THE WAR IN HUNGARY. [From the Times, Sept. 3.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 467, 23 January 1850, Page 3

THE WAR IN HUNGARY. [From the Times, Sept. 3.]

The following is an extract from a letter of an Austrian officer, dated Head- quarters, Temesvar, August 14 :—: — Much time will be Tequired to convey to you an adequate notion of the great operations which have terminated in the surrender of Geocgey «nd ihe relief of this place. I must content myself for the preseut with giving you 4a/*ccQUflt of |be - daring .manner in which the latter object was achieved by our Commander-in- Chief, Haynau. T.he recent battle, which will figure in history under the name of the battle of Temes- , vaT,"had been fought and won. The Imperial troops, exhausted by a forced march in tremendous heat, and by a ten hours' action, were not in condition to continue a pursuit of the enemy far into the night, or to hinder him from taking up a fresh position in the suburb of Temesvar, with the view of renewing the contest in the morning. Our Commander, appreciating with the sagacity and promptitude of real military genius, the importance of the moment, conceived the daring resolution of an immediate entrance into the "fortress — a conception which he carried out with bis characteristic personal determination. With only one squadron for an advanced guard, and accompanied by a slender suite of officers, ihe bo)d man rode at a sharp tiot from the field of battle throngh the suburbs Still occupied by the enemy, and through a cross fire of his batteries, to the fortress (a distance of about a league). To the right and left. In front, and rear of the small land, tbi ground was ploughed with shot and shell.

Fortune, who favour* the bold, protected them, and they reached without loss the 10called Vienna- gate of the fortress, which was still closed, for the place was yet narrowly invested by the enemy. The sentries on the wall scarcely believed their eyes when they discerned in the approaching cavalcade the Austrian colours, and presently distinguished the well known form of their former commander.* You may imagine with what baste I the bolts were drawn back, and the drawbridge lowered to receive such guests. The news spread like lightning. "We are saved — the fortress is relieved — the Austrians are here — the Commander-in- Chief, in person." In 10 minutes all Temesvar was aware of the event. Its inmates, however, whose patience had been tried so long — whose hopes had so often been deceived, were unwilling to believe their ears, and thronged to satisfy themselves by ocular inspection of the astounding truth. 'When this was effected a mighty shout of acclamation rose from the ruins of the shattered stronghold, and spread even far through the suburb* *he news of the relief. Old and young, soldiers, citizens, and. officers, women and children crowded around their, preserver, endeavouring to kiss his haud or , his clothes. ' There was not a dry eye in the concourse, and even the grizzled moustache of our commander was wet 'with tears. A no less moving scehe was bis interview with Rukowina, the brave leader of the obstinate defence oi Temesvar. Our commander visited him in the casemalt, which for months past bad been his residence. What the conversation of such a pair may have been through the night I must leave to your imsginatioj). * When the dramatic interest of this ride by night has been exhausted w« have yet to dwell upou its solid consequences. The relief of a town still narrowly invested by an enen.y, achieved by a squadron of horse and a few officers, will assuredly rank among the most remarkable a,nd brilliant incidents of military history : but it was far more than this; There U no doubt that the enemy, aware of the strategic importance of Ternesvar in many respects, and especially as a hindrance to our junction with the Ban, was prepared to renew * desperate struggle for its retention in the morning. That the issue would have been favourable to the Imperial arms E can scarcely doubt, but it might tyave been incompletely so, and would havr cost many lives. The moral effect of our entrance into the place was shown by the immense desertion from the enranks of ibe following day, -to the amount of at least 3000 men,^ and by his hasty retreat towards Lugos. The occurrence shows what results may be achieved by a bold stroke at the right moment. Mediocrity follows the beaten path. Genius strikes out its own.

* Haynau was in command as general of ditision in Temesvar before the outbreak of hostilities in Italy. During the close inrestment of the place, for the last four months and a half, the appointment of Haynau to the command of the army in Hungary had not been made known to the garrison.