THE WAR IN THE EAST.
We have neither time nor space to give our native readers a detailed account of the war in the East. At present they must he satisfied with the news brought by the last mail, and recorded in the Sydney and Auckland papers. The following is a summary. The troops of England and France, to the number of 50,000, landed at the Crimea without molestation on the part of Russia. The first battle fought, on the 6th day after landing, was on the heights of the Alma, the enemy numbering from 45,000 to 50,000, and the allies 50,000. The Russians gained a temporary advantage, and 1.400 English, and 1,400 French fell in the sanguinary conflict. After "a desperate struggle of two hours and a half duration," the Russian entrenchments were carried at the point of the bayonet, and the enemy put to flight. The number of the Czar's troops slain in this battle is not given by any of the papers, but it is stated, that a "few prisoners were taken, and two general officers." Two days subsequent to this, a battle was fought on the plains of Kalantai, when the enemy was again routed. The number of Russians captured or slain is not given, nor the loss on the part of the allied forces. This encounter lasted some hours. The scene of action was now at Sebastopol, the stronghold of the Russian Emperor, and after five hours' bombardment. Fort Constantine blew up, destroying 10,000 men. The citadel and the fleet then surrendered.
It will be seen that 2,800 of the allies fell at the battle of Alma, 400 more are mentioned, but no account has been received as to where they fell. The total loss on our side is estimated at 3,000. It is stated that 18,000 Russians perished during this very short campaign. The number blown up at Fort Constantine was 10,000 ; there are 8,000 therefore, as to where and how they were slain, we are altogether ignorant. The number of prisoners taken is quoted at 22,000, making a loss on the Russian side of 40,000, nearly half the Maori population of New Zealand.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MMTKM18550101.2.19.7
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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 1, Issue 1, 1 January 1855, Page 18
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360THE WAR IN THE EAST. Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 1, Issue 1, 1 January 1855, Page 18
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