611 
THE FIELD. 
crops round the town. Only the left flank of the advanced 
French guard came up with the Russians, who numbered 
•bout 8,000 infantry, four regiments of Cossacks, and two 
regiments of regular cavalry. Against this superior 
force the Chasseurs d'Afrique and Zouaves instantly 
made a dash, and a slight skirmish ensued ; the enemy 
all the while continuing their retreat under cover of their 
cavalry, with such precipitation as might justly be termed a 
flight. The Chasseurs d'Afrique overtook the Cossacks and 
broke their ranks on the first onset, killing and wounding 
•bout sixty, and making a small number prisoners. The 
whole of the enemy's cavalry then took to flight, leaving a 
large portion of their cattle in the hands of the French, who 
only sustained a loss of three men killed and eighteen 
wounded. The French encamped round Kustendje, while 
the Russians fell back with all haste upon Hirsova, where it 
is said they crossed the Danube, thus freeing the Dobrud- 
acha oftheir presence for this year, at least. There were very 
few inhabitants remaining in Kustendje ; the town, in fact, 
was deserted. The country round it was covered with a 
number of high earth mounds, which the villagers, in reply 
to questions from the French, said wero the places where 
the Russians had interred their dead. From the size of 
these mounds they appear to cover pits containing 100 
bodies ; and there are scores and scores of such melancholy 
memorials in all directions. If what the inhabitants said be 
true, and as it is confirmed from other sources there is no 
reason to doubt it, the Russians have lost at the lowest 
computation 40,000 men since they first occupied the Do- 
brudscha. 
SAILING OF TROOPS. 
Departure of the 34th Foot for Corfu. — The Mauri- 
tius, steam-vessel, received on board the 34th Regiment on 
Monday, less one company, which was kept back to accom- 
modate seventy-nine sappers and miners (5th company), 
which arrived by the two o'clock train, and proceeded to 
Corfu. The 34th were much cheered on their way to the 
dockyard, and the band of the Colossus, 80, Captain Robinson, 
gave them the favourite “ Cheer, boys, cheer," with such 
effect as to produce an out-and-out "cheer" from the gallant 
regiment, whose exemplary conduct has commanded univer- 
sal respect from the inhabitants of Portsmouth garrison. 
The 4th Queen's Own Light Dragoons left Constantinople 
in the Simla at five p.m. on the 1st inst., and cast anchor at 
Yarna at eight a.m. on the following morning, where they 
landed, and went into camp on the high ground on the south 
aide of the bay. The regiment continued to be in good 
health on the 8th of August, and anxious for a move to the 
Crimea. 
Hamburgh, Aug. 21 . — Reinforcements of French troopa'con- 
tinue to arrive in the Baltic. On Wednesday three English 
transports, with French troops on board, arrived at Copen- 
hagen, and cast anchor in the roads. The English club 
yacht (aa they call it), the Oriaua, also cast anchor there. 
TROOPS ON THE MARCH OR UNDER ORDERS 
FOR FOREIGN SERVICE. 
The 92nd Highlanders. — A draft of this regiment, con- 
sisting of three sergeants and seventy rank and file, com- 
manded by Lieut. Leith, with Ensigns Parkinson and Newell, 
arrived in Dublin on Tuesday from Belfast, and proceeded 
to Cork to join the service companies at Gibraltar. The 
Mauritius, screw-ship, is expected to put into Cork for 
drafts of the 14th, 60th Rifles, and 57th Regiment for con- 
veyance to the East. 
SOLDIERS’ WIVES AND FAMILIES. 
The Relief Fund. — It was stated at the weekly meeting 
of the Leicester Board of Guardians on Tuesday, that relief 
from the fund recently subscribed for the wives and children 
of soldiers in the East was only administered to those who 
received parochial relief. The Vice-Chairman said that Col. 
