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December 3, 1853. j T H E L E A D E R. 1...
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CONTINENTAL NOTES. THE SEAT OF WAR. The ...
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The naval movements in the Black Sea sur...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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December 3, 1853. J T H E L E A D E R. 1...
December 3 , 1853 . j T H E L E A D E R . 1157
Continental Notes. The Seat Of War. The ...
CONTINENTAL NOTES . THE SEAT OF WAR . The following ig the despatch received by the Seraskier from Omar Pasha , narrating the events of the 2 nd , 3 rdj and 4 < th ult .: —r " The possession of the island situate in front of Turtulrai having been considered indispensable , I had effected the passage of troops , and in the space of the night of the 1 st managed to raise tolerably strong fortifications . On the following day , the 2 nd , two battalions of infantry , three pieces of cannon , and a hundred of the mounted police were conveyed in large boats to the locality , with ammunition , proyisions , and great coats .
They had scarcely landed , when from the batteries of Turtukai we opened a fire on the lazaretto situate on the left bank . After the first discharge , the Russians quitted this position , and the Imperial troops took possession of the building , which is of solid construction , with vaulted chambers . "Without loss of time 400 wbi-kmen , under the direction of staff officers , commenced raising fortifications , for which purpose 2000 gabions had been already prepared . On the 3 rd , again , other troops were sent to fortify the tete de pont . - "As soon as the Imperial troops had landed on the left bank of the river , the Eussians , quartered in a large village at about an hour ' s distance , turned round , and began to retreat . A body of cavalry was despatched to reconnoitre , and , having encountered at Oltenitza an . outpost of Cossack cavalry , they killed five , and rejoined our lines with a loss of three men . We found at Touzla , on the left bank , a great number of boats , which were sent to Turtukai .
"The number of boats at our disposal having facilitated the construction of the bridge , we were enabled-without delay to place in the fortifications twelve large gunsj which were brought from Schumla . "On the 3 rd , at 4 p . m ., three battalions of Russian infantry , with eight cannons , a regiment of cavalry , and a party of Cossacks , entered the village of Oltenitza . Our troops , posted within , the works constructed on . the left bank , waite'd them with firmness . This same night I caused a bridge to be constructed at the conflux of the Aredsch and Danube , and flanked it with redoubts .
" Yesterday , November 4 y at 6 a . m ., we began to perceive the movement of the Russian forces . As soon as their march was well defined , I caused a reinforcement of one battalion to be embarked and conveyed to the lazaretto . The evening before I had placed on even ground a battery of guris calculated to check any attack winch might be made . The Russian forces amounted to twenty battalions , three regiments of cavalry , one of Cossacks , 16 mounted batteries , and 16 on foot . Thov formed in order of battle , with 14 pieces of cannon in the rear of . 12 battalions , and the regiment of Cossacks in lines beyond the roach of our guns , and fronting the centre of our works .
They advanced , supported by the fire of their artillery , and at the same time two battalions , with two cannons , came on , threatening our loft flank . Having commenced the assault , another stronger division , consisting of six battalions , with four cannons , and having in the roar three regiments of cavalry supporting and outstripping theiv loft flank—took its position and formed in two lines , with artillery , horse , and foot , into echelons , attacking our right flank . After an exchange of some cannon shots , the centre gavo the assault , whereon they charged both our win gs . The centre attacked three different times , and each with a fresh battalion—twice on the loft , and onco on tho rigid ,
"A well-directed fire from our fortress at Turtukai soon dispersed their right column , and the centre gradually fell back , after having suffered severely , and half its numbers being disabled . Tho battery of tlie island , alflo mounted witli powerful guns , and commanded by Khalid Pashn , did admirable execution on tho enemy's right wing . Tholtusnans advanced with coolness and resolution almost to the brink of tho trench , and on this account their loss was considerable , amounting to a thousand men lulled , and double 'bo number wounded .
