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Leader (1850-1860), 8th July 1854, Edition 1 of 2, Page 630, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      borough . We mec / t ¦ weekl y , and pay over a small donation in the Treasurer's hands which fund will be expended at the election in farthering the interest of the Eeforin candidates as far as "the labours of the" People ' s Association may be concerned ; and thus , though feeble may be our efforts , yet we trust the example will be followed by other bodies , and that for the future liberal principles will be appreciated as they merit , without reference to the amount of money the candidate may bring into the field . ' " I remain , yours truly , "Peter Bottojt , Secretary , " 29 , Water-house-lane . ( Signed on behalf of tho People's Association . ) « ' To Major-Gen . T . P . Thompson . " " Eliot Vale , Blacklieath , July 5 , 1854 . ' Sir , —I am in duty bound to come forward if any body calls m > on me . But . after expending 4000 Z . in defending the

      seat which , in consequence of tlie re-introduction of bribery by one of tie members ( now unseated ) was followed by defeat upon the next occasion , it is hardly necessary for me to say , Twill pay nothing beyond the price of the hustings . " 1 am sure it would be no more than decency , that the representation , of the town should not be made over to a nominee of the unseated members . You know that I was asked whether I would be that nominee ; and you- know what I answered . tJnder such circumstances I will come forward in conjunction ; "with nobody , though anybody should be ¦ welcome to vote for us , and receive the votes of such of our friends as approved it hi return . u It is a long time since the . working-classes showed themselves on the political scene ; and there is no knowing what unexpected strength an , effort might , produce . In all events , I am . as much as ever , to the extent of my ability , " Then- devoted friend and advocate , ( Signed ) T . Perro ^ st Thompson . " Mr . Peter Cotton , Secretary , 29 * Waterhouse-lane , Hull . "

      Untitled Article

      NOTES OST THE WAR . Nothing very definite has been communicated this week through the ordinary channels of intelligence respecting the state of the -war . As far as our own and the Trench troops are concerned , we are entirely ignorant of their special -whereabouts , except that the larger portion are somewhere between ihe Balkan and the Danube , and the smaller portion between the Balkan , and the Bosphorus . The same may be said of the Turkish troops . Except a report which seems correct , that a Turkish division , 25 , 000 strong , defeated the Russian reai-guard somewhere south of Trajan ' Wall , we have not a single indication of their movements .

      With respect to the Eussians , some slight information enables us to give a sketch of their probable positions . The retreating army has not abandoned Wallachia . nor , as far as we know , lias the rearguard jjuitted Bucharest . The accounts , however , make it probable that the divisions defeated at Silistria have fallen back behind the Salomnitza river , and taken up positions at Sloliodseja and Urshit 2 cni 5 that the troops from Giurgevo , and the corps under General Liprandi , have marched northward and taken up a position on the spurs of the Carpathians , a " t Kimpina , communicating with the left wing on the Salomnitza by Plojesti . In this position the Russian army covers all the roads to

      Moldavia , and from Kimpina menaces the three passes leading- through the Carpathian . to Cronstadt ; , in Transylvania . Such , it is conjectured , is the first Russian line of battle . The second covers a much more extensive position ; its extreme left occupies the Turkish fortresses on the Lower Danube , communicating with Moldavia by Galatz , and extending thence in a series of posts on the left bank of the Screth , as far as Upper Moldavia . Those po 3 ts are reported to be Birlot , ftoman , and Tirgut ITormos ; tho head-quarters of this army are at Jnssy , and its advanced posts are pushed forward to the Carpathians , and communicate with the army of Wallachia by J ? okchany .