Hawker, of Leicester, gave only to those who were relieved 
from the poor-rates, and gave juat the same sum as their 
pauper allowance. This practice was considered a great evil 
by the guardians, who held it to be adverse to the wishes of 
those who had subscribed to the funds. It was asked by a 
guardian whether this arrangement was general or local, but 
the vice-chairman, who had introduced the subject, could 
not say. The board appointed three of their number to 
wait upon Colonel Hawker in reference to the subject. 
Camp Monastir, near Varna, August 8. — The 33rd regi- 
ment has lost no less than six of the soldiers’ wives, who 
came out with them, and who have died of cholera since the 
disease broke out in Devna. 
Nurses for the French Soldiers in the East. — The 
Moniteur says : — “ The Marshal Minister of War lias made an 
appeal to the devotion of the sisters of St. Vincent de Paul 
to go and nurse the French soldiers in the hospitals of the 
army of the East. This appeal has been heard ; twenty-five 
of these holy virgins are going to embark at Marseilles, on 
board the fastest sailing vessel ; twenty-five more will follow 
shortly after, and the worthy superior has encouraged the 
hope that the number may be raised to a hundred." 
THE TURKS AND RUSSIANS. 
{Continued from page 786.) 
In one of my previous letters I alluded to the ameliora- 
tions on the eve of being introduced for the welfare of the 
inhabitants of this country. The Supreme Council, encouraged 
by Lord Stratford de Redcliffe to fresh efforts, has ever since 
been in close deliberation, with a view of concocting some 
grand and important measure for the full development of 
these ameliorations, and of devising some mode of putting 
them forward without hurting the national feelings of the 
Turks, who are still fanatic at heart. In this sense they have 
come to a decision which is something quite new in Ottoman 
politics. Immediately after the Co urban Bayram (towards 
the latter part of this month), orders will be sent to each 
province throughout the empire to elect two representatives, 
one a Mussulman, the other a Rayah, from among the local 
administrators. These two are to repair to Constantinople, and 
are there to be fully examined by the Supreme Council, in 
order to discover through their testimony the best method 
of improving the agricultural, commercial, and natural 
resources of their respective provinces, in such a way as will 
augment the true prosperity of the population. Their evi- 
dence given, it may be concluded that their duties cease. 
They will have no voice in the council, and are called merely 
o give evidence, nothing else. The expenses of their journey 
are o be defrayed out of the local treasury, and during 
their residence at the capital they are to be guests of the 
ministers and employ s, who are to entertain them without 
c aige. If the object for which this new measure is 
esigned succeed, by strengthening the re ces of the 
Government and the people, such deputation ill probably 
be repeated, until a kind of Chamber of Deputies bo formed; 
but at present it is quite an experimental trial, which 
may or may not have good results. It will, however, have 
one good effect, which is to prove to the inhabitants of the 
provinces far and near that tueir welfare is cared for ; and it 
will give them a feeble idea of the popular advantages of a 
representative government, of which they have at present no 
notion whatever. It will be one of the seeds of liberty sown 
which may possibly in the end produce fruit. 
THE WAR IN EUROPE. 
Constantinople, Aug. 10. — The Orinoco, with the 1st 
battalion of the Rifles on board ; the Colombo, with the 
20th ; the Avon with the 3rd, and a detachment of the 46th; 
and the Himalaya, with the Scots Greys, are here, expecting 
orders to proceed to the Crimea, or any other point that 
may have been decided ujKtn. This is a wise measure, as, if 
the troops were sent to Varna, where the cholera exists, we 
might have had to deplore the loss of scores of our best men. 
Two French and one Turkish steamer have brought down 
about 500 invalids, natives and Europeans. The Victoria 
and Medway, with the 68th and 46th, ore daily expected 
from Malta. Twenty-two transports, with 2,601 troops, and 
255 horses, from Tunis, have arrived at the Dardanelles. 
The Begy and Mejidid steamers have proceeded in that 
direction, for the purpose of towing them up. These troops 
are under orders for Circassia. 
