The beautiful moonlight relieved many of the hardships of a night watch. There was no appearance of any movement on the enemy's side. There must have been a very strong apprehension of an attack this morning, for at dawn the Highland divisions under General Cameron arrived from the front at Kamara, and encamped close to the Piedmontese. E TWO NEW LINES OP KAIL. 93- August 27. As the balance of probabilities inclines to another winter in the Crimea, it is worth while inquiringwhat will be the probable position of omarmy after the ram sets in, and the country between Ualaklava and the camp rendered unfit for the passage of waggons and beasts of burden. The railway corps is gone, and out of that stout body of navvies who were ready, Vv-hilo in England, to smash Russians with their pickaxes, but who became most peaceably inclined directly they saw the enemy's works, there now remains only Mr.
Beatty. This gentleman retains the charge of the railway, at the express request of General Simpson, and Mr. Campbell, with two or tlu-ee of the principal superiutendents and overseers of works, have remained in his staff. The horses which were sent out from England, diminished in numbers and overworked, are not equal to the development of the capabilities of the line, but there is some satisfactory proof of the earnestness and preooyance of the allies respecting the wmter campaign of 1855. Mr. Beatty has received instructions to form two new lines of railway — one from the Col de Balaklava to Kamiesch, to be worked by horse-power; the other from Kadikoi to the Woronzoff-road, near the Sardinian position over Tchorgoma. Mr. Campbell is akeady engaged in laying out the former line; and Mr.
Beatty is working hard at the latter. The labour will be supplied by the French and Sardinians. The line from Kadikoi to the Woronzoff-road will pass over the plain of Balaklava, which is very soft and mudd}' in winter, and the rail will be worked, it is hoped, by locomotive power. The French, Sardinians, and Turks, will derive equal advantages from it, and indeed their position would be utterly untenable when the rain and snow once began without some permanent road. They will be nearly starved out if they have to depend upon horse transport for supplies. Liprandi, with, the whole country open behind him, and the command of the Woronzolf-road, found that he could not hold the Tchernaya last winter, and brmit his cantonment as scon as the river began to rise.
The allies will be able to maintain their advanced position so far as the means of communication are concerned. They will not be crowded together on the plateau, which is now as full of tents as it can hold. But the great and all important question arises, — how will Balaklava, itself the terminus of two lines of railway, meet the requii-ements of nearly 100,000 men, and an incaleulatle numljcr of mules and horses? Of course, no sane person contemplates that our Government or military authorities intend to expose our cavalry to another winter in the ■ basin of Kadilioi, or on the hill tops of Karanyi, and so iar at least as they are concerned, the requirements for food and fodder will be diminished at Balaklava; but an enormous increase in camp followers, suttlers, muleteers, land transport corps, beasts of burden, and troops, has taken place since last year, and these must all be fed.
The Sardinians and Turks will requii-e portions of our wharfage, of our stoi'eroom, and of our narrow water-way in Balaklava. The harbour is already as full as it can hold of shipping, although no great accumulation of stores has been effected on shore. ]\lany vessels now lie outside at anchor. The recollections of the 14th of November, 1854, forbid us to indulge ia the hope that they can do so in safety dm'ing the winter. In order to avoid the dangers with which we are threatened, Ave must, wliile the fine weather lasts, get together ample stores of all kinds of food, and carry them as far up to the front as possible, to fill our recently established divisional depots, and to keep the central depot crammed.
Thus we shall be able to concentrate all our energy on roadmaking and depot building wherever these may be required. Mr. Eeatty as sangume that the original line of railway, Avith necessary repairs, Avill last during the Avinter; and 200 men of the Army Works Corps have been detached to assist him in repairing and reestablishing it. Some large iron sheds have been erected at Balaklava to serve as stores for rice and sugar, and steps are being taken to send up similar structures to each division of our arm3^ The French are building most spacious stores all over their camp. In spite of these preparations, our army Avill have to undergo much suffering, unless roads are made, ten times more storehouses erected, and Balaklava regulated with the most scrupulous care.