THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 259, 25 April 1855, Page 3

THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.

(From the Special Correspondent of the 'Morning Herald.')

December 7,

Out here we are perpetually being told by the London Journals that Sebastopol is in ruins, its streets choked with dead, and the few wretched inhahj^'nts and defenders that yet survive falling daily by hundreds a prey to war, pestilence, and famine.; Now there is not one particle'-of truth to justify these extieme statements ; and no matter with what patriotic motives they may be put forward, they most decidedly inflict a considerable amount of mischief. They do not deceive the allies who have Sebastopol continually before them, but they do deceive English and French people, and lull them into forgetfulness of our critical position, and into a false confidence which, under all the circumstances, is certainly not called (or just at present. It was this indiscreet haste which led the good folks at home " to draw in advance " for the capture of Sebastopol, and undeceived in this point they rush off to another, and begin to draw in advance for its destruction. Depend upon it this latter fact is a mere illusion ; Sebastopol is not in ruins, and what is far more important still its defences are four limes stronger and more vigorous than the first day we opened fire. I know this statement may mike my-, letters-unpopular with a certain set, who will see nothing but victories and causes for gratnlation in all we do ; but nevertheless it is only the--truth,'and I am CDiifiilent that time will vindicate my assertion even in the eyes of the public.

To satisfy myself on. this point beyond all possibility of doubt, I yesterday determined to visit the " ovens," our most advanced picqnet post, within 200 yards of the Russian batteries, and clo^e over-looking the town and harbour. It is perfectly easy to approach this place now, for a covered way lias been constructed to it,and both sides have, comparatively speaking:, ceased firing fur some time. At the first glance, I was led to suppose that the town had in reality been much injured, for all the little huts and storehouses connected with the dockyards were indeed in ruins. But; changing my point de vue for one more lofty, T was soon convinced of my mistake. The real damage inflicted on the town of Sebastopol amounts to this—all the huts used by the dockyard labourers and the Turkish parts of the town outside the walls are nearly destroyed-— that is, laid almost level with the earth. This quarter appears to be the only dirty and wretched part of Sebastopol—something of the same kind as our R.itcliffe highway. The walls are here and there marked with shot, but most unquestionably as defences, they are still uninjured. O.ie large barrack inside the wall? against which our fire, as .against a government building, has been particularly directed, is riddled in every part, and most of its roofs destroyed. The same is the case with 60 or 70 of the houses nearest the walls, but beyond this nothing has been done. Had any of the principal mansions more to the centre of-the town been injured, it would be easily seen, as most of them are detached, and all as white as snow, and instantly showing a shot-mark. The splendid structure which we call the " Parthenon " — the Government House—ami, indeed, 19 20ths of the buildings, show no trace of injury. The streets which I could see, and which, of course, were those nearest the batteries, were all in a most enviable state of cleanliness and good order. Tn these were numerous bodies of troops lounging about unconcernedly, with their muskets piled upon the pathways. Many civilians passed constantly to and fro, and now and then an ammunition wagon; hut I saw no trace of either women or children, or vehicles of the ordinary description. Once during the time I was watching, three carts, ladeu either by sick or wounded —most probably the former—passed towards the north side of the town. None of the Russians appeared to take the least notice of their suffering comraties, so that one may not unreasonably argue that they have got as used to death and misery as oHrsolves. The only incident that appeared to-move these " Muscovs " was 'bo /j&ssage along the streets of an officer evidently of hiuh rank, *vhen they all instantly stood to their arms and beat their drums while he passed just as the French salute their geneJ'uls. Near to the wnlls on the south are the ruins of some large building, which has evidently been burnt. This is the bospitnl in which so uiiiiivMtf the Russian wounded unfortunately perished. Two or three more houses "ear the dockyards are also blackened by lire, as ii ihey had been " gutted," but the walls were

too thick to permit the conflagration extending. Many of the houses of the Crimea—even the peasants' cabins—are built with stone, and of extraordinary thickness, for the purpose of resisting the tremendous gales which sweep this part of the world in winter.

