Vol. III. — No. 75.] Saturday, June 3, 1854. [Gratis. 
THE FIELD OF WAR. 
OUR WOODEN WALLS. 
THE BALTIC FLEET. 
PARIS. 
Tlie Moniteur says : — “Advices from Copenhagen of the 
28th state — Three steam-frigates have destroyed the de- 
tached forts at Hango Point. The English had three killed 
and some wounded. 
“The loss of the Russians Is considerable. 
“The Magicienne, which brings this news, left Admiral 
Napior, on the 23rd, before Hango. It was said that he 
was going to attack the principal forts.” 
HAMBURGH, May 27. 
A telegraphic dispatch from Copenhagen, dated 3 p. m., 
this day, announces tiiat from information to bo depended 
upon, the British fleet, under Sir Charles Napier, was lying 
before Gustavsweren on Sunday, the 21st inst., ready for 
immediate action, and that on Monday a strong cannonad- 
ing was heard in that direction. This of course puts an end 
to all speculation as to the truth of a previous telegraphic 
dispatch that the Castle of Gustavsweren had been destroyed. 
The French fleet having nearly finished taking in coals and 
provisions, it is thought, in case the other ships arrive that 
are immediately expected, that it will put to sea on Monday 
next. 
According to reports from Stockholm, up to the 23d May, 
nothing was known of the taking of Gustavsweren. The 
Swedish-Norwegian fleet was then at Elfsnabben. 
Some weeks ago a paragraph went the round of the press, 
British and Continental, ubout a schooner (tho Libertas), 
belonging to Russian- Finland, having been captured by 
a British cruizer, placed in charge of English sailors, who 
were made drunk by the captain, then overpowered and re- 
taken. The whole is now known to be pure invention. 
The vessel in question was never captured, but was lately 
sold at Hernosaud. 
BERLIN. 
“ The Journal de St. Pelersbourg says, that on the 19th 
two frigates cannonaded the batteries at Wittsland, and on 
the 20th approached Ekenas, hut were repulsed. 
“ On the 17th a squadron of two-deckers anchored off 
Hango-Head. 
“ The Magicienne has brought intelligence to Copenha- 
gen that a portion of the fleet bombarded Gustavsweren on 
the 22d without result (?) 
“ The maiu attack was expected on the 24th.” 
Cronstadt not Impregnable. — The following ex- 
tract of a letter from the Baltic fleet, dated May 15, is not 
without interest: — “I suppose our friends iu England, 
1 who live at home at ease,’ are much dissatisfied with us 
for not having achieved anything further than the capture 
of a few merchant ships. However, I can assure you that 
the Admiral is not to blame, as the ice has not yet dis- 
appeared from the upper part of the gulf; but, if it had, I 
cannot see that we can commence operations upon Cron- 
stadt, until tho fleot at Helsingfors is either destroyed or 
disabled, otherwise we should have it harassing our rear, 
and placing us between two fires. Again, we must wait un- 
til gunboats arrive from England. These must be of a very 
light draught of water ; and we require also some large 
flat-bottomed boats, besides at least 2,000 soldiers, as we 
cannot spare 200 men to form a landing party. Many per- 
sons consider Cronstadt to be impregnable. This, however, 
is far from being the case, and I think it might be taken 
with a comparatively trifling loss. However, I am neither 
captain nor admiral; but, had I a voice in the matter, 1 
would say, by all means silence Alexander Fort, on the 
north-east part of the island, and simultaneously land a 
large body of troops in the flat-bottomed boats, covered by 
the fire from the gunboats, and those vessels that can ven- 
ture close enough; and I believe Cronstadt is not so well 
garrisoned as to spare many men to oppose the landing. 
9ome of the forts and batteries for the protection of the 
channel are, I understand, open on the land side, so that, 
while the fleet bombarded the forts in detail, the troops on I 
shoro would keep up a galling fire from the heights upon 
the gunners. There are certainly two or three redoubts 
which must be bombarded by the gunboats and carried at 
tho point of the bayonet. The only difficulty that 1 appre- 
hend is, that the Admiralty will send us gunboats totally 
unfitted for the service, as they ought not to draw more 
than six feet of water, and should bo built of sufficient 
scantling to bear the concussion of heavy artillery.” 

