25 AUGUST 1855, Page 5

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THE CRIMEA.—Some additional details, but no regular narrative of the battle of the Tchemaya, called by the French the battle of Traktir, have been received ; and these constitute our only news from the seat of war. The details are supplied by telegraphic messages from the Generals. General Simpson communicated the following to Lord Panmure. "Crimea, August 17, 11 45 p. ,n.—Prince Gortechakoff commanded yester- day in person, and not GeneralLiprandi. General Read is killed. The loss of the enemy is greater than was at first thought Our Allies have 600 prisoners. A steady fire has beep kept up from our batteries."

On the same day, General Pelissier forwarded a second despatch, throw- ing greater light on the combat.

" Crimea, August 17, 11 :30 p. M.—In his attack yesterday, the enemy brought into the field five divisions, 6000 cavalry, and twenty batteries. With the firm intention of occupying the Teddiotichine hills, the Russians, having crossed the river at different points, had accumulated sapper-tools, beams, planks, fascines, and ladders; which they abandoned in their flight. ,As usual, our artillery fought valiantly, and with success. An English battery of position on the Piedmontese hill gave us mod powerful assistance. The Russians left at least 2600 dead on the field ; 38 of their officers and 1620 men are in our ambulances. Three Russian generals are said to have been killed. We moreover made 400 prisoners. Our loss is 180 killed and 810'wounded. The following officers are seriously wounded—Tixier, Dar- bole, Alm and St. Remy; much less seriously, De Polhes, Barthe, and Gagneur, the latter slightly."

On the 18th, Pelissier sent a third despatch—stating that the enemy had demanded an armistice to bury his dead; and on the 19th a fourth— further augmenting the importance of the victory.

" Crimea, 19th Aug. 1 p. ,n.—The armistice yesterday has been continued today. From five o'clock in the morning to two o'clock in the afternoon the Russians carried off the dead. Their census has been made as nearly as possible, and gives the following results—Russians buried by the French, 2129; by the Russians, 1200; total Russians dead, 3329.

" Our artillery fire has reopened on Sebastopol. A mistake in a despatch has led to the belief that the bombardment has recommenced : it is not so. This fire is that of our cannon; which, as is well known, has powerfully contributed, since it has recommenced, to the facilitation of our siege-works and approaches directed against the line of works of the Malakoff.' The 'mistake" is considered to have been made in the despatch com- municated to the journals on Saturday by Lord Panmure, stating that the two Generals had determined to reneW the bombardment on the 17th. " Two full despatches from General Simpson have been published. One simply announces the death of Colonel Cobbe of the Fourth Regiment; and of Captain Layard of the Thirty-eighth, Deputy-Assistant-Quartermaster- General. The latter is the brother of Mr. Layard M.P.

The other despatch comes down to the 11th August. The General says that the advanced works were so close that it was with difficulty any approach could be made. He also states that the health of the army is good, "although cholera still continues to take daily several victims." Major WC:Iowan of the Ninety-third is supposed to have fallen a prisoner to the enemy.

The casualties between the 8d and 9th August amount to 20 men killed, 3 officers and 192 men wounded. The officers were Captain the Honour- able W. C. Coke of the Scots Fusiliers, Lieutenant H. C. Edwards of the Fifty-fifth Foot, and Lieutenant N. Grahame of the Ninetieth Foot.

"We have,'" says time Morning Post in prominent type, "more than ever, reason to believe that the Russian forces in the Crimea are suffering intensely Irons want of food and necessary supplies ; and that this, com-

bined with other causes, assures their speedy expulsion from Sebitstenol •

Commander Osborn reports that he has succeeded in destroying the four war-steamers sunk in Berdiansk Bay, by submarine explosions. As the working party were fired on from the town, he was determined to inflict some punishment, especially as it had been spared under plea of being defenceless. On the 22d July, therefore, he destroyed the IN edam suburb, and landing, discovered and set on fire ten large granaries and several flour-mills in full operation. The church and major portion of the town he spared, although nearly every house searched contained grain in large quantities, and the whole place might be considered little else than a general granary.

It appears that the Russian report of the loss of a gun-boat in the Sea of Azoff is correct. The boat was the Jasper. No lives were lost. and the South of the Crimea."