      It must 1 ) 0 admitted that the disposition of the Russian forcea does not look like a retreat beyond tho Prutli , but presents much more tho appearance of a hostile front , at once towards tho allies , and the Austrinn frontier . Nor are those tho only hostile positions of tho Russian forcea . A , third nrmy stretches completely round tho frontier of GaUiciu ; a strong division is posted in Podolio , an direct communication with tho Moldavian army ; porlmpa a still stronger division , which may bo called tho right wing ( speaking on a grand scale ) , rests on the

      fortresa of Zamosc , in taa Palatinate of Labliu . It must ho remarked , however , that these divisions arc really separate armies , although they may readily combine their operations . It results from tho dispobitiou of the military strength of Russia , that should Austria bo really in onrnost , she will bo tho first to feol tho war , for tlio Ruusinn forces overlap horcastorn and worth-custom frontiers , rind command all tho groat lines of operation . But it remains to bo seen what effect the Austrian army of occupation in WftUachio , will produce upon tho vast fluid of wur .

      Untitled Article

      THE BALTIC . NAPIEK . OIF CRONSTADT . The new disposition of the Baltic fleet is important . Admiral Corry , with the sailing ships , and one or two screw frigates of both nations , is left ofFIIelsengfors to watch the Russian fleet there , and fight them if they will . On the 22 nd , Admiral Napier , accompanied by Vice-Admiral Parseval Descbenes , proceeded up the Gulf of Finland . The English . squadron consisted of the Duke of Wellington , Royal George , St . Jean d * Acre , Princess Royal , Blenheim , Edinburgh , Majestic , Nile , Caesar , Cressy , James Watt , Hogue , Imperieuse , Desperate , Penelope , Magicienne , Gorgon , and Lightning . On the 24 th , they anchored off the island of Lesskar , about twenty or thirty miles from Cronstadt . The Desperate had a shot at a Russian steamer which , seemed to

      advance m observation . It was expected that Cronstadt would be attacked . The Journal de St . Petersbourg , of the 30 th . of June , contains the following notice of the Chief of the Police , published by the Emperor's order , witli a view to calm the minds of the people : — " The enemy ' s fleet , amounting to thirty sail , appeared on the 25 th of June about twenty miles from Cronstadt . On the 27 th several steam-vessels of war approached the lighthouse near the island of Cronstadt ; but up to the present time the enemy . has shown no disposition to attack Cronstadt , where every measure has been taken to receive them . "

      BOMARSTTND . The Times publishes an account of the attack on the fortress at the Bomarsund in the islands of Aland : — " " On the 21 st of June the Hecla , Captain Hall , the Valorous , Captain Bnckle , and the Odin , Captain Scott , paddle steamers , undertook the difficult southerly passage between the Aland isles towards Bomarsund . About five o ' clock a large round tower appeared in . sight , situate upon an elevated position , with two-thirds of its guns in the casemates ; and in a short time another of a aimilar description , upon , a still higher ] x > int of elevated ground : a little lower down , on the same ; --shore , a semicircular fort with 80 guns mounted thereon , ' of which . two-thirds , -were also

      casemated . Sidewards lay a third tower , on the extreme high point of the island of Posto . The Hecla opened the cannonade against tho fort , which returned it after a quarter of an hour's delay , when the conflict became general . The English ships moved in a circle at their approach directing their shot and shells with great precision . About 6 o ' clock a small battery , placed on the oorder of a wood to the left of the fort , and mounting six guns of tho horse artillery , supported by sharpshooters , opened a hot fire upon the steamcrg , which was answered with immediate effect . Several bombs , fell close in front ' of this battery , which upon two occasions was deserted by the artillerymen in consequence 5 but fresh troops continually rushed to the guns with great courage and determination , while the riflumen

      maintained a constant nre . A bomb with burning-fuze lit upon th < 5 deck of tho Hecla ; a young midshipman , named Lucas , with great coolness , caught it up , and threw it in the water before it exploded" At 7 o ' clock tin ' s battery was silenced , and deserted l > y the men . The English vessels then cast anchor in the roads in front of tho fortress , and continued their bombardment of it and the tower on the opposite side . The fire was replied to at short intervals from the forts 5 but almost all thoKuasian balls foil short of the vessels . About 10 o'clock p . m . fire in tho magazine , in the further part of the fortress , and within the fortress itself , appeared to have broken out , and was hailed by tlireo loud cheers from the ships' crews . After the lapse of half an liour , fire was seen to the ri g ht of tho first-named place , which appeared to extend itself quickly ; nt tho same moment a shell from tho Valorous passed through the roof of tho fortress , whore it exploded , upon which

