HEIGHTS OF BALAKLAVA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 243, 28 February 1855, Page 6

HEIGHTS OF BALAKLAVA.

■Saturday, Oct. 21. The pounding of Sebastopol has now been going on for five days, and amid the thunders of artillery in the front I snatch a few moments to write to you. Our position here is the same, and we are in constant expectation of baying something warm on our hands. On the 11 lb, early in the morning, a vidette was "circling left" most energetically; and here, in a parenthesis, I must explain that when a vedette " circles left" the proceeding signifies that the enemy's infantry are approaching, while to " circle right" is indicative of the approach of cavalvy. On ibis signal was immediately heard the roil call to " boot and saddle,:'' the Scots Greys and a troop of Horse Artillery assembled nitb ihe remaining cavalry on; the plain ; the 93rd got under arms, and the batteries on the heights were immediately

manned. The distant pickets were seen to advance, and a dragoon dashed over the plain with the intelligence that the enemy was advancing quickly. Then cavalry and infantry moved .upon the plain, remaining in rear of the eminences from which ;the movement of the videttes had been observed. This position of things continued for an hour, when from the hills, about 3,000 yards in front, the Turks opened fire from their advanced entrenchments on their summits from 24 pounder hqwitzers, firing several rounds from two batteries. At this moment we were informed that the enemy "meant advancing," and that they numbered several thousands, and that we should have a hard day. We were thoroughly prepared for them, and remained in statu quo. The Mosfcbws however, halted in their onward course, and in the evening lighted their watch-fires about 2,000 yards in front of our videttes, the blaze showing bright and high in the darkness. The Russians made a reconnoissance three weeks ago in this direction, when there were too works here, so had not bargained for a first reception at this point. Of course, we were on the alert all nightj and before the day broke were particularly attentive to our front. If the Russians had intended to attack us at this time, they could not have had a more favourable opportunity, a low dense fog covering the whole of the plain. The sun rose, and the mists disappeared, when it was found that the Russians had vanished also. The next day we naturally expected would be a quiet one, and that we should not; be annoyed f by remaining at our arms for our final work. Not a bit of it; we had just laden ourselves with havresaeks to forage among the merchant shipping in- the harbour when a vidette was .een to " circle right" most industriously. " Boot and saddle" again resounded through the cavalry camps, and, Sir Colin Campbell again ordered all to be under arms, and aiio-her day was passed like its predecessor, the enemy finally once more retiring, this time without advancing near enough for a shot from the Turks. The next day I had a forage expedition, and returned with a goose, butter, pieserved milk, &c—a very successful forage, and a full havresack. Of the price of provisions ybuvvill have some idea when I tell you that a small ham costs £3, tins of preserved meat fetch -fl 6s. each ; and for sauces, curry powders, and marmalade, the prices sound fabulous. Irhaye known fa fp'qt of marmalade fetch one ;guineaj and; frequently 10s. is given for this luxury.. .: We were just beginning our meal of commissariat beef and pork, tempered with the con tents of the aforesaid havresack, when away came the vidette again, first circling, right, and ; then reversing as suddenly to the left. Again sounded trumpet, bugle and drum through the plain, and masses again moved into position on ; it. So we remained till dark. ■';■•■ About 9 o'clock a smart shower of musketry is heard from the Turkish heights, and its light sparkles over the bills; we now feel that our vis-a vis means something; then again all is unaccountably quiet, until some batteries open a pealing fire, and then the bursting shells illuminate the sides of the hills. Noon.-~We learn that the Turkish musketry was directed upon some Cossacks, and that the batteries had mistaken the preparations for chibouque lighting of a strong Turkish advanced picket for flashes of musketry, and blazed away —fortunately in the thick darkness of the night, having given their guns sufficient elevation for their shells to pass harmlessly over the heads of of our astonished allies, and burst far beyond. Our Russiau friends of yesterday are said to have entered Sebastopol on the north side. I imagine their object was to annoy and harrass us, so as to compel a large force to remain here, and weaken, as far as possible, the number of assailants in the front. .To-day is the fifth day of our cannonading Sebastopol; the impression there was not felt much till to-day, which appeared to be an excellent day. for us. The town was on fire three times; the Round Tower was silenced on the first day; by the second morning, however, the Russians had again raised one gun upon it, which was soon knocked over. Sebastopol is the Woolwich of Russia—at least this part of it, aud with their appliances, spare guns, carriages, &c„ the Russians have been quickly able to effect their repair each night. Sir Edmund Lyons was in such close quarters with Fort Constantine, that the upper tier of the guns of the Tort could not be brought to bear on the Agamemnon.

