> 
III.— No. 
Saturday, April 1, 1854. 
[Gratis. 
THE FIELD OF WAR. 
OUR WOODEN WALLS. 
THE BALTIC FLEET. 
COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES. 
According to a Berlin letter, Lord Bloomfield, the British 
Envoy, on learning that the Emperor of Russia resolved lo 
ive no reply to tho Anglo-French ultimatum, sent a tele- 
graphic despatch to Admiral Napier, via Hamburg, an- 
nouncing to him that a state of war now existed, and that, 
conformably to his responsibility, he was to commence 
operations against the enemy. 
Vice-Admiral Sin Charles Napier is rapidly ap- 
proaching tho Muscovite enemy — the first, or 6team-di vision 
having made the coast of Sweden in 48 hours, from the 
Downs, and having since considerably progressed. Rein- 
forcements are also, and almost daily, proceeding to the 
Baltic. The Archer, 14, screw steam corvette, Captain 
llcathcote, went down the river on Friday week to try her 
engines, and they were found to work satisfactorily. Sho 
returned to Woolwich in the evening, and on Saturday, 
March ‘25th, she draughted ten of the newly entered men 
from the Fisgard flag-ship, and left for the Baltic at six 
o'clock p.m., taking out with her several bags of letters for 
the officers and crews of the vessels under the command of 
Sir Charles Napier. The crew of the Fisgard manned yards 
when the Archer left Woolwich, and with most hearty 
cheers bade adieu to the first draught of seamen taken from 
those newly entered under the ten years’ continuous service 
regulations. Admiral Napier’s fleet left the Downs in the 
following order : — 
LEE COLUMN. 
(Screws.) 
Edinburgh, 68 (benr- 
llio flag of Rear-Ad- 
miral Chads). 
Hogue, (10. 
Blenheim, 60. 
Ajax, 58. 
Arapldon, 34. 
Tribune, 30. 
CENTRAL COLUMN. 
(Screws.) 
Duke of Wellington, 
131 (flagship of Vice- 
Admiral Sir Charles 
Napier, Commander- 
In-Chief. 
St. Jean d'Acre, 101. 
Royal George, J20. 
Princess Royal, 91. 
Cressy, 80. 
Iniperleuse, 50. 
Arrogant, 40. 
WEATHER COLUMN. 
(Paddle-wheels.) 
Leopard, 12 (having 
the flag of Rear Ad- 
miral Plumrldge). 
Valorous, 10. 
Dragon, 6. 
Southampton. — A telegraphic despatch 1ms been re- 
ceived ordoring the steamships Orinoco, Thames, and Med- 
way, to be prepared^for sea without delay. A large quan- 
tity of Minie rifles and ball cartridges are shipped by these 
vessels. 
Plymouth Marines. — The Morning Chronicle an- 
nounces that Lieutenant-Colonel Fortescue Graham, at 
Devonport, has been directed to embark immediately on 
board t he James Watt, to join Sir Charles Napier’s squadron, 
as field-officer of marines. Sho has since sailed. 
Portsmouth, March 25. — The Conflict, 8, screw cor- 
vette, Captain Foote, sailed this evening for the Baltic.— 
March 26th — The 
Caesar got under weigh 
before eight this morn- 
ing, and sailed for tho 
Baltic, leaving at Spit- 
head only the St. 
George, 1 20, Prince 
Regent, 90, Despe- 
rate, 8, and Hecla, G. 
An Admiralty notice 
was issued to-day in- 
viting tenders, to be 
sent in on Tuesday 
the 4th, for the con- 
veyance to Constanti- 
nople of 113 guns, 
weighing 342 tons, be- 
sides 59 tons of an- 
chors and chain cables, 
which latter are to be 
shipped at Ports- 
mouth. March 29.— 
The Magicienne, 1G, 
paddle wheel frigate, 
Captain Fisher, sailed 
from Spithead last 
night for the Baltic. 
March 30. — H.M.S. 
James Walt, 91, is at 
Spithead, disabled. 
