The Service companies of the 1st Battalion arrived in Cowes Roads
on January 7, 1854, and disembarking on the 10th at Portsmouth,
proceeded direct by South Coast and South Eastern Railways to Dover,
where they joined the Depôt companies and occupied the Western
Heights barracks.
On March 12 and 13 the Battalion moved, by railroad, to Portsmouth in
two divisions and occupied Clarence barracks.
Previous to this move an order was received that a hundred men should
be transferred to the 2nd Battalion, then under orders to embark
for Turkey. The men readily volunteered for this service, and many
veterans who had served through both Kaffir wars were thus added to
the 2nd Battalion, and formed a valuable nucleus of old soldiers in
that Battalion, which since Waterloo had not been engaged in the
field. The 1st Battalion being subsequently ordered to hold itself
in readiness for embarkation, received an augmentation of 1 staff
sergeant, 10 sergeants, 10 corporals, 1 bugler and 240 rank and file.
These numbers were made up by a hundred volunteers from the 60th, and
many from other regiments. Most of these were very young soldiers;
many of them not dismissed drill.
On May 16 the Battalion was augmented to twelve companies, which were
to be distributed as follows:--
_Augmentation, dated May 16, 1854._
(Part one)
+---------------------+--------+--------+-----------+-------+-----+
| | Field | | | | |
| |Officers|Captains|Lieutenants|Ensigns|Staff|
+---------------------+--------+--------+-----------+-------+-----+
| 8 Service companies | 3 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 Depôt companies | | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| +--------+--------+-----------+-------+-----+
| | | | | | |
| | 3 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 6 |
| | | | | | |
+---------------------+--------+--------+-----------+-------+-----+
(Part two)
+---------------------+---------+---------+-------+---------+--------+
| | Staff | | | | |
| |Sergeants|Sergeants|Buglers|Corporals|Privates|
+---------------------+---------+---------+-------+---------+--------+
| 8 Service companies | 7 | 50 | 21 | 50 | 950 |
| 4 Depôt companies | | 20 | 8 | 20 | 380 |
| +---------+---------+-------+---------+--------+
| | | | | 70 | 1330 |
| | 7 | 70 | 29 | \_____________/ |
| | | | | 1400 |
+---------------------+---------+---------+-------+------------------+
On June 6, 1854, an order was issued that the junior subalterns of
the regiment should in future be ranked as ‘Ensigns’ and not ‘Second
Lieutenants,’ as they had been ever since the formation of the
Regiment--a singularly inappropriate designation: for Dr. Johnson
defines as ‘Ensign’ ‘the officer of Foot who carries the flag;’
whereas this regiment had never had any flag or colour to carry.
This, absurd anomaly continued until 1872.
The Battalion having received orders to hold itself in readiness to
join the army under Lord Raglan in the East, was inspected on June 9
by Major-General Simpson, who expressed his entire satisfaction with
its appearance and discipline.
At this time the Battalion, which hitherto had been armed with the
Brunswick rifle, received the Minié. In order to supply a sufficient
number, in this emergency, those which had been issued on approval to
various regiments at home were handed over to the Riflemen.
The Service companies of the Battalion under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, embarked from the Dock-yard at
Portsmouth on July 13 on board the steamship ‘Orinoco,’ and steamed
out of harbour on the 14th. The strength of the Battalion on
embarkation was 20 officers, 4 staff, 54 sergeants, 21 buglers, 50
corporals, 850 privates. Total non-commissioned officers and men 975.
On the embarkation of the Battalion, the Depôt companies under
command of Captain and Brevet-Major Lord Alexander G. Russell,
removed from Clarence to Colewort barracks; and continued at
Portsmouth, occupying different quarters, till about August 1855,
when they moved to Winchester.
The Battalion arrived at Malta on the 24th, and there received orders
to proceed at once to the East. The ‘Orinoco,’ having coaled, started
the next day for Constantinople; where having arrived on the 30th,
orders were received to proceed forthwith to Beicos bay, there to
await further instructions.
On August 2 pursuant to orders then received the ‘Orinoco’ started
for Varna; but after passing through the Bosphorus she was recalled
and returned to her former anchorage.
The cholera having broken out on board, one Rifleman dying on August
6 and another on the 9th, it was decided to land the Battalion;
on the 9th four companies, and on the 10th the remainder of the
Battalion disembarked, and encamped on a range of heights on the
Asiatic side.[218] The cholera however continued its ravages; and
the Battalion lost during its stay here 1 colour-sergeant (Brown), 1
sergeant, 1 bugler and 24 privates. While in this camp the Riflemen
were frequently exercised in the use of the new arm, which they had
received before their departure from England.
On August 24 the Battalion was inspected by H.R.H. the Duke of
Cambridge, who expressed his satisfaction with its state and its
fitness for immediate service.
On September 2 the ‘Orinoco’ having two transports in tow, proceeded
out of the Bosphorus; but on rounding the point into the Black Sea,
encountered so heavy a sea, and so strong a head wind, that she was
unable to proceed. And as it became dark and the wind increased, she
put back and anchored in Buyukdere bay. The transports barely escaped
shipwreck, the tow-ropes having broken.
On the 5th the ‘Orinoco’ again started, having now but one transport
in tow, and passing out of the Bosphorus, arrived off Varna the
following day, and anchored in the evening. During this voyage the
Battalion was in great jeopardy, the ‘Orinoco’ having been on fire
by the ignition of the patent fuel which she was carrying. As she
was conveying the ammunition of the 4th Division, the danger for
a time was very great; and the transport in tow was cast off in
order to avoid the risk of her taking fire, or being destroyed by
the explosion of the ‘Orinoco.’ At Varna the rest of the expedition
was assembled; and the 1st Battalion was placed in General Torrens’
brigade and attached to the 4th Division, commanded by Sir George
Cathcart: a great gratification to the Riflemen, who had served under
him at the Cape.
The 2nd Battalion being by this time at Varna, I have now to trace
its movements.
On February 23 it was inspected at Portsmouth by Major-General
Simpson previous to embarkation. On the next day the Head-quarters
consisting of six companies under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Lawrence[219] embarked on board H.M.S. ‘Vulcan.’ The total numbers
embarked were 20 officers, 6 staff, 37 sergeants, 12 buglers and 703
rank and file. On the same day two companies proceeded to Southampton
and embarked there on board H.M.S.S. ‘Himalaya.’ The numbers were 6
officers, 1 staff, 9 sergeants, 3 buglers and 195 rank and file.[220]
The Head-quarters reached Malta on March 11, and immediately
disembarked and occupied quarters in the Rope-walk barracks, where
they found the two companies, from the ‘Himalaya,’ who had arrived
previously.
On the 17th the Battalion was inspected by Major-General Ferguson.
And on the 23rd it paraded in review order for the inspection of the
French General Canrobert.
On the 30th the Battalion embarked on board the S.S. ‘Golden Fleece,’
with the exception of Captain Newdigate’s[221] company, which (for
want of room) proceeded in the ‘Sir George Pollock’ sailing transport.
This expedition was commanded by their former Lieutenant-Colonel, Sir
George Brown, who, with his Staff, was on board the ‘Golden Fleece.’
On April 6 the Battalion arrived at Gallipoli, and disembarked on
the 8th. And each company as soon as assembled on shore, marching
eight miles to Balahar, near the Gulf of Xeros, there encamped. The
Riflemen were employed until the 21st in making roads and digging
wells. On the 18th two regiments came up from Gallipoli and formed
brigade with the Battalion, of which Colonel Lawrence took command.
From the 21st the Riflemen were employed in the construction of the
English half of the Lines, from the Gulf of Xeros to the centre of
the position.
On May 6 the Battalion marched to Gallipoli; and after having been
inspected by Sir George Brown with General Canrobert and Prince
Napoleon, re-embarked on board the ‘Golden Fleece.’ They arrived on
the 7th at Scutari, and having disembarked on the 9th occupied part
of the new barracks until the 11th, when they pitched camp between
the Hospital and the barracks, having been obliged to turn out of the
barracks, on account of the fleas by which they were infested.
On the 18th an order was received for the augmentation of this
Battalion (as well as the 1st) to twelve companies.
At this time the Light Division was formed under the command of Sir
George Brown, and the Battalion was attached to it.
On the 25th being the celebration of the Queen’s birthday, the
Division was reviewed by the Sultan and Lord Raglan Commanding the
forces. On the 29th the Battalion re-embarked on board the ‘Golden
Fleece’ and proceeded to Varna, where they arrived on the following
day; and on disembarking, the brigade encamped outside the town near
the Shumla gate, the Battalion being nearest to the town.
On June 5 the Battalion marched to Aladyn nine miles on the road
to Shumla, where they encamped on a hill with a lake in front and
another in rear. And on the 30th marched to Devna seven miles further
inland, where they encamped on a plateau near a marsh of some extent.
On July 23 the Battalion was reinforced by a draft of 1 subaltern
(Lieutenant Churchill), 2 sergeants and 150 rank and file, who
arrived from England. On the next day, cholera having appeared in the
Division, the Battalion marched four miles further to Monastir, where
it encamped on an elevated plateau in hopes of finding healthier
quarters. But without success; as on the 27th the scourge broke out
in the Battalion, and two Riflemen died. And many others were ill.
The men, probably to divert their attention, were engaged in learning
to make fascines and gabions.
On August 17 preparatory to moving to the Crimea, the Battalion was
inspected by Sir George Brown, who came up from Varna to see them.
On the 26th they marched to Yuksarood, and having halted during the
next day, on the 28th proceeded to Karagola, and on the 29th marched
into Varna, and embarked on the same afternoon.[222]
The Battalion was broken up into companies which embarked in the
following sailing transports:
The Head-quarters under Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence with Captain
Hammond’s company in the ‘Pride of the Ocean.’
Capt. Elrington’s[223] company in the ‘Monarchy.’
Capt. the Earl of Erroll’s in the ‘Echunga.’
Capt. Inglis’ in the ‘Caliope.’
Capt. Fyers’[224] in the ‘Marianne.’
Capt. Newdigate’s in the ‘Harkaway.’
Capt. Forman’s in the ‘Lord Raglan.’
Capt. the Hon. W. J. Colville’s[225] in the ‘Talavera.’
Three ships started on September 7 for Battchick and three sailed on
the 9th for the _rendezvous_ at Cape Tarkan.
On the 13th the whole fleet anchored in Kalamita bay; and on the
next day the landing commenced. Leaving their knapsacks on board,
and taking with them a light kit folded in their blankets, the 1st
Battalion landed about three in the afternoon, and bivouacked on the
beach. The men were without tents; and heavy rain fell at night. The
Battalion remained in this position (save that the tents were landed)
until the 19th the Riflemen assisting in landing stores. On the 16th
Sir George Cathcart saw the Battalion, and presented each man with
a piece of black oil-cloth, which covered the blanket, keeping it
dry and concealing its colour. These were also afterwards found very
useful in keeping the men off the damp ground, when spread under
them. Sir George, in addressing them, most kindly told them that he
had considered what he could give them; and had thought these the
most useful gift. On the 17th three companies, forming a patrol,
marched about twelve miles inland: as they had to keep up with the
cavalry they had little or no rest, the cavalry starting again almost
as soon as our men came up with them. These companies did not get
back till midnight, and the men had suffered much, their feet being
sore from the salt which had got into their boots. However they
brought back with them carts, camels, &c., taken in a village which
the Cossacks had left about two hours before they reached it.
On the 18th the tents were struck and sent on board the fleet.
On that night the whole Battalion, fully equipped for the march,
fell in to form a circle round some captured horses. About midnight
the men had leave to sit down, front and rear rank alternately. This
harassing duty continued till the general advance on the morning of
the 19th.
