997 
THE FIELD. 
favour. By-and-bye we may quote from it, for the delecta- 
tion of our country friends. 
Mb. Murray and the Museum at Mttilene — (From 
the Amalthcia, a paper published at Smyrna). — Mr. Grenville 
Murray, attached to the British embassy at Constantinople, 
who has been for the last eight months on special mission 
at Mytileue, left some days sinco for a tour ia the Archi- 
pelago. The departure of this noble and philanthropic 
Englishman has caused the greatest regret. But he has left 
ineffaceable traces of his presence amongst us, and has 
earned a most honest title to our common gratitude. During 
the three severest of tho winter months he distributed food 
and clothes, weekly, among the poor, and his house became 
a rendezvous for hundreds of hungry people, who could find 
no relief elsewhere. He exerted his influence with tho local 
authorities to redress any grievance, and pleaded the cause 
of the helpless with inexhaustible kindness. He contributed 
to our schools, distributed prizes to our scholars, and founded 
among us a museum of antiquities. In his public speeches 
he addressed to us the wisest and most temperate counsels, 
in the gentlest and most conciliatory lauguage. Always 
polite, and easy of access to all who had need of him, he was 
as ready with labour as with good words, and conquered the 
respect and affection of great and small. Rarely has a man 
of a stranger nationality given such proofs of sympathy for 
a foreign people, and the remembrance of Mr. Grenville 
Murray will survive in the hearts of the Lesbians as long as 
his name, which is written in letters of gold on the walls of 
the museum which he has endowed. 
JJannl. 
ATTACK ON SEBASTOPOL BY STEAMERS. 
Balaklava Bay, Oct. 2. 
In Katscha Bay we lay, side by side, with another ship 
loaded with engineers’ stores. At one o’clock p.m. this day, 
a steamer came down with the admiral’s orders to take us 
into tow and help us on Balaklava Bay. We were among the 
first vessels that left Katscha Bay. Taken in tow, according 
to orders, as we rounded the headland, we heard a violent 
cannonade, and standing out about five miles from the coast 
we had a good and long view of tho ships engaged in it. 
We found there were three of our steamers, evidently on 
duty off the harbour of Sebastopol. One of them, a very 
small fast vessel, had gone close in shore, evidently for the 
purpose of worrying the Russians in Fort Constantine. So 
beautifully did that small steamer succeed in her object, 
that gun after gun was fired from the fort (of which we 
just saw the bomb-proof roofs), and shell after shell, 
accompanied by long streaks of white smoke, rose 
up into the air and fell into the water, sometimes 
close to the steamer, and sometimes a good distance 
oft’. But the distance matters little in these cases, for “ miss 
a foot or miss a mile” it comes all to the same thing. The 
small steamer — one of the smallest of the fleet — kept 
moving about, and played on tho water like a trout. When- 
ever the Russian seemed tired of the game she came a little 
closer in and gave them one of her guns, which guns seemed 
ridiculously light, in opposition to the heavy metal of tho 
Russians. Still she had her range, if the “ Muscovs" had 
not, for one of her shells alighted on the roof of one of the 
buildings in Fort Constantine, as we could plainly Bee from 
the enormous cloud of dust and smoke it raised when it fell. 
The two other steamers — very heavy ones — were running 
close in shore, but nearer Sebastopol, and out of range of 
Fort C >nstantine. It struck me that they watched the play 
of the small steamer, for the purpose, perhaps, of noting 
the position and capabilities of Fort Constantine 
batteries. Passing further on, we came abreast the 
two entrances to Sebastopol harbour, and had a good 
view of the town and forts. The fortifications 
certainly look formidable, but in looking at them, I 
could not help recollecting that all the Czar's buildings and 
armaments show a good face, no matter how rotten they may 
be at the core. From all reports I have been enabled to col- 
lect from Prussian military engineers, who had the privilege 
of examining Sebastopol, I have como to the conclusion that 
the fortress, though strong, is not near so strong as is gene- 
rally believed, or as its appearance would cause one to believe. 
It is true that the four-storied battery houses and round 
towers look exceedingly formidable. They certainly made 
that impression on some of our engineer officers, who like 
myself are on the sick-list, and who for that reason have for 
some time past been my companions on board this trans- 
port. But in looking at these formidable battery-houses and 
round towers, I could not forget that they are built of 
granite. The worthlessness of granite for the purposes of 
fortification has years ago been demonstrated by prac- 
tical breaching experiments, made in various continen- 
tal countries, and the results of tho30 experiments have 
within the memory, and to the conviction of every oue, been 
confirmed by the practical breaching experiments at the 
round tower of Bomarsund. Besides, the Prussian engineers 
whom I mentioned above (men of high standing and autho- 
rity in their profession) found fault with the want of ventila- 
tion in the small vaulted chambers in which the guns stand, 
and they assert that after ten minutes’ firing the gunners 
must either leave the guns or die from their own smoke. 