Evening.—Sir Colin Campbell's aide-de-camp has just been to say that ihe enemy are again menacing us, and again have cavalry and infantry been waiting in expectation on the plain for some hours; they hiwe just, however, returned again ; this constant turning oiit is very weaif^ ing. When we stood; to our arms the whole or the other night, I was amused by theremark of one of the men,: "The i.ooshans is toojiigly to show their faces by day, I wish the brutes would come on and take the licking without so much bother." \///-.'. ):\x-/ y : -■■■::■ Sunday; Evening. Undisturbed to-day here, but much/firing in front. The last three days have been very satisfactory, the Russian fire having greatly diminished. Therei is some tale of assaulting at daybreak , to-morrow. There, is a t Tep^ort that yesterday evening the Russians made a sortie upon the French, who repelled them, and, entering one Of their own batteries with them, took ,i t and 23 guns. There is a 'large bright reflection upon clouds as I write, which speaks of fires in Sebastopol. A very few days will now settle Sebastopol. , ; S s o [■■_ Monday Morning, 7 o'clock. On the day ofour 'first alarm here (four days ago) the Brigade of Guards, and the Highlanders marched up to reinforce us, and returned after the enemy had retired. Three regiments marched in to reiniforce us. Ah Officer of the Guards was taken prisoner yesterday in the trenches. '' ';"'. ..; \;; r -:;

The A__ban at Abo.—-The following is an extract from a letter from the Baltic•—" Her Majesty's ship Alban, on the 12th inst. receiveS orders from Rear-Admiral H.B. Martin to transport 25 Russian prisoners, nine being officers, and several of the soldiers wounded* from Bomarsund to Abo. Every attention and kindness was t shown to them which they cordially appreciated ; and, after twice grounding in getting on shore, the last quite defying all present efforts to get the vessel, off, Captain/Otter, decided on proceeding to; Abo (a distance, of 13 miles) in his gig, with a flag of truce flying, to request the authorities there to send for jthe prisoners. .On his arrival at the port he meta Russian steamer, and On communicating he^delivered the Commander-in-Chief's despatches, which were immediately forwarded to thego--vernor of the district, and orders were sent to the captain of the Nordvakteh to proceed with a lighter to the assistance of the Alban. After a strenuous though ineffectual effort to launch her into ; deep water, which strained the Russian's engines, she left with the wounded officers and men for Abo, promising to return tbe following morning with.furiher assistance. 7 In the afternoon of tlie following day she returned with another steamer in company, towing at the same time a large flat-bottomed punt. -Happily these adjuncts were dispensed with, as the Alban was hove off by the vigorous exertions of her own crew. On the fortunate occurrence of the Alban sliding off the rock the Russians gave a loud national' hurrah ;' indicating their identity with the safety of the ship they had been so long on board. On the Saturday the officers departed, with many expressions of goodwill, and regret that they could not present souvenirs for the hospitality they had received, i and the English on the following day (Sunday) were much mystified in seeing their old friend,. i the Nordvakten, towing a cutter. Speculation was rife in every man's mind—what could be the object of their visit ? These conjectures were soon set at rest by the Flag-Lieutenant Baron yon Bioge, coming on board, stating that he had been requested by General ■ Wendt, Commander-in-Chief at Abo, to request the acceptance of a bullock, some sheep, potatoes, &c, for the crew, and cream and butter, with a cask of capital Madeira for the officers, as the prisoners (officers) had informed him that they had'polished off'the remaining stock of the sherry." Russian Phisonubs in Australia.—lhe suggestion that the Russian prisoners might be sent to Australia, as such an arrangement would-be a positive boon to themselves, and one'of unquestionable advantage ,to the colonies, is, we .hear, likely to be adopted by Government. The privilege will, of course, be only granted to those desirous of emigrating, and who are disposed to appreciate the value as the alternative. Civilizing Russians.—A few Russian prisoners on board the Devonshire have shown, experimentally, the relish which Russians are

likely to have for English fare ; they are to have two-thirds of the AB allowance; a bill of fare comprising biscuit or soft bread, sugar, tea, or chocolate, oatmeal, mustard, pepper, vinegar, fresh 'meat, and vegetables, salt pork or salt n*eef,,peas, flour, suet, currants or raisins, when fresh meat cannot be procured. They will also be furnished with wash-tubs, soap, towels, &c. Think of Russian fishermen or peasan is living on this fare! The prisoners on board the Devonshire have hut one want—that their families could come to share with them English captivity oh such terms. It is true that, if they were to penetrate into the land, they might discover Englishmen enjoying something less than twothirds of the AB allowance : but nowhere would they discover Englishmen who, slaves to a Czar or a* landlord, are consigned to a Russian fare without fpower to use even exertion itself for improving their condition.—-Spectator.