30 SEPTEMBER 1854, Page 8

POSTSCRIPT.

SATURDAY.

"Paris, Friday, September 29.—A despatch has been received from Mar. shal St. Arnaud, dated Old Fort, Sept. 18. Everything was prepared for a, movement ; but the march had been delayed for a couple of days by cir- cumstances over which the Generals commanding had no control. The ad- vance however, was to commence on the day following (19th); and it was expected that the Allied armies would be on the Alma on the 20th. Every- thing promised favourably." "Paris, Friday Evening, Nine p. ,n.—Further telegraphic messages from Vienna confirm the accounts of the favourable disposition manifested toward the Allies by the Tartar population of the Crimea. The sanitary condition of the Allied army was excellent. An official bulletin communicated to the Ambassadors at Constantinople, and dated from the bivouac at Old Fort on the 16th, announces that the Allies had intended the next day to attack an intrenched camp of 10,000 Russians posted in the direction of Sebastopol, but that the camp had been raised in the night, and that the Rusaians had fallen back upon the town. Twelve thousand Tartars had offered themselves to the Allies as volunteers, and their services been accepted. It was reported that the attack upon Sebastopol had been fixed for the 25th. The Russian fleet had been reconnoitered in the port of Sebastopol by the French steam- ship Napoleon."

"Vienna, Friday, Sept. 29.—Advices from Constantinople of the 21st state that the Allies were marching towards the river Alma on the 29th, and expected to reach the river Katoba next day ; where 8000 Russians oc- cupied a fortified position. Russian accounts of the 19th say.. that General Canrobert has a fortified position at Eupatoria ; that-the ream body of the Allied army is on the small river to the North of and parallel with the river Alma ; 30,000 Russians were posted at the latter, but with -insufficient artillery. Admiral Lyons's squadron and 120 transports had left the Crimea to fetch the reserve.

"Baron Hess arrived at Bucharest on the 23d instant, and was received with every distinction by Omar Pasha and Dervisch Pasha. A brilliant re- view of Austrian, Turkish, and Wallaehian troops, was held in honour of his arrival."

"Vienna, Friday Evening.—It is rumoured in Greek mercantile circles that the Allies have obtained a signal advantage. The funds have risen in

consequence." -

" Dantzie, Friday, Sept. 29.—The Basilisk has arrived. She left the fleet at Nargen on the -26th. Sir Charles Napier reconnoitered Sweaborg on the 23d. The Prince Regent, Neptune, St. George, and Monarch, have been ordered home."

"Nyberg (Great Belt), Sept. 29.—The French line-of-battle ship Breslau, Rear-Admiral Pe:nand, arrived here yesterday from the Baltic, and sailed today for the Kattegat. The Vice-Admiral, Parseval Deschesnes, is exPeeted with the rest of the French line-of-battle ships."

The general-reader of movements in the Crimea may be aided in under- standing the telegraph by seine explanations respecting the country and the probabilities of the contest. - '

The field of war over which the Alike have to operate consilts of-the South-west corner of the peninsula of the Crimea. Taking Sebastopol as the apex of a triangle, and a direct line from Old Fort to Simphetopol, about twenty-five miles, as the base, the two sides would be formed of the coast-line from Old Fort to Sebastopol, thirty miles, and the road from Sebastopol to ,the modern Russian capital of the_Crimea, about forty miles. The tract of country encloseffeonsiets chieflfid dry, sandy steppe, intersected, at intervals of from eight to five miles, by four streams—the Bulganak, the Alma, the Ratan, and the Belbek ; each forming anew base for the triangle as it is reached by a force advaneing,from Old Fort. The vallies through which these rivers run are Steep and wooded; and several Tartar villages stand in them, chiefly an the right bank. Sup- posing that the Allies have marched directly Southward upon SebastefioI, they would have to master the lilies of the 'rivers bi succession; and as the ground affords some good positions fdi defence,it is there that the Russians may be supposed to offer resistance. But the disadvantage of operating directly in front Of the 'Allies would be, that the left flank of the Russians would be constantly turned by the march of the Allies along the coast. The tactics of the Russians would' probably-be to occupy the high ground on the left flank of the Allies,imore especially when-the latter have crossed the Katcha ; as by taking this course they would keep up their communications both with Simpheropol and Sebastopol, and Beane their flanks and line of retreat either upon Sebastopol or the monntainous country Ewitward. A fevi miles South-west of Bagtehe-aemi, and again on the left bank of the Belbek, near Sebastopol, the Russians 'might Offer a stout resistance; The reports referring to a combat' on the Alma May allude to the usualakirmishes with outposts which may have stood on thoserivers. Once arrived on the left bank of the Belbek, the Allies would

be above and close upon Fort Constantine, which lies on the North of the entrance to Sebastopol; but a star-fort would lie in their *ay, and probably other field-works. Having mastered the Northern works- of Sebastopol, the Allies would possess the key of ' the place; but they would still have to overcome the Southern defences of the town and shore.

it is thought 'certain that the Allies have marched direct Imon Sebas- topol by the coast; and it must be admitted that all thelncibabilities stre in favour of that belief. But it comes within the range of probabilities that they might find themselves compelled to march on Simpheropolssand Bagtche-serai, and master the Russians in those places before attempting Sebastopol. There are geed roads-from Simplicropel Southward, as Well as good tracks along the coast. 'Much depends in these operations ripen the relative strength of the two armies. The Allies, -reinforced by the reserve, probably number 70,000 men, with nearly 100 pieces of cannon. The best estimate of the strengthof the Russian artily in the Cfritnea;:ex- elusive of the garrison of -Sebastopol' and. the °rows/ of the fleet, places it at 58,000. It is thought that not more than 45,000 could be ssineen- Mated for regularoperationa .The Allies, therefore, would have a great superiority in point of numbers, and undeniable advantages in point of efficiency and equipment.