Somo of the batteries, too, arc so badly built, that they are 
in danger of destruction from the concussion of their own 
guns, without any material assistance from tho guns of an 
enemy. I recollected all these statements a6 wo passed tho 
frowning tower and ominous-looking embrasures of Sebas- 
topol, and came to the conclusion that it is a pity Admiral 
Dundas did not send before this some of his heavy-armed 
steamers to try what stuff the renowned Sebastopol batteries 
are made of. However, it will all be found out in good time, 
and that “ good time” is coming. 
Tho breaching and storming plan of the accelerated siege 
is still uppermost in the minds of the generals ; and this 
morning, Oct. 2, we were glad to see the first detachment of 
sailors from the Sanspareil landed on the beach of Balaklava. 
Our most useful storming parties have always consisted of 
sailors, who are accustomed to do their work on difficult 
ground, and to whom the clambering up a breach or battery 
is more child’s play. Tho sailors, with their cutlases, knives, 
pistols, and bundles instead of knapsacks, came on shore in 
great order, but also with great glee. They evidently liked 
the idea of a land march agaiust SebastopoL 
W. Gordon presided. At tho conclusion of tho evidence, and 
tho reading of his defence by Sir E. Belcher, the court was 
ordered to be cleared, and after a lapso of about two hours 
it was re-opened. The Deputy Judge Advocate read tho 
long formal finding of tho court, which, after reciting the 
powers vested in tho court to try Captain Sir Edward Bel- 
cher, C.B., for tho loss of her Majesty's ships Assistance, 
Resolute, and Intrepid, were of opinion, (having heard tho 
evidence iu support of the charge, and tho statement of Sir 
Edward Belcher, and having duly weighed tho sanio and 
the premises), that Captain Kellett was justified iu 
abandoning his ship from tho ordors ho had received 
from Sir Edward Belcher, and that Sir Edward Belcher, in 
pursuance of the confidence vested in him, was so authorised 
to give, and had not gone beyond his orders, for abandoning 
those vessels ; but tho court were of opinion that, before 
doing so, ho should have conferred with Capt. Kellot. Under 
those circumstances they acquitted Captain Sir Edward 
Belcher, C.B., of all blame ; and he was acquitted accord- 
ingly. The President then handed to Sir Edward Belclior 
his sword, but without making any observation whatever. 
Sir Edward Belcher bowed on receiving the sword, aud tho 
court immediately afterwards broke up. The following ad- 
dress was presented to Commander Marsh, of lior Majesty's 
ship Waterloo, by the crews of the vessels eugaged iu the 
Arctic squadrons, for the kindness they had experienced : — 
“ We, the ships’ companies forming the crows of the late 
Arctic expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, being de- 
sirous of acknowledging the disinterested kinducss of Com- 
mander Marsh and the ship’s company of her Majesty’s ship 
Waterloo, during the period of the court-martial assembled 
on board that ship, take this opportunity of sincerely thank- 
ing Commander Marsh and the ship's company for their 
kindness to us on that occasion.” 
THE LATE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 
Court-Martial on Captain Sir Edward Belcher. — 
Sheeiiness, Thursday night. — Tho general court-martial 
on Captain Sir Edward Belcher, for the loss of the ships 
composing the Arctic squadron, re assembled this morning 
on board the Waterloo, at Sheerness. Admiral tho Hon. 
OMAR PASHA. 
About forty miles from Fiunie, in the frontier district of Ogulin, there 
is a little village called Plash i. At the commencement of this century 
two brothers resided there, one of whom was a soldier, tho other n priest 
of the schismatic Greek Church. Tho ecclesiastic must have been tho 
better citizen of tho two, at least ho received, for the services ho had 
done the State, the gold medal, while the breast of the soldier remained 
undecoratcd. In fact, the latter belonged to that class of soldiers 
whom their comrades look somewhut coldly on, and who never find any 
opportunity for distinguishing themselves, lie was employed as a “ civil 
lieutenant,” as they arc called on the frontier, or assistant In tho 
chancellcrie, first in the Ogulin, then in tho Llcla, district. After 
spoiling great quantities of papor, according to regulation, in both 
places, and wearing himself out with the eternal writing, ho resigned 
his commission and disappeared from tho same. 
