Chapter XV: Part 15

The morning of the 19th. of September witnessed the commencement of the march of the allied forces towards Sebastopol, and in the evening occurred the first actual encounter with the enemy. This took place between the advanced cavalry of the British, supported by the first brigade of the light division, and a strong body of Dragoons and Cossacks with artillery. The Earl of Cardigan’s brigade of Light Cavalry exhibited most praiseworthy steadiness, his lordship’s coolness and spirit being specially mentioned in the official despatch, and the enemy’s artillery was soon silenced by the batteries which Lord Raglan ordered to be brought into action. Four men only were wounded in this affair, and the allies bivouacked on the left bank of the Bulganak. This insignificant stream was most welcome after the wearisome day’s march, made under a burning sun, and an absence of water. On the morning of the 20th. of September both armies moved towards the Alma. It was arranged that Marshal St. Arnaud should attack the enemy’s left, by crossing this river at its junction with the sea, and immediately above it; the rest of the French divisions were to move up the heights in their front, whilst the right and centre of the Russian position were to be attacked by the British.

By nature the position taken up by the Russians, which crossed the great road about two miles and a half from the sea, was very strong. The bold and almost precipitous range of heights, varying from three hundred and fifty to four hundred feet, that from the sea closely bordered the left bank of the river, here terminated and formed their left; and turning thence round a spacious amphitheatre, or wide valley, ended at a salient pinnacle, where their right rested, and whence the descent to the plain was more gradual. The front was about two miles in extent. Across the mouth of this great opening occurred a low ridge of different heights, from sixty to one hundred feet, distant about six hundred to eight hundred yards from the river, to which it was parallel. The river, although generally fordable, had extremely rugged banks, which were in most parts steep;—the willows along it had been felled to prevent them from affording cover to the assailants, with the exception of those below the bridge, which were full of Russian riflemen.

On the right bank of the Alma, in front of the position, at a distance of about two hundred yards from the river, is situated the village of Bourliouk;—the wooden bridge of which had been partly destroyed by the Russians.

The key of the position was the lofty pinnacle and ridge before described, and there consequently the preparations for defence were the most considerable. Half-way down the height, and across its front, was a trench extending some hundred yards, to afford cover against an advance up the even steep slope of the hill. Somewhat retired on the right was a powerful covered battery, armed with heavy guns, which flanked the entire right of the position. Artillery was also posted at the several points which best commanded the passage of the river and its approaches. On the slopes of these hills, which formed a kind of table-land, were placed dense masses of the enemy’s infantry, and the heights above were occupied by his great reserve, the whole variously estimated from thirty to upwards of forty thousand men.

Such was the Russian position; but its extraordinary strength only stimulated the allies to deeds of more than ordinary daring,—on this, for the first time during many centuries, that British and French soldiers were to fight side by side.

Half an hour before the battle is thus vividly described by Mr. N. A. Woods, in his work entitled “The Past Campaign: a Sketch of the War in the East, from the Departure of Lord Raglan to the Capture of Sebastopol”:—“The day was clear and hot: not a cloud in the sky—not a breath in the air. Except the clank of artillery chains, and the occasional neigh of a horse, there was a dead silence, which, as your eye glanced over the glittering masses of soldiers, was solemn and impressive. The close dark lines of our adversaries at the side of the Alma were equally steady. So still, so silent, lay both posts, that had I shut my eyes, I could have imagined myself in a perfect solitude.”

A change was soon to come over the scene, and the stillness was about to be broken by the stern alarums of battle. Both armies advanced on the same alignment, the British in contiguous double columns, with the front of two divisions covered by light infantry and a troop of horse artillery; the second division, under Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans, forming the right, and touching the left of the third French Division, under His Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon, and the light division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, the left; the first being supported by the third division under Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England, and the last by the first division, commanded by Lieutenant-General His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge. The fourth division, under Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, and the cavalry, under Major-General the Earl of Lucan, were held in reserve, to protect the left flank and rear against large bodies of the Russian cavalry, which had shown themselves in those directions.

Upon approaching within range of the guns, whose fire soon became extremely formidable, the two leading divisions deployed into line, and advanced to attack the front, the supporting divisions following the movement. Scarcely had this taken place, when the village of Bourliouk, immediately opposite the centre, was fired by the Russians at all points, creating a continuous blaze for three hundred yards, obscuring their position, and rendering a passage through it impracticable. In consequence of this, two regiments of Brigadier-General Adams’s brigade, part of Sir De Lacy Evan’s division, had to pass, under a sharp fire, the river at a deep and difficult ford to the right; whilst his first brigade, under Major-General Pennefather, with the remaining regiment of Brigadier-General Adams, crossed to the left of the conflagration, opposed by the artillery from the heights above, and pressed on towards the left of the position with the utmost gallantry and steadiness. Meanwhile, Sir George Brown, with the light division, effected the passage of the Alma in his immediate front. The advance was made under great disadvantages, the rugged and broken banks of the river offering most serious obstacles, whilst the vineyards through which the troops had to pass (the men suffering from thirst eagerly seizing bunches of grapes,[154]) and the felled trees rendered every species of formation under a galling fire almost an impossibility. Sir George, nevertheless, persevered in this difficult operation, and the first brigade, under Major-General Codrington, succeeded in carrying the great redoubt, aided materially by the judicious and steady manner in which Brigadier-General Buller moved on the left flank, and by the advance of four companies of the Rifle Brigade, under Major Norcott. The heavy fire of grape and musketry to which the troops were opposed, and the casualties sustained in consequence by the 7th., 23rd., and 33rd. regiments, compelled this brigade partially to relinquish its hold. The Duke of Cambridge had succeeded in crossing the river, and had moved up in support; when a brilliant advance of the brigade of Foot Guards, under Major-General Bentinck, drove the enemy back, and secured the final possession of the work.

Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, with the Highland Brigade, advanced in admirable order and steadiness up the high ground to the left, co-operating with the Guards. Major-General Pennefather’s brigade, which had been connected with the right of the light division, forced the enemy completely to abandon the position they had taken such pains to defend and secure, and which was considered almost impregnable.

The 95th. Regiment, immediately on the right of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers in the advance, suffered equally with that old corps and the 55th. an immense loss. The aid of the Royal Artillery in all these operations was most effectual, whilst the exertions of the field officers and the captains of troops and batteries to get the guns into action, were unceasing, and the precision of their fire materially contributed to the victory. Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England brought his division to the immediate support of the troops in advance; and Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart was actively engaged in watching the left flank of the enemy. It likewise appears by Lord Raglan’s despatch, that although the nature of the ground did not admit of the employment of cavalry, they succeeded at the close of the battle in capturing some prisoners.

The cheerfulness with which the regimental officers had submitted to unusual privations was not forgotten. It being necessary to bring into the country every available cavalry and infantry soldier, prevented the embarkation of the baggage animals, so that the officers had nothing but what they could carry, and were, with the men, without tents or covering. Not a murmur was, however, heard, for all appeared impressed with the necessity of the arrangement. “The conduct,” adds his lordship, “of the troops has been admirable. When it is considered that they have suffered severely from sickness, during the last two months; that since they landed in the Crimea they have been exposed to the extremes of wet, cold, and heat; that the daily toil to provide themselves with water has been excessive, and that they have been pursued by Cholera to the very battle-field,[155] I do not go beyond the truth in declaring that they merit the highest commendation. In the ardour of attack they forgot all they had endured, and displayed that high courage, that gallant spirit, for which the British soldier is ever distinguished, and under the heaviest fire they maintained the same determination to conquer, as they had exhibited before they went into action.”

Nor were the Royal Navy omitted, for his lordship continues,—“I should be wanting in my duty, my Lord Duke, if I did not express to your Grace, in the most earnest manner, my deep feeling of gratitude to the officers and men of the Royal Navy, for the invaluable assistance they afforded the Army upon this, as on every occasion where it could be brought to bear upon our operations. They watched the progress of the day with the most intense anxiety; and as the best way of evincing their participation in our success, and their sympathy in the sufferings of the wounded, they never ceased, from the close of the battle till we left the ground this morning, to provide for the sick and wounded, and to carry them down to the beach—a labour in which some of the officers even volunteered to participate—an act which I shall never cease to recollect with the warmest thankfulness.”

The various episodes of this victory would fill a volume of themselves; the newspapers were eagerly sought after, and the letters from the actors in the busy scene of war, and from correspondents of the public journals proved of untiring interest. Some of the epistles are full of graphic touches; they show how the Duke of Cambridge roughed it like the rest, and slept with his head covered by a tilt cart. How Sir George Brown’s horse, pierced by eleven shots, brought him to the ground, but rising unhurt, he again led the soldiers on. How Colonel Chester, with eight officers, fell at the head of the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and how severely the regiment suffered. As Corporal Harwood writes—“Our artillery kept up a tremendous fire at them for an hour and a half, at the end of which the order ran through our lines, ‘Light division advance and take the entrenchments.’ The 23rd. was in the light division, and on we went, covered by two companies of the Rifle Brigade. We crossed a vineyard, and were led by Colonel Chester through the river, the opposite bank of which was very steep. The Colonel went through with us,—we all shared alike,—and as we clambered out the enemy gave us a fierce fire, the cannon belching forth murderous volleys of grape and round shot, and musket-balls fell as thick as hail. The men fell dead and wounded before me and at my side. They fell in every direction, and mechanically I still pressed on untouched. Up the hill we went with the Rifle Brigades, and half-way up the heights we reached the cannons’ mouths, which were planted on the entrenchments. Our regiment was about to cross to the stockade in the enemy’s position, when the word was given, ‘Cease firing, and retire,’ because we were in danger of firing on the French. Our Colonel rushed in front of us, shouting ‘No, no, on lads!’ He fell with the word on his lips; he never spoke or raised his head again. We _did_ retire then, and an unfortunate mistake it was, for the enemy returned to the guns we had once silenced, and gave us some terrific volleys; but we soon rallied, and supported by the 7th., 33rd., a portion of the Guards, and the Highlanders, we rushed up the hill again, and the enemy fled in every direction.”

This letter refers to an unfortunate mistake which occurred. A mounted officer called out “Cease firing; you are firing on the French;” the words ran down the line and caused some hesitation and confusion. The Russians took advantage of it in a moment, and advancing some heavy columns, drove the light division back from the redoubt; the first division, then at some distance in the rear, at once advanced and re-took the redoubt. The light division rallied, and again pushed on in a second line, when the key of the enemy’s position having been thus forced, and his left turned by the French, the foe retreated on all sides.