TUILTiEY.—It has been decided that Omar Pasha shall take a "sufficient and perfectly-equipped army" into Asia. It is assumed that the troops to compose this army will be drawn from the Crimea ; but it is not stated whether they will go direct to Trebizond, or whether an attempt will be made to relieve Kars by landing them near Batoum or any point further North.

Omar Pasha has -been formally invested with the grand cordon of the Order of the Bath, by Lord Stratford. This event took place on the 11th, in the drawingroom of the British Embassy at Pera, in the presence of the high functionaries of the Turkish Government and the Ambassadors of France and Sardinia. Speeches were made by the British Ambassador and the Turkish Sirdar; and the latter was duly dubbed a knight—the first Musulman who has ever worn the order of the Bath.

Full inquiries have been made by a regular commission deputed by Lord Stratford and General Simpson to look into the alleged atrocities of General Beatson's Bashi-bazouks at their encampment on the Darda- nelles. The whole thing turns out to be a gross exaggeration; • the-chief offences of the men being thefts of grapes and quarrels with the Greek and Armenian hucksters of the place. A correspondent of the Daily News, writing from the camp, speaks highly of the "good order and tractability " of the corps, and their military qualities.

Advices have been received from Kars direct to the 19th July. At that date the confidence of the army was unabated ; there were previsions in the place for ten weeks; but it was invested so closely that only one route remained open, and that only practicable for single couriers. Erzeroum, according to a letter from Trebizond, was threatened early in

August by a "strong Russian division," supposed to be that of General Sousloff, who has been making way With the Erivan detachment in that direction. But Colonel Calandrelli was at Erzeroum, doing his best to complete the fortifications. The Afonileur states that all was quiet at Kars up to the 21st July.

Tha BALTIC.—Ample particulars of the bombardment of Sweaborg, which came to hand early in the week, fully justify the terms of the official messages notifying that event. Besides the despatches of the Ad- mirals, we have many letters from the newspaper correspondents.

The principal part of the fortress of Sweaborg is built on five islands— Lille Swarto, West Swarto, East Swarto, Vargon, and Gustaveweit—lying across and commanding the channels that lead into the bay of lielaing- fors. On a sixth island, Langern, there are also defensive works. Since 1854 the enemy had constructed heavy earthwork batteries on Bak Hol- men, and Sandham, lying to the East of the fortress. The number of guns mounted by the latter is estimated at 800, but many of these would be useless in repelling a sea-attack. The forts are some of them built on the granite of the islands, and some of them cut out of the living granite itselL On the sea-front, at distances varying from 2200 to 3000 yards, are several rocky islands, similar to those found along the whole coast of Finland. Within long range of the Westernmost island is the town of Helaingfors.

The Allied fleets arrived before Sweaborg on the 6th of this mouth, and spent the 7th and 8th in preparations for the bombardment. One of the most interesting of these was the erection of a sandbag battery on the isle of Abraham, nearly opposite the island of Gustavswert, constructed by the French for four mortars. Meanwhile; the gun-boats towed the mortar-vessels into position at 3000 yards from the forts. Each vessel was provided with tour hundred fathoms of cable, to "haul and veer on" as circumstances might require. These vessels were ranged in the form of a curve, with the French in the centre, behind their battery ; the whole protected by the gun-boats, which were directed to engage the hostile batteries. The mortars opened fire at half-past seven on the 9th, obediently to a signal from the Admiral; and the gun-boats quickly fol- lowed their example. As the enemy fired well when they got the range, the gun-boats kept in constant motion to evade the shot. They moyed in circles formed by four or five in each, and as the boat brought its bow- gun to bear upon the forts it was fired ; then turning as sharply round as possible, the broadside-gun was pointed arid fired ; the guns being re- loaded while the boat completed its circle. The enemy returned the fire with red-hot shot and shell, but with almost no effect throughout the day. But the fire of the Allies soon began to tell. At twenty minute's past ten there was an explosion, followed by another at twelve, and a very severe one a few minutes later.