The 2nd Battalion also landed on the 14th, and being disembarked by
eleven in the forenoon, and marching from the left of the line along
the front of the other regiments towards the right, were sent on in
advance, after being broken up into wings; the right wing consisting
of four companies under Colonel Lawrence; the left wing, also of four
companies, under Major Norcott.[226] They advanced about five miles,
the former moving to the eastward occupied the village of Kentúgan;
the left wing advancing to the northward occupied Kamishli. On this
march the right wing captured a convoy of seventy arrabas (country
carts) drawn by oxen, and laden for the most part with flour. Colonel
Lawrence appropriated two dromedaries, part of the spoil, for the use
of his wing; where they did good service as baggage animals till the
drivers contrived to elope with them in the winter. During the time
that the Riflemen occupied Kentúgan and Kamishli they made friends of
the inhabitants. ‘Their chief favourites, it seems, were the men of
the Rifle Brigade. Quartered for a day or two in one of the villages,
these soldiers made up for the want of a common tongue by acts of
kindness. They helped the women in their household work; and the
women, pleased and proud, made signs to the stately Rifles to do this
and to do that, exulting in the obedience which they were able to
win from men so grand and comely. When the interpreter came, and was
asked to construe what the women were saying so fast and so eagerly,
it appeared that they were busy with similes and metaphors, and that
the Rifles were made out to be heroes more strong than lions, more
gentle than young lambs.’[227]
The wing at Kentúgan occupied the residence of a person of some
substance whose property they protected from the ravages of the
French, who however pillaged the village.
During the stay of the Battalion in these villages, some amusing
alarms from Cossacks took place. They were seen hovering about in the
distance, and a night attack being expected, the companies of the
right wing manifested their vigilance by very nearly firing into one
of their own reliefs; while in the left wing a stray horse or a cow
was taken for the expected Cossacks.
On another occasion an Aide-de-Camp from the Commander of the cavalry
having demanded immediate assistance, the four companies under
Lawrence were soon under arms, and went at the double to afford the
required aid. They were met however by a message of thanks, and an
assurance that their help was not needed. It appeared afterwards that
the vedettes had mistaken their front, and that the supposed enemy
was some of their own force.
‘But,’ writes Sir Arthur Lawrence, to whom I am indebted for these
anecdotes, ‘we were all pretty new at soldiering at that time; and we
were kept on the _qui vive_ for some hours before we marched on the
19th by the Russians burning forage in our front.’ This Battalion,
which had not seen a foreign foe for nigh forty years, was to learn
soldiering, and to attain the prize of victory, in a severe school
before the week was out.
On the 19th the whole army got into order of march at daylight.
The 1st Battalion was divided between the two brigades of the 4th
Division, four companies being attached to each. As the protection
of the rear of the army was entrusted to this Division, the Riflemen
did not leave their ground till about nine A.M. They then proceeded
over the plain in the rear and on the left of the army. This march,
although not more than twelve miles, was very fatiguing, on account
of the heat and want of water. Vast numbers of men fell out; but
those of the 1st Battalion all rejoined at nightfall after the
heat of the day. During the advance the left flank was covered by
Riflemen in skirmishing order, and a line of their skirmishers
protected the rear. The Battalion reached the river Búlganak about
six in the evening and bivouacked for the night. One company, Major
Rooper’s, being detached to the left to protect that flank. On this
night Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith was attacked by cholera, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford assumed command of the Battalion.
On the same day the 2nd Battalion advanced and were present at the
cavalry affair on the Búlganak. They were moved forward in support
of the cavalry and to protect the guns, but were not engaged. The
Battalion bivouacked on the heights south of the river Búlganak.
On the 20th the 1st Battalion, being provided with three days’
rations, was ready to move at daylight, but did not leave its ground
till a little before eight. It then advanced, covering, as on the
day before, the left and rear of the army. On approaching the banks
of the river Alma, a large force of the enemy’s cavalry was observed
on the left flank, which he repeatedly extended with the view,
apparently, of turning the flank; but Sir George Cathcart answered
the movement by throwing out skirmishers of this Battalion, which
kept them in check during the engagement. The enemy having been
repulsed at all points in the battle of the Alma, their cavalry
also retired. The Battalion then forded the Alma and ascended the
heights on its south side, the enemy being then in full retreat.
After a short halt the Battalion was ordered to bivouack on the bank
of the river, and redescending the hill took up a position for the
night. The 4th Division having been in reserve, the Battalion was not
actually engaged; two men were however wounded.
But the 2nd Battalion was actively engaged. They were ordered to be
ready to move by seven o’clock in the morning. I will first follow
the movements of the right wing, consisting of four companies under
Colonel Lawrence. At the hour appointed he extended two companies to
cover the advance. But no order to move arrived for some hours; and
it was not till about noon that the army was ordered to advance. The
Riflemen then began to descend from the ridge the long slope which
led to the Alma, two companies extended in skirmishing order, and
two in support. As they drew near it the village of Búrliúk which
they had not before noticed, for it was enfolded in a dip of the
ground, burst into flames. They were sharply plied with grape from
the batteries on the opposite slope, and with musketry from the
village; while the smoke from the burning houses was so blinding that
the Riflemen could hardly fire a shot.
As they could make no effectual use of their rifles, they inclined to
their left and got some shelter from a dip in the ground. Meanwhile
the Light Division behind them had deployed into line, and were
ordered to lie down. Then Lawrence told his skirmishers to fix their
bayonets, and to take two or three houses which were near them with a
rush. On getting up to them however it was found that the enemy had
evacuated them; and the Riflemen found shelter behind the smoking
ruins. They then received the order to advance; and the Riflemen
rushed into the vineyards which line the bank of the river, and which
afforded some cover from the enemy’s fire. Meanwhile Major Norcott
with the four companies of the left wing had attacked the Russians so
vigorously that he had made the place too hot for their skirmishers,
and the right wing skirmishers and supports passed through the
vineyards, and forded the river without difficulty, though saluted
with a shower of bullets in their passage of it. The 19th Regiment
followed them. After passing the river they found some shelter under
the slope of a bank: shelter from the shot and musketry which the
enemy were pouring down from the redoubt, and the troops on the slope
which rose from the crest of the bank which sheltered them: but
not complete shelter; for the enemy had a battery on their right,
which enfiladed them. The left wing of the Battalion had passed on,
and the 19th Regiment was preparing to advance. Lawrence therefore
accompanied by his Adjutant, Lieutenant Ross, rode up the bank and
the Riflemen followed, exposed to a tremendous fire; for as soon
as they left the shelter of the bank they came under the full fire
of the Russians. However they advanced up the slope. When within a
few yards of the redoubt Colonel Lawrence’s horse was killed by a
discharge of grape, nearly rolling its rider under the breastwork
of the redoubt, under which he found shelter when he had extricated
himself; as did his Adjutant whose horse also was killed. These
Riflemen were soon mixed up with their comrades of the left wing and
with the men of the 19th Regiment, all firing indiscriminately at
an advancing column of Russians. For we must now accompany Norcott’s
wing, and see how he had got to the redoubt where he met Lawrence’s
four companies.
Descending the slopes of the right bank of the Alma, Norcott’s
Riflemen entered the vineyards, and at once were exposed to the
fire of the Russian artillery and became engaged with their light
troops. Fyers’ company was extended on the extreme left, with Lord
Erroll’s company in support. The Riflemen inclining to the left to
avoid the burning village of Búrliúk, which as we have seen had been
fired by the Russians, forded the river and, ascending the other
bank and passing through the vineyards, halted at a wall: a low
wall which separated the cultivated ground from the slope beyond.
Here Norcott moved up and extended Erroll’s company on the right of
Fyers’; and then, or soon after, he advanced; and inclining to the
right, on observing that Codrington’s brigade had disarranged or
lost its formation and was threatened by a Russian column, he poured
such a searching fire from his line of skirmishers, that the enemy
were checked and hindered from taking full advantage of the want of
regular formation of Codrington’s brigade. Still inclining to the
right, the Riflemen approached the proper right flank of the great
redoubt, where as I have said both wings met. As these Riflemen were
rushing into the redoubt Norcott’s horse was wounded. Soon after
they had attained the redoubt a Russian column was seen descending
the hill beyond. By a most unfortunate mistake these were thought to
be French, and some officer (of what regiment is unknown) desired a
bugler to sound the ‘cease fire;’ and (it is said) afterwards the
‘retire.’ The men then began to leave the redoubt when their very
existence seemed to depend on clinging fast to its bank, or boldly
facing the enemy. In vain the officers of the various regiments
endeavoured to check the stream, by calling on the men to halt or to
return to the position they had won. They slowly and orderly moved
down the hill. The Riflemen, carried along with this rolling mass,
sought shelter under the bank from which they had first emerged on
the slope. They rallied at the sound of the regimental call, and
the companies of both wings, Lawrence’s and Norcott’s, united and
advanced again to the redoubt. The enemy then fled. And on the final
retreat of the Russians part of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to
take off their packs (or rather their coats and blankets), to leave
them there, and marched with the cavalry and guns in pursuit of the
retreating Russians; but after proceeding about a mile they were
recalled, and on their return the Battalion bivouacked on the heights
above the Alma on the ground they had won.
The casualties in this Battalion were 2 sergeants and 9 rank and file
killed; and Captain the Earl of Errol, 1 sergeant 3 buglers and 34
rank and file wounded.
Lord Raglan in his despatch praises the conduct of the Regiment, and
states that the capture of the great redoubt was ‘materially aided
by the advance of four companies of the Rifle Brigade under Major
Norcott.’
He was also recommended for the Victoria Cross by Sir George Brown;
who adds: ‘Major Norcott’s conduct on that occasion was not only
conspicuous to the whole Division, but attracted the notice of the
enemy; for the Officer in command of the Russian Battery, who was
subsequently made prisoner, informed Lord Raglan, that he had laid
a gun specially for the “daring officer in the dark uniform on the
black horse.”’
On the 21st the 1st Battalion moved at daylight, and ascending the
heights halted on the ground which had been occupied by the enemy’s
right. Here they bivouacked; and were engaged on this and the
following day in burying the dead and conveying the wounded to the
field-hospitals. The cholera, which had disappeared from the time the
Battalion left the Bosphorus, reappeared directly after they landed;
and the Battalion suffered much from it about this time; having lost
1 assistant surgeon (Mr. Shorrock) 1 sergeant and 9 privates.
The 2nd Battalion on these two days was similarly employed in the
burial of the dead and the assistance of the wounded.
On the 23rd both Battalions, being under arms from seven o’clock,
left the heights of the Alma and advanced to the Katchka, which they
reached at sunset, and there bivouacked. The 1st Battalion formed the
rear-guard of the army. The 2nd Battalion, in front of the rest of
the army, passed through the vineyards and a village, and crossing
the river, approached the position with caution; but it was found to
be evacuated.
On the next day both Battalions were under arms at seven o’clock,
but were kept hanging about till near twelve while a reconnaissance
was being made. The 2nd Battalion, again covering the advance of the
army, then mounted the ridge, and advancing over a level plateau,
descended to the valley of the Belbek, through vineyards and gardens;
fording the river and pushing on, they covered with their skirmishers
the crossing of the Belbek by the army. They ascended the opposite
height, and at dusk their skirmishers were drawn in and they
bivouacked on these heights, and furnished a picquet of two companies.
On the 25th the army made a further advance; but the 1st Battalion
(with the rest of the 4th Division) remained on their ground to
protect the wounded, and to cover the supplies. The Riflemen were
ordered to conceal themselves in the bushes and to keep as quiet as
possible. And at night occupied the bivouack of the night before.
On this day Sidney Beckwith, who had been conveyed on board the
‘Orinoco,’ died; and thus the roll of the Regiment for the first time
since its formation was without the honoured name of Beckwith.