" flic engagement lasted four hours , from noon till four p . m ., and during this interval tho wa < jonn never ( reused carrying off their dead , and 20 were observed heavily laden ? jven alter the conllict . With a view of facilitating this hity , a « long as it la . sted , wo abstained from molesting ( ho peiny and from firing a single . shot , but found , neverthe-« ws , 800 bodies oa the field . A private carriage , moreover , Was remarked , and from the pains taken in the Hoarch wo wmjecturo it must ; have been destined to receive tho body ° l a ffoiioral officer .
'At 5 p . m . n total confusion ensued in the Russian J'nnk . s ; their lines were completely broken and their retreat j'l'ecipitate . An hour later Home ' few rallied in the neigh-Oour uifr village * , but , the romuinder fled in disorder . Some |! ' «> : ir men pnnlied forward in pursuit of them beyond the M 0 H » but were Hummoned buck bv trumpet to their own quartern . , "Our loss amounted to 100 men . We found on the field <> 1 buttle 600 muskets , Ham , cartridge boxOH , rquipmonta "Omar . " •» no resumption of offensive operations on an ex-<<> iitle < l Hcalo by tho Turku along tho Danube , Homo "' tfnifieant indi ( ' ;; itioiiH of tlu ; determination of the
Emperor Nicholas to carry on l , ho war witli vigour , ; md j « i account of one or ' two affairs in ' tho IMnck Sea h « - ' ¦ Ween JiuHHiiin and TurlciBh vessels , form fcho main l « U , ulx , n of tho latest " fighting intelligence . " On our first pa # o wo have described succinctly tho position of the liuHHian and Turkish forces , according-° < i . ' 1 (! latent aoeounts from tho Heat of war . We hero Hub join tho moHfc Jinthentit ! data on whioh tlmt rcimmt 111 IMlHOd . ^ ^ On tho 21 Ht ult ., at night ,, tho Turks forced tho Russiaim * ° l t tho island opposite ( xiurgevo . Two attempts V « 'vo mado by tho RuHHianH to rotako tho inland , but w « to ropulnod . In tho bocomI attompt the- Ruofctiun "Wiora had to bo forood into tho firo .
Between seven and eight in the morning of the 24 th instant the Russians retook the island . During the night of the 25 th the Turks made another night attack , but were repulsed . On the 25 th the Turks advanced from Kalafat twelve English miles towards Krajova , and formed an intrenched camp for 8000 men . Large bodies of Turks at the same time passed up and down the Danube . The next day the Turks constructed a bridge between Rustchuk and the Island of Moknan . The advance
inland from Kalafat would thus appear once . more to foreshadow an approaching combat at Krajova , perhaps at Bucharest . Considering' the smallness of Prince Gortschakoff ' s army , and the length of time which must elapse before any fresh troops can arrive to his support , it is not unlikely that Omer Pacha has discovered his enemy ' s weakness , and is inclined to make a fresh attempt to expel him from the Principalities . This view seems all the more probable from the fact that we are still without any official explanation of the motives which have induced Omer Pacha to
retire behind the Danube , and more than one account states that Prince Gortschakoff is completely puzzled at the tactics of the Turkish commander . The Turks had been bombarding the Russian position at Giurgevo from Rustchuk , for some days previous to the 26 th , with their long range artillery , among , which there is one of such calibre that the balls it projects fall not only into Giurgevo , but even beyond the barrier situated on the road to Bucharest . The Russians have been making furious attempts to expel the Turks from their position at Piva Petro , near Hirsova , at the confluence of the Talonitza and the Danube ; there , however , they had uniformly failed , the Turks having successfully resisted all their efforts .
Servia is doing her best to assert her neutrality , both against Russians and Turks ; but her sympathies , if not her fears , seem to incline rather to the Czar than to the Sultan . A detachment of Turkish troops , or of Bosnian militia , in attempting to cross the ¦ Servian frontier from the Drina was resisted near Utschitza . The Porte , it is known , holds by light the six chief fortresses in Servia . Among these is the important position of Belgrade . Izzet Pacha , a man who distinguished himself for his energy in the command of Vaina in 1828-29 , now commands the fort of Belgrade .