One writer says—" A monster explosion took place, which lasted without

intermission for more than two minutes : it was like a volcano in a state of eruption, vomiting forth lighted shells, roofs of houses, and beams of timber. Following this, in the course of' half an hour, three other explosions took place, which set tire to the barracks and town in four places." Another says—" The force of this was so immense, that a battery of guns en bar- bette was literally blown to pieces by it." A third says that the grandeur and magnitude were indescribable. It appeared "like a succession of ex- plosions Huge rocks, pieces of timber, parts of batteries guns, large buildings, and I fear a vast number of human beings, were hurled into the air, leaving a wide gap below the volumes of dense smoke and dust that fol- lowed, and which for some time continued to bang as a pall mourning over the wreck and ruins below." A fourth likens it to a volcanic eruption ; only, "instead of lava, there were guns and their rammera, shot, shell, rafters, stone, and every conceivable thing that entered into the composition of a fort, vomited forth in most terrific confusion, and splashing the water round an extensive circle."

A huge fire also was now raging in VargOn, East Swarto, and Gus- tavswert, which, by sunset, was "one continual sheet of red flame and smoke." Shortly after eight o'clock, the gun-boats having been recalled, the rocket-boata were sent in, and running to within 1700 yards, in- creased the conflagration by their splendid practice ; the flames now rising agains the dark night to a height of a hundred feet, swayed to and fro by -east breeze. Meanwhile, such of the mortars as were damaged, t by the enemy, but by their own unceasing fire, thirty rounds per

minute—having been repaired, the bombardment was renewed along the whole line soon after three in the morning of the 10th. It was found that a three-decker moored between Gustavswert and Bak Holmen had been withdrawn in the night: it is said she had been on fire three times. The proceedings of this day were a repetition of those of the 9th, though with unequal results, as the explosions were less heavy. At the latest date given, the fire continued to rage over the three islands; it had not been quite extinguished on the 13th. The rocket-boats again ran in and fired for a few hours on the night of the 10th, and at four next morning the bombardment ceased.

Early on the 9th, the Cornwallis, Amphion, and Hastings, had engaged for two hours the batteries on Sandham and a frigate moored in Kung- sand ; but doing no permanent damage, and having eight men wounded ; while at the other extremity of the line, the Arrogant, Cossack, and Crui- ser, dispersed a body of troops on Dramsio.

Of our mortars three out of sixteen burst, and five were rendered use- less in consequence of large holes having been made in their chambers by firing. It is remarkable that not more than thirty guns, we are told, were at any time brought to bear upon the attacking force. The damage done to the enemy, which he calls the loss of a " few buildings," must be estimated by the magnitude of the explosions, and the lengthened con- flagration. Not less than 1000 tons of iron were thrown into a space about half a mile in diameter, and 100 tone of powder expended by the English alone. It is stated that " one hundred and sixty gun-boat sheds, many with row-boats in them, were totally burnt, as were also the Go- vernment rope-walk, store-houses, dock-yard, barracks, main-guard, and signal-station." Such is the story of the bombardment as told by those who witnessed it from the fleets.

Some extracts from the despatch of Rear-Admiral Dundas will enable the reader to appreciate the importance of the achievement.

"My former reports will have informed their Lordships, that during the past year and in the course of the last five months the enemy has been actively employed in strengthening the defences of the place, and completing the sea defences, by erecting batteries on every advantageous position and commanding every practicable approach to the harbour in this intricate navigation. It has therefore formed no part of my plan to attempt a general attack by the ships on the defences ; and the operations contemplated by the Rear-Admiral and myself were limited to such destruction of the fortress and arsenal as could be accomplished by means of mortars. The intricate nature of the ground, from rocks awash and reefs under water, rendered it difficult to select positions for the mortar-vessels at proper range. In completing the arrangements for this purpose, I have derived the greatest advantage from the abilities of Captain Sulivan of her Majesty's ship Merlin, and the positions ultimately chosen were in a curved line on either side of the islet of Oterhall, with space in the centre reserved for the mortar-vessels of the French squadron, as concerted with Rear-Admiral Penaud. The extremes of the line were limited, with reference to the extent of the range and the distance from the heavily.armed batteries of Bak Holmen to theEastward and of Store Rant= to the Westward of Sweaborg; and a most effective addition to the force of the Allied squadrons consisted in a battery of four lighter mortars established by Admiral Penaud on an islet in advance of °tertian " These arrangements were carried out by Captains Ramsay, Glasse, Van- sittart, and Stewart, and Lieutenant the Honourable Augustus Hobart, having charge of the mortar-vessels. "During the whole of the 8th, Admiral Dundee remarks, "the royal standard of Russia was flying on the citadel of Gustavswert, but was not afterwards observed.' The gun-boats had been armed with additional guns of heavy calibre, from the ships of the line, and the Stork and Snapper gun-boats with Lancaster guns. These latter were specially directed to look after the three-decker moored to block the passage between Gustavswert and Bak Holmen.