OUR FRENCH ALLIES. 
Malta, May 21. — Since the 17th instant, tnany arrivals 
of troops, as well English as French, have taken place ; but 
of the latter, 8,000, under Generals Forey and Lorurmel 
(including some previously reported to have arrived), are 
destined for tho Pirteus of Athens, and will, it is said, take 
their departure on Monday, the 22nd, in 13 French steam- 
vessels, now in port, and making our harbour look much 
more like a French than an English one, seeing that the only 
pendants of the latter nation are limited to the Ceylon, 
receiving ship, tho Apollo, store ship, loading for tho fleet, 
and the Ardent, steam-sloop, under repair. In consequence 
of the breaking down of the French steam-frigate Canada, 
having on board some 1,200 rank and file, these were 
landed for several days, until return empty steamers dropped 
in from the East to carry them on, and lodged in the dockyard 
lofts, or marine barracks, and the remainder in the dockyard 
rope-walks, from which they marched with their arms, 
standards, and band, to the no small amazement of the 
inhabitants of tho quiet town of Senglea. Indeed, the local 
authorities could not show a greater mark of confidence in 
their ally than allowing it to assemble iu our harbour so 
imposing a force, as to exceed four-fold and more the 
British garrison, without any restriction as to the disembar- 
cation with side- arms; aud for the three past days a French 
regimental band has been permitted to umuso the natives 
on the Palace-square of Valetta. As the steamers glide in 
and out, “ God save the Queen,” and even “ Rule Britannia,” 
is struck up by the French bands, whilst three loud cheers 
are given at tho close of each tune. 
SAILING OE TROOPS. 
Departure of the Himalaya with the Fifth 
Dragoons. — Tho Cork Examiner has the following ac- 
count of the sailing of this noble ship with Her vast freight 
of the entire service troops of the 5th Dragoons, and 150 
infantry soldiers for the seat of war. On Saturday evening 
all the arrangements for provisioning the men and cattle 
were completed, and the ship hauled out into the chan- 
nel, abreast of Haulbowline. Shortly after twelve o’clock 
the steam was got up, and it was then known that she would 
sail at or about two o’clock. A few minutes before the lat- 
ter hour the anchor was hauled up, and a jib hoisted to 
bring round her head, and as tho noble vessel swung slowly 
round, her amazing length and beautiful symmetry wore 
6een from every point of view. Iu a few miuutes after she 
was fairly under weigh, steaming out at the rate of six or 
eight miles an hour. The weather had certainly been black 
aud gloomy enough during the early part of the day, but at 
the very moment of her departure tho rain camo down al- 
most in torrents, and the thunder pealed out a salute that 
made the hills ring again with its echoes. A long and en- 
thusiastic cheer came from the bravo fellows on board, which 
was warmly responded to, but, owing to the weather, 
against whose dreary and disheartoning influence it was 
impossible that either enthusiasm or excitement could hold 
out, the shouts were not so cordial and spirit-stirring as 
might have been anticipated. Cheer followed cheer from 
the ship, the cheer was taken up, and re-echoed by tho 
spectators on shore, again the thunder rolled out its fure- 
well and solemn salute. The Himalaya increased her speed, 
and steamed quickly out to sea, under the guidance of the 
pilot who conducted her into harbour, and in less than an 
hour had cleared the light-house. As she disappeared 
round the head, many a prayer and earnest wish was offered 
up for the safety of those she had on board; and the hope 
was generally expressed that they might return before long 
after successfully accomplishing the mission for which they 
were despatched. 
Fourth Dragoons.— The fourth detachment of the 4th 
Dragoon Guards, consisting of two officers, an assistant 
surgeon, and 4G men, with a corresponding number of 
horses, have embarked at Kingstown, having been escorted 
for some distanco along the road from Portobello Barracks 
by tho bauds of the 3rd Dragoons and the 16th Lancers. 
The embarkation of the remaining portion of this fino 
regiment was being continued on Wednesday. 
Malta. — Her Majesty’s ship Simoon, steam-troop ship, 
arrived from Portsmouth on the 19th, bringing Lieut.- Col. 