On this day the 2nd Battalion under the command of Lawrence, its
wings being now reunited, was ordered to place itself at the disposal
of Lord Lucan, and to cover the flank of the cavalry on the advance
from the Belbek towards Mackenzie’s farm. The men were ordered to
place their shirts and boots wrapped in their great coats (for they
had not their packs) on the limbers of the guns; and starting at
half-past eight four companies preceded or were on the flank of
the cavalry, and four brought up the rear. Soon the wood became so
thick that it was with some difficulty that the connection between
the files--for they were in skirmishing order--could be kept up. As
they approached Mackenzie’s farm Lord Lucan and Lord William Paulet,
Deputy-Adjutant-General, dismounted to look at a map; and while
they were poring over it the sound of a gun startled the party. A
second soon succeeded, the cavalry hurried forward, and the Riflemen
followed, their pace quickened not only by their desire to be
‘first in the fight,’ but by a message from Lord Raglan to push on
as quickly as they could. A few minutes at the double brought them
out on the road, and on the baggage of Menchikoff’s column. They
pursued the rear-guard, but not far; and the men helped themselves to
provisions, wine and whatever they could lay hands on; some horses
amongst the rest; of which a piebald, taken out of a team, replaced
Norcott’s charger disabled at the Alma.
Subsequently this Battalion crossed the Tchernaya by a stone bridge
and bivouacked on the height beyond. The men were much fatigued,
having been on the move from an early hour till after dark without
anything to eat.
On the 26th the 1st Battalion moved at 5.30 A.M., and throwing out
skirmishers marched along the high road to Sebastopol for about three
miles. They then turned to the left and proceeded with great caution
through the forest to Kútor Mackenzie, where they halted for a very
considerable time to allow the baggage and supplies of the army to
precede. From Mackenzie’s farm the Battalion descended to the valley
of the Tchernaya, the whole road covered with loaded waggons and the
remains of the Russian baggage train, which had been surprised the
day before. On arriving at the banks of the Tchernaya about half-past
six they bivouacked; having been thirteen hours under arms.
On this day the 2nd Battalion led the advance on Balaklava. The
approach was by a narrow gorge, with high bare hills on each
side. Colonel Lawrence detached his majors, Norcott to the right,
Bradford[228] to the left, while he himself with two companies kept
the centre. Thus they approached Balaklava, throwing out skirmishers.
No opposition was offered till they had advanced some distance, when
some musketry fire was opened; but this was only from a few men on
the heights who were soon driven in; and the advance continued. A
staff officer then reported to Lord Raglan that the road was clear,
and he rode forward and was just entering the gorge, when Lawrence
observed to him that he still saw some of the enemy on the hills,
and asked permission to send a company in advance. This was granted,
and Fyers’ company was taken by Norcott towards the town. On their
approaching it and the Battalion appearing on the heights, a few
harmless shots were fired from the old Genoese fort; and soon after
on their advancing nearer a white flag was hoisted. Fyers, who
mistrusted the sincerity of the Governor, directed his subaltern
to halt with one subdivision, whilst he, with the other, advanced
by a narrow road engineered between the high ground and the sea.
On Fyers’ men entering the fort, the Governor left it by another
side; and meeting Egerton and Ross surrendered, handing his sword to
the former. Then Fyers taking his company into the town, a baker,
evidently in great terror, came out of his house and, notwithstanding
the early hour of the morning, produced a roast turkey which he
offered him, and a great number of loaves. These Fyers desired him to
break in two, and to give half to each man. So that all the men of
his company had a good meal.
The Battalion subsequently occupied Balaklava, posting sentries for
the protection of the inhabitants; and at night bivouacked among
beautiful vineyards two miles outside the town.[229]
Some spoil was found in the fort; Lawrence became the possessor of
a fur coat, by gift from one of the Riflemen, and Ross obtained a
remount in place of his horse killed at the Alma. On the next day
this Battalion was moved about a mile nearer to Sebastopol, and
encamped for some days.
On the 27th the 1st Battalion was under arms at half-past six;
but having to wait to allow the whole of the supplies and all the
_impedimenta_ of the army to pass over the Traktir bridge, did not
themselves move until ten o’clock. They then followed, and advanced
almost to Balaklava when they came up with the rest of the army; and
passing it ascended the hill to the right and approached Sebastopol.
They traversed the valley, and the quarries afterwards occupied by
the 3rd Division, and advanced to the high ground overlooking the
south harbour, becoming thus the most advanced battalion in front
of the place. This was a great satisfaction to the Battalion, which
had been so long protecting the rear; and the Riflemen greeted their
change of position with hearty cheers. Here they bivouacked, throwing
out one company as an outlying picquet. Shot and shell were thrown
from the town, some reaching so near the bivouack that some rifles
piled by the men were knocked down by the bursting of a shell.
On September 28 a Russian column having issued from the place, the
Riflemen with the 4th Division advanced to meet it. The enemy however
immediately retired, with the evident intention of drawing Cathcart
in pursuit under the fire of the guns of the place; but finding
the Riflemen declined the fight he returned to his camp. This was
situated on a flattened limestone ridge extending in the direction
of the city, a ravine separating it from the Inkerman heights and
another from the ridge on which was placed the battery of the English
right attack.
On the 28th, in consequence of the gunners of the place having got
the exact range of the position which the Battalion occupied, it
was moved about 100 yards to the rear into a situation rather more
sheltered.
On the 29th the 2nd Battalion, leaving their bivouack near Balaklava,
advanced on Sebastopol, and took up ground on the left of the
position towards Kamiesh. And on October 1 moved its position to the
right of the Woronzow road, and shortly after to near the Windmill,
having a wing on each flank of the Light Division.
From the time the 1st Battalion left the position of the Alma
till its arrival before Sebastopol it had lost by cholera,
Lieutenant-Colonel Beckwith, Sergeant-Major Tucker, 1
colour-sergeant, 1 corporal and 7 privates.[230] Its strength on
October 1 was--
Field officer Captains Subalterns Staff Sergeants
1 5 11 5 43
Buglers Rank and file
19 691
On October 2 the Battalion being still exposed to the Russian fire,
and many shells falling into the position, again moved to the rear
and east of the stone quarries, and took up the position which it
occupied during the remainder of the siege. On the next day the 2nd
Battalion was kept on the alert all day by shot and shell thrown by
the enemy into its position.
On the 4th the Regiment, which had hitherto since September 18
bivouacked without shelter, received tents, which the Riflemen
brought up from Balaklava harbour.
On the 5th the 1st Battalion furnished a party to escort Engineer
officers making a reconnaissance and marking ground for the
approaches. They started at three in the morning and returned soon
after daylight.
On the 8th the 2nd Battalion furnished a picquet under
Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence, consisting of two companies, to cover
the working parties at the five-gun battery. These companies held
this battery for twenty-four hours under constant fire without a man
being touched. The Battalion also furnished a covering party under
Major Norcott at Gordon’s battery.
On the 9th a similar party was furnished by the 1st Battalion to
escort the Engineers marking ground at the Greenhill battery. The
Riflemen descended the ravine about a mile, and lay down while the
Engineers marked the ground. They had scarcely retired when the
Russians were out looking at the same ground.
On the 10th the right wing of the Battalion went down to the trenches
afterwards so memorable, to cover the working parties. They remained
on for twenty-four hours, and were relieved at daylight on the
11th by the left wing. This duty in the trenches was thenceforward
performed by wings alternately, with the other regiments of the
Division.[231]
On the 12th Private Francis Wheatley of the 1st Battalion, being on
duty in the trenches when a live shell fell among the party, having
unsuccessfully endeavoured to knock out the fuze with the butt of his
rifle, took up the shell with great deliberation and flung it over
the parapet. It had scarcely fallen outside when it exploded. For
this act of valour he afterwards received the Victoria Cross, and the
cross of the Legion of Honour.[232]
On October 13 a man of the 2nd Battalion, Herbert, made a most
remarkable shot. He was on outlying picquet, and observing a Russian
officer on a white horse he took a shot at him, fixing the sight of
his rifle at its extreme range. The officer fell, while the horse
moved on. The distance at which he shot him has been variously
estimated from 1300 yards[233] downwards; the man himself told me
that he thought the Russian whom he shot was about 1000 yards from
him.
On the 14th the 1st Battalion lost its first man in the trenches; he
was killed by a fragment of a shell.
On October 14 Fyers was with his company in the five-gun battery
when he observed a column of Russian infantry advancing. Taking a
rifle from one of the men, he put the sight at what he considered
their distance, and fired, carefully watching the effect of the shot.
When he perceived that it struck the ground a little in front of the
column, he ordered his men to fix their sights for 750 yards, and
to stand up on the parapet and ‘give it them.’ They had not been
long firing when he found that he was under fire from the rear.
Some of the Russians had moved up the ravine towards a house which
was occupied by a picquet of another regiment, under a sergeant,
which had retreated on their approach, and the Russians having taken
possession of the house were firing on Fyers’ party. He therefore
sallied with his company out of the battery and drove the Russians
back, not before they had eaten the dinners of the former occupants
of the picquet-house, and carried off their coats and blankets. Most
of these they dropped on their way back, as they probably impeded
their retreat, pressed as they were by Fyers and his party.
In this affair Hugh Hannan, the tallest man in the Battalion, was
attacked by a Russian rifleman who turned upon him. Hannan fired;
the shot was returned, and the Russian was preparing to fire again,
but before he could find a cap, Hannan rushed upon him, and with a
tremendous blow knocked him over a low wall, and leaped after him.
They grappled; and a fierce struggle ensued in which Hannan was
getting the worst of it. For the Russian had drawn his short sword
and was almost in the act of stabbing him in the thigh, when Hannan’s
friend and comrade, Ferguson, by a sure shot brought the Russian down
dead.[234]
In this affair two Riflemen were wounded. Fyers took a sergeant and
some men prisoners, of whom three were wounded; several others were
carried off by their companions, and many were killed.
On the alarm Sir De Lacy Evans had moved up two regiments, and some
of the 1st Division; and the rest of the 2nd Battalion were brought
up and halted in rear of Gordon’s battery, and some guns were ordered
up; but before these troops came into action, Fyers had repulsed and
effectually disposed of the Russian attack.
On one occasion about this time, when a party of the Regiment had
been pushed forward, four Riflemen crept up to within 500 yards
of the place and fired into the windows of the grand barracks of
Sebastopol.[235]
On the 16th, while the left wing of the 1st Battalion was in the
trenches, the enemy opened a murderous fire about ten A.M. on
the whole length of the English trenches and continued it for
half-an-hour, apparently determined to drive them from their
position; however the Riflemen did not suffer much loss, but one
colour-sergeant, James Powell, was disabled.
From this date the Riflemen were nightly thrown out in advance of the
intrenchments; whatever regiments found the duties, they formed a
line of double sentries, to watch and report any suspicious movements
in the place.
On the 17th the Allies opened fire.
On the 19th a man of the Regiment was seen to pick off eight men from
a Russian battery.[236]
On the 25th the 1st Battalion was ordered out to repel the attack
on Balaklava. They fell in between eight and nine o’clock, and
starting at the double took up a position on the side of a hill. The
Russians had driven the Turks out of the forts in their occupation.
The Riflemen arrived just after the heavy cavalry charge. After the
light cavalry charge the 4th Division was ordered to advance, the
1st Battalion Rifle Brigade leading by wings. The right wing under
Colonel Horsford took up a position with its left resting on the
road from Sebastopol to the Traktir bridge; the 68th being deployed
in line on its right; and the left wing under Major Rooper being on
the right of the 68th in support of Captain Barker’s battery. The
enemy brought forward a field battery of six guns and opened fire on
the line. This fire became very troublesome on the right flank, and
Lieutenant Godfrey with a few men was sent to try to silence these
guns. This they did most effectually in a very short time. The task
was difficult, for the ground afforded no cover; the utmost shelter
they could get being some slight undulation in the surface. However
the Riflemen lay down on their stomachs and picked off the gunners
whenever they attempted to handle their guns; and in about twenty
minutes forced the Russian guns to retire.
