The War.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 361, 19 April 1856, Page 5

The War.

Yankee Opinion on the War with Russia, —Throughout the West, public opinion seemed unanimous in an expression of an earnest desire to see the allied armies defeated in the Crimea, The Colonel expressed himself strongly on this point:—"l conclude,*' he says, first turning with modesty to his admiring audience, "that I can about see as far into a millstone as the man that pecks it. You call ' annexion' robbery and territorial aggression ; but there ain't a Power in creation that's swallowed more of other people's country without choking than you have when nobody was looking particler. And now you're a going to fight for civilisation, by protecting the most barbarous power in Europe, and for liberty, by allying yourself with a French despot aiid a Mahometan tyrant ; but chaw me if liberty ain't a long sight hetser off in the hands of that old 'possum Nicholas than such, mealy-mouthed hypocrites. You understand stabbing- great principals in the dark—you do. Liberty's all bunkum with you. If it ain't, what do you go cringing and sciaping to all the despots in Europe for, wlen you could raise the hull continent in the cause- of freedom if you had a mind to ? Why don't you choke off your, privileged classes, and sot your oppressed aiid white niggers free, and give back the black niggers in the Indies the country you've rubbed 'em of; instead of screeching at us, and coming orer here with your long faces, and almighty jaw and unremitten' lies, about slavery and Culm? There's no sin in creation your nosouled, canting, bellows-winded Parliament won't commit if they can make a darned cent, by it. And if you were to take the Crimea there'd be no holding you ; civilisation and liberty, and all the rest of it, would be in danger over here then ; and the slaves in Cuba would have to be protected, and you'd be fightingagainst us to preserve the liberal institutions of Spain. But there's no fear, of that. The Russians will whip you into ribbons when they get a chance. Why, they've got the sympathies of our country with them—and it is well known that every great question t'other side of the Jordan [across the Atlantic] is settled by the public opinion here. You'll find out the mistake you made when we offered to mediate between the bellegant poweis [the colonel never allowed a l"ng word to step him], and you took so long to consider upon it thai it never came off at all. Now, you'll ail go to blazes together, and there ain't a man in these diggins as won't be glad to hear that the old country has a bnsted-up. fighting fos—ha! ha! ha! boys, what do you think ?—Liberty !" And the colouel wiped ihe perspiration from his brow, and looked like a man who felt he had distinguished himself.— Jl/r. Olivhant's "Minnesota."

Russian Opkkations in the Crimea.— Telegraphic despatches from Marseilles of the 4th December, received from the E.ist by the Euphrates steamer, state that Acnniral Lyons' fleet eon tinned to cruise close to the coast of the Crimea, in order to keep an incessant look-out upi-.n tht% Point of Kertch, against which the Russians sesm to be preparing an attack, to be effected during the winter. The Russians were also foraging at Arabat and concentrating in its neighbourhood about 30,000 men, whilst at the same time a. corps of J5,000 men was directed on Geuitehi. The movements were being undertaken with the object of re-establish-ing the communication between the Russian territory and the mam army under Prince Gortscfinkoff, by the narrow slip of land between Arabat and Genitchi. The cannon of the allies, however, both in sienin frigates and floating butteries, would effectually ci-mmum; the entire length of the route, j>houki they not be prevented ftom inaintaiinug liieir position by the freezing of the Sea of Azoff, Firmer accounts from Kertch announce the withdrawal of the Russian cavalry, which had been in the environs of thai place, ami iis retirement into the interior. The number of gunboats cruizing in the Sea of Az.-ff was staird to be fi»t\ Prince G<rtsehak<;fi" reports, November 2"2 rd, that nothing particular had occurred. Some days before, a Fiench colonel ami a Fiench captain, who had made a reconnais^anci on horseback, were captured at tho Russia» advanced po>ts. A.n extraordinary piece of news is pro point tied by an Hamburg j."un.ai, viz., that the KusMan fleet has been loiif.u to h:oe lrmnirfi wo long inactive, and tha! a ponioii of it, at lea>t, will be sent on service

The Staff of the Amir. — The most important events which have occurred since the last mail have been several personal changes in the higher commands. and some new arrangements" in the transaction of the business of the army. These are notified in the general orders. The chief of the stafF is to he no longer the nominal functionary he has hitherto been; he will be the responsible head, as ir« the French service, of the two great departments of the ad-jutant-general and quartermaster-general.' In addition to the great advantages of direct control, and as regards the public service, of distinct responsibility, this arrangement will afford a rerv great relief to the Commander of the Forces in supervising and deciding on matters of detail connected with the two departments referred to.

The Sardinian Contingent, — The despatches from the Crimea state that the Sardinian winter camp on the lines of the Tchernaya is now complete, and the huts are comfortably constructed. The most vigilant watch is kept up night and day. The army is in admirable health and spirits. The original number of the Sardinian contingent is more than complete.