The two brothers bore the namo of Lattas, and belonged to a poor 
family, which had a modest farm in the village of Plnskl. The present 
Mushir, Omar Pasha, is tho son of the soldier and civil lieutenant. He 
received the usual education of soldier's children, first at the military 
normal school in his own village, and then at tho higher school nt 
Thurm, near CarlstndL In both of these schools ho gained acquire- 
ments which were of material service for his frituro advancement. In 
Pluski he was distinguished for Ins splendid handwriting; in Thurm, 
by his proficiency in mathematics. Both qualifications recommended 
him to his superiors, and were the causo of his not long remaining in 
his first grado as cadet in the Ogulin frontier regiment. Ho was 
attached to Major Korczi, of the engineers' corps, and employed by him 
partly as secretary and partly in road-making. A real soldier cannot 
be happy with such occupations. Young Lattas neglected the duties, 
which were repugnant to him ; thence had many quarrels with his 
superior officer, who had procured his promotion, and who accused 
him of ingratitude. He put an end to this by sending in his resignation. 
Whether it was accepted, or whether he left without permission, Is the 
subject of various rumours. The first Is tho more probable of the two, 
as Lattus went, after turning his back on tho road-making, to Zara, 
and remained for a considerable time in this capital of Austrian 
Dalmatia. 
As Zara did not offer him what ho was seeking, ho bent his steps 
towards Turkish Bosnia. Lattas found, as n compensation for what ho 
had given up, nothing but a situation with a Turkish tradesman, nnd' a 
very subordinate one it must have been, as is evinced by the fact that 
lie embraced Islainism, in order to bo adapted for tho office of a tutor. 
He was now called Omar, learned the language, manners, and customs 
of tho Turks, and was clever enough to cause his new co-roliglonists to 
forget that ho had so recently ltecn a Giaour. 
After a considerable lapso of time, tho Turkish merchant, in whose 
service Omar was, sent his children to Constantinople in tho charge of 
the tutor. Thus the ambitious renegade arrived nt StambouL As 
soldier, ho sought acquaintances and patrons in military circles, received 
encouragement, gave up his situation with tho merchant, and became 
teacher nt one of the new military schools. 
His hnndwriting, one of the slightest of his qualifications, was his 
principal recommendation. But it was the year 1833 ; tho reforms 
were pressed on more hastily than ever, and thus it was more Inevitable 
thnt Omar must find scope to display his brilliant abilities. From the 
moment when the old Seraskior, Chosrew Pasha, became acquainted with 
him and made him his adjutant, lie rapidly advanced. Through Chos- 
rew, Omar was introduced to the Sultan, nnd appointed by tho latter 
writing-master to his son, the present Abd-ul-MedJld. 
Chosrew was the guardian of one of the richest ladies in Constanti- 
nople, tho daughter of an Agha of the Janissaries, whom lie had himself 
ordered to be executed after tho sanguinary rebellion of those troops. 
This lady he gave to Omnr us a wife, nnd if report is not false, tho 
latter presented her spouse with two companions of her own selection. 
In tho next year he was promoted to a majority, nnd took the most 
active part in the labours by which the rc-organisation of the nrmy was 
effected. 
At first he served under the immediate orders of the Polish General 
Chrzanowski, who had nt that time tho direction of military nffuirs at 
Constantinople. Then he was employed in topographical studies for a 
couple of years, on the Danubinn Principalities anil in Hulgnria. Tile 
knowledge of tho terrain, which lie acquired in this manner, is of very 
great service to him in tho present war. Thoro i* not through tho 
whole of the sent of war on tho Danube a single forest, stream, morass, 
or valuable position, with which Omar Pasha isnot intimately acquainted. 
lie received a more important command for the first time by the 
occasion of the Syrian disturbances. Both in tliat country, as well as 
in Albania, and Kurdistan, he distinguished himself greatly Whether 
it was merely new opposition nnd attempts at rebellion on the part of 
the old Turkish party, or of disobedient tribes, which occasioned the 
interference of the Porto, tho ultimate design was ulwuyt their pro- 
tection, and it was this lost part of lib commission which Oinar Pasha 
attended to with the utmost zeal. 