Varna, August 9.— The French troops have received 
orders to be ready for embarkation between tho 10th and 
12th, but probably they will be allowed some days' rest to 
recover from the sickness and fatigues of their reconnaissance 
in the Dobrudscha. The night they returned (Sunday), a 
serious fight broke out between them and a party of Turks 
and Bashi-Bazouks. It seems that three or four men of the 
line, and Zouaves, were smoking and drinking in a little 
Turkish coffee-house, where about thirty of the faithful, 
principally Bashi-Bazouks, were assembled. The conversation, 
such as it was, was amicable enough until the touchy French- 
men got offended at their Mahomedan confreres speaking of 
them — as, without a single exception, they always do speak 
of Christians — as dogs and infidels. Tlio dispute passed 
from bad to worse ; blows were struck ; the Turks attacked 
the French in a body, shot one, and, after a fierce struggle, 
in which two more of the French wero wounded, 
succeeded in pitching them all into tho street. Of 
course a number of the French soldiers instantly collected, 
and prepared for a regular attack upon the house. As they 
were advancing towards it for this purpose, tho Turks, who 
had securely barricaded all the lower windows, received their 
assailants with a regular volley of small arms, which killed 
one and wounded three of the Zouaves. Thoroughly mad- 
dened and infuriated by the loss they had sustained, tho 
soldiers, whose numbers were increasing every moment, 
retired to organise an overwhelming attack upon the cafe 
from all points. There is little doubt that they would have 
taken the place, though not without serious loss of life ; for 
the Bashi-Bazouks were well armed and desperate — and, then, 
Heaven knows how the matter might have ended ; perhaps, 
in the massacre of half the Turkish population of the town 
— certainly, in the instant death of every man found in 
the cap. Most fortunately, however, the serious nature 
of the fracas got wind, and a number of superior 
officers, with a strong guard, arrived at the scene of action 
before the intended attack was put into execution. With 
some difficulty the street was cleared, and the French per- 
suaded to disperse, when the door of the cafe was forced, 
and the occupants, to the number of about thirty, marched 
off under a strong escort. In this row tho Turks were, 
beyond all doubt, in the wrong. They gave tho first provo- 
cation, such as it was, and were the only parties who used 
fire arms. I have often wondered why tho English uud 
French military authorities here do not insist upon the in- 
habitants of the town being disarmed, or, at least, prohibit 
them from wearing their weapons in the streets. It is per- 
fectly ridiculous to see even the little shopkeepers armed to 
the teeth, selling a petike of calico or an oke of tobacco. 
Everyone carries a brace of long, old-fashioned pistols, a large 
broad-bladed dagger, and double-edged yataghan, all of which 
in their disputes among themselves they use without the least 
hesitation. Since I have beeu here two or three Turks lmvo 
been shot in Buch extemporaneous brawls, which will become 
of a very sanguinary nature if, as in the late instance, they 
ensue between the population and tho men of the allied 
armies. 
THE WAR IN ASIA. 
Vienna, August 16. — This morning, at nine, a telegraphic 
despatch of the 14th from St. Petersburg was sent along the 
electric wire. It was an account of the defeat of the Turks 
in Asia on the 1st of this month. Lieutenant-General von 
Wraugel advanced from Erivan "with a detachment," and 
attacked and totally defeated a Turkish corjis posted near 
Bayazid. 3,000 Turks were left on the field of battle, and 
the Russian trophies of war were four guns, seventeen flags, 
and “ two camps." Bayazid, the capital of Turkish Armenia, 
is -principally inhabited by Armenians, who, after the defeat 
of the Turks, sent an invitation to General Wrangel to take 
possession of the city, which he naturally accepted. Such is 
the Russian account of the affair, and some timo must elapse 
before we shall have the Turkish bulletin. Now that the 
electric telegraph is working between St. Petersburg and 
Vienna, the first news of what occurs in Asia will invariably 
come from Russian sources, and the British public will do 
well to bear this in mind. 