As far as I can judge from traversing' nearly two-thirds of the allied lines, the enemy's batteries appear generally in good working order. Only in one or two instances were their embrasures masked—that is, closed up when a gun is dismounted—and these maskings 1 was informed by our officers would be merely temporary, as the enemy always managed to replace their artillery in 12 or 15 hours. I myself have seen them do so within three. The whole of the enemy's batteiiea are now protected by a deep ditch iu-front with regular abattis and rows of stockades and chevaux de frise. From this fact alone it is evident that they are guarding against, and therefore fear an assault. But it is principally of the north side that I wish to speak. I was told before I set out upon ray survey that I should be astonished at the immensity of the Russian batteries, reaching from the head of the harbour to the east, right round to Surfort,and St. Severnia. on the north, and all of which had only been uumasked two days previous. I know something of the nature of .Russian works, and the energy of Russian perseverance, but still the tremendous extent of new redoubts and batteries which I then saw thrown up all round the city did indeed astonish me. Every space from the circular earthwork and martello tower (the latter now a mere pile ol rubbish), round to the sea near Cape Constantino, is one long line of redoubts and batteries. Malta, Gibraltar, or the lines of Chatham—all in one, would be far more vulnerable than these formidable intrenchinents, which are covered with infantry, pits, and deep ditches in front, and protected by scarped banks, stockades, and masses of cannon. I have seen many of what are called first-class fortresses, but the present aspect of Sebastopol might vie with any. That which struck me more than'all was a certain coxcombry of finish about these works which I have never yet seen attempted elsewhere—no, not eveu in the elaborate redoubts of Cuobbam ridges. Every bastion was lined

with stone; every embrasure perfect: every angle and sharp smoothed off with beautiful ! regularity ; and as if the whole was rather-.-an architectural''embellishment than one of the most formidable kinds of defence known to modern warfare. Tt will scarcely be credited, but inside these are footpaths and made roads, covered with "ravel and loose stones, and laid out with as much neatness as if intended to pass through private girdeus. I could hardly believe my eyes when these latter adornments were pointed out to me, but there they were sure enough. It must have taken the enemy nearly as much lime to make them as the batteries, and as a matter of course, beyond the mere effect of the bravado —such as it is—they are utterly and entirely useless. Yet, useless as they are, they have been made as if to show us hosv little the progress of our siege employs or impedes their numerous garrison. Your readers may perhaps, ask how it is that all these works have been erected within the last few days. But such is the ease only with three or four to the extreme north. Nearly all the rest have been finished since we first opened tire, and though batteries have been known to exist there throughout, yet as the embrasures were always masked, no one knew where the guns were, or how to distinguish real batteries from breastworks. On our extreme left the French push the enemy closely. They have not lately advanced their works, but their third parallel is still within 200 yards of the Russian battaries, and only 400 or 500 from the houses outside the wall. The part of the town opposed to the French is certainly mure injured than on our side—of course, because of their being nearer thfiir guns have longer n>nge. The mud fort, which at the commencement of the siege mounted nearly 40 gun--, is new almost untenable, and rarely flies. The Quarantine Fort of stone is almost ruined, and is certain to be completely destroyed the instant wo resume our fire, but the Flag Staff earth wovk, which did the French so much injury is still, T'reirret to say, almost as strong as ever. , However, with regard to this latter opponent, i our allies speak most confidently of being able to disno^e of it when they wish. With the extraordinarily rapid mean's by which communications are carried from St. Pt-tersburgh to the Crimea, it would scarcely be prudent to mention any of our plu/.is of attack. In spite of the wet

