The Duke of Newcastle is still staying there. A new kitchen, building for the General, is thought to have attracted the attention of the Muscovite gunners. The fire in rear of the Redan, which I mentioned in my last letter, is said by the French to have been occasioned by one of their rockets. Colonel Windham, who, since the first landing of the allies in the Crimea, has been the very efficient Assistant-QuarterMaster- General of the Fourth Division, has been promoted to the command of the 2nd Brigade of the Second Division. We are by this time pretty well accustomed to hear of deaths in the trenches; but, until the other day, we had no example of a birth having taken place in that uncomfortable.ind dangerous locality — certainly not exactly that which a lady might be expected to prefer as the scene of her accouchement.
The intrepidity and military ardour which so distinguish our gallant allies, are shared, it appears, by the ladies of their nation. Three nights ago a buxom cantinih'e accompanied her battalion to the trenches, there to supply them with the restorative petit verve, and to brave, witli masculine courage, the storm of shot and shell. There was possibly some miscalculation in the matter; but the fact is that, towards the small hours of the morning, she was taken with the pains of maternity, and gave birth to twins. JMother and children are doing well. The casualties increase daily in gravity and number. Major Macgowan, 93rd Regiment, was carried off out of the advanced works by a party of Russians, on the night of the 7th, and it is feared they have killed him.
General Simpson sent in a letter to inquire after him; but the Russians could give no information, except that he was not in their possession. The cholera still claims a few victims every week. Our casualties in the trenches, from the 6th to the 9th were, eight rank and file killed, one officer, five sergeants; 103 rank and file wounded, one officer, one rank and file missing. F. H Camp before Sebastopol, Awinst 13. There at last is some prospect of action, but not against the MalakhofF, nor is it the allies who are expected to assume the offensive. Late last evening orders were given for the troops to be under arms by three in the morning. Of course, Malakhoff was immediately the word, and most persons supposed that the long talked of assault was to be made This, however, was soon found not to be the case.
An attack was expected to take place along the whole line. Without tap of drum or sound of bugle, the camp was afoot at the prescribed hour, the troops forming up in profound silence. The entire army was out, including the cavalry and artillery from Balaklava. The first grey of morning found a number of officers and amateurs assembled on Cathcart's-hill, the best point of observation. There was unusually little firing yesterday and last night, and all expected that this tranquillity was quickly to be broken by the din of an engagement. The interest of the situation grew stronger as the morning advanced, and as the scarlet columns became visible, massed along the lines, motionless and expectant. Superior officers, with their stafi", moved to and fro; aides-de-camp traversed the heights with orders; here and there, through the still imperfect light, which began to be tinged with the first red flush of sunrise, waved the pennons of a Lancer escort.
With broad day the brief excitement ended. Before the upper edge of the sun's disk rose above the hills, the troops were marching briskly back to their tents. The morning was beautifully clear, and the spectacle was striking, In fine order, in serried columns, looking hardy, active, and cheerful, and up to any work, the Crimean ami}- regained its canvas quarters. For the day the danger was ovei" — to commence again, it is believed, to-night. From certain orders that have been given with respect to ammunition, mules, &c., I infer that the army will again be under arms early to-morrow morning. The officers are warned to be ready at a moment's notice. It is believed that reinforcements have reached Sebastopol. They have been expected for some time past.