FALL OF THE DOOMED CITY.
Sad scenes--Ride to Cathcart’s Hill--Glorious news--Animated
groups--First spoils--Refreshment for the
wounded--Chloroform--Dinner at the Carlton--Sebastopol in flames--A
night expedition--Letter to Messrs. Routledge--Visit to
Sebastopol--Russian fare--Poisoned bread--Culinary
trophies--Interior of the Malakhoff--Bornet’s funeral oration over
a dead comrade--The Russian hospital--Harrowing scenes.
Two days before I had been invited to dine with Colonel de Bathe, in
order to partake of a Crimean fat goose. Though disappointed of my
dinner, I was anxious to know if anything had happened to him and his
brave companions in arms, and I therefore went round the camp and
visited the Coldstream and Fusilier Guards. Many had not returned. Those
off duty had retired to rest, which can be easily understood after the
fatigues of such a day. I therefore returned, and laid down for a few
hours. About four in the morning I went to the hospital, and found that
every ward would soon be encumbered with sick and wounded. The cooks
overfatigued, having been up all night at work. I at once proposed to
furnish Dr. Mouatt with what he required, provided the purveyor would
send the provisions to the Guards’ camp. The doctor thanked me for the
offer, and gave an immediate order to that effect. My Zouave had brought
me a cross, which had been worn by a Russian officer who was killed. I
presented it to one of the prisoners, who kissed it fervently and passed
it to his comrades. There were about fifteen of them. No difference was
made in the attendance or care bestowed upon them and that shown to our
own troops, though not less than four or five hundred were in the
hospital at the time, and more were coming in. Such a scene of
suffering can never be effaced from memory, and is not to be described.
While waiting for the provisions, I galloped as far as Cathcart’s Hill,
and was much surprised to find that hostilities had entirely ceased. I
met Colonel Steele just returning from the Redan.
“It’s all over, Monsieur Soyer,” said he.
“What do you mean, Colonel?” I replied.
“The Russians have retreated and abandoned Sebastopol! I have just been
in the Redan, which exhibits a fearful scene. The loss has been great on
all sides.”
He then left in a great hurry, saying he must return to head-quarters
and telegraph the news to the War-office. A few houses were burning, and
thick smoke was issuing from various parts of the city. Some of the
Russian ships were burning in the bay. The weather was as calm, as it
had been boisterous the day before. Amongst the group upon the hill were
the Duke of Newcastle, Mr. Russell, and a few others, not above twenty
in all. Our attention was attracted by the arrival of a soldier with the
first spoils of the conquered city. These consisted of two chairs, a
dressing table and a looking-glass. He also carried a hare in one hand.
On being asked where he got these various articles, he answered, “From
the city. The French troops are plundering, and not a Russian is to be
found. Yet the place is very dangerous, as explosions are continually
taking place.”
Shortly after, a long train of wounded, carried on mules, was seen going
towards the General Hospital, amongst whom were a number of Russians.
The _cortège_ was followed by about twenty Russian prisoners; and I
could not help remarking the youthful appearance of the latter, their
age not exceeding from eighteen to twenty-five. This, I concluded, was
owing to the immense number the enemy must have lost during the
campaign.
My Zouave had, unknown to me, left on an expedition to the city.
Although much against my will, it was impossible to stop him. My
endeavours to impress upon his mind the importance of remaining with me
upon that occasion were of no avail.
On returning to the camp I prepared a quantity of lemonade, arrowroot,
beef-tea, arrowroot-water, barley-water, rice-water and pudding, boiled
rice, &c., and through the kindness of Colonel Daniell and Major
Fielden, twelve men were sent to carry them to the hospitals. I spent
the remainder of the day in the hospitals, which were situated about a
mile from the Guards’ camp, where I witnessed the most painful scenes
and numerous amputations. Amongst those operated upon were several
Russians. I could not help remarking what a blessing to the sufferer
chloroform proved. Wonderful was the kindness and celerity with which
the doctors performed the operations. These were so numerous that before
night several buckets were filled with the limbs, and the greater part
of those operated upon were doing well. The hospitals, although they
contained nearly forty wards, were full. Some of our wounded, as well as
the Russians, were placed under marquees and other tents. The wounds
received by some of the Russians were fearful, and the groans of those
who were mortally wounded awful. Having done all that was required at
the hospital I returned to the camp, where an invitation awaited me to
dine at the Carlton Club. This I was much pleased to accept. The painful
scenes I had witnessed weighed heavily upon the heart and mind, and a
little relaxation became necessary. At about eight o’clock I repaired to
the appointed place, and eight or nine guests sat down.