In the revolutionary year, 1818, he first formed the acquaintance of 
the Russians. An insurrection in Wallachla rendered It necessary for 
the country to be held simultaneously by the Emperor and the Sultan, 
and Omar 1’aslm commandod tho Turkish division, while General 
Luders was at the head of the Hussion troops. Through the position 
of the country there was much that raised the Turks higher than the 
Russians in the estimation of the people, hut a groat share of tho popu- 
larity which the Turkish Government then enjoyed was duo to Omar 
Pasha. Ho secured for the Wallachlaiis all the liberty which could pos- 
sibly be saved, and certainly obtained by it the reputation of being 
imbued with revolutionary sentiments, which, however, is not of much 
consequence in Turkey. 
This reputation lie chiefly acquired by a chcumsUnco which only 
interested Omar Pasha so fur that he was enabled to show that the 
Sultan, and not the Czar, was rooster ot the country. A band of gipsies 
had played the ••Maraelilalse " and other national molodlo* and hod 
been summarily punished by tho Russians for It As soon as Omar 
Pasha heard of it, ho ordered all tho bands to learn these tunes. When- 
ever tho Turkish troops marched out to exercise before Bucharest and 
passed tho palace occupied by General Luders, he had an opportunity of 
hearing these odious revolutionary sounds. The effect was »o ( .n visible - 
when tho Russian representations, at first clothed In very rougli 
language, and then pitched in a milder key, remained Ineffectual, they 
comprehended the lesson which Omar Pasha reml them, and placed somo 
limits to tho exercise of their supremacy in police matters. 
1 ho two years 1818 and 18411 passed without anything rcmarknblo 
being effected by Omar Pasha. The ncgoclntiuns relative to the fugitives, 
In which Ills name was repeatedly mentioned, only affected him very 
remotely To make up for this, the year 1 8S 1 was nil tho more brilliant. 
Once again tho daring Hosnlaks of the Mohammedan ftilth, who hail 
always felt outraged by the reforms of the two Inst Sultan*, nnd the alle- 
viation of tho burdens of their Christian countrymen, took up arm*, 
and effected what they strove for in 184C under tho •• Emperor with tho 
green arm.” tho lndopondont position of Bosnia, somewhat after tho 
tosh ion of Sorvia. Tho indolent Tahir Pacha took such unskilful 
measures, as If ho were purposely playing Into the hands or the insur- 
gents, and consequently matters attained to such a pitch, that Blhaci 
nnd tho wholo of Camla were persuaded to rebel. At tills climax of 
tho Insurrection, Umar Pasha appeared with unlimited authority and 
fresh troops. 
From this moment tho cause of tho Insurgents began to pine nway 
Marching with great rapidity on all the strategically Important points, 
Omar led his columns through the hands of his opponents, beat them 
in detail, ami suppressed tho rebellion in a very short time. Tho 
oppressed Christians breathed again, for Omar l'aaha kept hi* troop* 
in strict discipline, and sought to establish a more settled suite of 
things. The address Which tho Franciscan Fathers offered him In 
gratitude, was tho expression of tho general opinion. 
The campaign against Montenegro, which took place in 18.12, ha* 
caused many unfair opinion* to be formed about Omar Pasha, but not 
Justly so. It was not his fault that ho was compelled to commence tho 
war in tho worst possible season, In December, that his troops were 
badly fed, and that he made but slow progress against a bravo nation 
fighting In tho vory best position. In all that ho personally arranged 
nnd did, wo perceive fresh proofs of his distinguished talents. Tho 
threo points from which ho caused Ills troops to advance were so 
happily chosen, that, at tho very outset, ho cut off several districts of 
Montenegro from tho main land, and forced tho enemy to divide their 
troops, which was most unfavourable for hint It ivns, perhaps, fortu- 
nate for him that tho Austrian insurrection Interrupted the war Just at 
tho moment when Omar 1'ashn was approaching the celebrated defiles 
which lead luto tho heart of tho country. If Is very possible that lie 
would liavo experienced no better fortune within them than several 
Russian generals had done before him. 
In the war which at this moment Is being carried on on tho bank* 
of the Danube, Omar Pasha lias most brilliantly refuted tho croaking 
predictions of the friends of Itiuslu. His position from tho Black Sea 
to tho Austrian frontier has gained tho approbation of all military 
men. How correctly ho Judged when ho solcotod Little Wallachla a* 
the point of attack, and made Kalnfnt the lelr.ilu-ponl of Widdin, Is 
proved by the desperate exertion* made by the Russians to regain thl* 
position. There is a certain touchstone by which it can he discovered 
which of two commanders is superior in talent. It is tho one who 
through ills operations undertakes the management of the war, and 
forces Ills opponent to follow Ills movements. Omar Pasha has un- 
doubtedly acted this part 
In another poiut he has also shown his superiority. Ho lias never 
suffered himself to lw deceived by protended attaoks, which was fre- 
quently the case on the Russian side, more especially when Omar Pasha 
intended to take up hi* permanent position at Knlafat, and crossed 
tho Danube and attacked the Russians nt other points, so thnt they 
neglected tho position which it was so important to their clever oppo- 
nent to obtain. 