More than ordinary interest was created by the circumstances under which Captain and Lieutenant Eddington, of the 95th., met their deaths. When the former dropped, early in the charge, with a ball in his chest, he was left for a few moments on the hill side, while the regiment fell back to re-form. A Russian rifleman, kneeling down beside him pretended to raise his canteen to the wounded officer’s lips, and deliberately blew his brains out. This was in sight of the regiment, and as they charged up the hill, the Lieutenant, maddened by the sight, rushed forward to avenge his beloved brother’s death, but in a few moments met a similar fate, his breast being absolutely riddled with the storm of grape shot and rifle balls.

During the battle the Russians had succeeded in getting away all their guns but two, one of which, a sixteen-pounder, with two horses to it, was taken by Captain Bell, of the 23rd., who received the Victoria Cross. This officer ran up to the driver as he was trying to make off, and held a pistol to his head; the man jumped off his horse, when the captain took the gun back to the rear. Captain Donovan, of the 33rd., scratched his name on the other gun, but there being no horses to it, he could not remove it. Lieutenant-Colonel Chester and Captain Evans were killed near the redoubt, and Major Lysons being at the time with the second division, as Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain Campbell next took the command, but was soon hit, first slightly on the head;—in a few minutes afterwards he received a ball in the thigh, which obliged him to go to the rear; the honour of bringing the Royal Welsh out of the action was thus reserved for Captain Bell.

In all battles the defence of the colours necessarily forms an interesting feature, and Alma exhibited several instances. The 33rd., Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, had nineteen sergeants killed or wounded, chiefly in defence of the colours. Captain Robert William Hamilton, of the Grenadier Guards, was wounded when carrying the colours, but continued with them throughout the day. The Scots Fusilier Guards had a memorable contest for theirs. Lieutenants Lindsay and Thistlethwayte, who carried the colours, cut their way through the enemy, and though the broken staff and the marks of sixteen bullets showed the severity of the struggle, and the colour-sergeants were struck down pierced with bullets, yet, bearing as it were “a charmed life,” these gallant officers, unwounded, bore their colours triumphantly to the top of the hill.

Lieutenant Anstruther, of the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, having been killed near the redoubt, whilst carrying the Queen’s colour, it was picked up by private William Evans, No. 8 company, who gave it to Corporal Luby; it was afterwards carried by Sergeant Luke O’Connor, who was shot in the breast, and fell, but, recovering himself, would not relinquish the colour, and carried it till the end of the action (although urged by Lieutenant Granville to go to the rear on account of his wound), for which he was praised by Major-General Sir William Codrington on the field, was recommended for, and obtained his commission in the 23rd. (in which he is now a captain), on account of his gallantry, and has received the Victoria Cross and the Sardinian War Medal.[156] Corporal Luby has also obtained the latter for his services on this occasion.

Lieutenant Butler was shot under the regimental colour; Lieutenant Granville next volunteered to carry it, but there being no officer with his company, Major-General Codrington, who was riding up and down the ranks on his grey horse during the whole action, directed a sergeant to be sent to take it. The honour of carrying the colour out of action fell to the lot of Sergeant Honey Smith.

During the action the regimental colour of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers was found by Captain Pearson (Aide-de-Camp to Sir George Brown), who was then riding by, in the hands of a soldier lying on the ground, the officers and sergeants that had carried it having been disabled. He picked it up, but no officer of that corps being near, Major-General Codrington desired him to give it to Captain Bell, saying that “it cannot be in safer keeping than with the Royal Welsh.” The colour was accordingly placed between those of the 23rd. regiment, and there carried by a sergeant of the 7th., until the termination of the battle.[157]

Lieutenant the Honourable Hugh Annesley, of the Scots Fusilier Guards, was severely wounded by a ball, which entered the left cheek and went out at the mouth, taking away the front teeth. So severe a wound did not damp the spirits of this gallant officer, for in a letter to his mother (the Countess Annesley), speaking of a friend who visited him and was scarcely able to recognise him, he expressed a hope that one of his decayed teeth had gone with the rest of his brethren; and adds that “there is a good bit of tongue gone also, but the doctors say that will not signify, and that I shall speak as plainly as ever, or at most with a _becoming lisp_; so altogether I think even you must allow that I have every reason to be thankful, and I hope you will not allow yourself to fret the least about me.”

In “Letters from Head Quarters,” by an Officer on the Staff, the termination of the battle is thus graphically told:—“The men were tired, and many almost exhausted for want of water. Lord Raglan rode up and down the line of troops, the men cheering him vociferously. There was such a shaking of hands; one felt very choky about the throat, and very much inclined to cry, as one wrung the hand of a friend; and “God bless you, old fellow—so glad to see you all right!” and like expressions, were heard on every side between brother officers. It was a touching sight to see the meeting between Lord Raglan and Sir Colin Campbell. The latter was on foot, as his horse had been killed in the earlier part of the action. He went up to his lordship, and, with tears in his eyes, shook hands, saying it was not the first battle-field they had won together, and that now he had a favour to ask, namely, that as his Highlanders had done so well, he might be allowed to claim the privilege of wearing a Scotch bonnet. To this Lord Raglan, of course, gave a smiling assent; and, after a few more words of friendship on both sides, they parted to their several duties.”

