Four divisions are talked of, two of them Imperial Guards. Word has been sent up from the fleet to headquarters that large bodies of troops were seen collecting behind the Redan, and others behind the Tchernaya, and there were grounds for expecting a general attack along our lines. The generals of division assembled yesterday afternoon at the quarters of the Commander-in-Chief. General Simpson is indisposed, and it is reported that he intends going on hoard ship for a few days. It was thought probable that he had summoned his subordinates to confer with them before absenting himself; but it may now be supposed that the meeting had reference to last night's operation. It is not impossible that this turn-out of the array was a mere rehearsal intended to ascertain whether all the actors were perfect in their parts, and in case of need would be promptly at their posts.
The report to-day in camp was, that the Archduke Michael is in Sebastopol. We lately learned from deserters that he was expected. To-night I am informed that our cavalry has been withdrawn from Baidar and its neighbourhood. Concerning this you will doubtless receive positive information from another quarter. General Pelissier holds 40,000 men in readiness to operate on the line of the Tchernaya, which, from its extent, is, perhaps, the most attackable part of our position; but it is vigilantly guarded, and I entertain no doubt as to the result should the Eussians venture to assail us. The " Orinoco" has arrived at Balaklava with Dragoons and horses. Mr. Doyne, Superinteiident-iu-Chief of the Army Worlcing Corps, has also arrived. He came as far as Constantinople in the " Simoom" with 450 of his men, who •wiW quickly follow him hither.
The corps is to consist of 1000 men. JMr. Doyne has had an interview with Colonel Macmurdo, in command of the Laud Transport Corps. I understand that it is not intended, as was at first proposed, to employ the Army Working Corps under fire unless in case of absolute necessity. They will be set to making roads, cleaning the camp, and similai" highly useful and necessary occupations. The stall" of the railway, which had been greatly diminished by illness and other causes, has been broken up. Mr. Beattie has been requested by General Simpson to remain to superintend the working of the railway and all engineering matters connected with it. Two vessels have been sent from Balaklava to Gibraltar for mortar. We are informed that no less than eleven vessels sailed from England between the 20th and 30th ult. laden with guns and ammunition, and bound for the Crimea.
DeputyAssistant Commissary-General Coppinger, attached to the Fourth Division, died on Saturday, of fever, and was buried yesterday afternoon. He was much liked and respected here, and a large number of officers followed him to the grave. It is now past eleven o'clock, and I find that no orders liave as yet been given for a turn-out, but merely that all should be ready at very brief notice. Unlike last night, the unwonted stillness of which had something almost ominous — warned, as we were, of a probable encounter — the fire of the batteries is pretty much as usual, and from Catlicart's-hill, a short time ago, the shells were to be seen traversing the darkness, in low curves or in lofty flight, according as they were thrown from gun or from mortar, while the round shot hurtled through the air, and the rifles sparkled at various points of the lines, August 14.
The night has passed quietly, and there has been no occasion to turn out the troops. It is known at head-quarters that the enemy are preparing for an attack; and General de la Marmora has greatly strengthened the Sardinian position on the Tchernaya. On the afternoon of the 13th a brave and distinguished young ofiicer. Major Hugh Drummond, Scots Fusileer Guards, was killed in the advanced trenches. Drafts arrived to the Light Division; the 71st Regiment, and one squadron of 1st Dragoon Guards, landed at Balaklava. The casualties from the 10th to the 12th were 19 killed; one officer, and 112 wouud»;d. T. H. e2 CHAPTER VIII. Supposed arrival of Grenadiers in tlie Kussian camp — Precautionary measures— Summer residences of the Itiissian nobility — Country liousc of an old French doctor — Tlu; Turks cause liiin and his family alarm and inconvenience — He complains to ( cneral 1 clissier — Tlie English put a stop to the ilunderins;, but the French are permitted to continue their excursions — Excessive politeness of the marauders.