The Battalion remained in the same order and in the same position
until dark; but no further attack being made by the enemy, and it
having been resolved to abandon these forts, the Battalion returned
to its camp.
One man was wounded, being struck in the leg by a round shot.
On the 26th at noon the Russians came out from Sebastopol and
attacked the extreme right of the English position, which was
occupied by the 2nd Division. The enemy having advanced in a mass
of columns, our guns opening upon them within easy range caused
them such loss that they quickly retired. On this occasion the 1st
Battalion, although the most distant from the right of the position,
turned out so quickly, with Sir George Cathcart at its head, that it
was on the scene of action in a very short time, but not till the
enemy had retired.
On this occasion a picquet, under Lieutenant W. T. Markham of the
2nd Battalion,[237] which was on duty in the five-gun battery,
joining some men of the Guards under Captain Goodlake in the
Careenage ravine, had an obstinate combat with a strong Russian
column. They kept them back for a considerable time; and eventually
the Riflemen succeeded in driving them out of the cave there, known
as the Magazine Grotto; but not without a hard fight in which 5
Riflemen were wounded. They however inflicted considerable loss
on their opponents; and a Russian officer and many men were taken
prisoners.[238]
On November 1 the morning state of the 1st Battalion was as follows:--
Field officer Captains Subalterns Staff Sergeants
1 5 11 6 38
Buglers Rank and file
18 550
showing a decrease of 5 sergeants, 1 bugler and 141 rank and file
since the arrival of the Battalion before the place.
Early on the 2nd the enemy’s batteries opened a cannonade, by which
four men of the 2nd Battalion, forming part of a company which was
going to relieve in the trenches, were wounded.
On November 4, four companies of the 2nd Battalion, the Earl of
Errol’s, Hammond’s, Fyers’ and Colville’s, under Major Bradford
(Major Norcott being sick), proceeded to the heights of Balaklava.
On the morning of Sunday, November 5, an hour before daybreak, the
alarm was sounded through the English camp. The greater part of the
1st Battalion had just returned from the trenches, and were still
accoutred, though wet through; for it had rained the previous day,
all through the night, and even then there was dense damp fog, with
frequent showers. As they were passing the head of the ravine, a
bugle was heard sounding in camp, which these men at first fancied
to be the usual parade horn. It proved however to be the ‘assembly.’
The remainder of the Battalion was soon under arms, and moved towards
the fight, which the rattle of musketry and the roar of guns told
them was going on, at the head of the 4th Division under Sir George
Cathcart.
In like manner General Codrington, the first to give the alarm,
turned out the Light Division, and the 2nd Battalion assembled at
once. Three companies only were on parade, one wing having gone on
the previous day, as we have seen, to the heights of Balaklava, and
Captain Forman’s company being in the five-gun battery. Of these
three companies, one had just come in after being twenty-seven
hours in the trenches. However they at once advanced, and General
Codrington having placed his brigade on the Victoria ridge, these
Riflemen extended along the left bank of the Careenage ravine on
the extreme left of the line. Soon after they took up their position
a column of Russians, part of Soimonoff’s force, advanced up the
Careenage ravine, and after opening fire on the Riflemen, attempted
to ascend its left bank; but Captain Elrington, with two companies
of the 2nd Battalion, at once attacked them, and drove them down at
the point of the bayonet; they retreated by the bottom of the ravine,
and did not again make their appearance in that part of the fight.
In this attack a Rifleman named Hewitt, having put on a greatcoat
and cap late the property of a Russian soldier deceased, followed
the retreating Muscovites down the ravine, and picked off a number
of them. He narrowly escaped however being shot by his own comrades.
This man, as well as a brother in the same Battalion, afterwards died
in the Crimea. This repulse occurred at the very beginning of the
Russian attack. These companies under Elrington lost 5 men killed and
10 wounded in this gallant affair.[239]
Meanwhile the 1st Battalion were advancing with Cathcart towards the
scene of the fight. As they approached the end of the English line,
manifest tokens of the battle greeted them. The rattle of musketry
in front, indeed apparently on every side; dead lying about, and
wounded carried by; and tents thrown to the ground by the fire of
the enemy’s guns. On their arriving at the heights of Inkerman,
where General Pennefather was maintaining a hard and unequal fight,
Sir George Cathcart handed over to him the 1st Battalion which he
so much esteemed, telling him that he had brought him ‘a Battalion
which could do anything.’ Pennefather riding up to Lieutenant-Colonel
Horsford, who was in command of the Battalion, and paying it a
high compliment, informed him that he was hard pressed on the left
of the centre ravine, and wished a reinforcement sent there. The
three leading companies were immediately detached for that purpose
under Major Rooper who deployed them into line below the crest of
the hill. They soon were confronted by a Russian column, part of
Dannenberg’s force. They were at a short distance, and the Riflemen
halted and opened fire. For a short time the enemy returned their
fire, then began to waver and eventually to retreat, hotly pursued
by the Riflemen, who drove them down into the Quarry ravine. Those
of them who were wounded, or who had not made good their escape into
the ravine, were in a state of extreme terror, and called upon the
Riflemen on their knees and with clasped hands raised in prayer to
spare their lives.[240]
Soon after Rooper’s wing had been thus sent forward, the remaining
three companies under Horsford moved to the right, deployed into
line, and advanced to the Kitspur, and thence by the head of St.
Clement’s gorge they fought their way to the Barrier. On their way
they opened their files to allow stragglers and wounded to pass
through, and two companies of the Guards who were then retiring.
Finding themselves without support, and their ammunition beginning
to fail, they halted. But eventually both wings, that under Horsford
which had worked round from the right, and that under Rooper, were
posted at the Barrier. From thence Horsford with some men in extended
order skirmished along the right bank of the Quarry ravine. About
half-past twelve, Captain Somerset, who had been obliged to go to
Head-quarters on account of ill-health, with much difficulty found
his way to the front, and joined a party of the Battalion whom he
found in rear of the two-gun battery under Ensign Brett.[241] Soon
Lieutenant Morgan brought him a message from Colonel Horsford that
he wished to collect all the Battalion in front at the Barrier.
Accordingly he brought up these men and joined Horsford under the
ridge. During this terrible conflict many of the Riflemen fought
independently, or by twos and threes. Sometimes they found themselves
mixed up with men of other regiments, the mistiness of the day
and their being all in greatcoats rendering it not always easy to
distinguish their comrades. Some few Riflemen under Tryon joined the
57th Regiment in resisting an attack on the ridge. The Riflemen got
cover where they could among the scrub oak on the rocks. Some of them
running short of detonating caps took them from dead Russians, and
these, though large, exploded their rifles. These Riflemen getting
cover in the brushwood on the left of the Barrier picked off the
gunners of the Russian battery on the Shell hill.
About this period of the fight Colour-Sergeant Higgins,[242]
collecting some thirty men of No. 2 company, formed them up on the
left of the French division, and with them drove the Russians down
the ravine.
Later in the day, and towards the close of the fight, Horsford with
the remains of the Battalion, advanced from the Barrier, and pushed
up the Shell hill to where a Russian battery had stood. Ascending
the hill, almost hand to hand with the enemy, these Riflemen fixed
bayonets and charged, driving the Russians from the ridge, on whose
retiring masses they kept up fire. Four tumbrils with ammunition
remained in their hands; but the Russians had withdrawn the guns.
The Battalion, or the remnant of it, remained extended on the heights
till about nine at night, when being relieved by picquets of the 2nd
Division it marched to camp.
No. 2 company was brought out of the field in command of the
Colour-Sergeant (Higgins), who indeed had been in charge of it from
the time its Captain (Cartwright) had been killed.
The 2nd Battalion, after Elrington’s exploit in the morning,
continued posted on the left of Codrington’s force on the Victoria
heights. They kept up fire on the Russians on the opposite height
(Mount Inkerman) whenever they came within range. Some Russian
riflemen having come into the Careenage ravine and as far as the
Magazine caves, took shelter there, and while the companies on the
hill kept up a constant fire as often as they showed themselves, to
prevent their emerging or escape, some of the Battalion descended
into the ravine and made them prisoners. Three companies only of
this Battalion were engaged, Elrington’s, Inglis’ and Newdigate’s,
mustering about 150 rifles. Forman’s company was in the five-gun
battery; and the other four companies were at Balaklava.
The losses of the Regiment were very severe. In the 1st Battalion
Captain Cartwright, 5 sergeants and 22 rank and file were killed.
And Brevet-Major Rooper and Lieutenant Coote Buller[243] were
severely wounded, and 5 sergeants and 26 rank and file were wounded.
Colour-Sergeant Noseley,[244] who was dangerously wounded, was taken
prisoner.
Cartwright was killed late in the day, while sitting under the
Barrier, which the men were then lining. He was shot through the eye
and also in the chest. Colonel Horsford was also wounded by a shell,
which exploded between his legs, and lifted him off the ground; but
not being disabled he did not return himself as wounded.
This Battalion also had to lament the loss of its kind friend Sir
George Cathcart, under whom it had fought in Kaffraria, and who had
from that time manifested great attachment to it.
In the 2nd Battalion Lieutenant Malcolm and 8 rank and file were
killed and Captain Newdigate and 27 rank and file wounded.[245]
Of these Rooper died on the 11th on board the steamer ‘Golden
Fleece,’ on his passage to Malta.
For some days after the battle of Inkerman the Riflemen were engaged
in burying the dead. Their other duties also were very severe. In
consequence of four companies of the 2nd Battalion having been moved
to Balaklava the 1st Battalion found duty both on the right and left
attack. Even when other regiments were in the trenches they furnished
a party a hundred yards in front; and wherever there was an alarm or
a position to be stormed the green-jackets were in request. During
this time and while the duties were so constant, the men suffered
much also from scarcity of rations. And even those issued were such
as the men could scarcely use. Until the end of December the coffee
was served out green; there were no vegetables for a considerable
time; the biscuit when the weather was wet, was mouldy; and fuel was
scarcely to be procured. Even such supplies as were in Balaklava were
but scantily brought up owing to want of transport; and the position
of the 1st Battalion being the most distant from that place, rendered
their supply more scanty and precarious.
On November 14 occurred the memorable gale. The tents were blown
down, and the hospital marquee of the 1st Battalion being torn to
pieces the wounded had to be carried to such of the companies’ tents
as could be set up. On this occasion an instance occurred of the good
feeling which has always existed in the Regiment between the Riflemen
and their officers. Coote Buller was lying in his tent suffering from
his wound, a broken thigh, at Inkerman. The men of the company held
his tent during the gale, and thus, by preventing his exposure to the
storm, rain and hail, probably saved his life.
The tents of the four companies of the 2nd Battalion at Balaklava,
and everything belonging to them, except what they were standing
in, were blown clean away, and were never heard of afterwards. At
the same time the four companies of this Battalion on duty in the
trenches were not relieved for forty-eight hours. And one man of this
Battalion died from exposure to the cold and to the storm.