The French, with their wonted chivalry, commenced the attack, and Marshal St. Arnaud’s words evinced that they had not degenerated, and that “they are the soldiers of Austerlitz and Jena;” and he thus paid a deserved tribute to the British:—“On our left the English met with large masses of the enemy, and with great difficulties, but everything was surmounted. The English attacked the Russian positions in admirable order under the fire of their cannon, carried them, and drove off the Russians. The bravery of Lord Raglan rivals that of antiquity. In the midst of cannon and musket-shot he displayed a calmness which never left him.”

By six o’clock in the evening the French Marshal’s tent was set up on the very spot where that of Prince Menschikoff had stood in the morning; the Russian commander considered himself so secure of victory, that he left his carriage there, which Marshal St. Arnaud took possession of; and it is recorded that a party of ladies had journeyed from Sebastopol, and were stationed on a hill to witness the destruction of the allies.

Such a success was not obtained without great loss. The battle commenced about half-past one, and lasted a few minutes over two hours. The British casualties were twenty-five officers killed, and eighty-one wounded; three hundred and thirty-seven non-commissioned officers and men were killed; one thousand five hundred and fifty wounded, and nineteen missing. The French casualties were reported as about fourteen hundred _hors de combat_, Generals Canrobert and Thomas being amongst the wounded; these are believed to include all those who died in the Dobrudscha.

According to Prince Menschikoff’s despatch, the Russians had one thousand seven hundred and sixty-two killed, two thousand three hundred and fifteen wounded, and four hundred and five contusions. Amongst the former were forty-five officers. Major-Generals Karganoff and Shokanoff (the first was very severely wounded, and did not recover), were taken prisoners.

About midnight the Russians crossed the Katcha—the position which it was reported to the Czar would, if not impregnable, at least be held for three weeks, having been taken in as many hours.

The sun went down on the evening of this memorable day upon a scene which words fail to describe, and scarcely imagination can conceive. For two days the armies continued on the field,—the time passing rapidly in tending the wounded and burying the slain. Short as the interval was, death had been busy,—Brigadier-General Tylden, of the Engineers, died of cholera on the morning of the 23rd. of September, just as the victors were leaving the heights of the Alma, on their march to the Katcha. Spite of warnings the soldiers devoured large quantities of grapes, apples, and pears, so abundant in the Crimea, which tended to encourage the disease. The account of victory would be incomplete without the mention of two volunteers, who remained to attend to the wants of upwards of two hundred wounded Russians that still lay upon the field; these were Dr. Thompson, surgeon of the 44th., and his servant; and the prayers of many a dying foe must have ascended to heaven for these good men who thus exhibited the highest graces of Christian devotedness. The noble-hearted Doctor fell a prey to cholera at Balaklava, on the 5th. of October following, on which day the news of Marshal St. Arnaud’s death was received in camp. He had been compelled, a week previously, through ill-health, to resign his command to General Canrobert, and died at sea on the 29th. of September, his remains arriving at Constantinople on the following morning, whence they were conveyed to Paris, and honoured with a public funeral.

While thanks were being offered on Sunday, the 30th. of September, 1854, for the plenteous harvest, in every church and chapel of the land, a telegraphic address announced the news of the glorious victory of the Alma, and rumour with her thousand tongues volunteered the intelligence that Sebastopol was taken. It does not appear that the false report was the result of premeditation, and although the crowning event of the war was not to take place so speedily, there was a glorious commencement of the drama, notwithstanding that the fifth act had yet to be played out. Her Majesty’s gracious approbation of the gallant conduct of the army at the battle of the Alma, was notified to the troops on the 27th. of October following, and Lord Raglan particularly adverted to that portion in which the Queen’s sympathy is expressed for the fallen, the wounded, and their sorrowing relatives.

Ultimately the allies proceeded to attack the south side of Sebastopol, and the combined forces quitted the Belbec (where they had arrived on the 24th.) on the 25th. of September, leaving a small force to threaten the northern side of the fortress, in order to cover the celebrated flank march of the combined armies, suggested by Lieutenant-General Burgoyne. Whilst on the march through the “Bush,” by McKenzie’s farm, to the valley of the Tchernaya, the cavalry and artillery fell in with the rear of a Russian division, which was on its march from Sebastopol to Simferopol; they captured all its baggage and a great quantity of small-arm ammunition. The light division was in support of the cavalry and artillery on this occasion, and the 23rd. Royal Welsh Fusiliers were leading the column; the second battalion of the Rifle Brigade went on in advance with the guns, and were in immediate contact with the enemy. On that evening, and the morning of the 26th., the troops arrived at the plain of Balaklava, having passed through a tract of country densely wooded, and without regular roads. The small garrison of Balaklava, consisting of about sixty men, surrendered at the first approach of the light division, after firing a few shot from some mortars, when this little town was forthwith entered and placed by the British in a posture of defence.

SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.[158]

On the 28th. of September, the British Siege Train, consisting of eight companies of Royal Artillery, commenced disembarking, and notwithstanding the smallness of the harbour of Balaklava, and the want of suitable facilities for the reception of the guns, shot, and shell, the whole _matériel_ was landed in five days, the sailors of the Royal Navy rendering good service on this and other occasions.