On Sunday , the 13 th , Izzet Pacha declared to the Servian Government that he would not allow the Russian Consul-General and his j »> er . sw / neZ to continue their functions , and added that , if they did not retire within three days , they should consider the town in a state of rebellion , and bombard it . The Prince remonstrated with the Pacha , in order to make him change his resolution , but in vain . The last day of the delay fixed by the Pacha expired on Sunday , anil on that day , according to Christian usage , the
Rusflian Consul hoisted his nag . In tho evening a considorable movement was observed among the Turkish garrison , and it was every moment feared that hostilities would break out . The Austrian Consul-General went to the fortress , and solicited the Pacha to spare tho town , particularly on account of tho number of Austrian subjects which were therein . On the following day the Russian Consul suspended his functions , and ' . ' Russian subjects were placed under the protection of the Austrian Consul .
This wa . s in oonsequenco of M . do JVIoukhine , tho Russian Consul-General , assuming his functions after the commencement of hostilities between his Government and the Porto . M . de Moukhino . struck bin flag and retired to Vienna ., whioh he reached on the 24 th ult . The latest accounts state that the Servian Govornment now domain In tho return of" tho Russian Conmil-General , and insists on hi . s receiving bis exequatur . Tho following in tho reply of Prince Alexander of Servia to the application of tho Ottoman Porto to declare himself on tho conflict between it and liusnia : —•
" Imperial Majesty , ' —1 believe it right to make ( he following reply to the letter which the Minister of Foreign Affairs of your AfiijoHty addressed to mn on the 281 . 11 ult . Tho Servian ( jlovernniont . will be always disposed to second the Sublime i ' orfe , as much at least , as existing treaties permit ; but never can it Hubiuit to a l . hing which appears to it incompatible with its duty . Sueh a circumstance presents itHolfat ; this moment ., in the sad dissension which lias broken out . between your Majesty and tho powerful Czar . May Heaven cause this conflict , to turn to the advantage of your Majesty ! But the Servian Government cannot take ' part in a conflict between tlio two Powers I lint protect , ftervia . Pit can only adopt ; a policy of neutrality
and impartiality , it . results from that ; that the Servian Government , cannot , permit , a body of troops to cross its frontiers . That would be contrary to tlio policy which circumstances command . The ( Jovenimont , of your Majesty will be obliged to admit that in so acting the ' Servian ' ( Government only follows l . ho eounselsof moderation , and that , they will always nerve if , us a guide . To make its policy of neutrality more energetic , if , linn given orders to all the inhabitantsOf the Principality to hold themselves in readiness to execute all the orders it may transmit . Let your Majesty receive , as horotoforoj tho' assurance of my profound do voted nesH , " Atyhxa KrwKit Q jjojtaxi 3 wuueur . " Kniffukowalz , Gth November . "
It is rumoured that the Austrian Minister at Constantinople , M . do Brack , has fallen out with Rescind . Pasha on the subject of this declaration of the Ffinefi of rs-vrvijr
The Naval Movements In The Black Sea Sur...
The naval movements in the Black Sea surest important eventualities . Muchaber Pacha ° Admiral Slade ) has proceeded , with a reinforced squadron , in the direction of Sebastopol , to look out for the crazy Russian " gun-boxes , " of which he will , doubtless , be able to render a good account to his Government if he meets them . Meanwhile , intelligence having- reached Lord Stratford de Redcliffe , at Constantinople , on the 15 th , that the Russians were manoeuvring to add to the natural difficulties which exist to the passage of vessels of
burthen over the Bar at Sulina , to the detriment of a fleet of wheat-laden vessels coming down the Danube , most of thein English , Admiral Dimdas despatched the Retribution , Sampson , and Tiger steam-frigates , and the Niger steam-corvette , into ' the Black Sea , one or more of which vessels will proceed to the mouth of the Danube , to see that British interests are not wantonly trifled with ; whilst the others will cruise along the European and Asiatic coasts , visiting the several ports , where many British subjects are established , and much British property is at stake .