The Russian riflemen having established themselves in some rifle
pits in front of the left attack along some rising ground, annoyed
our working parties as well as those of the French on the opposite
side of the ravine by their fire. Lord Raglan determined to drive
them back and to take possession of the pits. These pits, caverns,
or ‘ovens’ as they were called by the men, are formed by the decay
of softer portions of the rock between the harder strata, leaving
caves in the sides of the hill. The duty of driving the Russians from
them was confided to the 1st Battalion; and on November 20 a party
consisting of Lieutenant Henry Tryon, in command, with Lieutenants
Bourchier[246] and Cuninghame,[247] 4 sergeants and 200 rank and
file, was detailed to carry it into execution. It was kept a secret
what the service was to be till the party fell in about four o’clock
in the afternoon. Then Tryon wheeled them round him and told the
men what they were wanted for. He said that he intended to drive
the Russians out, and that he was sure that they could do it. And
right well they did it. Marching down to the trenches they lay down
till dark. They then advanced stealthily, creeping along the broken
ground which led first down a slight incline, and then up towards the
enemy, who were completely surprised by the attack. Fifty men under
Tryon formed the storming column; 50 the supports under Bourchier and
100 the reserve under Cuninghame. Eventually these parties became
practically one. They quickly drove the Russian riflemen from their
cover, though supported by a heavy column of Russian infantry. The
occupants of the pits were evidently surprised. But soon the guns
bearing on the pits poured grape and canister on the Riflemen, who
had no cover, for the pits were open on the enemy’s side. In the
moment of taking possession of the pits the gallant Tryon fell shot
in the head; Bourchier, who succeeded to the command of the party,
maintained his advantage; and Cuninghame greatly distinguished
himself by the energy with which he repulsed an attempt to turn the
left flank of the advanced party, and thereby ensured the success
of the capture. Repeatedly during that long night did the Russians
attempt to retake the pits; sometimes by sending forward strong
columns, sometimes by creeping up a few at a time, and when they got
near making signals for their companions to come on. But this handful
of Riflemen, under the command of these two young officers, bravely
withstood them, and held the position until relieved next day by
another party of the Battalion. In this affair Lieutenant Tryon and 9
men were killed, and 17 men were wounded. This gallant feat of arms,
the first of the kind during that war, and never surpassed, was thus
described in the despatch addressed by Lord Raglan to the Duke of
Newcastle:
‘Before Sebastopol, November 23, 1854.
‘My Lord Duke,--The Russian advanced posts in front of our left
attack having taken up a position which incommoded our troops in
the trenches, and occasioned not a few casualties, and at the
same time took in reverse the French troops working in their
lines, a representation of which was made to me both by our
own officers and by General Canrobert, a detachment of the 1st
Battalion Rifle Brigade, under Lieutenant Tryon, was directed on
the night of the 20th to dislodge the enemy; and this service was
performed most gallantly and effectively, but at some loss both
in killed and wounded, and at the cost of the life of Lieutenant
Tryon, who rendered himself conspicuous on the occasion: he was
considered a most promising officer, and held in the highest
estimation by all. The Russians attempted several times to
re-establish themselves on the ground before daylight on the
21st, but they were instantly repulsed by Lieutenant Bourchier,
the senior surviving officer of the party, and it now remains
in our possession. Brigadier Sir John Campbell speaks highly of
the conduct of the detachment, and of Lieutenant Bourchier and
Lieutenant Cuninghame, and he laments the death of Lieutenant
Tryon, who so ably led them in the first instance. This little
exploit was so highly prized by General Canrobert that he
instantly published an “Ordre Général” announcing it to the
French army, and combining, with a just tribute to the gallantry
of the troops, the expression of his deep sympathy in the regret
felt for the loss of a young officer of so much distinction.
‘(Signed) RAGLAN.’
The following General Order from Lord Raglan was also issued:
‘General Order, November 24, 1854.
‘The Commander of the Forces cannot pass unnoticed the attack, on
the night of the 20th inst., of a detachment of the 1st Battalion
Rifle Brigade under Lieutenant Tryon upon the advanced posts of
the enemy, which had been pushed forward so as to enfilade the
English trenches, and to take in reverse those of the French
troops.
‘The advance was made in the most spirited and determined manner,
and was completely successful. And though several vigorous
attempts were afterwards made by the enemy to dislodge the
gallant band, they utterly failed, and the ground remains in our
possession.
‘Lieutenant Tryon, whose conduct was most conspicuous, was
unfortunately killed, and several valuable soldiers shared the
same fate.
‘The General-in-Chief of the French army so highly prized the
achievement that he published a General Order eulogising the
conduct of the detachment, and paying a just tribute to the
officer who led it.
‘(Signed) J. B. B. ESTCOURT.
‘Adjutant-General.’
The following is the order referred to issued by the French. General,
a most honourable and unusual distinction:--
‘_Ordre Général._
‘Dans la nuit du 20 au 21, sur la demande de concours que j’avais
adressée au Commandant de l’Armée Anglaise, en lui faisant
observer que les tirailleurs Russes s’établissaient à couvert
en avant de ses lignes pour prendre à revers nos travailleurs,
cent riflemen, conduits par le capitaine Tryon, sont sortis des
tranchées Anglaises, ont tourné par la gauche les positions
occupées par l’ennemi, et les ont enlevées après, l’avoir
débusqué. Les Russes, formés en colonnes profondes, ont tenté
trois fois de les reprendre à la baïonnette, après avoir fait
pleuvoir la mitraille sur le détachment Anglais. Nos alliés ont
tenu ferme avec l’énergie que nous leur connaissons, et sont
restés maîtres de la position, où nous pouvons les apercevoir ce
matin.
‘J’ai voulu rendre hommage devant vous à la vigueur avec laquelle
s’est accompli ce hardi coup de main, qui a malheureusement
coûté la vie au vaillant capitaine Tryon. Nous lui donnerons les
regrets dûs à sa fin glorieuse. Elle resserrera les liens de
loyale confraternité d’armes qui nous unissent à nos alliés.
‘Au quartier général, devant Sébastopol le 21 Novembre, 1854.
‘Le Général en chef,
(Signé) CANROBERT.
‘Pour ampliation.
Le Général Chef d’Etat-Major général
E. de Martimprey.’[248]
The following is the translation of the preceding General Order which
was appended to Lord Raglan’s orders on this occasion:
‘Camp before Sebastopol, November 21, 1854.
‘On the night of the 20th or 21st, on a request made by me to
Lord Raglan, Commander-in-Chief of the English army, pointing
out to him that the Russian riflemen had placed themselves under
cover in front of the lines, from whence they could enfilade our
workmen, one hundred Riflemen, under the command of Lieutenant
Tryon, left the English trenches and, turning the flank of the
enemy, charged and dispersed them. The Russians, formed in
deep columns, attempted three times during the night to retake
the place, after pouring in grape and canister on the English
detachment. With that energy belonging to our allies, they held
firmly their ground, and we can now see them where the enemy once
stood.
‘I wish before you all to render the homage due to so gallant
an act, which unfortunately cost the life of the brave officer
Lieutenant Tryon. We will give him all the regrets so glorious
an end deserves. It will be an additional link to the loyal
fraternity of arms which unites us to our allies.
‘(Signed) GENERAL CANROBERT.’
For their gallant conduct in this affair Lieutenant Bourchier
received the Victoria Cross, the Legion of Honour, the 5th Class
of the Medjidie, and the Turkish Medal; Cuninghame the Victoria
Cross, the 5th Class of the Medjidie, and the Turkish Medal; and
Colour-Sergeant Hicks, who had volunteered for this duty, and was
close to Tryon when he fell, obtained the French War Medal.
The gallant captors of the pits were relieved a little before
daylight on the 21st by a party of the 1st Battalion, under the
command of Lieutenant Flower, and accompanied by Lieutenant the Hon.
G. B. Legge. The Russians kept up a very heavy fire on them all
day, by which several men were wounded. So sharp was the fire, that
it was impossible to go from one of the pits to the other without
great caution. The ground, as we have seen, was rocky and crumbling,
and most of the men who were wounded were struck about the face by
fragments of rock. The position was so exposed to the enemy’s fire
that it was difficult even to get away the wounded; and Flower and
Legge could only recover two wounded men, struck in the face and
eyes and nearly blinded, by making them crawl on all fours into a
pit where these officers had taken shelter. This party held the pits
till nightfall, when they were relieved by another detachment of the
Battalion. And for some days these pits, captured by Riflemen, were
held by Riflemen, though occasionally a few men of other regiments
may have been added to eke out the number required, which the
diminished strength of the Battalion could hardly furnish.
The men of the 2nd Battalion were at this time called upon for very
hard work, the right wing having been on duty on the 22nd three
nights consecutively; and from the 26th the men were on duty five
nights out of six. These duties, which were almost as severe in the
1st Battalion; the exposure to the weather; the shortness of food,
rations being sometimes wanting for two or three days together;
began to tell heavily on the Riflemen. Cholera and dysentery ravaged
both Battalions. On November 27 Lieutenant Godfrey died, and the 1st
Battalion, which had left England little more than four months before
nearly a thousand strong, could only parade as fit for duty 275 men
of all ranks.[249] And this, notwithstanding that it had received
a draft from home of 154 non-commissioned officers and men. This
shows a deficiency, even to this date, of 850 men.[250] The men of
the 2nd Battalion at this time had for some days a ration of only a
quarter of a pound of salt pork and a pound of biscuit, owing to the
difficulty of getting up supplies from Balaklava.
On the morning of December 2, about five o’clock, the Russians
made a determined attempt to retake the ‘ovens.’ They advanced in
considerable numbers. Surprising the sentries, they entered a trench
which had been formed, after Tryon’s party had taken the pits, into
the second parallel, and driving out a party of another regiment who
occupied it, took possession of it. At this moment a party of the 1st
Battalion under Captain Churchill,[251] and accompanied by Lieutenant
Blackett[252] and Ensign Brett, which formed the new guard of the
trenches, came up and found the others retiring before the Russians.
With the usual dash of the Riflemen, unabated in its energy by the
severity of the weather or the urgency of their sufferings, they
quickly attacked the Russians, drove them out, and took possession of
the trenches, which they held as the guard for the day.[253]
The Riflemen lost in this affair one killed and two wounded; but the
Russians left seven men dead on the field, and carried off seven
wounded.
It was on this occasion that a _mot_ is recorded of a
non-commissioned officer of the Battalion, who, being asked how they
came to be there, replied, ‘If you please, Sir, the Russians relieved
the --th, and we relieved the Russians.’
On December 12 a party of the 1st Battalion, under Captain Churchill
(with Ensign Brett), being on duty in the trench near the Woronzow
road, was violently attacked during the night by the enemy; but by
showing a determined front and delivering an efficient fire they were
at once driven off, and prevented from penetrating at this important
point, which was the key to the British position.
On the 27th Colonel Horsford, who had commanded the Battalion at
the Alma and Inkerman, and since Beckwith’s fatal illness, had to
return to Balaklava, and thence home on sick leave. And on the 29th
Major Somerset, who had been on sick leave on board ship, arrived and
assumed the command.
On the morning of December 30 the four companies of the 2nd
Battalion, which were stationed on the heights near Balaklava, were
ordered by Sir Colin Campbell to be under arms at half-past six.
They paraded accordingly under Major Bradford, and after waiting
till about eight o’clock, proceeded with a regiment of Highlanders
to cover the flank of a considerable French force which made a
reconnaissance. The Riflemen marched on, skirmishing through the
woods and ravines. They advanced to Kamara, and the French troops
pushed on to the village of Tchorgúna, which they burned. However,
the Riflemen were not actively engaged; and after being under arms
till the afternoon, returned to their camp.
The clothing which the Riflemen brought out from England being worn
or torn by hard service, they presented a strange appearance. The
greatcoat was always worn, and the blanket, with a hole cut through
for the head, was put on under it. Over their shoulders they wore
Cathcart’s oilskins; and sand-bags, pieces of knapsacks, anything
that would bend, were wrapped round the legs by way of gaiters. Some
had loose Russian boots, which were worn over the trousers; for the
cold was intense and food and fuel scanty, and everything that could
give warmth, for comfort it could not be called, was pressed into
service.