The basis of operations, in connection with the fleets, being now attained, the main body of the British army moved forward towards Sebastopol, and occupied ground on the western side of the plateau, near the “Maison d’Eau,” General Bosquet’s division taking up a position beyond Cathcart’s Hill, on the extreme right. The celebrated Redan and Flagstaff batteries occupied the centre of the position, and ships of war were moored in the dockyard and careening creeks, and at the head of the harbour, in order that their broadsides might be brought to bear on any lines of approach attempted by the storming parties of the allied troops. Batteries were at once commenced, to be established in order to reduce the fire of the enemy’s artillery, and an alteration was made in the relative positions of the French and English forces, with a view of bringing the former nearer their base of operations at Kamiesh. To effect this, the British were ordered to carry on the attacks on the left of the enemy, for which purpose they moved to the right until their right was beyond the west of the ridge on which the Russians had a large advanced white tower, afterwards the famed Malakoff.

It was a busy time for the assailants; guns and siege matériel had to be brought to the front; ammunition, military stores, and provisions were conveyed with great labour for seven miles, that being the distance from the port of Balaklava. Obstacles only nerved the soldiers to increased exertion, and day by day some new earthwork was completed, some guns placed, or heaps of ammunition accumulated for the destruction of the place. Determined efforts at the same time were made by the Russians to frustrate the efforts of the besieging troops, and their sharpshooters had frequent skirmishes with the outlying pickets.

FIRST BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL.

Every heart beat high with expectation on the 16th. of October, for on the morrow was to commence the first bombardment of Sebastopol, and at half-past six o’clock on the morning of that day one hundred and twenty-six pieces of ordnance from the French and British batteries opened their fire on the fortress. The tower of the Malakoff by ten o’clock had become untenable, and all its guns had been either damaged or dismounted, whilst the earthen battery round it had slackened its fire. Five hours afterwards the Redan was so considerably injured by an explosion in its rear, that only three guns remained standing; during the afternoon several explosions occurred in the lines of the army.

It was not until one o’clock that the allied fleets commenced their share in the fray. At this period the French batteries had ceased firing, two of their magazines having exploded, which completely disabled two of their batteries. Thus the Russians directed their whole attention to the British lines, and such of their guns, relieved from the French bombardment, as could be turned against the British batteries were brought to bear thereon, but the latter did not suspend their fire until evening. A determined sortie was made by the Russians against the extreme left of the French, between four and five o’clock in the afternoon, but, after displaying great gallantry, they were compelled to retire.

The ammunition expended from the mortars and guns during the bombardment of the 17th. of October, amounted to twenty-one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one rounds, of which two thousand seven hundred and forty-five were from mortars. Each of the shells from the Lancaster guns cost about £25, and three hundred and seventy were fired on this occasion, which alone made it a costly proceeding.

Shortly after daybreak on the 18th. of October the British batteries re-opened their fire, and continued it during the day. This was replied to by a formidable fire from the Russians, who had repaired the works and re-mounted the guns in the famous Redan. The French were employed in repairing their batteries, and were therefore not in a position to assist, so that the British stood alone in this day’s cannonade. On the following morning, the French having succeeded in that respect, the whole of the Anglo-French lines renewed the bombardment. It however became evident that Sebastopol could not be assaulted so early as was at first anticipated, and consequently many changes in the works of attack had to be made; the fire of the Russians continued such as to prevent the principal alterations being effected otherwise than during the night.

A naval brigade of over a thousand men, with fifty heavy guns, had been landed from the fleet, and took part in the bombardment. In the attack by the fleet it was arranged that the English should take the north side of the harbour, the French the south, the Turkish ships being in the centre. The English sailing ships were placed in their proper positions by steamers lashed alongside; the “Albion” by the “Firebrand,” the “London” by the “Niger,” “Britannia” by “Furious,” “Queen” by “Vesuvius,” “Trafalgar” by “Retribution,” “Vengeance” by “Highflyer,” “Rodney” by “Spitfire,” “Bellerophon” by “Cyclops,” and “Arethusa” by the “Triton.” The “Terrible,” “Tribune,” “Samson,” “Sphinx,” “Spitfire,” and “Lynx” took up independent positions, and engaged principally the forts and earthworks on the cliff to the north of Fort Constantine. The French ships were first engaged; and about two p.m. the “Agamemnon,” Admiral Sir E. Lyons, piloted by the steam tender “Circassian,” Master E. Bale, who had volunteered for the service, anchored, amidst a storm of shot and shell, about 750 yards from Fort Constantine, in five fathoms water, and opened her fire. A few minutes afterwards, the “Sanspareil” (Captain Dacres), and the “London” (Captain Eden), anchored astern, followed soon after by the “Albion” (Captain Lushington), and most ably supported Sir Edmund, who from his position was exposed to a cross fire from the forts. The action became general, but after an hour’s furious cannonading the Albion and London, much shattered, hauled off to a greater distance, and the Russians concentrated their fire on the Agamemnon, but the greater part of their shot (the ship lying so close to the forts), fortunately struck her rigging instead of her hull. As it was, she was almost reduced to a wreck, every spar being more or less damaged, her rigging hanging in shreds, and her main top and hammock nettings on fire. The “Queen,” “Rodney,” and “Bellerophon,” by signal, bore down to support her, but the Queen being set on fire by a shell was towed out again, and the Rodney ran aground under Fort Constantine, but was got off by the exertions of her own crew, and Commander Kynaston in the Spiteful. The engagement continued till dusk, and soon after six p.m. the ships drew off, when darkness had compelled the combatants to cease firing. The loss in the fleet was forty-four men killed, and two hundred and sixty-six wounded, and two of the ships, the Albion and Arethusa, had suffered so much in their hulls and rigging that they were sent to Malta to be repaired. The French had more ships disabled, but their loss in men was less, and the Turks escaped with but trifling damage. The result of the contest was not satisfactory. It was a trial of strength between stone and wood, and stone proved itself the stronger.