Letters from Trebizond of the 30th ult. state that a Frenoh 
lieutenant-colonel, charged by the Emperor Napoleon with 
a private mission to the Ottoman army of Anatolia, landed 
there on the 18th. The Erzeroum mail, which arrived at 
Trebizond on the 27th, announced that the belligerent armies 
were still confronting each other in the neighbourhood of 
Kars. 
NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE BLACK SEA. 
A line of steamers is about to be established between 
Constantinople and Varna by the Meesageries Imperials*, 
under an engagement with the Ministry of War. The service, 
which is to consist of six voyages per month, going and 
returning, will be performed by two steamers of 120-horse 
power; and the departures will be so combined, that the 
boats leaving for Varna will always carry despatches for the 
army brought to Constantinople by couriers from Marseilles. 
Constantinople, Aug. 10. — A friend, who ha* just arrived 
from Trebizond by the British merchant steamer Phoebe, Bays 
that they met a large steamer about fifty miles west of 
Sinope, od the night before last. On perceiving her, they 
immediately put out all their lights, which manoeuvre thoy 
saw repeated by the enemy, for they presumed her to be a 
Russian. Thoy were, however, evidently the one as much 
afraid aa the other ; and the Phoebe, putting on all steam, 
soon lost sight of her. That the Russians do occasionally 
take a cruise in the Black Sea, they have proved by tho 
destruction of three Turkish brigs near Heraclea. 
The Wladimir. — It appears that it is not altogether cer- 
tain that tho Wladimir, paddle-frigate, had made good bos 
return to Sebastopol after ner daring cruise in the Black Sea. 
If she has not, the chances are that she will never see Sebos- 
topol again under Russian colours. It would be a most 
singular circumstance if the scrcw-corvottc Hi .hflyer were to 
pick her up, both mon-of-wor having been built at Bfackwall 
by Mare and Co. 
30 mini. 
ShebRNSSS, Friday. — Tho Royal Albert, 120 guns, Cap*. 
Little, having completed her fittings, U to be taken out of 
dock on Saturday, Aug. 26, gaily decorated, in honour of 
his Royal Highness Prince Albert’s birthday. 
Breach of Discipline. — On tho gunner of tho Janus 
returning on board of the said vessel, after tho deoision of 
the court-martial held upon him oil a charge of desertion, tho 
foremast men assembled at tho gangway, and cheered him, 
which he (the gunner) returned from tho boat. On the same 
being reported to the Commander-ui-Chicf a representation 
wua immediately made to the Admiralty, the result of which 
is, every man is ordered to be immediately draughted to the 
Indofatigable flag-ship at Devonport, much to their annoy- 
ance, as the Jiui us m daily expected to proceed out to tlio 
Bultic, with every chance of prize-money for her crew. 
The Grapesuot Again. — The Grapeshot, which was 
reported somo timo ago in the English Channel as a privateer, 
has just cleared in a most mysterious manner from New 
Orleans, ami has gone to parts unknown with its cargo of 
muskets. Tho New Orleans Delia of tho 2nd inst. gives the 
following account of her : — “Tho Grapeshot, heavily armed, 
under Captain Baxter, cleared yesterday in a sudden and 
mysterious manner. She had been anchored off the mouth 
of the river for the lost two months, during all of which time 
her astute and active captain has been moving about our city 
and neighbourhood in a manner to oxcite much curiosity and 
some alarm. One evidence of this was afforded by the 
Spanish consul, who despatched a vessel and messenger to 
Cuba immediately on tho arrival of tho Grapeshot, and hna 
made her tho subject of several subsequent communications. 
Wo hoar it whispered that a fast schooner has already been 
chartered, by the same vigilant official, to proceed immediately 
to Havannah, to caution the authorities there to be on tho 
look-out for the Grapeshot. No doubt the said schooner 
will get there by the time tho Grapeshot has made tho 
circuit of the island and accomplished her mission, which is 
doubtless one of immense importance to Cuba and to tho 
cause of freedom. There are others, however, who intimato 
that Captain Baxter's sudden departure is connected with 
the arrival of the special Russian ambassador in New York. 
