The new comers at the spur huts seemed to be dressed better, to be taller men, and to wear darker coats than those wdio were relieved by them, and that appearance, which after all ma}^ Jpc ideal and deceptive, has given rise to the notion that the troops so close to us belong to the Imperial Guard. Their various camps are rapidly losing the look of snowy neatness of canvas, and are being converted into dingy rows of huts. We can see their telegraphs at work with the greatest facility, and to-day I can make out the flags witli my glass. It is a pity one cannot get the Imperial Code Book of Signals and a dictionarj'. They have a considerable quantity of cattle feeding among the brushwood at Inkermann, and theii' works on the north side are rapidly attaining prodigious and gigantic dimensions, which indicate an intention of holding their present position.
Ever since the French have ceased to reply to theii" cannonade upon the town, they fire but seldom, but they do not hesitate to waste a shot or shell on a horseman riding near Fort Nicholas by the water's edge, or coming down the streets enfiladed by their fire; and at night they open upon any light seen in the ruins of the city. The French batteries have been shut up by orders for the last fortnight or more. Our allies share with us the labours of destroying the docks, which will be ready to go at any moment we choose. The Sappers experienced great difficultj' in forming the mines, in consequence of the water running in on them from the clay, but with their usual energy they have worked away and formed the mines, which will contain eight small and two large magazines.
It is expected that the explosion will just disintegrate the masoniy and tumble the stonework into the basins. The English works are under the charge of Captain Nicholson, E.E., and Mr. Deane bas lent the use of his batteries for the purpose of filing the mines, and will undertake that part of the operation. The loss of the rafts is confirmed. In a strong breeze, with ^ fresh running down the Bay of Cherson (which some people call the Liman of tlie Dnieper, although it is formed by the confincnce of that river and the Bng), the rafts parted from theii' moorings and got a■v^•ay towards Odessa. They will no doubt break up, and the floating timbers may work some mischief at sea during the stormy Avinter which we may expect.
May we not anticipate talcs of sunken rocks, of sea serpents, and floating islands encountered between this and Varna? As regiments are naturally very jealous of any injvistice being done to them in the eyes of the country by withholding praise that is due to them, or misrepresenting that which they have done, it is not even now too late to do justice to the gallant 23rd Fusiliers, to the losses of which distinguished regiment I perceive one of your coiTCspondents has already drawn attention. On the 8th of September, the 23rd Regiment was placed in the demi-parallel in rear of Egerton's rifle-pit, and was in reserve in that position. After the attacking parties went out, the advanced trenches not being filled up as quickly as they ought to have been, the 23rd Regiment went to the front, passing several regiments belonging to the attacking brigades, and on arriving at the 5th parallel.
General Codrington ordered Colonel Lysons to take out a wing of his regiment, and to attack the proper right flank of the Eedan. Colonel Lysons formed five companies in line, and gave the word, " The line will advance — quick march!" The men at once rushed over the parapet, the young officers of the regiment being in front and waving their swords in the air. Every man followed with the utmost enthusiasm. The instant they appeared on the open space, round shot, grape, canister, and rifle bullets and musket balls came through their ranks in a perfect storm from the Spur Battery on the left, the Barrack Battery, and the flank of the Eedan in front. The regiment rushed on and pressed up to the parapet of the salient, leaving many a brave fellow on the ground, and there amid that swarming hive they were exposed to a heavy fire from the face of the Eedan close over their right shoulders.