ACTION AT BALAKLAVA.
25TH. OCTOBER, 1854.

The toils, difficulties, and sameness of trench life were shortly to be varied by a conflict which will ever be memorable in British military annals, occurring to, as it did, on the anniversary of one of England’s remarkable victories, that of Agincourt. The low range of heights traversing the plain at the bottom of which Balaklava is situated, was protected by four small redoubts, hastily constructed. Of these, three had guns; and on a higher hill, in front of the village of Kamara, in advance of the right flank of the British, a work of somewhat more importance was established. No other force being disposable, the several redoubts were garrisoned by Turkish troops. The only British regiment in the plain, with the exception of a portion of a battalion of detachments, composed of weakly men, and a battery of artillery belonging to the third division, was the 93rd. Highlanders. On the heights, behind the right, were placed the Marines, who had been landed from the fleet by Vice-Admiral Dundas. The whole of these, including the Turkish troops, were under the immediate orders of Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, who had been taken, with the 93rd. from the first division.

At an early hour on the morning of the 25th. of October, the enemy attacked the position in front of Balaklava. Lord Raglan, in consequence, withdrew from before Sebastopol the first and fourth divisions, commanded by Lieutenant-Generals His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, and brought them down into the plain. General Canrobert subsequently reinforced these troops with the first division of French infantry and the Chasseurs d’Afrique.

The first operation of the enemy was the attack on the work on the British side of the village of Kamara, which, after very little resistance, they carried; they likewise obtained possession of the three others in contiguity to it, being opposed only in one, and that but for a very short space of time. The farthest of the three they did not retain, but the immediate abandonment of the others enabled them to take possession of the guns in them, amounting in the whole to seven. Those in the three lesser forts were spiked by the one English artilleryman who was in each.

Advancing in great strength, supported by artillery, the Russian cavalry appeared on the scene. One portion of them assailed the front and right flank of the 93rd., but were instantly driven back by the vigorous and steady fire of that distinguished regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Ainslie. The other, and larger mass, turned towards the heavy cavalry, and afforded Brigadier-General the Honourable James Yorke Scarlett, under the guidance of Lieutenant-General the Earl of Lucan, the opportunity of inflicting upon them a most signal defeat. Notwithstanding that the ground was anything but favourable for the attack of the dragoons, no obstacle could check their advance, and they charged into the Russian column, which, although far superior in numbers, soon sought safety in flight.

No writer has surpassed Mr. Russell’s description of this exciting scene.[159] “As lightning flashes through a cloud, the Greys and Enniskilleners pierced through the dark masses of Russians. The shock was but for a moment. There was a clash of steel and a light play of sword-blades in the air, and then the Greys and the red-coats disappeared in the midst of the shaken and quivering columns. In another moment we saw them emerging with diminished numbers, and in broken order, charging against the second line. It was a terrible moment. ‘God help them! they are lost!’ was the exclamation of more than one man, and the thought of many. With unabated fire the noble hearts dashed at their enemy. It was a fight of heroes. The first line of Russians, which had been utterly smashed by our charge, and had fled off at one flank and towards the centre, were coming back to swallow up our handful of men. By sheer steel and sheer courage Enniskillener and Scot were winning their desperate way right through the enemy’s squadron, and already grey horses and red-coats had appeared right at the rear of the second mass, when, with irresistible force, like one bolt from a bow, the 4th. Dragoon Guards, riding straight at the right flank of the Russians, and the 5th. Dragoon Guards, following close after the Enniskilleners, rushed at the remnants of the first line of the enemy, went through it as though it were pasteboard, and put them to utter rout.

“This Russian horse in less than five minutes after it met our dragoons, was flying with all its speed before a force certainly not half its strength. A cheer burst from every lip; in the enthusiasm officers and men took off their caps, and shouted with delight; and thus keeping up the scenic character of their position, they clapped their hands again and again. Lord Raglan at once despatched Lieutenant Curzon, Aide-de-Camp, to convey his congratulations to Brigadier-General Scarlett, and to say ‘Well done!’”

Lord Raglan observed in his despatch, that “the charge of this brigade was one of the most successful I ever witnessed; it was never for a moment doubtful, and is in the highest degree creditable to Brigadier-General Scarlett, and the officers and men engaged in it.”

As the Russians withdrew from the ground which they had momentarily occupied, Lord Raglan directed the cavalry, supported by the fourth division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart, to move forward and take advantage of any opportunity to regain the heights. Not having been able to accomplish this immediately, and it appearing that an attempt was being made to remove the captured guns, the Earl of Lucan was desired to advance rapidly, follow the enemy in their retreat, and try to prevent them from effecting their object. Meanwhile the Russians had time to re-form on their own ground, with artillery in front and upon their flanks.