The dinner was very good; and though the bill of fare was rather
extensive, every dish was cleared. Was this due to the skill of the
_chef de cuisine_, or to the sixteen hours of hard work in the trenches?
If the latter was really the cause of this, I should recommend a blasé
epicure, who has lost his appetite, to try this simple and effective
process. It will not fail to succeed--that is, should he escape with
life after sixteen hours of shooting or being shot at, like pigeons at
the Red House. The conversation became very animated, and so interesting
that a small pamphlet might be written upon it. All had seen something
and had something to relate. My description of the hospitals was the
great feature of the evening, as none present had seen them, having
other occupation at their posts with the various regiments. The Queen’s
health, that of the Emperor of the French, and of the Sultan, were
toasted with three times three and one more cheer. In the midst of this,
Buckingham!! the renowned Buckingham!!! who had displayed all his
_savoir faire_ in the _service de table_, acting upon that occasion as
_maître d’hôtel en chef_, with a few utensils made a display worthy of a
first-rate à la mode beef house, nothing to be laughed at in a Crimean
popotte, rushed into the tent, crying “Colonel! Colonel! the whole of
Sebastopol is in flames.” It was true. In less than ten minutes streets
had taken fire with the rapidity of a firework, and every minute the
conflagration seemed to be upon the increase. Nothing but fire and smoke
could be seen from the Guards’ camp. I proposed that we should order our
horses and go to Cathcart’s Hill to see what was going on. To my
surprise, no one seemed inclined to move. They all said that they had
had enough of Sebastopol, and were tired to death. On urging the matter,
the only answer I got from some of my gallant friends was, “Not
to-night, Monsieur Soyer, not to-night.”
“Surely,” said I, “gentlemen! you don’t expect the Russians will set a
Sebastopol on fire every day at a few hours’ notice to please you.”
“That is not likely,” said Major Fielden; “but for all that I feel
convinced that no one will go.”
As the fire seemed to extend and the sky became one lurid mass, I
determined to go and get a sight of it. I bade my companions adieu, went
back to my tent, ordered my horse, and tried to awake my Zouave in order
to take him with me. He was so intoxicated I could not succeed. He had
spent the day with some of his comrades, and completely lost his senses.
As I could not find either groom or any of my men, I went to Mr.
Mesnil’s tent. My major domo being an old campaigner, had as usual
turned in all dressed to be ready for any contingency. Rousing him, I
requested him to accompany me. The eternal reply of “Not to-night” was
again heard.
“Oh, hang the place, let it burn,” said he.
As this was my last resource, I would not leave him. At last, in no very
kindly mood, he turned out and agreed to go. The night was pitch dark,
so we preferred going on foot. My friend was armed with a Russian sword
and a night glass; I with a poignard-revolver and a lanthorn. Our
intention was to get as near the city as possible, and we were prepared
for any unpleasant encounter by firelight instead of moonlight. The
purlieus of the camp were at this period anything but safe. With much
difficulty, we reached Cathcart’s Hill, having lost our way in trying
what we thought would be a short cut. The camp was silent, and
apparently deserted. Although only eleven o’clock, we did not meet a
soul, with the exception of sentries, on our way.
So sublime was the scene witnessed by us from the summit of Cathcart’s
Hill, that it induced me, in my business correspondence with my
publishers, Messrs. Routledge and Co., to forward them the following
descriptive letter of the extraordinary effects this monstrous scene
produced upon my senses. It has already appeared, I believe, in the
public prints.
_Flagstaff, Cathcart’s Hill, near Sebastopol,
9th September, 1855._
GENTLEMEN,--Sebastopol has fallen, and almost every part of its
superstructure is in flames. From the very spot I write, I can
distinctly enumerate at least fourteen different conflagrations.
The sight is at once sublime and terrific. A Martin or a Danby
alone could trace on canvas, with their vigorous tints and their
wild genius, the stupendous scene which my eyes are now beholding.
