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¦®m> 10; 1855.1 THE LEADER. A071
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WAR MISCELLANEA. Kinbukn.—Letters from C...
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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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The War. The Degree O# Uncerteinty Which...
bskrked troop * are fortifying-their position at Kinburn . Ml goes well at Nicholaieff . " Chi the 2 d of the present month it was announced that on the previous dajr the Allied fleet , which was in the vicinity of Kinburn , put to sea . An English steamer had previously advanced high enough up the Bug to reconnoitre Nicholaieff . She states that there were numerous vess . ls in the port , and that it was strongly fortified . According to Le Nord , Admiral Bruat has addressed a letter to the military authorities of Odessa , in which he compliments them very highly upon the heroic resistance made by their countrymen at Kinburn . For three days , the firing against the three forts on the Spit was heard at Odessa , Kinburn being distant from that city only forty miles , as a bird flies .
The whole of the Anglo-Turkish contingent has arrived at Kertch , -where it is to be shortly joined by the Bashi-Bazouks organized at the Dardanelles . Kars is still blockaded , but munitions of war and provisions are being despatched . A fresh assault is by some thought imminent . The following items of news come via Trebizonde " The Russians have inarched 12 , 000 men from Kars on . Ardelman . Selim Pasha is appointed Commandant of Kars . The Duke of Newcastle has arrived in Circassia . Omar Pasha , who left Batoutn with twentytwo battalions , may penetrate as far as Tifiis before winter . Georgia is now only occupied by 10 , 000 Russians . "
Colonel Simmons arrived at Kars on the 11 th of October , with 1 , 800 Turkish troops from Balaklava . Some Circassian chiefs , it is said , have concerted with Omar Pasha a plan of operations , the details of which , are not yet known . According to a letter from Constantinople , MehemoJ Emin Pasha , -who was recently invested with , the Government of Circassia , has surprised a Russian convoy near Kars-tchai , and taken off a part of the enemy ' s supplies . The encounter -was serious ; the Russiaus left more than three hundre ' d men killed and wounded on the ground , and the Circassians had about one hundred men Jiors de combat . The same writer adds : —
" Omar Pasha , on his side , carries on actively the organization of his winter cantonments , and of his new army . Ferhad Pasha , one of his lieutenants , is securely established -with his advanced posts on the route to Kutais . Selim Pashci collects his troops at Trebizonde , in order to conduct them again towards Erzeroum . He has orders not to operate for the moment against the Russians near Kars , but , above all , to maintain tranquillity in the pashalic of Erzeroum , where the brigandage has assumed a most menacing character . " An order has been received at Kiel for all English line-of-battle ships in the Baltic fleet to return to England . Four have already quitted Kiel .
The representatives of the Western Powers , it is asserted , have informed the Porte that circumstances may render necessary the march of French and English troops into the Danubiau Principalities . Austria grumbles at this ; but she cannot formally object , as the treaty of the 2 nd of December , 1854 , gives to the Allies the right of catering the Principalities with their forces whenever there shall be occasion . Consequently , Austria , from a feeling , probably of spite , threatens that , " under certain circumstances , she may claim indemnity for her occupation of Wallachiu and Moldavia . The " indemnity " should surely come from Austria , instead of being demanded by hur . THIS ATTACK ON KINIlUnN .
The following in an . extract of a letter from a French officer engaged in the attack on Kinburn : — " After our ( ire had nearly silenced that of the cnomy , Admiral Biuat , seeing the condition of the fort , sent a boat with a Hag of truce to summon the place to surrender . ^ Whilo the , discussion was going on , and tlvo Russian general was replying that ho , would never yield , but would blow up the powder inuguaino , the garrison revolted . A hundred of the Russian soldiers came out from a postern facing the sea , and came towards us . Wo went to moot thorn , and led them to the general . The whole of the garrison afterwards followed , leaving the l Tho Russian
commandant of iho fort alone in the pace . general afterwards followed in hia turn , but evidently much against hw inclination . He is a fine old man , who would have hold out to tho last , and appeared much dhwatUftod with his inon . When it was proposed to him to send some Russians to fetch hia baggage from tho fort , he angrily replied—* No—no—not Russian I ' and then looking at the French Chasseurs , ho said— ' Famous soldiers , these ! Tho last Russian who arrived had probably puluge-1 the collars , for they wore all completely intoxicated , and their canteens were full of brandy . What is rather singular is that it was the old men that sot this
example , for the young ones were very sober and steady . In the midst of all this , a scene occurred which affected us all . About thirty Russian soldiers were suddenly seen leaving the fort headed by their officers , and carrying with them all the pictures of the church , the religious dresses , and the coffers in which the sacred ornaments and . relics were contained . These men marched along with a solemn step , and the ranks of onr soldiers opened to let them pass , a religious feeling pervading every man's mind . The Russians , who were standing in the line of the procession , kissed the pictures of our Saviour , and made the sign of the cross . All these articles were left in the possession of the Russians , and -were carried by them to our camp . ' ? A . LITTLE SFORT INT THE BUG .