      Cantain Hull threw out tlie signal 'Bravely done , Valorous , ' which was answered with a hurrah . . "At 1 o ' clock , . a . m ., on tho 22 nd , tho British ceased firing , weighed anchor , and passed through the southern Rione on their return . One man on board tho Huelu and two on board tho Odin were sli g htly wounded , but qono killed . Kuoh of tho vcsssela whs lut several times by tho shota of the enemy , 0110 of winch wont through tho pnddlebax of the Hecla . Another report mentions four wounded , und that seven shots had hit tho Hccln ; and that all tho inngaziucs in Boimu'sund liad boon burnt < lown . Captain Hall received on tlio 22 nd an order to join Admiral Napier , from which circumstance some decisive operation is supposed to ho con tern plutod . A fisherman who and managed to eacnpa from tlio Atnnd ialoa to tho Faro Sound Shears , atatod thut on tho 21 st , ho had heard a cannonade in the direction of Jiaro Sound , and hud seen u conflagration on tho Finnish coast , "

      It is stated thftt tho Bomarsund fort has subso q . uently been entirely destroyed by tUo ships . r _ v w a -- - - ¦* — — - j ^ . —

      ^ A SAILOIi ' fl I-KTTKIt . " ISaro Sound , Finland , Juno 21 . " D- 'ar Sir , —I havu juat road jour , kind lettor , und I humbly bec pardon to answer it at ouco , although U , i » past timo at nigUt , nnd I am writing on tho upper duck . Dear Sir , I innaL toll you wo two uiidoc Bailing onlorti for to go to uoa to-morrow . Wunrogoing to bluckndu Kovol , a port ul > out forty uiiluu ubovo horc . Tho whole Uoot , id lyiuc horo , with iho oxcupUou of Admiral I'luuuiJjjo ' a mjuudron . The vyliolo ilwl i » llio lineal that over \ vu& avvnx by llio oldcHt mnn living . To ( jco tUo implements of destruction 011 « uch n ttuulo , it really loukn ttomulliing awful grand . Tlioj avo the

      finest ships that men can build . I wish you could have tho beautiful view this evening . The sun is getting low over the trees ; on shore it really is splendid . Thank God , you are not here , for this is no place for you , Sir . Here we are , like dogs tied by the neck , alt ready to fight -when let go . To-day we have had a hurd day ' s work . Admiral Chads had us all on shore , with our gunboats and field-pieces and marines , to exercise . We have had a very hot day . What with the heat of the powdor and tho sun , it made us sweat pretty fair . But , thank God , we are all returned on board without any accident . To tell you , Sir , what we hear , Sir ( but I ilon t know that it is altogether true , although we expect it every day)—we hear the whole fleet is going some day this week to engage Sweaborg , the entrance to Helsingfors . It is ti very strong place to take . It has three

      battenes , mounting altogether 800 guns , and 12 sail men ofwar Iine-of-battlo ships . So you see , Sir , we have our work cut out for us to do ; but we sliall doit , with the blessing of God . The Vulture is just arrived to our Admiral with the melancholy news of losing 28 men killed , and a great many wounded . The Vulture and some other of Plumridge ' s squadron engaged the port up the Gulf . They got possession , and took some merchant shipping out of the port without much loss , and two days after the Vulture went oa shore , not far from the same place , to get some water . The men were all on shore , hard at work , and some of the steamers' paddle boats were sent to protect them : but the Russians came down by hundreds and murdered the poor fellows like dogs The boat went in and tired at the troops , when a Russian , gunboat that had been lying in a creek , with six guns , the