Great indeed were the sufferings of the men. During the whole month
of December fresh meat was only served out two or three times, and
they could not obtain vegetables of any kind. Some warm articles of
clothing were indeed supplied; such as jerseys, drawers, blankets,
socks and mitts; but these were not in sufficient quantities. The men
were seven hours out of twenty-four in the trenches. Fifteen men of
the 1st Battalion were wounded in the trenches during the month, of
whom one died.
On January 4, 1855, by the efforts of the men of the 1st Battalion,
assisted by two carts and six ponies from Head-quarters, put at
the disposal of the Battalion by the kindness of Lord Raglan and
his Staff, the materials of the first wooden hut were brought from
Balaklava to the front, but not without the loss of one horse, and
the break-down of one cart; the Battalion, though probably weaker in
numbers than any regiment at the front, showing a noble example, and
proving the possibility (which some had doubted) of bringing a hut
up at this season from Balaklava to the plateau on which the army was
encamped. For driving snow and inclement weather continued for some
weeks. They proceeded as opportunity admitted to get up the huts, the
2nd Battalion beginning to erect theirs on the 22nd.
During this time of suffering and disease (for diarrhœa, dysentery
and pulmonary complaints prevailed, and thirty-four men of the 1st
Battalion died during this month) the camp of the Riflemen was
frequently visited by Lord Raglan; who on one occasion, finding a
deficiency of port wine in the hospital marquee, immediately sent
down four bottles from his own quarters.[254]
On January 17, 1855, General Sir Andrew F. Barnard, Colonel
Commandant of the 1st Battalion, died at his residence at Chelsea
Hospital, of which he was Lieutenant-Governor. On his death Sir Harry
Smith became Colonel Commandant of the 1st, and Lieutenant-General
Sir George Brown, who had as Lieutenant-Colonel for seventeen years
commanded the 2nd Battalion, became its Colonel Commandant.
On February 1, Colonel Norcott joined, and took command of the 1st
Battalion, to which he succeeded by Beckwith’s death; and thus the
son of one of the earliest officers of the Regiment succeeded the
nephew of another, both of whom had commanded it in many bloody
fields.
On February 19 a party of the 2nd Battalion, under Colonel Macdonell,
formed part of a reconnaissance in force under Sir Colin Campbell.
They were under arms soon after midnight, and about four in the
morning moved down towards the plain, and marched in the direction
of Kamara and Tchorgúna. It was snowing heavily when they started,
and the storm increased as the day broke. The Riflemen preceded the
advance in skirmishing order. Orders were given not to fire if they
came on the enemy, and it was hoped that they might be surprised; but
the density of the snow-storm prevented the men seeing many feet to
their front. However, the skirmishers made three sentries prisoners,
who were probably part of the picquet at Kamara. And it seemed that
the alarm was given; for the vedettes fell back firing their carbines
into the darkness, the drums were heard beating to arms, and through
the snow their battalions were dimly seen assembling on the heights
over the Tchernaya. The snow fell more thickly than ever; the men
could scarcely hold their rifles; the position and strength of the
enemy were unknown; and Sir Colin gave the word to return. The
Riflemen arrived in camp about eleven in the forenoon, suffering much
from cold and fatigue.
On the 24th the 1st Battalion marched down to Balaklava and exchanged
the Minié rifle for the Enfield. This was the long Enfield, for which
the short Enfield was afterwards substituted.
On March 7 Major Macdonell took command of the four companies of the
2nd Battalion at Balaklava, Colonel Bradford having been promoted to
the command of the 3rd Battalion, which was now again raised.
During this month the work in the trenches was, owing to the
shortness of the numbers effective, most severe and harassing to the
men. Many sank under it. But as regards provisions and comforts,
things began to mend. For these were issued not only from Government
stores, but were also provided from private sources. About the middle
of March the climate much improved, and from that time, though
the duties were still severe, the sufferings of the Riflemen much
diminished.
On March 23 the Russians made a great attack on the whole length of
the allied line. It was particularly severe on the right attack;
Captain Forman’s company formed part of the trench guard, and was
actively engaged. This attack was led by a Greek in full dress who
rushed at the magazine, and fired his musket into it, but it was
empty; and he was immediately bayonetted in the trench.
After this the enemy began firing shells into the camp of the 1st
Battalion, but without doing any material injury. During the month of
March three sergeants and 82 men died, of whom 1 sergeant and 10 men
died in camp; the remainder at Scutari or Kulalie.
During this month seven men of the 2nd Battalion were wounded in the
trenches.
On March 19 the 1st and 2nd Battalions were augmented to sixteen
companies, and were to consist of the following numbers:
Lieutenant-Cols. Majors Captains Lieutenants Ensigns Staff
2 2 16 26 14 7
Staff-Sergeants Sergeants Buglers Corporals Privates
9 100 41 100 1,900
On April 9, fire was reopened and kept up till the 12th, and on the
13th volunteers were called for to man the rifle pits in front of
No. 7 battery. Lieutenant the Hon. A. Anson[255] and eighteen men of
the 1st Battalion volunteered for the duty. They occupied the pits
from daylight until dark; but suffered a heavy loss, Sergeant Devitt
and four men being killed. These pits were afterwards connected and
formed the fourth parallel.
On April 22 a bandsman of the 2nd Battalion named Wright, who was
on duty in the trenches, going to fetch water from a well in front
of the advanced trench near the Quarries, was killed; it being
impossible to throw up any cover near the well in consequence of
the rockiness of the soil. This man being a great favourite of his
comrades, a number of them rushed out determined to drive out the
Russian riflemen, by whose fire he had fallen, from the pits which
they occupied. Three men, Bradshaw, Humpston and MacGregor, were the
first to reach them, and drove the Russians out, killing some while
a few escaped. For this gallant deed these three Riflemen received
the Victoria Cross, Bradshaw being also decorated with the French War
Medal.[256]
About this time clothing of a new pattern was served out to both
Battalions; a tunic being substituted for the old coatee for the men,
and taking the place of the jacket and pelisse for the officers,
which they had both worn with slight variations since the formation
of the Regiment.
The 1st Battalion received their new clothing April 1855, partly
coatees and partly the new tunic.
In April two men of the 1st Battalion died of wounds received from
the enemy.
The left wing of the 2nd Battalion embarked on May 3 as part of
the Expedition destined for Kertch; but the order having been
countermanded after they had arrived at the _rendezvous_, they landed
again and joined the Head-quarters before Sebastopol on May 8.
On May 18 the Queen in person distributed the Crimean Medal on the
Horse Guards parade, when the following officers and men of the
Regiment received it from Her Majesty’s hands:
Lieutenant-Colonels Bradford and Horsford; Majors Elrington,
Hardinge, the Earl of Errol and the Hon. G. Elliott; Captains Inglis,
Newdigate, Ross, Drummond, Nixon, C. Buller, Warren, Rowles, Lindsay,
Bourchier, Deedes.
Second Battalion: Corporal William Muggridge (wounded), Privates
Thomas Palmer (wounded), William Careless (wounded) and T. Dulahan.
Third Battalion: Colour-Sergeant Andrew Holdaway, Sergeant James
Johnson and Private John Titcombe.
In May one man of the 2nd Battalion was killed; and 1 officer and 12
men were wounded in the trenches; of whom 3 died. One man was killed
in action.
On June 7 the 2nd Battalion was engaged in the attack and capture of
the Quarries, one of the principal outworks of the enemy, and had one
Rifleman killed and 11 wounded. On that evening a working party of
the 1st Battalion, consisting of all the men off duty, were employed
to turn the works thus captured, and to make a covered way to the
Mamelon. Several attempts were made by the enemy during the night
to retake these works; and just before daylight a fierce attack was
made. It was at first almost a hand-to-hand fight, and the Riflemen
were for a time driven out of the works, but they eventually repulsed
their assailants. These frequent attacks however seriously hindered
their work, as the men were obliged to stand to their arms as often
as the advanced sentries fell back.
On the evening of the 17th orders were issued to the 4th Division
that it should attack the proper left face of the Redan. The 1st
Battalion furnished 100 men under the command of Captain the Hon.
James Stuart,[257] with Lieutenants Boileau and Saunders,[258] to act
as a covering party. They were to get as near the works as possible
and to pick off the Russians if they showed themselves above the
parapet while the storming party advanced. This party left the camp
at a quarter after one in the morning of the 18th, and occupied the
trench round the Quarries until daybreak. But instead of issuing
from the trench at once in extended order, they were moved down to
the left, and passing a narrow opening between two rifle-pits, began
to extend on the enemy’s side of the cover afforded by the parapet
of the trench. As soon as they appeared the enemy poured grape and
canister, and opened musketry fire on them from the parapet of the
Redan. The Riflemen were mown down like grass, but pushing on to the
right advanced followed by the crew of the ‘Leander’ carrying the
scaling ladders. Boileau, sword in hand, and shouting out ‘Come on,
Rifles!’ gallantly led on his party, and endeavoured to get them
below the line of fire from the guns. But these brave men, not being
supported, were eventually obliged to withdraw. They had got up to
an _abattis_ in front of the Redan and lay close under it until the
middle of the day. For unfortunately they did not discover in time
that the attack had failed; and there seemed no possibility of their
crossing the open ground between their then position and the trenches
in broad daylight without immense loss. Happily for them a sand-storm
swept across the ground about mid-day; and screened by that they
retired, regained the trenches, and returned to their camp.
The remainder of the Battalion, under Colonel Norcott, left camp
about an hour after the covering party and occupied the trenches in
front of the Redan, but were not moved out against the enemy.
The Light Division was directed to storm the right face of the Redan.
And the 2nd Battalion furnished a ladder party of 100 men under
Captain Blackett; a woolbag party of the same number under Lieutenant
Fremantle;[259] a covering party of the same number under Captain
Forman; and a working and gabion party under Colonel Macdonell. The
attack was led by Captain Forman, who was killed. But these parties
were only supported by the 34th Regiment; thus this attack likewise
failed, and the troops were recalled and returned to their respective
camps.
In the 1st Battalion Lieutenant Boileau was wounded, and died at
Malta on August 1; one sergeant (Jerram) and 7 men were killed;
and 11 men were wounded. And in the 2nd Battalion, besides Captain
Forman, 2 sergeants and 23 rank and file were killed; and Captain
Blackett (who lost his leg), Lieutenants Knox (who lost his arm) and
Fremantle were severely wounded; and 3 sergeants and 75 rank and file
were wounded.
At night the enemy made a general attack on the English lines; but
were repulsed without any loss in the Regiment.
When parties were sent out to collect the dead on the 19th (a flag
of truce having come in at four P.M.) the body of Sir John Campbell,
who had led the attack of the 4th Division, was found inside the
_abattis_; and that of Private Flannery of the 1st Battalion was
found close to the ditch, and twenty yards in advance of where Sir
John lay.
At night the cemetery was occupied and a communication carried down
to it from the caves.[260]
On June 30 Lieutenant Woodford of the 2nd Battalion was wounded when
on duty in the trenches, and died on the same day.
On July 3 Captain Fyers was coming off picquet in the advanced works
with about 400 men. They were retiring by a zig-zag which by some
oversight of the Engineers was directly enfiladed by a Russian gun.
As soon as the men were well in the _boyau_ a round shot was fired,
which, bounding along, knocked down 13 men, of whom 8 were killed
or died of their wounds.[261] The wounded were removed by Fyers,
Colour-Sergeant Kemp, and some soldiers of another regiment who came
to their assistance. The rest of the men turned into another zig-zag
not exposed to this fire. The ball after this destructive course
ran along the _boyau_ and stopped against the bank of the parallel,
a dead ball.[262]
On July 3 the body of Lord Raglan, Commander-in-Chief, who died on
June 28, was conveyed on a gun-carriage to Kazatch bay, and was
embarked on board the ‘Caradoc’ and taken to England. A party of
100 men of each Battalion accompanied his remains to the place of
embarkation.
