DESPATCHES FROM ADMIRAL DUNDAS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIII, 18 November 1854, Page 3

DESPATCHES FROM ADMIRAL DUNDAS.

Despatches from Admiral Dundas were published in the Gazette of Friday night, comprising copies of the reports of Commander Powell and other officers, who, on the Bth instant, attacked and completely destroyed the inner batteries, stockades, and buildings, at the Sulina mouth of the Danube.

The letter from Commander Powell contains all the particulars of interest connected with the above affair. He says :— Captain Hyde Parker directed a strong party of boats from the Firebrand and Vesuvius to accompany him up the Danube, for the purpose of destroying some works which were occupied by the Russians. At two, p. m., the boats entered the Danube, Captain Parker's gig in advance; at the bend of the river, opposite a number of houses on the right bank and a large stockade on the left, a sharp fire was opened upon him, and his boat was nearly riddled; some of his men were wounded.

" The heavy boats were coming up, and Captain Parker at once pulled back to them, hailing me to land the marines and be ready to storm. Thisjorder was executed by the marines and a a detachment of seamen in the same gallant spirit in which it was given. Captain Parker then dashed on shore in his gig, and at once advanced with a few men ; he was in front and greatly exposed. A tremendous fire was opened by the enemy upon them, and a few minutes after landing a bullet pasted through their leader's heart, and in a moment this gallant sailor ceased to live. His conduct on this occasion leaves an example of valour that never can be erased from the memory of those who were present.

"The command of the force then devolved upon myself. I directed the gun-boats and rocket-boats to be brought to the front; the storming party was formed by Lieutenant Jull, R. M. A., the gun-boats commenced a most effective fire upon the houses and battery, and in a short time the enemy's fire waß silenced. " I directed the storming party to advance, and the place was entered at a run by a party of marines and sailors, headed by Lieutenant Jull, R.M.A., and Lieutenant Hawkey, R. M. "We found that the enemy had already retreated at the rear, and so thick was the cover, that pursuit was in vain. " The work that we had taken was a gabion battery, the guns of which had been taken away and the embrasures filled up. It consisted of a front along the river raised about fifteen feet high, and 400 feet in extent; in the rear was a morass, and the two flanks, which were not thirty yards in length, were defended as in front ; this work enclosed about fifty government houses, stables, store- houses, and a magazine. The works have been entirely demolithed, the houses destroyed, and nothing now marks the spot but a heap of ruins. Part of the town of Sulina, from whence the enemy first opened fire, has been burnt; the principal street I have thought it proper to spare. "There was no means of computing the enemy's loss, although they were seen to fall inside the intrenchments. I am disposed to think that they were assisted in carrying off their wounded, and even defending the place, by some Greeks, as men in the dress of that country were seen intermixed with the Russian troops. " From the heavy fire that was opened upon us, and from the number that vere seen after* wards collected at a distance, the enemy must have been in great force before they retreated." RETURN OF KILLED AND WOUNDED. Killed— Fire-brand. Captain Hyde Parker, shot through the heart. Wounded. Richard Smith, stoker, severely. Peter Webb, ordinary seamen, severely. James Shade, A.8., severely. Matthew Lipson, boatswain's mate, slightly, William Sparrow, sergeant R. M., " London," rather severely. Vesuvius, Mr. Edward Carey, Becond master, rather severely.