weather and. heavy stats of the roads, the French have managed somehow or other to replace their old siege guns with fresh, and throw up several new batteries of considerable* strength. They have 147 new guns and mortars already placed, and only wait until our fresh ordinance is in position to recommence their fire. Of course the efforts thus made by our allies have not passed unnoticed by the enemy; and nearly every night and morning there is some sharp slcirirjisbmg going on in the French trenches. Ail these rencontres have but one result, namer ly, the total defeat of the enemy, with more or less loss according to their numbers. In these affairs, so perfectly certain are the French of success, that in nine cases out of ten their covering parlies are entirely composed of volunteers, who come out as if for a "lark," to have a brush with the Russians. The fire of these fellows upon the Russian gunners tells with marked effect. At the Quarantine Fort not a man cau show but at the risk of receiving nearly a pound of lead in his carcase. The French have hit oh a most successful and ingenious expedient for discovering and shooting their enemies iv the batteries, even during the night, but of this matter also it would be unwise to speak further, as in the present state of affairs it is quite impossible to say how long we may require the secret. It is merely justice to our own brave fellows to state that our covering parties are quite as anxious and ready to compete with the enemy as the French are. In fact they look upon skirmishing quite as a day's sport, in which every one has to " bag" as many Russians as he possibly can. In these " battues" some of our riflemen, and the best shots in lightcompanics, have acquired a terrible pre-eminence. The last day I was in the trenches, while a slight skirmish was going on in front, and in a covered way I met one of our riflemen aud a Russian riflemen *,valking slowly together. As I came nearer, I saw that the Russian was limping along in pain, resting his hand on our fellow's shoulder, who vvith two rifles under his arm, and a pipe iv his mouth, was walking easily and coolly along, evidently giving his wounded opponent some good advice, which I have no doubt was all the better relished for not being understood. Struck with the singularity of their appearance, I waited till they approached, and asked the rifleman how he got his prisoner ? " Is it where did I get him, sir?" said he, with an accent of indignant surprise, ''* faith I shot him with my own two hands." " When did you shoot him ?'■' I inquired. " Wheu ? I shot him down there, of course," said he, pointing to the " ovens," wlie re there had been a slight skirmish. "Ho was down there -behind a wall, sir, taking aim, with only his legs out, when I hit him with my last round in the knee ; and I've got his pipe, sir, and I've got his bucca, sir, aud all I want now is his boots, and I'm leading him to the hospital, when I can take 'em off him comfortable.'' Having said this much with a droll earnestness to which no words cau do justice, he quietly resumed his way towards the rea;, assisting and helping his poor wounded prisoner, who dmin<f the whole time of our dialogue bad been Ixuviusr, e;ip in hand, from one to the other, as if to implore our u,ercy and protection. By some inexplicable means or other the French have managed to iret up their guns and mortars, iv spile of the state of the roads, while we have beeu unable to move a single piece. Most of our batteries are to be furnished with mortars of IU or 12 inches. With these ii will be perfectly easy to destroy the town in 24 hrs. The efieut ol fitiny; shell from guns and from mortars is widely different. Had wo been supplied properly with the latter at the commencement of the siege, Sebastopol would have been a very different place to what it now is.

At the Inkmnami battery all the guns are in position. Eijrht 3'2-poiinders have been ir-»t up since my last letter. This work is expected to produce the most important results upon the shipping and earthworks north of the harbour, but latterly I hive lust much faith in the effects of si more cumumade. Unless a sharp guard is kept upon this battery we vw.\ a strong chance of losing it. It is fully 2,00;> yards in advance to the n»rth of our line, ami unless well supported, nielli easily be cut off. Our camp ground continues nuicli in the same stats as when I last wrote, but latterly we have had longer intervals of dry fine weather. The men, however, still appear to Miffer nine!). They are mere dirty rugged spectre* o!' their former selves. The majority of the whole force have now been on half rations foi about a fortnight. But it is not so uiuoh this latter fact which has borne oitj;