The siege continued during the months of July and August. The duties
in the trenches were constant, and the Riflemen were engaged either
in working parties or in covering them.[263] Almost nightly attacks
were made on these parties; and they were vigorously plied with shot
and shell.
On the evening of September 1 a party of the 2nd Battalion were
ordered to cover a sap which was in course of construction from the
fifth parallel towards the flank of the Redan.
At 7.30 Captain Balfour,[264] with one subaltern (Lieutenant Cary),
2 sergeants and 48 rank and file, left the camp for that duty. The
Russians had erected a screen of stones about 80 yards in front of
the head of the sap, as a protection to their sentries; and their
reserves occupied a pit behind this screen and also a ravine on
their left in which there was a cave. Captain Balfour detached Cary
with one sergeant and 23 men to proceed down the ravine and turn the
Russian left; while he himself with the remainder of the party made a
rush at the screen of stones behind which the Russian riflemen were
posted. After a short but sharp encounter the Russians abandoned the
screen of stones and the pit, and retired towards the ditch of the
Redan and to a small graveyard in the Karabelnaia ravine.
Lieutenant Cary and Sergeant Henry Wood much distinguished themselves
in this affair, and were both wounded. One Rifleman was killed and
14 were wounded. Cary died at Malta, from the effects of his wounds,
on November 9.
On September 8, when the assault was to take place, one half of
the 1st Battalion being in the trenches under Colonel Norcott, the
remainder, consisting of about 280 men under Lieutenant-Colonel
Somerset, moved out of camp at eleven A.M. and took up a position in
reserve on the Woronzow road.
The 2nd Battalion furnished a covering party for the assault of the
Redan consisting of 100 men, under the command of Captain Fyers,
who were to cover the advance of the ladder party, and to keep down
the fire from the parapet; a party, also of 100 men, under Captain
Balfour, occupied some broken ground and a Russian rifle-pit in
front of and to the right of our most advanced works, who were also
directed to keep down the fire from the parapet. With the same object
two parties of 50 men each under Lieutenants Baillie and Playne, were
stationed, one in the fifth parallel, and one in the Woronzow road.
The remainder of the Battalion, about 230 men under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, took part in the general attack.
These men had to advance 150 yards, exposed to a most terrible fire
in front and flank. This attack, most gallantly carried out, was not
entirely successful; though, as is well known, the operations of this
day led to the abandonment of the works by the Russians, and the fall
of the place.
During the night following this attack Major Woodford (who had been
slightly wounded) and Captain Balfour, with about 150 Riflemen,
occupied the stone screen, the rifle pit, and the cave above
mentioned. Major Woodford (it is said) had obtained a promise from
Sir Colin Campbell that, if his Highlanders assaulted the Redan on
the next morning, these men should again form a covering party.
But the dawn of the 9th revealed the fact that the Russians were
abandoning the flaming town; and the services of these Riflemen,
utterly exhausted by the fighting and excitement of the assault, were
not required.
The 2nd Battalion lost 2 officers, Captain Hammond and Lieutenant
Ryder, 4 sergeants and 19 rank and file killed. And 8 officers, Major
Woodford, Captain the Hon. B. R. Pellew, Lieutenants Eyre, Riley,
Eccles, Moore, Borough and Playne, 8 sergeants, 1 bugler and 128
rank and file were wounded.[265]
The following interesting account of Captain Hammond and Lieutenant
Ryder is extracted from a letter written by Staff Assistant-Surgeon
Walter Clegg, dated September 9, 1855:
‘With Captain Hammond’s name you will be familiar, as I
frequently mentioned to you the many acts of kindness I received
from him when he commanded the Depôt at Fort Cumberland. A braver
soldier never on that day mounted the Redan; a Christian of more
unaffected piety never entered the presence of God.
‘He had only been in the Crimea forty-eight hours when he was
killed. When the Rifles were forming for the assault, a young
subaltern, going into action for the first time, who had come out
with Hammond, addressed him: “Captain Hammond, how fortunate we
are! we are just in time for Sebastopol.”
‘Hammond’s eye was gazing where the rays of the sun made a path
of golden light over the sea, and his answer was short and
remarkable, and accompanied by the quiet smile which those who
knew him so well remember: “I am quite ready,” said he.
‘The next that was seen of Hammond was when his sword was
flashing at one of the embrasures of the Redan. He was indeed at
the head of his company, fighting to gain an entrance for them.
‘A dozen bayonets were at his heart and once he was dragged in a
prisoner. In a few minutes he was recognised again outside the
embrasure, still hacking with his sword. The next morning at six
o’clock Captain Balfour found him in the ditch beneath a dozen of
the slain, with a bayonet wound through his heart.
‘Hammond and Ryder were buried this afternoon in the
burial-ground of the division, rendered sacred long ago by the
sepulture of brave men. Ryder was barely eighteen years old.
‘Before the assault had lasted an hour he was shot in the throat
and fell, and was carried to the rear and consigned to the
surgeon. But as it happened the surgeon was engaged at the moment
that Ryder was brought in, and the young Lieutenant tied his
handkerchief round his throat, and was seen again on the ladder,
and when he was found the next day in the ditch a bayonet thrust
had transfixed his forehead.’[266]
The English troops now took possession of the Redan and the
Karabelnaia district, and the Regiment took its share of the duty in
Sebastopol during the destruction of the dock-yard and other works.
Soon after the taking of the place a detachment of the 2nd Battalion,
consisting of 8 officers, 12 sergeants and 200 men, under the command
of Captain Fyers, proceeded to Head-quarters, where they acted as
escort or body-guard to the Commander-in-Chief.
On October 1 Colonel Norcott having proceeded to England, the command
of the 1st Battalion devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset, who
going to England on the 24th, Lord Alexander Russell took command.
And on the 14th Colonel Hill having arrived from England, assumed
command of the 2nd Battalion.
A great attack on the Inkerman side having been expected in
consequence of telegraphic information from England, both Battalions
were under arms at an early hour on the 16th and the following
mornings for some time.
On the 26th Colour-Sergeant Noseley, who had been reported as killed
at the battle of Inkerman, rejoined the 1st Battalion, he having been
wounded and taken prisoner by the Russians. He was the only man of
the Battalion who was in the hands of the enemy during the campaign.
The 1st Battalion continued to occupy the ground on which it was
encamped. And early in November pannelled huts began to be erected.
On November 15, about two o’clock in the afternoon, a tremendous
explosion took place in the French siege train, situated at the head
of a ravine which ran down towards Careenage bay. Colour-Sergeant
Pescott of the 1st Battalion, who had gone down in charge of a
fatigue party, received injuries from a rocket, from the effects
of which he died. And Lieutenant Eccles and several men of the 2nd
Battalion were wounded, two of whom died from the injuries then
inflicted.
On the 17th Lieutenant Borough, 2nd Battalion, died of fever.
On the 26th no one was reported sick in the 1st Battalion; this was
the second time only that such an occurrence had taken place since
its arrival in the East.
During the winter the Battalions were employed in road-making, in
fetching up huts, in furnishing picquets, or guards in the town.
On February 24, 1856, the two Battalions (with the rest of the army)
paraded on the Telegraph hill above Balaklava for the inspection of
the Commander-in-Chief, General Codrington; Marshal Pelissier was
also present.
Though the cold was very severe and much snow fell in the early part
of this year, the Riflemen, having the protection of the huts and
sufficient rations and fuel, were in far greater comfort than during
the preceding winter. A theatre was erected with wood fetched from
Sebastopol. Other amusements beguiled the time not required for
duties, and in a foot race of the whole army on March 19, Lieutenant
Palliser of the 1st Battalion won the officers’ hurdle race, and
Lieutenant Thomas, 2nd Battalion, came in second.
The whole English army paraded in the afternoon of April 17 for the
inspection of the Russian General Lüders. The Generals having gone
down the line the troops marched past and returned to their camps.
On the 25th the 1st Battalion paraded for the inspection of General
Vanlinsky, who had commanded the Russian troops on Mackenzie heights
on September 25, 1854.
On May 9 a Rifleman (Private Connolly of the 1st Battalion) died from
the effects of a wound received on April 26, by the explosion of a
Russian shell, which was carelessly dropped by a soldier of another
regiment, while they were gathering shells in Sebastopol.
On the 24th the two Battalions were marched to Balaklava plains to
celebrate (with the rest of the troops) the Queen’s birthday. On
this occasion the medals granted by the Emperor of the French were
distributed.
On June 4 the 1st Battalion marched to Balaklava at eight in the
morning, and embarked immediately in H.M.S. ‘Apollo,’ and went out
of harbour in tow of H.M.S. ‘Medusa;’ and after touching at Scutari,
Malta, Algiers and Gibraltar, anchored off Corunna on the 27th. Here
they were visited by Spanish Generals, soldiers, ladies (upward of
fifty of whom came on board), and apparently everyone who could get
a seat in a boat. A strange contrast to the scene forty-seven years
before, when the Battalion embarked at Corunna!
Leaving Corunna on the 28th the Battalion landed at Portsmouth on
July 7, and proceeding at once to Aldershot by rail, encamped there.
On June 8 the 2nd Battalion embarked at Balaklava on board the
sailing transport ‘King Philip,’ and arrived at Portsmouth on July 11
and proceeded by rail to Aldershot.
On the 1st Battalion leaving the Crimea the following General Order
was published by Major-General Garrett, K.H., commanding the 4th
Division:
‘Camp before Sebastopol, June 3, 1856. Division After-Order.
‘Major-General Garrett regrets that the separation of the
1st Battalion Rifle Brigade from the 4th Division by their
embarkation to-morrow for England, calls on him to take leave of
them.
‘The Major-General will look back with pride and pleasure to
those eventful days when they were under his command, first as
a Brigadier and afterwards commanding the Division, for upwards
of a year and a half. During that period the willingness and
smartness which the officers and the men invariably evinced,
whether on duties in camp or in the trenches, clearly showed
that that magnificent _esprit de corps_ which descended from
their predecessors, the old 95th, still animates the young
soldiers, who were brought to supply the heavy casualties of the
late campaign; which they quickly caught up from the fine old
soldiers whose education had been formed in the rough and arduous
enterprises of two Kaffir wars.
‘That that noble _esprit de corps_ may never fail them is the
sincere wish of the Major-General, who hopes soon to see them
exhibiting that spirit amongst their comrades in England.’
On July 8 the 1st Battalion was reviewed by the Queen, when the
officers who disembarked with the Battalion, 8 sergeants, 7 buglers,
8 corporals and 9 privates, were selected to be addressed personally
by Her Majesty. And being (with others) formed up round her carriage
Her Majesty addressed them in the following words:
‘Officers, Non-commissioned officers, and soldiers: I wish
personally to convey to you, for the regiments assembled here
this day, my hearty welcome on their return to England in health
and full efficiency.
‘Say to them, I have watched anxiously over their different
trials and hardships which they have so nobly borne; that I mourn
with deep sorrow for the brave men who have fallen for their
country; and that I have felt proud of that valour, which with
their gallant allies, they have displayed in the field. I thank
God that your dangers are over whilst the glory of your deeds
remains; but I know that should your services be again required,
you will be animated by the same devotion which in the Crimea has
rendered you invincible.’
And on the 16th the 2nd Battalion was reviewed by Her Majesty, when
the 1st Battalion was also present. The appearance of the Riflemen,
all of whom wore the Crimean Medal, with three or four clasps, many
the Kaffir Medal, and some the Sardinian and other decorations,
specially attracted attention.
The two Battalions were again reviewed by Her Majesty on July 30.
By letter from the War Office, dated August 11, the strength of the
1st Battalion was reduced from 109 sergeants, 41 buglers, and 2,000
rank and file, to 57 sergeants, 25 buglers, and 1,000 rank and file.
