THE SEBASTOPOL EXPEDITION. [From the Spectator, September 9.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume X, Issue 977, 13 December 1854, Page 4

THE SEBASTOPOL EXPEDITION. [From the Spectator, September 9.]

The Morning Chronicle correspondent at Varna, 'in a letter dated the 24th August, gives some interesting details of the expedition fitting out at that port for 1 the Crimea. He says chat several projects had b -en discussed by the authorities ; among others, an expedition to Odessa, and an attack upon the rear of the Russians in Moldavia ; but that this was given up because of the , 'lack of land transport and pontoons, and because *the harbour of Odessa is inaccessible in winder. " In consequence an expedition to tbe Crimea was decided on ; and all the necessary measures were taken, when the cholera broke out, and baffled all human provisions. In the first instance, the land forces suffered cruelly, the fevers of the country being added to the other scourge. ' Scarcely had they begun to disappear, when the crews of the French fleet were attacked with extraordinary violence. The Mqntebetto lost upwards of 150 sailors in forty-ei^ht hours, and the other vessels were more or less the victims of the epidemic.^ The French Admirals at once weighed anchor, and pat oat to sea for change of | air, Fortunately, at the end of a fortnight the sanitary state of the crews improved «o considerably that the vessels returned to Baltschik and "V arna, and began to take stores of all kinds on board. "Everything was going on excellently, and the army was to leave the inhospitable country, in which it had suffered so much, about the 2&th at the latest, when the epidemir, which had hitherot spared tbe English fleet, fell on it in a frightful manner. The Admiral's flag-ship, the Britannia, was the first vessel attacked, and in less than two days she lost 158 men, almost all excellent seamen. Admiral Dondas determined, to land ibe sick, and by that means to endeavour to arrest the progress of the scourge. That measure succeeded in checking it, and a change of temperature, which then set in, helped to produce a still greater improvement, * J " The embarkation of troops is again resumed with great activity. One division of the Ottoman army which has arrived from Constantinople, has received orders to repair to Baltschik, where it will be embarked. " Tbe expeditionary force will be composed of French, and Ottoman troop#, vrbo will be sent in two divisions of transports upon the coast of the Crimea. The first division will convey 14,000 men belonging to tbe French army, and between 400 an I 500 horses, with seven batteries, mounting thirty-six guns. Tbe other will * convey tbe Ottoman army, of about 10,000 men and 800 horses. The British array, a part of which is already on board tbe ateamers, which have come direct from England, will alto be thrown upon the coasts of the Crimea, to tbe number of 21,000 men and 1,000 horses, with 36 guns. Thus, the first expeditionary army will land about 50,000 troops ; who, six or eight days afterwards, will be re-inforced by an additional number of from 25,000 to 30,000 French troops, ar.d from 4,000 to 5,000 English troops. " Fodder being wanted for tbe cavalry round Varna, tbe streugth of the ¥rench horse, the bussars, and a part of the French horse, the 1 hussars, and a part of the Chasseurs d f Afrique, have been thrown upon Aidos and Bourgas. The first of these points is very favourably situated for tbe embarkation of troops, if it should be necessary, from thence, after the materiel of tbe arti'lery and engineers have been put on board, j Stores, forage, and provisions of all kinds, have been shipped in excellent condition, both on board ■ the transports and hired vessels. The troops are * victualled for two months. A considerable quantity of stores is also un board tr/o vessels now in the Bosphorus, where they are waiting for sailing - orders to proceed to tbe coasts of tbe Crimea. " The French infantry Tvill begin to embark j about the 28th ; and by the 2nd September it is expected that tbe whole of tbe expeditionary force will be able to put to tea, at tbe same time, from Varna and Baltschik:" •• Tbe 'Admirals htve already made some ex- ' periments*in landing 'from the boats of tbe ships - and frigates, and from the-6tages which have been brought from Constantinople. It bas been found x that in less than one hour the fleets could put - ashore' 12,000 men, and that in two4»ours afterwards the uumber might~be increased-to 20,000 -men. Tbe landing, supported by the fire of twenty-four or thirty guns,-can be effected in this * time upon any of the points supposed to be chosen * for the purpose." A letter from Varna, in ' Corriere^taliano of Venice, dated the'S6th, says — 11 This day a division left Varm, composed of '"fifteen vessels of the allitd fleet, under tbe command of Admirals Dundas and Stopford, with "Lord Raglan, having under his orders anlSng1 lish corps of 23,000 men. ■On the 28th and ' 29\h the- squadron wbicb has' just left will be fol- ■ lowed by the bulk of the See*, with Admirals Hamelin and'Bruat, and General Canrobett, at (-the head of 28,000 Frenchmen, and 8,000 •Tories." *