A PLEASANTEE spot for a camp, in such sunny and delightful weather as we at present enjoy, could hardly be found, than the slope beyond the village of Kamara, on which the Highlanders have pitclied their tents, and whither materials for huts have already been sent in large quantities. Great, nevertheless, was the satisfaction of that gallant Division — now so long inactive — on learning two daj's ago that it was under orders to embark for Eupatoria. It was said the embarkation would take place to-day, but it will hardly be until Wednesday. Transports are reported to be wanting, but that is improbable, for Balaklava harbour is crowded with shipping to such an extent, that vessels which arrived on Friday morning had not obtained admission yesterday.
It takes a little time to get the necessary land transport supplies, baggage, &c., on board, especially when, as in this case, the troops are ordered to take witli them as much of their heavy baggage as they can. From this we infer that they will probably winter at Eupatoria, and not necessarily be immediately engaged in active operations. On the other hand, the departure of the Light Cavahy, under Lord George Paget, would lead us to believe that fighting is meant. There can hardly be an intention of keeping them at Eupatoria all the winter, since stables are now in course of erection near Scutari, and on an island in the Sea of Marmora, which will be amply sufiicient to receive the whole of our cavalry and horse-artillery.
It has, indeed, been positively stated that these are to be quartered there until spring. A large number of French (12,000 or 15,000) are to embark at Kamiesch, where, according to one rumour, the Highlanders are also to embark, as it is the nearest port for Eupatoria. Expeditions are quite the fashion of the moment, and had we the prospect of two or three months' fine weather, we should be bound to suppose that an important combined operation was about to be entered upon. But, judging from precedent and probability, two or three weeks must bring the campaign to a close. At present the weather is all that could be deshed. The sun, which renders that little kettle, Balaklava harbour, still oppressively hot, is tempered on the heights by refreshing breezes; the ground is everywhere dry — the atmosphere pure and healthy.
Never was our army, since its first landing, so free from disease as at the present moment. But this second summer may any day be brought to a close, and exchanged for a season of rain and tempest. It will be imusual, not to say extraordinary, if such be not the case early in November. Brief time, therefore, remains for the expeditions to carry out their objects, whatever those be; but there will be abundant leisure, when the rain descends in the cascade-like fashion common in the Crimea, and the wind shakes our huts and blows our tents about our ears, for those in authority to regret the months wasted after the fall of Southern Sebastopol. The five regiments of cavalry (4th and 13th Light Dragoons, 12th and 17th Lancers, and Carbineers), the Highlanders, and 12,000 French, are believed to be all bound for Eupatoria.
Captain Montague's company of Sappers and Miners forms part of the expedition. This camp, recently the nearest to the briskest part of the siege, and into which Russian projectiles not unfrequently obtruded, is now tranquil and laborious, like some new settlement in Australian bush or America's back woods. Peaceful toil has succeeded the din of war. Except the cannonade from the north side, which is at times rather boisterous, not a sound IS heard that indicates the vicinity of a foe. The Russians, as if to vent their rage for their recent reverse, continue to pound away at intervals at the ruins of the town they have been forced to abandon. They do little harm to us, and might as well save their ammunition, which they often condescend to expend even on a single soldier, of whom they may catch a glimse, wandering among the broken walls or across the plain.
Yesterday our old friend Bilbouquet, long silent, opened his mouth, and sent a couple of shot either at the works by Traktir Bridge, or at something he saw moving in the valley below his muzzles. Today the Russian guns are nearly mute, and the stillness contrasts strikingly with the uproar we were here so long accustomed to. The silence would be quite solemn did not the tap of the builder's hammer replace in some degi'ee the crack of the rifle, and the rumble of carts the roar of the cannon. The English army, convinced that it is to winter in its present camp, has set seriously to work to guard itself from the inclement weather from which it last year suffered so grievously, and to make itself as comfortable as possible.