He is believed to have about 22,000 men under his command, but on this narrow spit, with a fleet on each flank of the approaches, twice the number M'ould not avail to force the French and English camps. With a month more fine Aveather we might close the campaign by forcing the Russians to burn and blow up both Nicholaieff and Cherson, aud seizing material guarantees for peace in Russia Proper. To act against Cherson a large aiiny would be requisite, as the fleet could not with safety and prudence penetrate the mai'shy mouths of the Dnieper, and the road from Kinburn to that place is commanded by a fort, which could not be carried by a coup de main, unless a strong flotilla operated against it.
Nicholaieff" is very formidable; the banks of the Bug are steep and high, the currents devious and strong, and the soil susceptible of being worked into batteries in a few hours. However, to the daring and prompt all things are possible, even success itself. About 750 of the Russians will be sent to Spithead direct in the " Vulcan," Captain Van Donop, to-morrow morning. On the whole, they seem "the worst lot" of Muscovite infantry I have seen, and tliey consist of either old men or lads; the former are fine soldier-like fellows enough, but the latter are stupid, loutish, and diminutive. They availed themselves of theii' licence in the fort to fill all their canteens with "vodka,"and in some instances their stomachs also, and many of them were di'unk when they marched out, but intoxication had the effect of making them extremely amiable and facetious.
The officers bore their niisfijrtune with dignity, but felt it deeply, as was evident fi-om their grave demeanour and stern countenances. Few of them wore decorations, and only one was dressed in full uniform. A Chef de Bataillon or Major, wearing a long light-blue cloak with red collar, who limped along with difficulty, had a good deal of influence over those around him, and kept the drunken soldiers in awe by his look, and a sergeant in a long green frockcoat with yellow facings and stripes, aided him in repressing the mirthful disposition of some of the bacchanalians on the line of mai-ch. However, I have said enough about these pi'isoners. The Russians, with their usual incendiary propensity, set fire to the fort below Oczakoff", this morning, and retii*ed after blowing up the magazines, which went up into the air Avith two heavy explosions at six o'clock.
The gun-boats are well advanced towards the mouth of the Bug, and are now engaged sounding, under fire from the shore. There was a reconnaissance this morning, but we saw nothing of the enemy. October 19. In compliance with the wishes of the French Admiral, Sir Edmund Lyons decided on despatching a squadron, under the orders of Sir Houston Stewart, to co-operate with the French squadi-on under EearAdmiral Pelion in protectintr the left flank of the allies in a reconnaissance which was to start to-day to* wards Cherson. The utility of this reconnaissance is not quite so apparent, for it is evident we cannot now attack the enemy if he be in force, and if we retire (as we must) he will be encouraged by our retrograde movement.
He cannot attack us, no matter how strong in numbers he may be, and when the time comes for action it will be soon enough to reconnoitre. However, Admiral Lyons is at all times most desirous to comply with the requests of our gallant ally. Accordingly, signal was made for " all large gun-boats to join the Rear-Admiral," and the " Triton" was ordered to pilot them in from the anchorage off Kinburn round the spit. Sii' Houston Stewart came on board the " Triton" from the " Eoyal Albert" at noon, and the gunboats were ordered to follow her. On arriving at the anchorage off Oczakoff Sir Houston Stewart went on board the " Asmodee," and had an interview of half-an-hom-'s duration with Adjniral Pelion; he afterwards went on board the " Valorous," where his flag is still hoisted, and the signal was made — " French Admiral does not wish to go till to-morrow," and the expedition is consequently postponed.