Deal, March 25.— 
Nine a.m.— Her Ma- 
jesty 's ship Boscawen 
passed at the back of 
tho Goodwin Sands; 
her Majesty’s ship 
Gorgon passed 
through the Gull 
Stream. March 26.— 
Five p.m. — Arrived 
nnd anchored the 
French screw steamer 
Austerlitz, 100 guns, 
irom Breet for the 
Baltic ; her Majesty’s 
ship Conflict, from 
Spithead for the Bal- 
tic, the latter receiving 
buoys. 
Gothenburg, March 19. — The squadron under tho 
orders of Vice-Admirul Sir Charles Napier weighed anchor 
in the Downs at 2 p.m. of the 13th inst., under steam and 
canvass, with a light breeze from tho southward, and pro- 
ceeded through tho Gull Stream, stoering E.N.E. 
Early in the following morning the fires were extin- 
guished, tho propellers aud paddle-wheels disconnected, 
euch ship making und shortening 6ail as requisite, to keep 
in station. In the forenoon the crews were exerci.-ed at 
general quarters; in the afternoon the newly-raised men 
were put lo cutlass drill, &c. At noon the squadron was 
in lat. 52 deg. 50 min. N., long. 3 deg. 10 min. E., ; tho 
Scaw Light hearing N. 40 deg. 47 min. E., 338 miles dis- 
tant. The wiud during the day was abaft the beam. To- 
wards evening it fell light, and at midnight a calm had 
set in, when the fires were lighted, steam got up, 
propellers aud paddles connected, tho ships steering a 
N.E. course. At 9 a.m. of the 15th, each ship’s company 
went to general quarters, and fired three rounds of blank 
cartridge. At noon the latitude was 54 deg. 25 N., long. 
4_deg. 10 min. E., the Scaw Light bearing N. E.by E. by com- 
pass, 260 miles ; squadron still under steam alone. A dense 
fog set in at sunset, and continued during the night, tho flag- 
ships Duke of Wellington, Edinburgh, and Leopard, firing a 
gun every half hour to denote their position to tho rest of 
the squardon. Up to 10 a.m. of tho 16th none of the 
squadron were visible, most of them having parted company 
during the preceding night. Towards noon the atmosphere 
became partially clear. Tho weather column comprising 
the Leopard, Valorous, and Dragon; the Princess Royal, 
Royalj|George, Imperieuse, and Arrogant, of the central; and 
the Ajax of tho lee columns, having separated from tho rest 
during the prevalence of the fog, were not in sight. The 
wind was blowing fresh from the southward. The ships in 
company closed with tlmt of the Commander-in-Chicf, and 
made sail to close-reefed topsails and reefed courses. At 
noon tho lat. wasSG deg. 18 min. N., long. 5 deg. 40 min. E, 
the northern point of Denmark bearing E. by N. by compass, 
199 miles. About 4 p.m. the fires were put out, each ship 
spreading the canvass requisite to keep in position. The wind 
becoming light the next morning, the reefs were shook 
out, and the squadron proceeded under all plain sail. 
At 10 a. m. of 17th land was perceived, bearing 
N. W. Went to general quarters by signal. At noon got 
up steam, the Nnze, Norway, being N. W. by W. by com- 
pass, 30 miles, and Skagen Point, Denmark, E. by S , 90 
miles. None of tho missing ships had yet rejoined the 
squadron. Early in the morning of the 18th, the light on 
Skagen Point was made, and shortly after daylight a 
merchant vessel ‘being observed to bo on shore on the 
northern point of the coast of Norway, the Tribune was 
despatched to render any assistance that might be necessary. 
The Ajax came in sight by 8 a.m. The brig Peggy, of 
London, laden with coals for the fleet, was taken in tow by 
the Cressy, and tho whole of the squadron, with the excep- 
tion of the Royal George and Arrogant, were at anchor at 
Wingo Sound, injthe Cattegat, by 3 p.m. TheEuryalus, Capt. 
W. Ramsay, together with tho ships which parted compnny 
in the fog which prevailed during the night of tho lGtli, had 
previously arrived. Sir C. Napier struck his flag on board 
tho Duke of Wellington, and proceeded on tho morning of 
the 19th to Copenhagen, leaving Rear-Admiral Chads in 
command. 
Copenhagen, March 22. — Tho day before yesterday Sir 
Charles Napier arrived here in the Valorous steamer, Cap- 
tain Buckle. The Danos were excessively pleased with him 
for taking off his hat on landing at tho Custom-houso stairs. 