The incessant roaring of the cannon, the explosion of shells, the
blowing of the trumpet, the beating of drums, mingled with the
groaning of the wounded and the anxious bustling of myriads of
souls--adding to this the most tempestuous hurricane, the coldness
of the weather, falling of hailstones, and the previously
forest-like clouds of dust springing out from the harrowed Crimean
soil, which raged during the whole of yesterday over the Allies’
camps, have suddenly given place to the most profound calm and
glowing breeze. The semi-defunct city and all the camps are as
silent as the graves by which I am now surrounded. Ten yards from
here lie the remains of the immortal Cathcart, encircled by several
of his noble companions in arms. From half-past eleven to this
present time, two A.M., not a living creature, save myself and a
friend, besides the picket-sentinel, has been here to witness, from
this remarkable spot, the downfall of the venerated Russian city.
With the highest consideration, I have the honour to be,
Your most obedient servant,
A. SOYER.
By the aid of the night-glass we obtained so good a view that we did not
deem it advisable to proceed further. The heat of the fire was felt even
at that distance, and explosions were frequent. The cause of the
solitude in the camp at that hour can only be attributed to the
excessive fatigue consequent upon the tremendous exertions of the
previous day; the curtain had fallen on this grand drama--all was
repose. We then returned to quarters through the same mournful solitude,
not having met a soul either going or returning. This dreariness
impressed me with the idea of chaos, after the destruction of a world
and its empires.
Early the following morning, attended by my Zouave, who had recovered
his sober senses, I started for the General Hospital.
We saw about thirty dead bodies laid out in a row, and stitched up in
their blankets, with their name and nation marked upon each. I believe
there was not a single case of amputation amongst them; they had all
been mortally wounded. This speaks volumes in favour of the use of
chloroform, the efficacy and safety of which, for a time, was much
doubted, even by eminent medical men. Amputations were still being
performed with skill and celerity worthy of a Guthrie or an Astley
Cooper. The principal medical men were Drs. Mouatt, Lyons, &c. &c., who
appeared to vie with each other in their kind attention to the
sufferers.
Perceiving that nothing further was required for the present, and that
all was going on well, I went to visit Sebastopol. My Zouave knew the
road, as he had been there the day before. Our first visit was to the
Redan, where we were refused admission. My intrepid Zouave, not
contented with this rebuff, took me round another way, and, leaving our
horses outside, we scaled the works and got in. The scene of death and
destruction here was awful, and has been described too often for me to
dwell upon it. Nothing but the effects of a devastating earthquake can
give any one an idea of the _débris_ of the interior, or of the
destruction caused by the fire of the Allies, and the explosions that
had ensued. We proceeded to the city by the Arsenal, on the British
side. The town was still burning. On reaching the large barracks, we
visited the kitchens and bakeries. In the former, some of the boilers
contained cabbage-soup; others, a kind of porridge made with black
flour. In the bakeries, loaves of bread were still in the ovens, and
dough in the troughs. We removed a loaf from the oven and tasted it. As
we had brought no provision with us, and there was none to be obtained
in the burning city, we ate about half a pound of bread each, and
finished our frugal repast with a good draught of water: the latter was
retailed at the small charge of sixpence a pint. A quarter of an hour
after, I looked my Zouave hard in the face, saying, as I placed my hand
upon my stomach, with a rueful face and in a piteous tone of voice--
“Bless me, Bornet! do you feel anything wrong?--because, if you don’t, I
do!” Looking still more pitiful, I continued--“I _am_ confident the
bread has been poisoned!”
“The deuce it has!” he replied, turning pale, and putting his fingers in
his throat in order to throw off the dreadful meal, but without success.
I laughed at him, and called him a coward.
“Coward!” said he; “no, no, governor, I am no coward. I should not mind
a round-shot, sword, or bayonet wound, in the field of battle; but, by
Jupiter! to be poisoned ingloriously like a dog, would be base in the
extreme.”
“You’re right,” said I. “Come, don’t fear, let’s go and taste the
soupe-aux-choux.”
To this invitation he most decidedly objected, saying, “No more of their
relishes for me, if you please.”
In my culinary ardour I tasted it, and found it extremely bad and
entirely deprived of nutritious qualities, but no doubt in it was to be
added some black bread which would improve it.