The French Admiral would , it was reported , push , a reconnoissancc , with , a detachment of steam-frigates , along the Asiatic coast as far as Trebizond . The Russians have lost a powerful war steamer , with 1500 troops on board , off Batoum . Only twentyfive Were saved , and by the Turkish boats . It is the sixme steamer that took Prince Menschikoff to Constantinople , and from which he dated his insolent ultimatum . From Varna , of the Sth November , we learn that a Russian steamboat had visited the harbour , and after
making a tranquil inspection of all the batteries , returned so close to Cape Galata , at the entrance of the harbour , that the guard stationed there , which consisted of twenty-five ' men , levelled their guns at the vessel , and waited with matches alight ~ for a signal from the fortress to fire . An officer on board the frigate was distinctly seen sketching' the fort of Galata . A report , not well authenticated , from Constantinople , states that the Russian steamer WlatUmir has been taken by an Egyptian steamer , and a Turkish gun boat by the Russian steamer Bessarabia .
All accounts from Wallachia concur in representing the exasperation of the people at the conduct of the Russians . The administrative Council has entered a protest against the incorporation of the Wallachian militia with the Russian regiments . Political discussions are strictly prohibited under threats of the most ferocious kind , and one of the Boyards who wore lately arrested has been sent to the fortress of Bonder , in Bessarabia .
In Asia tlio Russian forces are worsted at all points . JSTotonly have they boon unsuccessful in attempting to retake St . Nicholas , but other fortresses have fallen to tho Turks , powerfully backed as they are by Schlamyl in the Caucasus . It in again reported from Afghanistan , that Dost Mahomed has announced to the Shah of Persia his intention of making war against tho Russians , and marching against them through the territories of tho Shah . The Aur /; if ) iirg ( htcdte reports the approaching recall of the Russian Ambassadors in . London and Paris . The same journal contains violent attacks on Turkey and her Western allies .
I bo Llot / d represents the present . state of tilings in . Europe as follows :- — " Iv ' . iiKsia probably now desires peace , as tho German powers do , and hnve done from tho very beginning . Lord Aberdeen will keep England at peace as long an he ean . liu ( . Napoleon?—¦ Uussia has managed matters so cleverly that tho Cabinet oi ' tlm Tuileries lias just now more political influence than it has ever had ninoo the days of tho first Napoleon . " General . Ifciraguay d'llilliers , the now military
ambuHHador from . Louis Napoleon to the Sultan , attended by a largo suite of officers , has reached Constantinople , and has been reeyived in grant ! audieiieo by the Sultan , who treated Jiiin with marked cordiality and respect . Tlio General advocated pence so far as it was compatible with the independence of the , i ' orte . The Sultan pointed out tho necessity of putting ;; , term to tho demands of Russia ,, and declared that the Principalities must bo evacuated before any negotiations could bo renewed .
M . de la Oour , tho Into French ambassador to tho i ' orte , has arrived at Trieste , on his return to I ' ariH . . Notwithstanding tho excitement of tho recent victories , theTurk ' iMh population at , Constantinople remains perfectly calm , and no disturbance lias boon apprehended over since hostilities began . The " indefatigable impotence" of diplomacy in Htill labouring painfully , if we are to believe report , n , L all sorts of abortive negotiations . The most , uutho ' ntus wo i !
have noticed elsewhere wit . li an imieli w ,,- ; ,.,,...,: > iiave noticed elsewhere with an much particularity : ih they deserve . Whatever form these negotiations ' may assume , . Russia , in Hiiro to be the gainer by diplomacy It in stated Unit another circular , by M . do NoHHolrotlo " defining a < : < ihim belli , between Russia and tho Western PoworH , in in existence , accompaniuil by a now jnuiiifouto of tho Czar .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 3, 1853, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_03121853/page/5/
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