Sir Charles then paid a visit to Mr. Buchanan (Minister), 
and witli him proceeded to pay his respects to the Danish 
Minister for Foreign Affairs. It is said that tho King of 
Denmark refused to seo tho gallant Admiral, on a plea of 
ill-health, but, in reality, from an indisposition to offend tho 
Russian party, which is rather strong here. Yesterday 
morning Sir Charles Napier returned in tho Valorous to 
Wingo Sound, aud it is expected that tho fleet will enter tho 
Baltic to-morrow, and pass the Greut Belt in a day or two. 
Nyborg, March 27,8 a. in. — The fleet under Admiral 
Napier, 23 vessels in all, anchored hero yesterday, and lias 
just sailed for Kiel. Tho weather is fine. 
Kiel, Monday. — Ths morning tho fleet, 23 strong, hod 
all passed tho Great Belt, steering for this port. Tho 
Miranda is still taking soundings in tho Baltic. 
Kiel, Tuesday. — The entire fleet were off Kiol to-day. 
Kiel, Wednesday. — Yesterday the fleet sailed from Kiel 
for Kjoge Bay, near Copenhagen. On Monday tho Miranda 
returned to Copenhagen, having reconnoitred as far as 
Rovel. It is said the fleet is to seize Aland. The Russians 
appear to be firmly convinced that, oven if tilings go well 
with the allies, only a part of the fleet will he fit for service 
by tho time it gets up to Cronstadt. The sand-banks are 
numberless, and, in addition to these, tho ships will have to 
contend with the Scheeren flotilla, which is likely to be very 
destructive to siugio vessels. This flotilla is stationed bo- 
hind tho Scheeren (tho archipelago of islets and reefs or 
ridges of rocks which line the coast on both sides of tho 
Baltic is so called), where there ia not sufficient depth of 
water for larger vessels. It is supposed tliut in tho opera- 
tions against Sweaborg, Oesol, and Revel, the allies will 
suffer severely. The greater part of the Russian fleet Is at 
Cronstadt, “ which is boing fortified so ns to bid defiance to 
all attacks.'’ The island is connected with the continent by 
means of an artificial dam, which is covered with batteries. 
(800 guns of the largest calibre.) It is generally believed 
the first hostile collision will tako place ut the island of Oesol, 
the advanced post to Revel. Sweaborg is so protected by 
sand-banks, reefs and strand-batteries, that an attack is 
almost impossible. “ Tho Russian fleet is perfectly secure 
at Sweaborg, and it may render good service against the 
allies when they return.” All the lamps have been removed 
from the lighthouses, and the buoys taken up, so thut tho 
most experienced Russian pilots would be at a loss to find 
their way up to Cronstadt. 
SAILING OF TROOPS. 
Liverpool, Saturday. — Tho Curtard steam-ship Cam 
bria, Captain Miller, sailed from tb e Mersey this morning 
for Malta, vid Kings/ 
town, with 100 men 
of tho 77th Regiment, 
in charge of Captain 
Francis Kennedy, 
Lieut. Chawner, and 
Ensign BallH. 
The Cunard screw- 
stoamer Tenerlffe, 
Captain Boll, sailed 
from the Mersey on 
Tuesday forenoon, 
with a detachment of 
8 officers and 200 men, 
for Malta. Sho also 
carried out a full 
cargo. 
Dublin. — Another 
consignment of troops 
(33rd, 49th, and 50th) 
for the seat of war 
left Dublin on Tues- 
day, aud embarked on 
bourd the Cambria 
Btcamer, at KingtQ 
town ; aud for the first 
time since the com- 
mencement of tho pre- 
sent warlike prepara- 
tions, the troops 
sailed under sealed 
orders, it being only 
known that the desti- 
nation of tho ship 
was the Mediterra- 
nean. She carries G50 
soldiers. The Cronica 
of Gibraltar, of the 
10th, announces that 
the 44th British regi- 
ment, 1,000 strong, 
which formed part of 
tho garrison of that 
place, had sailed on 
board the steumer 
Orinoco for Malta, to 
take part in the 
Eastern war. 
MATCH BETWEEN “THE BLUL-EYED MAID ' AND*’ IRRESISTIBLE. -DRAWN BY l\ H. WILSON. 