From some misconception of the instruction to advance, (so runs the despatch), the Lieutenant-General considered that he was bound to attack at all hazards, and he accordingly ordered Major-General the Earl of Cardigan to move forward with the Light Brigade. This order was obeyed in the most spirited and gallant manner. Lord Cardigan charged with the utmost vigour, attacked a battery which was firing upon the advancing squadrons, and, having passed beyond it, engaged the Russian cavalry in its rear; but there his troops were assailed by artillery and infantry, as well as cavalry, and necessarily retired, after having committed much havoc upon the enemy. This movement was effected in some confusion; and the loss sustained was severe in officers, men, and horses, only counter-balanced by the brilliancy of the attack, and the gallantry, order, and discipline which distinguished it, forming a striking contrast to the conduct of the enemy’s cavalry, which had previously been engaged with the Heavy Brigade.

The casualties in killed, wounded, and missing, in what is popularly known as “the Death Ride,”[160] amounted to thirty-eight officers and three hundred and fifty-six non-commissioned officers and men. Three hundred and eighty-one horses were killed. The 93rd. Highlanders did not sustain any loss.

It must not be omitted that the Chasseurs d’Afrique advanced on the English left, and gallantly charging a Russian battery, checked its fire for a time, and thus rendered an essential service to the British cavalry.

After this the enemy made no further movement in advance, and at the close of the day the brigade of Guards of the first division, and the fourth division, returned to their original encampment, as did the French troops, with the exception of one brigade of the first division, which was left in support of Sir Colin Campbell by General Canrobert. The remaining regiments of the Highland brigade also continued in the valley. Sir George Cathcart, the fourth division being advanced close to the heights, caused one of the redoubts to be re-occupied by the Turks, affording them his support, and availed himself of the opportunity to assist with his riflemen in silencing two of the enemy’s guns. This redoubt had to be abandoned at nightfall, in consequence of its being so exposed, from the enemy’s retaining possession of the two others; and Lord Raglan, seeing that the means of defending the extensive position which had been occupied by the Turkish troops in the morning, had proved wholly inadequate, decided, in concurrence with General Canrobert, to withdraw from the lower range of heights, and to concentrate the force, which was subsequently increased by a considerable body of seamen. The Russians, although unsuccessful in their chief object, had by their occupation of the Turkish redoubts, obliged the British to abandon the use of the Woronzoff road for the circuitous route by the Col de Balaklava.

SORTIE OF THE 26TH. OF OCTOBER.

The partial success already described induced the enemy to make a sortie on the following day; and about noon, on the 26th. of October, an assault was made on the right flank of the British position at Inkermann, where the second division was posted under Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans, who was attacked by several columns of infantry, supported by artillery. The division immediately formed line in advance of the camp,—the left under Major-General Pennefather, the right under Brigadier-General Adams, whilst Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzmayer, and the captains of batteries (Turner and Yates) promptly posted their guns and opened fire. Immediately on the cannonade being heard the Duke of Cambridge brought up the brigade of Guards, under Major-General Bentinck, with a battery under Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres. General Bosquet, with similar promptitude, and from a greater distance, approached the position with five French battalions; Sir George Cathcart, with a regiment of rifles hastened to the scene of action, and Sir George Brown pushed forward two guns in co-operation by the left. The enemy came on at first rapidly, assisted by their guns, on the mound hill; but the pickets, then chiefly of the 30th. and 49th. regiments, resisted them with remarkable determination and firmness. Lieutenant Conolly, of the 49th., Captain Atcherley and Bayly, of the 30th., all of whom were severely wounded, greatly distinguished themselves. Great bravery was also displayed at this point by Sergeant Daniel Sullivan, of the 30th., who was subsequently appointed to a commission in the 82nd. regiment.

Meanwhile, the eighteen guns in position, including those of the first division, were served with the utmost energy, and in half an hour they forced the enemy’s artillery to abandon the field. The batteries were then directed with equal accuracy and vigour upon the Russian columns, which, being also exposed to the close fire of the advanced infantry, soon fell into complete disorder, and, taking to flight, were literally chased by the 30th. and 95th. regiments over the ridges and down towards the head of the bay. So eager was the pursuit, that it was with difficulty Major-General Pennefather eventually effected the recall of the men. The above regiments and pickets were gallantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mauleverer, 30th.; Major Eman, 41st.; and Majors Champion and Hume, 95th. The Russians were similarly pursued farther towards the right, by four companies of the 41st., gallantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Percy Herbert, Assistant Quartermaster-General. The 47th. also contributed. The 55th. were held in reserve.

Upwards of eighty prisoners were captured, and about one hundred and thirty of the enemy’s dead were left within or near the British position. It was estimated that the Russian casualties could scarcely be less than six hundred. The British loss exceeded eighty, of whom twelve were killed, and five officers wounded. This affair has received the name of “Little Inkermann.”

BATTLE OF INKERMANN.
NOVEMBER 5TH., 1854.