Elliot, Majors Ferguson and Douglas; Captains Taylor, 
Clepliaue, M'Call, Hunt, Hodgson, Campbell, Maitland, and 
Barnet; Lieutenants Maitland, Cunningham, Cuming, 
W. Scott, C. M. Harrison, F. A. Grant, F. J. Harrison, 
J. Scott, Stevens, Fromo, and Moore; Ensigns Porcival, 
Turner, Harrison, Currie; Paymaster Comes; Quarter- 
master Jameson ; Assistant-Surgeons Bell and Miller; 916 
non-commissioned officers and privates; and II horses of 
the 79th ; all of whom went on to Constantinople on tho 
samo night. 
On tho 18th tho Peninsular and Oriental Company's 
steam-ship Simla arrived from Southampton, bringing 
Assistant- Commissary-General Maleasy ; Mr. Telfer, of the 
same department ; Colonel Cobb, several other officers, and 
30 horses, which were transferred to the Trent; and she left 
for Constantinople on tho same night, carrying likewise 504 
non-commissioned officers and privates belonging to various 
regiments. 
On the 20th tho Georgiana transport returned from 
Tunis, bringing 59 horses and 20 mules, purchased in that 
regency, with which she proceeded to Constantinople on the 
following day, having on board 2 non-commissioned officers 
and 12 privates of tho Royal Artillery in charge of the samo. 
The Dunbar (No. 23) arrived from Queenstown and Gibral- 
tar with stores on the 20th. On the 21st, the Wilson 
Kennedy (No. 47), from Deptford, bringing Liouteuant- 
Colonel She well, Captain Thedenode, Adjutant Seager, 
Cornet Crowes, Surgeon Anderson, 87 nou-coinmissioucd 
officers and privates, 4 women, and 81 horses of the 8th 
Hussars; the Sultana (No. 32), from'Woolwich, bringing 
Lieutenant Vaudaleur, Dr. Dywer, 47 non-commissioued 
officers and privates, and 54 horses of tho Royal Horse Artil- 
lery ; the Rodsley (No. 37), from Woolwich, bringing Assis- 
tant-Surgeon Shelton, of tho 60th Riflos; Lieutenant Dash- 
woofl, and 47 non-commissioned officers and privates, with 52 
horses of the Royal Horse Artillery; the Medora (No. 45), 
from Plymouth, bringing Captain Look wood, Lieutenant 
Viscount Fitzgibbon, Cornet Glynn, 45 non-commissioned 
officers, and 48 horses of the 8th Hussars, and Assiatunt- 
Surgcon Gilborne, of tho 89th ; ull these transports went on 
after merely watering, wh:ch]oecupicd them but a few hours. 
The Courier (No. 50) left on the 20th for Constantinople, 
and the Gomelza (No. 20) for Gallipoli, calling at Corfu 
to deliver a mail; and tlie.Piroeus of Atlieus, 22nd May. 
SOLDIERS’ WIVES AND FAMILIES. 
V A deputation, consisting of the following members of tho 
committee, waited on Monday on the Right Honourable tho 
Secretary-at-War, and transacted business on the subject of 
the distribution of the funds of the Central Association in aid 
of the wives and families, widows and orphans of soldiers 
ordered to the east: — Lord Lilford, Lord Edward Howard, 
M.P., Liout.-Col. Hon. J. Lindsay, M.P., Captain Honour- 
able Stuart Knox, M.P., Honourable Arthur Kinnaird, M.P., 
Major the Honourable H. L. Powys, Sir Robert Gerard, 
Bart., Colonel Boldero. M.P., Colonel Dunne, M.P., Lieut. - 
Col. Taylor, M.P., Mr. Agustus Stafford, M.P.,Mr. Andrew 
Spottiswoode. 
Cambridge Asylum for Soldiers’ Widows. — 
On Tuesday the third aununl meeting of this institution wus 
held at the United Service Institution, Whitehall-yord. 
Lord R. Grosvenor presided. The asylum was opened 
on the 24th of February last, when 91 widows were 
admitted, each of whom had a furnished apartment, and an 
ROYAL PRUSSIAN WAR STEAM! % “ SALAMANDER.”— [.See- page 523.] 