Above Kinburn Spit there is a high bank , ascending to the steppe behind it , and at the distance of some hundred yards from the edge , there is a tumulus on the steppe , behind which I saw some Russian artillery at a con . siderable distance as we were running along the coast . The Cracker had run on ahead , and the Grinder was just drawing on parallel with this high bank—we were all examining it—one officer was saying to the other , " Well ! I wonder the Russians have not got a battery on that cliff !"—when from a seam in its side , parallel with the water , a puff of white smoke spirted out , and the rush of a shot followed , and was terminated by a splash in the water close to the side of the Grinder . " Tell the Grinder he may give him a shot in reply , "
cried Admiral Stewart , and little Grinder , with more valour than discretion , at once put down his helm and ran in to land , drawing as he did across the Stromboli , at -which the enemy had opened another gun at the moment , but this shot fell short also . As the drum beat to quarters the men rushed on deck in a high state of delight ; the berthings were removed , and the guns ready for action in a few moments ; but there was Grinder intent on doing his devoir and getting in our way , throwing dust and smoke in our faces , so that at last the fatal edict went forth and Grinder ' s recali was hoisted . And now the guns on the top of the cliff-, which were Only light field-pieces , opened , and as none of the shot from the Russians had yet fallen closer than twenty yards to us , all on board were in a merry mood as the Stromboli slowlv craned over towards the bank . The
work from which the Russians fired their heavier guns was a trench in the cliff , almost half-way up its side , and looked very insignificant , but when you came to squint along a gun , and could only see four little black eyes staring out at you over a line of earth which did not seem three inches high to your sight , you began to understand the difficulty of striking such objects at the distance of a mile . " Try 2 , 500 yards ! " The gun was trained . At the words " " Well : Fire ! " out spouted the flame and smoke , and ihe iron globe , whose curve you could trace through the air , hurtled with the peculiar and nerve-shaking hiss of its race right over the earthwork , knocking up a pillar of black earth from the crest of the hill , and bounding far away to the rear . The enemy replied . We heard the shot coming right at us , and , as it
flew over the head of Captain Spratt , who was stationed at the foretop , looking out for shoals , and plunged into the water five or six hundred yards beyond us , it became evident that the Moscov had been playing the deep game of firing short to entice us well under his battery , so that he was trying extreme range , and had heavier guns than we thought . The Spitfire , Cracker , and Grinder were now coming into play , and tho former two mado some excellent practice , and struck the earth right and left of the battery . Stromboli was edging down nearer , and the captains of tho guns wore all with o . ye intently gnzing along their guns . " Try two thousand yards . " Awuy flew the iron messenger again , bub he only told tho Russians to bob their heads and keep out of his way , und flew behind them . The field-pieces now took to firing shell , and studded the air nbove us with
rtinoke-clouds , and the angry hum of tho splinters was heard once more , but for tho most pnrt they were too light to reach ua . Whiz!—right across our crowded deck comes anotliur round shot , and splashes into tho water over our counters , The long gun at tho bow sends a shot in reply right into them this timo , at 1 , 700 yards , and the Spitfire follows tho example . Whiz ! whiz 1 two shots , ono after the oth .-i at tho Stromboli , ono dashing the water up in a pillar close to her sides , tho other cutting the jib foot-rope . Tho sinoko obscures tho viow , but it is quite clear that tho Russians are keeping close behind their works after tho last reply from our f tutia , nearer and better directed than before . However , there was no object to bo gained by continuing a contest in which it would have been pitiable indeed to Iobo ono man . — Times Correspondent .