It is darkly hinted that so neat and fast-sailing a craft, so 
heavily aimed, and commanded by so sturdy and determined 
a skipper, could never be intended for peaceful and com* 
meieial purposes. Why should not privateering ba ns 
honourable and profitable now as it was in 1814*15, and 
why is not tho Russian as good a flag for that purpose as 
any other? On one point we feel pretty confident — that 
there is not a vessel in the English or French service that 
could ever catch tho Grapeshot, if she should show her 
heels to them ; aud not one of her sixo that would over 
grapple with her iu a fight. Those 36,000 muskets would 
be terribly effective in a close encounter. Wc cordially 
recommend her to tho Emperor Nicholas's agent's favour aa 
tho very little saucy craft lie requires ; and os for tho mus- 
kets, we have the authority of Major Kelly, who tried them 
in Cuba, for saying that thoy are good enough for any people 
who want to fight. But these aro random ideas. We are 
utterly in the dark aa to the design ami movement of tho 
Grapeshot, and content ourselves with announcing bur 
departure, and the secession from a circle of adoring friends 
of her gallant and sonorous captain.’’ 
Dantzic, Aug. 19. — La Reine Hortonso, the yacht of tho 
Emperor of tho French, arrived hero about half-past eleven 
last night. It appears that Lieutenant Agnow, by desire of 
Admiral Napier, requested a passage to Dantzic iu this 
stcamor. Ho was informed that La Heine Hortenso was pro- 
ceeding to Copenhagen. He then requested a passage to 
Copenhagen, and was told that La Reine Hortenso was an 
Imperial yacht, ami could not take a passenger. Admiral 
Napier then despatched tho Basilisk. Great surprise waa 
felt by the English officers, when, upon their arrival hero, 
they found La Heine Hortense at anchor in the Bay of 
Dantzic. Tho officers in charge of tho despatches iu La 
Reine HortenBe refused to give the slightest information, 
oven as to the name of the vessel. 
The White Ska. — Telegraphic advices from Archangel to 
tho 13th inst. state that tho blockade had commenced. Tim 
Moniteur (Paris) says : It has always been tho benevolent 
intention of the Allied Powers, that the blockade of the porta 
in the White Sea should offer no impediment to the commer- 
cial relations existing between the inhabitants of Norwegian 
Fin mar ck and those of tho coasts of the White Sea, a people 
iu either case so little favoured by nature. The Minister of 
tho Marine and Colonies has just confirmed to our cruiseni 
in those latitudes tho instructions given to them for this pur- 
pose in the month of Muy, previous to tho declaration of tho 
blockade." 
CAPTURES FROM THE RUSSIANS. 
On Monday the Froya and Famo, two Russian ships taken 
by her Majesty’s revenue cutter Argus, were towed from 
Gravesend to the West India Docks, to bo sold for the benefit 
of the officers and crew of the Argus. 
The Russian Bhips Carolina, prize to her Majesty's ship 
Amphion, of which Ehlers was fate master, and tho Carl, 
taken by the Avon, of which Carl Bernatt Back was Into tho 
master, have both been condemned by the Court of Admi- 
ralty, and ordered to be sold for the benefit of their captor*. 
Her Majesty’s ship Archer was at Memel on tho 18th of 
August, making arrangements for sending home the fourteen 
prizes anchored in that port, taken by her Majesty's cruisers 
for breaking the blockade of the Russian ports in tho Gulf of 
Finland, fifty-seven naval coast volunteers having come out 
to work them home to England. ... - 
On Tuesday another prize ship, the Jonge Albert, of which 
Van der Zee was lute the master, taken a prize by her 
Majesty's at amer Conflict, for brooking the blockade of Rum, 
arrived in the Thame* in charge of Mr. Dickins, from Har- 
lingen, where her cargo was lauded by the Dutch authorities. 
She has since been taken into the West India Docks for con* 
demnation. 