In addition to this, his management of the war Is based on a wry 
correct estimate of what tho troops on either side arc able to do. Ho 
chooses those modes of fighting In which tho Turks nro superior to the 
Russians. Tho Turkish soldier Is a good tirailleur, which tho Russian 
never learn*, for ho is nothing but a machine. The Turkish soldier 
defends walls and intreiiehment* with a love of tho sport, in which lie 
is only probably surpuned by tho Spaniards; while the Russian is per- 
fectly helpless in an attack on strong places. In accordance with theso 
qualities of tho opposed troops, Omar Pasha regulates his plan of cam- 
paign, carries on an uninterrupted little war, and Intrenches himself 
when larger bodies are marched against him. 
Wo are well aware what lie has effected by this. Tho constant skir- 
mishes fatigue tho Russians, ami causo them to lose many soldiers, as 
they are unsuccessful In their attacks upon Omar Pasha's Intrenched 
positions. They were defeated ut Oltenltzu, ami were obliged to give 
up the investment of Kulafat. What can we think of the boasted 
superiority of tho Rirulan troops, when wo see that thoir generals aro 
obliged to open a regular siege against common earth redoubts aud 
hurriedly-intrenched villages ? 
Oinar Pasha's personal appearance Is very striking, He is not tall, 
but well-knit and powerful, and possesses that true martial extorlor, 
which is so attractive to soldiers ami women. He Is no admirer of 
European fashions, and in his behaviour to Franks allows it to be scon, 
that when ho employs strangers, necessity, and not his will, forces him 
to do It, The good qualities of the Turks — honesty, disinterestedness, 
nnd liberality — aro perfectly represented In him. His military talents, 
which are united to an Innate instinct for the trade of war, nro indubi- 
tably of a very high character. Of all the armies which the Turk* liavo 
marched into the field during tho last few yenrs, those commanded liy 
him were tho only ones in which discipline was kept up, nnd the want 
of n sufficient number of good officers ami subalterns was not so percep- 
tible. Ills troops adore him, nnd obey his commands with the molt 
unbounded confidence. Tho fact of his displaying the most chivalrous 
bravery on all occasions, has naturally done much in gaining him this 
affection. 
He speak* several language* besides Turkish, Servian, German, ami 
Italian, with equal fluency In 111* mode of life he ho* retained much 
peculiar to Europeans. His house is furnished entirely after tho Ger- 
man fashion, and he drinks wine publicly ami without any scruple. 
Very recently, too, ho abolished his harem, and live* with only one wife, 
a native of Transylvania, whom ho allows the liberty of European 
Martial Law in California. — Some of tho members of 
the voluutoer corps nt Ycrba Buena mode thoir appearance ono 
clay on parade, in a state bordering on intoxication. They 
wore ordered to fall into lino. All oboyod the order but 
one, a Mr. P. t well known to thoso who lived heroin ’4G. 
Mr. P. backed up against ono of tho posts in front, of tho 
house beforo which Captain H. had drawn up hi* men. 
This was in Kearny street, between Clay and Washington. 
“ Fall into ranks !” cried tho captain. “I could not entor- 
„ u d drew his sword, which happened to !»■ a long dragoon 
sword. “I gay onco more," cried tho captain, nt the t<q> of 
his voice, “Fall in! If you don’t, at tho words one, two, 
and three, I will toko off your head.” Mr. P. remained 
immoveable. Tho captain raised hi s sword in the face of tho 
whole company, and in the moat solemn manner whirled it. 
around his head, pronouncing, “one, two, and at “ three 
he cut the huge uniform-hat of P. iu two, just grazing tlm 
t ,p of hi* head. •' There. Sir, is a specimen of what I con 
do The next cut, oft' got * your head. W ill you hill into tlio 
rinks now, Sir /" ” Vos, Sir r-r-c-e,” mud I\, “ I am perfectly 
satisfied.” The hat woi 
; if it had hoc 
satisfied. i no mu. wim cut in two as ck,... .. .» ...... — .. 
douo by a razor, and P. never winked an eye when H. made 
tho stroke . — California Monthly Pioneer. 
J 
