OPERATIONS IN THE PACIFIC, AND AGAINST THE RUSSIAN SETTLEMENTS IN KAMTSCHATKA.
As in the previous year, the Russians showed superior foresight, activity, and intelligence to the allied naval forces in the Pacific. In vain the powerful squadrons of France and England pursued their enemy hither and thither; little was accomplished—incapacity and tardiness marred all enterprise. The allies, however, inflicted a heavy chastisement upon the settlement of Petropaulovski, but more by causing the Russians themselves to accomplish the work of destruction than by inflicting it through the agency of the allied arms. The Russians, unable to cope with the allies, sought safety in flight, both by land and sea; but always effected their retreat with so much courage, deliberation, and yet promptitude, as to leave no great renown to their foes. Everywhere, on every sea and shore, England and France, on the whole, triumphed; and the close of 1855 saw Russia beaten and humiliated, but still great in strength and wanton in defiance.