GKNJ 5 RAI , GOHTHOHAKOFtf ON TUB PROSPECTS OF EVACUATION . The following is tho text of the order of the day , dated " Heig hts of Mackenzie , October 15 , " by which Prince Gortsohakoff announced to his troops his intention not to evacuate the Crimea : — " His Imperial Majeflty , our master , having charged me to thank , in hia name , and in the name of Russia , the vulbnt warriors who have defended tho south side of Sobustopol with so much self-sacrifice , courage , and persoveranco , is persuaded that tho army , after having
acquired freedom of operations in the field , wilt continue by all possible efforts to defend the soil of Russia against the invasion of the enemy . But , as it pleased the solicitude of the father of the great family ( the army ) to order , in his lofty foresight , the construction of a bridge at Sebastopol , in order . , to spare at the last moment as much Russian blood as possible , the Emperor has also invested me with full powers to continue or cease the defence of our positions in the Crimea , according to circumstances . Valiant warriors J you know what our duty is . We will not voluntarily abandon this country , in which St . Vladimir
received the water of grace , after having been converted to the Christianity we adore . But there are conditions which sometimes render the firmest resolutions impracticable and the greatest sacrifices useless . The Emperor has deigued to leave me the sole judge of tile moment at which we must change our line of defence , if such be the will of God . It is for us to prove that we know how to justify the confidence of the Czar , who has come into our neighbourhood to provide for the defence of his country and the wants of his army . Have confidence in me , as you have hitherto had during all the hours of trial which the decrees of Providence have sent us . "
Sevastopol , as it Is . —It would be rather hazardous to affirm that Sebastopol is a pleasant residence . During the daytime , the aity presents a certain degree of animation ; but , from the moment night settles down , alfuneralpall seems to cover that assemblage of half-destroyed houses . The only object then visible is the ill-omened flash of the engines of death , and the only sound heard is t ' ie roar of . artillery . The noise is increased by the bowling of a multitude of famished dogs , which search amid the ruins for means of satisfying the cravings of
hunger . Ttrs chaos , however , is beginning to assume a less irregular appearance . The population of Kamiesch and Balaklava is fast settling in Sebastopol . A crowd of cooks and tavern-keepers are transporting thither their establishments , while others are opening new orti-s . In a wordllie , order , organisation , are springing from the —• ruins on all sides . Were the town habitable throughout , it would be very soon re-peopled ; but , as long as the Russians occupy the north side , little security is to be enjoyei in many " parts of the city . —Letter in the Prcsse ( V Orient .
The French Fleet in the Black Sea . —The Palrie announces that the squadron commanded by Admiral Bruat , in the Black Sea , is to sail for France on the 12 th inst . Two ships of the line only are to remain in that sea , under the orders of Rear-Admiral Odct-Pellion . The Napoleon , bearing the Rear-Admiral ' s flag , is one of them . The Mediterranean squadron , on its return to France , is to be reorganised . It will be composed of nine steamships , with a proportionate number of lighter ve ~ sels , and is to be placed under the orders of Vice-Edmiral Trehouart . One of the most brilliant feats of the naval and military career of this Admiral is his attack in 1845 upon the batteries and the stockade of the rincon of Obligado , in the river Parana , by which he extricated himself witli eclul from a most perilous situation . Vice-Admiral Treliouart commanded in chief the Mediterranean squadron in 1849 and in 1850 .
¦®M> 10; 1855.1 The Leader. A071
¦® m > 10 ; 1855 . 1 THE LEADER . A 071
War Miscellanea. Kinbukn.—Letters From C...
WAR MISCELLANEA . Kinbukn . —Letters from Constantinople of the 22 nd ult . state that General Kochanoiwitsch , former governor of Kinburn , was among the seven hundred prisoners conveyud to that capital on board the Vauban . It appears that it was by tho express direction of tho Grand Duke Constantino , who was present on tho spot , that the fortifications of Oczakoff were blown up . Tho Emperor Alexander was still at Nicholaic / i" on tho 18 th of October . Russian Movk . uicnts . —A communication from tho Crimea , received via Gormany , miya : — " It is quite
certain that ltusaiuu troops have left tho Crimea . Thus , the first brigade of the fourteenth division of infantry of reserve , which formed pnrt of tho garrison of Sobastopol , Ihh lately arrived at NioholaiefF . It consists of the fifth and sixth battalions of reserve of tho regiments of Mhvk and Volhynia , Some artillery corps had also readied that town from the Crimea , and it is probable that other troops will bo detached from tho army of Prince Gortschukoff for tho defence of Nicholuiefl ' . Those , however , are only temporary changes , rendered necessary by tho movements of the ullies , uud which b y no means indicate that tho Russians are about to evacuate tho Crimea . "
Tkk Warns Ska . —Tho Moniteur publishes a report from Captain Guilbort , superintending tho French blockade of tho ports in tho White Sou , addressed to tho Minister of Marino . Tho report mentions that nil kinds of movements on the part of boats , however small , had been stopped , on account of their being employed to convey muskets to different parts of tho coast . Friendly rolations had been entered into with aomo of tho nutivflfl on the coast , until tho Russian Government , by an appeal to fanaticism and terror , put « stop to them . Iho losses inflicted on Russian commerce by tho blockade « ro described ad immense , Tho report adds :- " No neutral flag attempted to outer the White Sea during our stuy ; but a few Kuasian boat * tried to make for Norway , by taking advantage of tho thkk foga so frequently » rav « il-
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 10, 1855, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_10111855/page/3/
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