"Early in the day I observed that the detached squadrons in both di- rections had opened fire upon the enemy, and the action was general upon all points. A rapid fire of shot and shells was kept up from the fortress for the first few hours upon the gun-boats, and the range of the heavy batteries extended completely beyond the mortar-vessels ; but the continued motion of the gun-boats, and the able manner in which they were conducted by the officers who commanded them, enabled. them to return the fire with great spirit, and almost with impunity throughout the day. About ten o'clock in the forenoon fires began first to be observed in the different buildings, and a heavy explosion took place on the island of VargOn ; which was fol- lowed by a second about an hour afterwards ; a third, and far more im- portant explosion, occurred about noon on the island of Gustafswert, inflicting much damage upon the defences of the enemy, and tending greatly to slacken the fire from the guns in that direction. The advantage of the rapidity with which the fire from the mortars had been directed was apparent in the continued fresh conflagrations which spread extensively on the island of Vargiin. The intricate nature of the reefs, on which the gun-boats had occasionally grounded, compelled me also to recall them before sunset ; and the tire of the enemy was slack. The boats of the fleet were then ordered to be assembled with rockets before dark, and under the direction of Captain Caldwell, in command of the ship bearing my flag, they maintained a con- tinuous fire for upwards of three hours, which was attended with consider- able success, causing fresh fires and adding much to the general con- flagration. "At day light on the morning of the 10th instant the positions of several of the mortar-vessels had been advanced within easier range, and the gun- boats were again directed to engage. The three-decked ship which had been moored by the enemy to block and defend the channel between Gustavswert and Bak Holmen had been withdrawn during the night to a more secure

position ; but the fire from the batteries was increased,- the engagement was renewed with activity on both sides. Fires contiued to burn without intermission within the tortrens ; and about noon a column of smoke, heavier and darker than any which had yet been observed, and succeeded by bright flames, gave signs that the shells had reached combustible materials in the direction of the arsenal. The exact situation was at first concealed from our view ; but, the flames continuing to spread, it was soon evident that they ex- tended beyond the inland of Vargiin, and that many buildings on the island of

Swartoe were already in progress of destruction. By the judicious management of the officers of Artillery a steady fire was kept up during the whole of the fol- lowing night. The rocket-boats in the evening were again assembled ; when the gun-boats were recalled, and proceeded successively in separate divisions. The first, under the direction of Captain Seymour, of the Pembroke, made excellent practice, at a distance of about 2000 yards from the fortress : the second, under the direction of Captain Caldwell, at a later period of the night, succeeded also in adding to the fires already burning ; but, the glare of the flames exposing the boats to the view of the enemy, they maintained their ground under a smart fire of bursting shells, with steady gallantry. "Considering the extent of injury which had now been inflicted upon the

enemy, i and reflecting that few buildings of importance remained to be de- stroy ed on the island of Vargo'', and that those still standing upon Swartoe were at the extreme extent of our range and in positions where no shells had yet reached them, I was of opinion that no proportionate advantage was to be gained by continuing the fire during another day. I accordingly de- spatched Captain Seymour of her Majesty's ship Pembroke, to communicate with Rear-Admiral Penned ; and, with the cordiality and ready concord which I have invariably experienced from that officer, arrangements were immediately concerted, and order given to cease firing after daylight. Little fire, except at the rocket-boats, had been returned by the enemy during the night; and it ceased almost entirely on his side before daylight, although the sea defences in general were little injured."

While thanking in a special memorandum the whole of the officers and crews of the fleet, Admiral Dundee names Rear-Admiral Seymour, Cap- tain Pelham, Captain Ramsay, Captain Glasse, Captain Vaneittart, Cap- tein Stewart, Captain Wellesley, Captains Seymour, Caldwell, and Hew-

lett, Captain ieutenant Creyke, and Captain Wemyss, Cap- tain Lawrence, and Sullivan,daptain Sehomberg of the Royal Artillery.

