Since the terrible battle fought at Inkermann on the 5th of November, in which the allies lost nearly 4,000 men, and Russia nearly 10,000, neither party has been in a condition to renew active hostilities. On that occasion both sides claimed the victory. The Russians were the attacking force; the battle raged from dawn till afternoon, when they retired to Sympheropol, from whence they came—the allies being unable to pursue. No incident of importance has occurred since then. The report of another battle on the 13th is discredited.
The urgent necessity of re-enforcements to the allies, to preserve the very existence of their army, has called forth an unwonted degree of activity in England and France, and, ere this, re-enforcements to the extent of 30,000 additional men must be in position before Sebastopol. This will enable the besiegers to resume their attack. Re-enforcements are, in like manner, augmenting the Russian strength, and it is evident another great battle, or series of battles, must be fought, before the fate of Sevastopol is decided. The diplomatists of Russia, Austria, Prussia, and the lesser Germanic States, are particularly active. England and France, have, however, taken a higher tone than they have hitherto assumed, and have notified the German Government that the western powers no longer recognize the four points as a basis of negotiations; also, that they intend to hold the Crimea, and will, in their own time, dictate terms of peace.
The English official papers continue to hold out hopes of Austria's active support to the English people, while the partisans of Russia openly tell us, that Austria is preparing for an alliance with the Czar, and as soon as she has her forces ready, the campaign will be opened against France.
The financial difficulties of Austria continue; in spite of the voluntary loan, the premium of gold has risen to 33 per cent., just as in the time when the Hungarians were victorious, and driving before them the armies of Jellachich and Windisch-graatz. Still the military budget remains enormous. Comorn is to be more strongly fortified, and the army absorbs 800,000 florins a day. How can such a state of things be endured for any length of time?
The “victory” of the 5th has disabled the allies from continuing the siege works; they have had to entrench themselves, while the bombardment has slackened. We hear nothing more of an assault; but re-enforcements are expected, and the besieging army will remain on the defensive until they arrive.
The sudden gale of the 14th of November has, likewise, done much mischief; about twenty-five transports have been wrecked, and the allied fleet is said to have suffered considerably. The Egyptian Admiral has been drowned, and his three-decker foundered close to Constantinople; but a great portion of the crew was saved. According to Prince Menchikoff's dispatches nothing of importance has happened, before or in Sebastopol up to the 18th.
The English correspondence from the Crimea under date of Nov. 6, says: Two hundred Russian prisoners were brought in last night, to the head-quarters camp. They were badly wounded, many of them, and several died during the night.
The work of burying the dead and carrying the wounded to Balaklava, occupied the day. The Russians are quiet. We hear they have lost 10,000 men and three Generals. We must have men at once, and abundance of them.
The Moniteur says the enemy, defeated at Inkermann, and having sustained losses even more considerable than were reported in Gen. Canrobert's former account, has not interfered with the siege operations, which are continuously carried on. In the second dispatch it is stated that the Russian loss on the 5th, must have reached 15,000 men, in killed and wounded.
The allies had buried 5,000 Russians left dead on the field.
The English and Turkish re-enforcements had arrived on the 9th, to the number of several thousand men.
Letters from Constantinople to the 20th state, that during the previous ten days at least 15,000 men, to re-enforce the allies, had sailed for the Crimea, or passed the Bosphorus on their way thither.
CONSTANTINOPLE. Nov. 20.—Thirty-two English transports were lost in the hurricane on the 14th inst. The Prince and Sea Nymph foundered with all on board. Three mail steamers have been stranded. The Samperell was driven ashore, on fire from her machinery.