try are left free and untrammelled to carry out their own line of policy. But when the highest estate of the legislature is a representative of the people, and not of the Crown, —an officer responsible to the people ; then, whatever Executive may be formed for the sake of facilitating the correspondence between the head of the Government and his Council, such an Executive can in no wise relieve him of his responsibility. We are in danger of carrying forms too far. To set up an Executive and to call it Responsible will not really make it so; although it may act as a screen through which it will be difficult to get at the real responsibility. One proof of the impossibility of making a Provincial Executive Responsible) in any way beyond the mere name of the thing, lies in the provisions made by the Constitution Act for the disposal of the Public Revenue. In England, one of the roost responsible duties entrusted to the Executive is the disposal of the public revenue according, to appropriation by Parliament. Accordingly we find that all monies are paid under warrant of the Lords of the Treasury. According to the New Zealand Constitution Act, no public money can be issued except under warrant of the Superintendent; he alone therefore can be made responsible for its issue, whether the Provincial Secretary countersign the warrant or not. The Council may, indeed, throw the Executive out every month, most probably to its own inconvenience and the great delight of the said Executive—but what other power has it over these " Responsible Ministers ?" They cannot be punished by fine and imprisonment for the naal-appropiiation of the public revenue. The Superintendent, then, who really is responsible, cannot be expected to follow their advice on the disposal of public monies if it happens to differ from his own. The different Provinces of New Zealand have each tried their own method of carrying on public business. We shall probably strike out the most convenient system by taking advantage of the experience of all.

We have been led to make these remarks from the evident care with which His Honor has gone into the subjects to be brought before the Council in his address on the 11 th of this month. The occasions of opening or proroguing the Council are the only rones which give the Superintendent the^opportunity of explaining his own views personally to the representatives of the people : if he sheltered himself by copying the example of a viceregal speech he would be in reality endeavouring to evade his responsibility. If His Honor had been less explicit we might have thought that the ' Responsible Government" system was to be worked as far as it would" go, and that lie was leaving an open road for his Executive Councillors. As it is, we cannot doubt but that the Council have heard the Superintendent's own opinion upon the business to be--brought before the Council during the ensuing session. We must defer the consideration of the topics dealt with in the address until Wednesaav.

Our correspondent " A Willing Burgess has iJlustrated in his letter "the old baying that the noisiest clamourers fir popular Government are often those most opposed to its practical working.- He be gins his letter by acknowledging that a popular outcry has been raised against the Corporation bill, and accuses us of having been led away by it: with strange in.consis! tency towards the close of the"same effusion he attacks the ppposersof the bill as the enemies of the people. And this attack we are sorry to see is in the spirit which really has driven educated men out of politics in

America. If a '* Willing Burgess" means by popular Government, a Government which allows free discussion of every subject and the rejection of unpopular measures by the voice of the people ; we agree with him in thinking that this is what is necessary to Englishmen: but if he means that the public opinion should be set aside, and the exponents of it denounced, as Wat Tyler denounced any man that could spell, because they ventured to differ from half-a-dozen " patriots," then we think that the sooner he learns what the principles of English government are the better.

We cannot repeat what we before said on the subject of this bill. We may 6ay, however, that we do hold that a good principle may be pushed till it becomes ridiculous. A " Willing Burgess" quotes America in support of his argument. Whp, the very thing which has made the United States so unbearable as a place of residence to any man who dislikes endless personality and endless turmoil, and who regrets the exclusion of educated men from the Provincial senates—is the pushing of the valuable principle of Local Self-Government till it becomes a farce.

With regavd to the legal point—as to whether the Provincial Council is enabled to grant Corporate powers or not, we cannot pretend to abstruse legal knowledge. We read the Constitution Act according to its plain untwisted sense, and we see no reason to alter our opicion. Our readers may judge for themselves of the value of our correspondent's quotation from Sir John Packington's letter by reading the whole clause from which he deduces his argument.

" The provisions of Section 70 have been introduced iino the Statute in order that its enactment may uot clash with any measures which yon are taking, or may be advised to take, resr pectins the establishment of Municipalities. At the same time I wish to convey my own opinion that, coiisi<ibiinjgr the character "and functions of the Provincial Councils, which must be eminently of a municipal character, it seems doubtful whether there will be any necessity for Ihe creation of other local authorities subordinate to these, until New Zealand has attained a greater amount of population than is likely to be the case for some time/

If Sir John Pakington's commentary on any portion of the Constitution Act is to be held of any account, why quote one part of it and suppress the rest ?