Our total loss during the bombardment was one officer and seventeen men wounded ; the greater part of whom were hurt by accidents in the rocket-boats. The officer was Lieutenant Miller of the Vulture. The squadron under Captain Wellesley, engaging Sandham, had fifteen men wounded; two of whom were hurt in the rocket-boats.

Admiral Penaud, in his despatch to the French Minister of Marine, says- " In less than three hours after we had commenced to throw shells, we could observe that they caused considerable damage in the fortress. Nu- merous fires rapidly broke out on several points at the same time, and we soon saw the flames rising above the dome of the church situated in the Northern part of the Island Est-Swarto. That building, however, was not touched; and it may be said to be the only one on the islands Wren and Swart° which was respected by our projectiles. Terrible explosions were soon after heard, at four different times; the fire had reached the magazines, filled with powder and shells. The last two explosions were particularly violent, and they must have caused the enemy enormous losses both in men and materiel. For several minutes the detonations of shells continued. The bombardment ceased this morning at half-past four ; it consequently lasted for two days and two nights, during which time Sweaborg presented the ap- pearance of a vast fiery furnace. The fire which still continues its ravages, has destroyed nearly the whole place, and consumed storehouses, magazines, barracks, different Government establishments, and a great quantity of stores for the arsenal. The fire of our mortars was so just, that the enemy, fear- ing that the three-decker which was moored across the channel between Sweaborg and the island of Back Helmer would be destroyed, had her into nto the port during the night. The Russians have received a serious blow and losses, the more severe as on the side of the Allied squadron the loss is confined to one English sailor killed and a few slightly wounded. The enemy's forts returned our fire very vigorously, and did not slacken it until the moment of the explosions above mentioned; but the precision of our long-range guns gave us an incontestable superiority over those of the Bus- suns."

Admiral Penaud does not mention the number of men, if any, hurt in the French boats or battery.

The fleets returned to Nargen on the 13th; and some of the mortar- vessels were sent on to England.

The Russians journals have supplied as from time to time with short telegraphic messages describing from hour to hour the progress of the bombardment. But although they characterize the fire as intense—thirty shells in a minute, and so on—and speak of the excellent bearing of the troops, they do not admit that any damage has been done beyond tho burning of a few buildings: The forts are uninjured.

The coast batteries and gun-boats of Riga were partially bombarded on the 10th by a line-of-battle ship and a frigate. After firing for an hour, these ships are said to have sailed away, apparently in chase of a vessel sailing down the coast of Liefland. But in the afternoon they returned, and continued the cannonade until dark. A few of the guns were dis- mounted in the batteries ; otherwise the cannonade does not appear to have done much damage.

RussiA.—An Imperial ukase has been issued ordering the compulsory embodiment of militia in eleven provinces. The enrolment will com- mence on the let of October. The proportion ordered is 23 men to 1000 souls.

A letter from Odessa states, on the faith of an eye-witness, that a large number of workmen have been employed to construct forts on two islands at the entrance of the bay of Milburn, and earthworks on the adjoining land. The fortress of Otschakow is now armed with 244 guns, and that of Kinburn has at least 356. Batteries constructed close to the sea are manned with 43 guns of the largest calibre.

' Ganswer.—A concordant between Austria and the Pope was concluded and signed at Vienna on Sunday last. The text of the document is to be published as soon as ratifications have been exchanged.

M. de Fenton, Russian Ambassador at Hanover, arrived at Berlin from Vienna on the evening of the 12th, and has since proceeded to his post. It is considered in diplomatic circles that the appointment of this statesman to the post at Hanover marks the commencement of a new phase in the diplomatic activity of Russia in the North. M. de Fenton is deeply initiated in the intentions of his Court, and particularly in the political combinations of M. de Nesselrode •' and his long residence in Germany has made him perfectly acquainted with German affairs.

&Am.—The Madrid correspondence of the 18th says that the Govern- ment had received information that a public demonstration was getting up against the Pope. Precautions were taken to prevent a disturbance. His Holiness was to be burnt in effigy. Senor Eacalante had left for Paris and London, en route for Washing- ton, where he goes as Spanish Envoy to the -United States.

PonyucaL.—The young King and his brother, having returned from their travels, landed at Lisbon on the evening of the 14th. A considerable concourse assembled to welcome his Majesty, and in the evening the ca- pital was illuminated. The King drove through the streets, and seemed gratified by his reception.