Among the culinary trophies we brought away, were a long iron fork, a
ladle, some of the dough, biscuits, and a large piece of the black bread
taken from the oven. I intended to test its merits upon my return to the
camp. After visiting the docks, in which the vessels were still burning,
as well as some in the harbour, we went to the Malakhoff, at the foot of
which lay a number of dead bodies and horses. I met several
acquaintances, and, on obtaining permission, visited the tower and its
interior. The scene here was the same as at the Redan--one of
destruction and desolation, though this place was not so much knocked
about--but none could fail to appreciate the talent and skill displayed
by the Russians in their style of fortification. The electric wires
connected with the mines had been discovered and cut, rendering our
visit comparatively safe. The men were busy burying the dead in all
directions. My Zouave drew me towards the Black Battery, by which the
division Bosquet had so severely suffered in valiantly defending their
position. On arriving there, he recognised the dead body of one of his
late comrades, and he implored me to allow him to remain till it was
buried. As it was getting dark, and it was not probable that they would
bury him that evening, I promised to allow him to return in the morning.
Looking pitifully at the corpse, he said--
“Poor Adrien, what fun we had in Algeria! and now you are dead.”
Stooping down over the body and kissing it on both cheeks, he
continued--“To-morrow I will return and perform the last sad duty of a
friend. Look, governor, would you not think he smiles? He was such a
fine fellow--I am sure his soul has gone straight to head-quarters.”
It was almost dark, and we galloped home. The next morning my Zouave
attended the funeral of his friend, and it took so long that I did not
see him again for forty-eight hours. When he returned, he brought two
Zouaves with him, and they were all laden with trophies; among them was
an entirely new tent, which, from its very superior quality, was
supposed to have belonged to some general officer. The Zouaves had
pitched upon Prince Orloff as the owner, no doubt to increase its value.
It really was worthy of a commander-in-chief. I purchased it, and have
it still in my possession. The rest of the booty consisted of guns,
swords, church relics, &c.--in fact, all they could lay hands upon which
was likely to be converted into money. The only thing which surprised me
was, that he had returned sober. While I was reprimanding him for his
long absence, he coolly replied--
“You are right, governor; but you see, after paying the last duties to
poor Adrien, in order to drown the melancholy feeling of human
existence, I got boosy enough to make all the wine-sellers, and even old
Father Bacchus himself, turn pale. When I began to find that I could no
longer see, I said to myself, ‘Bornet, my friend, you must not disgrace
the governor’s quarters. Go to bed upon the straw like a pig as you
are.’ In ten hours my drunken fit had passed away like a vaporous cloud;
and here, governor, is your Zouave, in a fit state, ready to dance upon
a rope without a balance-pole.”
The original and comic nature of the excuse caused me to laugh at him,
instead of scolding him.
He then proposed to go in the evening and find the remaining part of
Count Orloff’s tent, spend the night in Sebastopol, and meet me the next
morning at the Greek church in the town.
All was going on well at the General Hospital. It was crammed full, and
amputations were being performed night and day. I called there daily
with some of my men, and sent the others in various directions. The next
day I visited Sebastopol, and went to the French side. I could not find
Bornet, but saw one of his friends, who told me that he had slept in the
French camp. I therefore gave him up, and determined to get rid of him
as soon as possible. After visiting the town in company with a few
friends whom I happened to meet there, we went to the Russian hospital,
which we had been told was full of dead, sick, and wounded. During the
few days that had elapsed since the capture of the city I had witnessed
many awful scenes, but this was the most harrowing of all.
Perhaps one of the most awful and sickening sights possible for humanity
to conjure up was witnessed by myself and many others in the Russian
hospital in the interior of Sebastopol. Piled up one on the other, or
lying singly on the bare flooring, were strewn hundreds of Russians,
dead and dying. The view would have struck terror into the heart of the
greatest stoic. These men seemed to have been placed here out of the way
to suffer and die, uncared for, unattended. On one side might be seen a
poor creature writhing in the last throes of dissolution; on the other,
a fine fellow with almost divine resignation, who had just rendered
himself up to his Maker, having died in dreadful agony. Men without legs
or arms, and some with frightful body wounds or bayonet thrusts, lay
huddled in helpless confusion. Desolation and death grimly met us at
each step. Then the effluvia arising from the bodies was horrible beyond
description.