Two days after the sortie of the Russians had been repulsed, they were strengthened by considerable reinforcements, which created an expectation that an extensive movement would not be long deferred, and this anticipation was fully realized. According to their own accounts they had seventy-six thousand men assembled in and near Sebastopol, when Prince Menschikoff resolved to attack the right wing of the English position. The plan proposed to be carried out, was for twenty thousand men, under Prince Gortschakoff, proceeding from Tchorgoun into the plain of Balaklava, to make a demonstration against that place, and against General Bosquet’s corps of observation, to prevent any troops being detached to support the British; a like number occupied Sebastopol, of whom a portion, under General Timofieff, was ordered to make a strong sortie against the extreme left of the French, and thereby occupy the attention of their besieging army; five thousand men were to be in observation on McKenzie’s Heights; the remaining thirty-one thousand, divided into two columns of attack, were destined for the immediate assault of the British position. Lieutenant-General Soimonoff, with his column of seventeen thousand five hundred men, issued from the Little Redan before daylight, on Sunday,[161] the memorable 5th. of November, but instead of ascending the ridge on which he then stood, so as to assault the Light Division near the Victoria Redoubt, he crossed the Careening Creek ravine at once upon quitting the town, and with his three leading regiments proceeded to attack the position of the Second Division. The two leading regiments of the second Russian column of thirteen thousand five hundred men, under Lieutenant-General Pauloff, having crossed the Tchernaya, and finding part of Soimonoff’s column already occupying a portion of the field of battle, fell upon the outposts of the Second Division, occupying the Sandbag battery. With admirable gallantry these pickets defended the ground foot by foot against the overwhelming masses which poured in upon them, until the Second Division, under Major-General Pennefather, with its field guns, which had immediately been got under arms, was placed in position. Without loss of time the Light Division was brought to the front by Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, the long slopes to the left towards Sebastopol being occupied by the first brigade, under Major-General Codrington; thus protecting the British left, and guarding against attack on that side; the second brigade, under Brigadier-General Buller, formed on the left of the Second Division, with the 88th. Connaught Rangers, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Jeffreys, thrown in advance.

The Brigade of Guards, under His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Major-General Bentinck, proceeded likewise to the front, and took up most important ground to the extreme right on the alignment of the Second Division, but separated from it by a deep and precipitous ravine, and posting its guns with those of the Second Division.

The Brigade of Guards having driven the Russians out of the Sandbag battery, maintained that post against repeated efforts to acquire possession. The Grenadiers were in the battery, the Scots Fusiliers on their left, and the Coldstreams, who arrived afterwards, to the left of these. The Second Division occupied the ground immediately in front of their own camp, and repulsed all attempts to force that part of the position.[162]

The Fourth Division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart, having been brought from its encampment, advanced to the front and right of the attack; the first brigade, under Brigadier-General Goldie proceeded to the left of the Inkermann road; the second brigade, under Brigadier-General Torrens, to the right of it, and on the ridge overhanging the valley of the Tchernaya. The Third Division, under Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England, occupied in part the ground vacated by the Fourth Division, and supported the Light Division by two regiments under Brigadier-General Sir John Campbell, while Brigadier-General Eyre held the command of the troops in the trenches.[163]

So dark was the morning, independent of the drizzling rain, that it was nearly impossible to discover anything save the flash and smoke of artillery, together with a heavy musketry fire. It however soon became evident that the enemy, under cover of a vast cloud of skirmishers, supported by dense columns of infantry, had advanced numerous batteries of large calibre to the high ground to the left and front of the Second Division, while powerful columns of infantry attacked with great vigour the Brigade of Guards. Additional Batteries of heavy artillery were also placed by the enemy on the slopes to the British left; the guns in the field, amounting in the whole to ninety pieces, independently however of the ship guns and those in the works of Sebastopol.

Protected by a tremendous fire of shot, shell, and grape, the Russian columns advanced in great force, requiring every effort of gallantry on the part of the troops to resist them. At this time two battalions of French infantry, which had on the first notice been sent by General Bosquet, joined the English right, and very materially contributed to the successful resistance to the attack, cheering with the men, and charging the enemy down the hill with great loss. About the same period a determined assault was made on the extreme left of the British, and for a moment the Russians possessed themselves of four guns, three of which were retaken by the 88th., while the fourth was speedily recaptured by the 77th. regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Egerton. In the opposite direction the Brigade of Guards, under His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, was engaged in a severe conflict.

The enemy, under the cover of thick brushwood, advanced in two heavy bodies, and assaulted with great determination a small redoubt which had been constructed for two guns, but was not armed. The combat was most arduous; and the Brigade, after displaying the utmost steadiness and gallantry, was obliged to retire before very superior numbers, until supported by a wing of the 20th. regiment of the Fourth Division, when they again advanced and re-took the redoubt. This ground was afterwards occupied in gallant style by French troops, and the Guards speedily re-formed in the rear of the right flank of the Second Division.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, with a few companies of the 68th. regiment, considering that he might make a strong impression by descending into the valley, and taking the enemy in flank, moved rapidly forward, but finding the heights above him in full occupation of the Russians, he suddenly discovered that he was entangled with a superior force, and whilst attempting to withdraw his men, he received a mortal wound, shortly previous to which Brigadier-General Torrens, when leading the 68th., was likewise severely wounded. Subsequently to this, the battle continued with unabated vigour and with no positive result, the enemy availing themselves not only of the fire of all their field batteries, but of those in front of the works of the place, and the ship guns, till the afternoon, when the symptoms of giving way first became apparent, and shortly after, although the fire did not cease, the retreat became general, and heavy masses were observed retiring over the bridge of the Inkermann, and ascending the opposite heights, abandoning on the field of battle five or six thousand dead and wounded, multitudes of the latter having already been carried off by them.