attendance near the battle-field to aid the wounded, and has earned many a poor fellow's blesshigs. The " Diamond," " AVasp," and " Leandev" go home at once. Saturday, September 15, 10 a.m. No news. The Russi'Mis are still fortifying the north side. CHAPTER XIX. FIEST FKUITS OF A'ICTOET. The armies prepare to go into winter quarters — An armistice — The work of destruction by no means complete — Accumulation of stores — Anniversary of the landing of the Allies at Old Fort — Keduced strength of the Guards — The Highland brigade — First anniversary of the battle of the Alma — Distribution of medals, clasps, and ribands — Alma dinners — Ceremonies in the French camp in honour of the event — General Pelissier made a Marshal of France — Strange movements in the Kussian camp — A large magazine described — Disappearance of the Russian Donny brook Fair — A dead lock — Abundance of supplies in the Russian camp — A flag of truce — French mortar practice — Fleasant diversion — Perplexing evolutions performed by the fleet — French breaching battery — Boat expeditions dui-ing the night — A thunder-storm.
Sei)tember IS. Since last Saturday veiy little has occurred, and the news may be briefly stated. The Russians continue to strengthen their position on the north side, and to hang on their old points of occupation towards the ridges over Aitodor. The Naval Brigade has been broken up and sent on board ship. The French have moved large masses of the corps of the left siege army to the rear between Baidar and Tchorgoun. Our batteries have been disarmed. The roads to the camp are undergoing repair, and the Army Works Corps, assisted by soldiers, is engaged in the formation of a new road from Balaklava which will run parallel with the line of railway. Everything around us indicates an intention on the part of the chiefs of putting the army into winter quarters on the site of their present encampment, bxit there are signs equally unequivocal that a blow is to be struck at the enemy before the troops settle down to encounter the rigours of the winter.
These signs, insignificant as they may appear when taken separately, in the aggregate are unmistakeable, unless our Generals merely desire to wile away the time in shamming and in frightening the enemj' with bugaboo expeditions, just as they are endeavouring to alarm us by their extensive fortificaTHE WORK OP DESTRUCTION^. ISO tions on the north side, or as they sought to intimidntc us in foiiner days by erecting street batteries, barricades, and internal lines of defence. In the first place, great activity prevails throughout the Land Transport Corps, several divisions of which have received ordei's to hold themselves in readiness for immediate service. Colonel McMurdo is busily engaged in ascertaining the actual capabilities of his corps, and has been required to furnish at head-quarters an accurate estimate of the amount of supplies of a certain character which he could convey, and of the number of mules and horses fit for duty.
Our Sappers and Miners are at work sinking deep mines, by which they intend to blow in and destroy the unrivalled docks, that have cost Russia so much anxiety, money, and bloodshed, and, if it were not that they were intended to be, and have been, accessory to violence and slaughter, one would regret that such splendid memorials of human skill should be shattered to atoms; but the fleet of Sinope sailed thence, and in them it was repaired on its return, and these vessels were built, not to foster peace and commerce, but to smite and destroy them. Preparations for the desti'uction of these colossal works are being made under the eyes of the enemy, who do not attempt to disturb the working parties by firing from the north side, although their guns have the range of the place at tolerable elevations.
Nearer to them still, on the open quay, parties of our men are constantly engaged in burning old stores, clothing, boots, belts, shakos, bags, and such articles as the enemy left behind them, but the Russians appear not to care for these things. They are not to be always trusted, however, for if a knot of officers or horsemen collect together in one place they unexpectedly send a shell or shot among them, and now and then do a little mischief to the remains of their own town. They could sweep some of the chosen look-out places with grape, but it is believed they are waiting for a grand collection of Generals, Staff Officers, and Officers, to astonish them all with a broadside some fine day.