A similar reduction took place in the 2nd Battalion.
On April 1, 1855, a 3rd Battalion was, a second time, added
to the Regiment. They were formed at Haslar barracks, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford, by transfers from the Depôts of the 1st
and 2nd Battalions; but as he very shortly afterwards exchanged
with Colonel Hill,[267] to the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment,
Lieutenant-Colonel Horsford assumed the command and in fact made
this new Battalion. They were inspected on June 25 by Major-General
Breton, their strength then being 29 officers and 590 men.
On August 3 they moved by rail to Aldershot. And soon after 240
volunteers were received from the 1st Middlesex, 1st Surrey, and East
Warwick, and on October 11, 180 volunteers from the Royal Elthorne,
Militia regiments. On the 22nd the Battalion was inspected by
Major-General Knollys, when its strength had increased to 39 officers
and 947 men. During the early part of 1856, volunteers continued
to be received from several Militia regiments; and on June 9 the
Battalion proceeded to Portsmouth, where, on their inspection by
Major-General Breton, the strength of the Battalion had increased to
41 officers and 1,165 men.
On August 3 the Battalion was divided into Service and Depôt
companies; the former returned to Aldershot, and the latter (two
companies) proceeded to Winchester.
On September 30, in consequence of reductions, 170 men of the 1st and
2nd Battalions were transferred to the 3rd.
But on October 8 the establishment of the Battalion was reduced to
1,000 rank and file.
The 1st Battalion remained at Aldershot till July 27, 1857, when they
proceeded by rail to Edinburgh, where they arrived on the 28th and
occupied quarters in the Castle; one company (Brevet-Major Oxenden’s)
being detached to Greenlaw. This detachment was relieved monthly.
The following Brigade Order was issued by Major-General the Hon. A.
A. Spencer on the Battalion leaving Aldershot:
‘Major-General Spencer takes leave of Lieutenant-Colonel
Somerset, the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the
1st Battalion Rifle Brigade on their departure for Edinburgh,
with much regret.
‘It is now upwards of two years since he became acquainted
and connected with the Battalion in the 4th Division before
Sebastopol, during which time he has had opportunities of
judging of their soldierlike qualities and habits of discipline.
‘The greatest proofs of these are the success which always
attended their separate important undertakings against the enemy,
and also their speedy recovery from the effects of hardships
they, as well as every other regiment in that army, experienced
in the winters of 1854-5.
‘The Major-General now bids them farewell, and trusts it may be
his good fortune to meet them again in his military career.’
On August 5 a serious fire broke out in the old town of Edinburgh,
which the Battalion succeeded with great exertions in extinguishing.
Their conduct on this occasion elicited the following letter to
Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset from the Lord Provost:
‘Edinburgh, August 11, 1857.
‘Sir,--I have the honour to convey a resolution unanimously
adopted by the magistrates and town council of this city at their
meeting to-day, to express their warm and cordial thanks to the
officers and men of your regiment for the valuable and effective
aid rendered by you in extinguishing the late fire and preserving
order.
‘(Signed) JOHN MELVILL, Lord Provost.
‘Lieutenant-Colonel Somerset, C.B., Rifle Brigade.’
During the time the Battalion was at Edinburgh the men received the
short Enfield and resumed the armament of the sword bayonet, as of
old.
Riots of the mill-hands being apprehended, three companies of the
Battalion were hurriedly moved by rail to Glasgow on November 11 in
aid of the Civil power; and these were reinforced by an additional
company on December 1.
A few days afterwards the Head-quarters and remaining companies of
the Battalion followed them to Glasgow, arriving there on the 10th
and detaching two companies to Ayr.
The 2nd Battalion remained at Aldershot until June, on the 26th of
which month they proceeded to London. And were present at the first
distribution of the Victoria Cross by Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
On which occasion the following officers and men of the Regiment
received the cross from the hands of Her Majesty:
Brevet-Major the Hon. H. Clifford.
Brevet-Major C. T. Bourchier.
Captain William J. Cunninghame.
Lieutenant John Knox.
Private Francis Wheatley.
Private Joseph Bradshaw.
Private Roderic MacGregor.
Private John Humpston.
After taking part in the review which followed this ceremony, the
Battalion proceeded the same evening to Liverpool, where they
embarked the following day for Dublin. And on their arrival there
Head-quarters and five companies occupied Beggar’s-bush barracks, and
the other three companies Linen-hall barracks.
A letter was issued from the War Office, dated September 22, 1857,
by which a 4th Battalion was directed to be added to the Regiment.
This Battalion was therefore immediately formed at Winchester under
Lieutenant-Colonel Elrington, who was promoted from Senior Major on
September 1.
Recruiting at once commenced, and transfers were received from the
1st and 2nd Battalions, and from some other regiments, so that by
the end of the year the Battalion had attained a strength of 28
sergeants, 10 corporals, 15 buglers and 413 privates.
They proceeded by rail on December 15 from Winchester to Chichester.
[Illustration:
Plate IV.
RIFLE BRIGADE, 1856 TO 1860.]
FOOTNOTES:
[218] An engraving of this camp of the 1st Battalion will be found in
the ‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxv. p. 320.
[219] Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur J. Lawrence, K.C.B.
[220] Being a total of 33 officers, and 959 of inferior ranks. With
these numbers the ‘Medical History,’ i. 452, nearly agrees: it
enumerates 32 officers and 961 of inferior ranks.
[221] Colonel Newdigate, Commanding Rifle Depôt.
[222] During the months of July and August, while the Battalion was
in Bulgaria, it lost thirty men from cholera. ‘Medical and Surgical
History of the British Army,’ ii. 50.
[223] Major-General Elrington, C.B.
[224] Colonel Fyers, C.B. (retired).
[225] Colonel the Hon. W. J. Colville.
[226] Major-General Norcott, C.B.
[227] Kinglake, vol. ii. 187.
[228] Major-General W. H. Bradford.
[229] Sir Arthur Lawrence’s letters, and information from Colonel
Fyers.
[230] Record of 1st Battalion, and see p. 309. But Surgeon Bowen, in
the ‘Medical and Surgical History of the British Army,’ states the
total loss from cholera during the month to be thirteen, and that
all, with one exception, occurred on the line of march.
[231] An engraving of ‘Riflemen in the Trenches’ is in the
‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxv. p. 573.
[232] Wheatley entered my service as lodge-keeper at Bramshill Park
on his discharge, and died May 21, 1865.
[233] ‘Letters from Head-Quarters by a Staff Officer,’ [Colonel the
Hon. S. Calthorpe], p. 101.
[234] Hannan was one of a hundred men given by the 1st to the 2nd
Battalion, before they embarked for the Crimea. He had been noted for
his daring in the Kaffir War. He and Ferguson were fellow-countrymen,
both being from the north of Ireland.
[235] ‘Illustrated London News,’ vol. xxv. p. 466. The newspaper
writer who records this, while doubting the accuracy of the estimate
of the number of the enemy killed on the 19th, states this fact of
the four Riflemen as ‘certain.’
[236] Ibid. vol. xxv. p. 487.
[237] Captain Markham retired (from the Coldstream Guards) December
23, 1858.
[238] Nine men of the 1st Battalion were wounded in the trenches
during the month of October, of whom two died almost immediately, and
one underwent amputation of the left thigh; and of the 2nd Battalion
four men were killed in the trenches, and an officer and twenty-five
men were wounded; of these five died.
[239] For this distinguished service Captain Elrington was
recommended for the Victoria Cross; but Sir George Brown demurred to
forward the recommendation, on the ground that the 2nd Battalion had
not been engaged in the battle of Inkerman! The fact being that three
companies were there, and suffered the casualties hereafter noted.
[240] Kinglake, vol. v. p. 298, quoting a letter from Lieutenant
Bramston, Rifle Brigade.
[241] Lieutenant-Colonel John Brett, retired full-pay.
[242] Captain William Higgins, Quartermaster, half-pay.
[243] Major Coote Buller died April 5, 1868.
[244] Major G. R. Noseley, Paymaster, half-pay.
[245] ‘Malcolm was shot through the head; a finer and more gallant
young fellow never lived.... There is not an officer in the Regiment
who does not sincerely regret him.’--Ross’s Letter, November 7, 1854.
[246] Colonel Claude T. Bourchier, V.C., Aide-de-Camp to the Queen.
[247] Major Sir William J. M. Cuninghame, Bart., V.C., M.P., retired.
[248] I am indebted to Marshal Canrobert for a copy of this order,
which conferred so unusual and marked a distinction on the Regiment.
In the letter which accompanied the transcript the Marshal expresses
his appreciation of ‘la magnifique conduite du détachment de la Rifle
Brigade commandé par le Capitaine Tryon.’
[249] 105 men were employed on other duties connected with the
service of the army.
[250] In order to show the state to which the Battalion was reduced
by sickness and losses in the field, I may quote the Duty State of
Woodford’s company on January 19, 1855, which I owe to the kindness
of the Hon. and Rev. George B. Legge. By this it appears that the
company which left England six months before with a strength of
about 100 men, had then present and nominally fit for duty just
_one sergeant and eight men_. Of these some were in an exhausted
and hardly efficient condition. Four non-commissioned officers and
25 privates were returned as ‘in or attending hospital,’ and 6
non-commissioned officers, 1 bugler and 42 privates were at Balaklava
or Scutari, wounded or sick.
The ‘Medical and Surgical History’ states that during the month of
November 2 officers and 29 men of the 1st Battalion were killed in
action or in the trenches; and 3 officers and 131 men were wounded,
of whom 13 died.
And that in the 2nd Battalion, 13 men were killed, and 1 officer and
33 men were wounded, of whom three suffered amputation.
[251] Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. S. Churchill.
[252] Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. Blackett, half-pay.
[253] ‘Letters from Head-quarters by a Staff Officer,’ 191, 3rd
edition.
[254] During this month eight men of this Battalion were wounded in
the trenches, and one man, wounded in December, died of his wounds.
[255] Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Augustus H. A. Anson, V.C.,
retired.
[256] In the official notification of the grant of the Victoria
Cross, MacGregor is said to have performed this act of valour ‘in the
month of July;’ but I have been repeatedly assured by Bradshaw that
he, Humpston and MacGregor were together, and won their crosses on
this occasion.
[257] Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. James Stuart, died April 11, 1870.
[258] Captain Saunders (retired) died May 28, 1863.
[259] Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzroy Fremantle, Coldstream Guards.
[260] One officer and 30 men of the 2nd Battalion were killed in
action; and 4 officers and 125 men wounded during the month of June.
Of these 12 cases proved fatal.
[261] Three privates of the 2nd Battalion are returned in the
‘Gazette’ as killed and 13 wounded on July 3.
[262] For his conduct on this occasion Fyers recommended Sergeant
Kemp for the Victoria Cross, but he did not receive it.
[263] Three men of the 2nd Battalion were killed, and 43 wounded
during the month of July, of these 6 terminated fatally. And 4
men, wounded in June, died in this month. Fourteen men of the 1st
Battalion were wounded in the trenches in August, 2 of whom died. And
2 men of the 2nd Battalion were killed, and more than 80 wounded, 6
of whom died.
[264] Major Walter Francis Balfour, retired March 10, 1857.
[265] Nineteen men of the 1st Battalion were wounded in action in
September, of whom 2 died. One of these (William Hardinge) was so
much injured about the head and face by the bursting of a shell (on
September 5) that he died of lock-jaw on the 11th. And 25 men of the
2nd Battalion were killed, and 7 officers and 181 men were wounded in
action, of whom 15 died of their wounds.
[266] ‘Illustrated London News,’ xxvii. p. 394. A ‘Memoir of Captain
M. M. Hammond’ was published in 1858.
[267] Major-General Percy Hill, C.B.