Campbell's office at Ealaklava. The questions they asked respecting rails, sleepers, &c., indicated a limited acquaintance with the elements of railwajengineering. Dr. Mouatt and another medical officer have returned from a tour in the Crinaea, during which they have minutely inspected the Eussian military hospitals, with a view to prepare a report upon their medical system. That the Eussians will profit by what they see, no one who witnesses their avidity for information and desire of improvement can possibly doubt. They are deeply persuaded of the necessity which exists for making good roads; but I fear they look upon that necessity as one arising rather out of military and political than peaceful and commercial considerations. " None of us ever dream.ed of the Crimea being made the scene of a great campaign, or we should have had good roads, and, possibly, a railroad to Sebastopol." That is their constant remark.
The strangest, but the most universally asserted and best attested fact we have learned from our late enemies is this — that had the fire continued, they would have blown up their works and evacuated the south side of the town on the 10th, or at furthest on the 12th of September — that is, either two or four days after the assault. The fire Avas too tremendous and all-searching to be withstood. The officer of one regiment, which garrisoned the Malakhoft'from the evening of the 6th till the evening of the 7th, said they marched in 3400 men, with 70 officers, and when they were relieved, 2800 men and 51 officers had been killed or wounded by shell and shot. Sometimes a shell rolled down into a bomb-proof and blew up among the dense mass of men inside.
Sometimes a round shot, striking one of the massive beams of wood which supported the works, sent a shower of deadly splinters all round it, and the service of the guns was attended with the certainty that almost every gunner would be hit by the French riflemen in the course of the day. The Eussians concm* in saying that they lost more than 2000 men every day of the fire. But then, if they had waited till the 10th, and no assaiilt had been made. CrJMEA. what would have occurred? The lire must have slackened on the 9th, for the allies had not the means of continuing it. The Bussians, most likely, more sua, would have plucked up heart of grace, set to work, and been ready for another bombardment, which could not possibly have talcen place for two months.
But then winter would have been upon us, and — however, there i.s BO use in supposing. Before Sebastopol, May 24. The Biutish army is on the move. The Third Division has been broken up, and the Mediterranean stations will soon be filled with regular troops. Even Gozo is threatened with military occupation. This Aveek the 30th Eegiinent, 55th Ecgiment, 92nd Eegiment, 89th Regiment, and 2Sth Regiment, have embarked for their destinations, and Mercer's Battery, together with other portions of the artillery, have been embarked and des])atched from Balaklava. The " Great Britain" received two regiments, the 30t.h and 55th. The others are embarked in large steamers, such as the " Queen of the South," the *' Indiana," the " Sarah Sands," and " Perseverance." The weather has been very windy and very foggy throughout the early part of the week.
It still blows briskly ii-om the southward. The temperature has been exceedingly low for the time of the year, and the troops are healthy, notwithstanding the appearance of a few cases of ophthalmia among them. The departure of General della Marmora and the Sardinian Staff on Monday was marked by every demonstration of the regard and esteem in which they are held b}^ our army. The ships in harbour hoisted the Sardinian flag, the yards of the *' Leander" were manned, and the General set his foot on the deck of the vessel, to which we wished a speedy and prosperous voyage, amid enthusiastic cheers and three rounds of English hui'rahs. The Crimean medals and ribands intended for the Sardinian troops were placed in the hands of General della Marmora some time ago; but he sent them to Turin, judging that the decorations would be most fitly conferred on the troops in the presence, and possibly by the hands of their gallant Sovereign.