      first time she jired at our poor fellows they killed one lieutenant , two midshipmen , and 12 men . Then they were forced to give in by being overpowered . They have lost altogether about CO men killed , and a great many wounded . The whole fleet is raving mud to have revenge . The whole fleet want to . be at it , and settle the dispute ; but oar Admiral' has something in the wind that makes him so quiet . Wo expect he will break loose everyday . We are going to leave the fleet in the morning ; but we shall be close to the place of action ; so it is vesy ' likely by the time you get this Sweaborg will be no more , nor any of its shipping . I hope to have the pleasure of fetching som « of them to Sheerness , to show you all what we can do But I must come to a conclusion , for I can scarce keep my eyes open , for I am very tired . But I must fell you , Sir ,

      1 thought of you most of any time on Easter Sunday ; it blew a bitter gale of wind , and the snow and ice was fit to cut my poo * - race to . pieces , for I was at the wheel for two hours , from 6 to 8 in the morning . Another day was the 6 th of May , a sorrowful day for us , for we lost one of our young men , oft' our topsail yard . Poor fellow ! I do not know if you recollect him , but he was the young mnu that went with poor ' s widow to the grave when we buried him . They called him —— , and a smait young man he was . I was in the greatest of danger for 30 minutes ; but thank God He spared oar lives for this time , and I hope it wilL be a warning to us for tie future . I often think of many remarks I heard you make , and many passages in the Bible I could point out . They area very great comfort to me , particular of a night , when walking the deck alone . This is the onlv time for me to

      mAditate . I often , run my thoughts as far as —— , and think of days gone by . I hope and trust to God they will return : Ho only knows . I am afraid I sliall have many nps and downs before that time . But never mind , Sir , 1 must not begin to think of home . Here we arc , and we must da our duty , and trust to Providence to protect as . Wo all send our kind respects to you and Mrs . and family . Most happy we was to hear tho children was well . I liopo and trust the ba . hes may be as good as tho father ; this is my prayer . I cannot write much about women and children , for it makes me any thing , but comfortuble ; and so , Sir , 1 shall conclude , wishing you may be so kind as to tell my and ' s wife we aro all well and hearty . You must excuse my writing ; I have had a very bad thumb , and I can scarce hold the pen , so I must give over and go to bed . So good night , and may God bless you and Mrs . and the children ia the prayer of "Your obedient and humble servant , " The Rov . * * ? " * »**?» 11

      Untitled Article

      The following ia a list of the British and French ships in tho Baltic : — ent ; i / isjr siitps .

      Sci'cw Line o / JSaitlu Ships . I Guns Ohms Eurynlus gj Duke of Wellington ( dug Ponelono 22 of Sir G . Napier ) ... 131 Odin ... . ' . ic Koyal George l' 2 O Bulldog 6 St . Jean d'Aero 101 Vultnro <; jAinoa Walt , 1 ( X Kosumoud c Nile , !) 1 Unailisilc Q rrincoaa Koyal i ) l Amphion Si Cwsar 01 CruW 1 G Creasy 80 Archor 14 Majestic Ui Desperate » Edinburgh Ctlna of Ad- Conflict " «

      mirnl Ohiidtj ) GO Valorous " \ q Hogi'o 00 Alagicioiino ... ., ' m Blenheim GO Dragon (\ Ajnx CO Driver "' , c bailing Line r \ f Battle Ships . Hoela ( j Neptune ( flag of Admiral Gorgon "" a Corry ) 320 Alban "' . 4 fit . Georuo 120 Porcupine 3 Oumborlimil 70 Lightning 3 Hoscuwou 70 '"' Monarch & \ Total guns ... 20-15 Prinoo Undent DO Steam Gun Mwx ( t . S ( eaia l '' ri < jal < M ami Sloop . 1 , Pigmy < l c - Cuckoo Luopard ( . flng of Admiral Zuphyr Plmnridgo ) 18 ottur . ImporiGUBU fil Hospital Ship ArroyanL < ja JLMlcblo .

      Untitled Article

      63 G THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), July 8, 1854, page 630, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2046/page/6/