The ' German Journal' of Frankfurt, states that the widow of Major de Lett.sr.au, of the German Legion, who died on the way to the Crimea, is to receive an annual pension of £150 from the English Government.

The new Prussian Gazette contains the following- extract of a letter from St. Petersburg : —" It is said that the Ist Battalion of Sharpshooters, with the Ist Corps of Infantry, in the Bailie Proviuces, have received orders to march to the south. If this be true, it would appear to-be the intention of the Government to assemble at the seat of war ail the best armed troops of the empire. It is known that the regiment of Rifles of the imperial family left St. Petersburg in the middle" of September for the same destination. The Regiment is composed of three battalions which, with that of the Ist corps, pesents an effective force of 50 00 riflemen, supplied with excellent arms."

A letter from Poland, in the Djimu, says :— Prince Bedoutoffhas at his disposal seven fine regiments, viz., those called respectively, Tencruinskij Navajjuinski, Apeheronsk : those of the Dahostan, of Stavropol. Kouban. of Prince Tchernitcheff, and Prince Woronzoff. The reserve battalions now with him form part of the 19th, 20th, aud 21st Dinsious of infantry. The prince commands, moreover, the greater part of the Cossack regiments of the Caucasus,, and one regiment of dragoons, Omar Pacba in Mingreija. The Moniteur Sublishes a correspondence from Soukkuinof the 13th ultimo. The -writer suites that at that date Omar Pacha r?as detained at Sugdidi, a town about six miles past the Incrour, by the uccessity of briissriug up supplies before proceeding to further operations. His troops bad occupied Sinaki, opened communication . with the Redoubt-Kaleh Anaklia, on the sea coast, and advanced, how far is not stated, ia the direction of Kutais. In the judgment of the correspondent, there will be another engagement at the Passage of the river Zi.-anitscaie, almost midway between Sugdidi and Kutais, but nearer the latter than the former: and again, that the Russians will energetically defeud the river JEtion at Kutais, where they ; probably will have concentrated the force at ! their disposal. Ouzwurguet, in Guuriel, and lint far front Shefkatil, is said to have been abandoned bj the Russians and occupied by Mustapba Pacha. Thk Qcees's Isi'i.uea'ck with Sir Cou.n CiMPßßix.—The influence of the Crown is inereasiuir. and in ilie iitrht direction. The w'n/ie influence of the Ministry «as brought t>> b'.'ar on Sir Coiin Campbell, when ha returned friun the Crimea. Lord Hardinjre. reuoient of Jluree Guards, pointed to a splendid future ; j.'Vii Pahncrsiou sounded the deposits v>. the Treasury ; Lady Paiaieision fluttered fashion in bib (-yes —bin ;t)l io no purp «.sl\ Sir Goiiii was i:;fivxi.bl« ; and be sent his li.-.ses to the I.nciis's oi Vne metropolis. He was imited to the Castle—"You wnii't jr-i back to l\m Crimea. Sir C<di:i ?" ' Caiinot, your Ma-ji"-'J-" " Vim li.r.c refused the C-.liinet ? " " Ye<, your M;m-sty." " Tin- Hose Gu;;rd<: ?J' "I b;:v<', you; hl;i]e.-A\." ''Bui y,u ;vih::' n-i'.-effK?" " C';rl:iiulv ii'.t, your ."•!■.;■•■-•',/■ Tii '-'l^i "5 t'tJC horseS w:v- Cittf' ■ L''.":r) ; Ji-i':'! : ;<i;-i tbs' viii;;sui ;ii!fi «:*n''iil Sot i- t></-,v. ■■•;■ w\\\ ii;; in .i iuw &dj*. on hit. way to ih' Ci i! 11 ■-:?. t^ thf dtligiii oi the army—iht'j jv of;.};c U';^'<;'<::- -.!.;:>:.

A?letter from Constantinople in the '* Cologne Gaze .to" stales tlial nest spring the Turkish army of the Danube is to be increased to eighty thousand men, an<l is to march to the Prutli in order to carry the war into Bessarabia. Two divisions of French and English troops are to proceed from Varna to the Crimea to support the operations.

The Austrian Gazette contains a letter from Odessa, of the 20lh November, which says: — '•The Druschines of -the Tiver Militia arrived yesterday at Perekop. General Luders is. at present in that town, and will shortly hold a council of war with General Piamlin, chief of the Grenadier corps, and General Schabeisky, in order to concert measures in the event of the enemy making next spring a general attack affainst the northsvest coast of the Black Sea."

Defeat of a Russian Division by the Turkish Contingent.—The Turks attacked a Russian division of 4,000 strong, who vyere guarding a very large depot of forage at Kertsch. The Russians were put to the route, and all the forage destroyed by fire. The loss to the enemy is said to hare been very great.

The Veteran Beran«;er was present at the funeral of a popular composer, which took plac^3 in December, at Paris. The old poet looked healthy, despite his advanced ape.