater, in the direction of Pompeii,
formed posse, that it is impossible to ascer-
tain its actual depth. Flames Of various coors pro.
coed from it; the whole crater trembles, and the
assures which were made in it are now bed Of fire.
Towards the Hermitage, another opening has been
made, with two separate " chmneys,' one of which
throws out fire stones, and the other pumice and
ashes The mouth from which the circular flame is
sued is now much enlarged. At the foot of the
mountain, in the direction of Resina, small crater
has been formed, from which are elected red hot
stones, weighing pound each. About 200 feet be-
low it, crater has been formed in fosse, whence
issues red hot lava which runs forward violently
that, If it took straightforward direction it must
arrive soon in Resina or Portici 1t branches off,
however, in three different directions.
The PRussIAN ToUCH-NEEDLE MusKET.-The
name Of this famous weapon is derived from the
fact that the explosion is produced by metallic
blade needle, which is inserted into the cartridge.
The bore is ribbed and the balls pointed, comic at
the point cylindrical at the center, and round at
the large end. The cartridge is provided with a
layer Of some explosive substance near the bullet
and the powder is placed at the bottom Of the cart
ridge, which is introduced at the butt end of the
musket. In pulling the trigger, fine steel blade
q neede-introduces itself by an opening in the
back of the tube trayerses the cartridge and powder
and arrives at the explosive substance which is the
same as that employed for filling percussion caps
Thus, the powder kindles at the extremity, and is
consumed to the last grain. The charge Of powder
is the one.eighth OF an ounce. With these muskets
soldier is able to load and fire six eight times
without letting go, and the longest range of his
weapon is thousand toises. He can take correct
aim at eight hundred toises, while common musket!
do not carry beyond four hundred toses, and grape
shot produces only weak results at eight hundred
| toises
Mr. RAREY IN OFFICE.-The report Of commits
sion lately appointed by the Commanderin-C Chief tt
| examine Mr.. Rarey's system Of horsebreaking ha
been published. The results of experiments upon
variety of horses, witnessed by the board are re
lated, and the conclusion is arrived at that the sys
tenn is good one. The board is Of opinion that i
would be benefcially adopted and practised by th'
cavalry and that to ensure the proper system being
carried out, it would be advisable that Mr.. Rare,
should be employed to teach the system to certain
members of each regiment; for, though the system
| may be explained by words or writing there are als
required to carry it into execution great degree
4 frmness and resolution, temper and patience, and
manipulation that requires to be seen by and laugh
to men to render it successful. In accordance witt
| by the Commander in-Chief to commence the in
struction of the officers, riding masters and roug
riders in our cavalry regiments at the depots in Eng
land and Ireland in the art of subduing horses to reg
| mental PURPOSES.