The enemy decided upon beating a retreat_The British Expedition to the Crimea

a great number of wounded, a few hundred prisoners, and also several

caissons of artillery, in the possession of the Allies. His losses,

altogether, cannot be estimated at less than from 8,000 to 10,000 men.

While these events were being accomplished on the right, about 5,000 men

made a vigorous sortie against our attacks to the left, favoured by a

thick fog and by ravines which facilitated their approach. The troops on

duty in the trench, under the orders of General de la Motterouge,

marched upon the enemy, who had already invaded two of our batteries,

and repulsed him, killing more than 200 men within the batteries. The

general of division, Forey, commanding the siege corps, by rapid and

skilful arrangements, arrived with the troops of the fourth division to

support the guards of the trenches, and marched himself at the head of

the fifth battalion of foot chasseurs. The Russians, beaten along the

whole of their line, were retreating precipitately upon the place with

considerable losses, when General de Lourmel, seeing them fly before

him, and urged by a chivalric courage, dashed in pursuit of them up to

the walls of the place, where he fell severely wounded. General Forey

had much difficulty in withdrawing him from the advanced position to

which his brigade had been hurried by excess of bravery. The Brigade

d'Aurelle, which had taken up an excellent position to the left,

protected this retreat, which was effected under the fire of the place

with considerable loss. Colonel Niol, of the 26th of the Line, who lost

his two chiefs of battalion, took the command of the brigade, whose

conduct was admirably energetic. The enemy, in this sortie, lost 1,000

men in killed, wounded, or prisoners, and he received a very

considerable moral and material check.

The battle of Inkerman, and the combat sustained by the siege corps,

were glorious for our arms, and have increased the moral power which the

Allied armies have attained; but we have suffered losses to be deplored.

They amount, for the English army, to 2,400 men killed or wounded, among

whom are seven generals, three of whom were killed; and, for the French

army, to 1,726 killed or wounded. We bitterly lament the loss of General

de Lourmel, who died from his wound, and whose brilliant military

qualities and conduct in private life seemed to promise future renown. I

also have the regret to announce to you the death of Colonel de Camos,

of the 6th of the Line, killed at the head of his troops at the moment

when engaged with the enemy.

The vigour of the Allied troops, subjected to the double trials of a

siege, the difficulties of which are without a precedent, and to actions

of war which recall the greatest struggles of our military history,

cannot be too highly eulogized. I enclose my order of the day to the

army for the battle of the 5th.

Accept, &c., CANROBERT,

General-in-Chief.

ASSAULT ON REDAN, JUNE 18.

LORD RAGLAN TO LORD PANMURE.

(_Received July 2._)

BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _June 19, 1855_.

MY LORD,--I informed your Lordship on the 16th that new batteries had

been completed, and that in consequence the Allies would be enabled to

resume the offensive against Sebastopol with the utmost vigour.

Accordingly, on the 17th, at daylight, a very heavy fire was opened from

all the batteries in the English and French trenches, and maintained

throughout the day, and the effect produced appeared so satisfactory

that it was determined that the French should attack the Malakoff works

the next morning, and that the English should assail the Redan as soon

after as I might consider it desirable.

It was at first proposed that the artillery fire should be resumed on

the morning of the 18th, and should be kept up for about two hours, for

the purpose of destroying any works the enemy might have thrown up in

the night, and of opening passages through the abattis that covered the

Redan; but on the evening of the 17th it was intimated to me by General

Pelissier that he had determined, upon further consideration, that the

attack by his troops should take place at three the following morning.

The French, therefore, commenced their operations as day broke, and, as

their several columns came within range of the enemy's fire, they

encountered the most serious opposition, both from musketry and the guns

in the works, which had been silenced the previous evening; and

observing this, I was induced at once to order our columns to move out

of the trenches upon the Redan.

It had been arranged that detachments from the Light, 2nd, and 4th

Divisions, which I placed for the occasion under the command of

Lieutenant-General Sir G. Brown, should be formed into three columns;

that the right one should attack the left face of the Redan between the

flanking batteries; that the centre should advance upon the salient

angle; and that the left should move upon the re-entering angle formed

by the right face and flank of the work; the first and last preceding

the centre column.

The flank columns at once obeyed the signal to advance, preceded by

covering parties of the Rifle Brigade, and by sailors carrying ladders

and soldiers carrying wool-bags; but they had no sooner shown themselves

beyond the trenches than they were assailed by a most murderous fire of

grape and musketry. Those in advance were either killed or wounded, and

the remainder found it impossible to proceed. I never before witnessed

such a continued and heavy fire of grape combined with musketry from the

enemy's works, which appeared to be fully manned; and the long list of

killed and wounded in the Light and 4th Divisions, and the seamen of the

Naval Brigade, under Captain Peel, who was unfortunately wounded, though

not severely, will show that a very large proportion of those that went

forward fell. Major-General Sir John Campbell, who led the left attack,

and Colonel Shadforth, of the 57th, who commanded the storming party

under his direction, were both killed, as was also Colonel Yea, of the

Royal Fusiliers, who led the right column.

I cannot say too much in praise of these officers. Major-General Sir J.

Campbell had commanded the 4th Division from the period of the battle of

Inkerman, till the arrival very recently of Lieutenant-General Bentinck.

He had devoted himself to his duty without any intermission, and had

acquired the confidence and respect of all; I most deeply lament his

loss.

Colonel Shadforth had maintained the efficiency of his regiment by

constant attention to all the details of his command, and Colonel Yea

was not only distinguished for his gallantry, but had exercised his

control of the Royal Fusiliers in such a manner as to win the affections

of the soldiers under his orders, and to secure to them every comfort

and accommodation which his personal exertions could procure for them.

I shall not be able to send your Lordship correct lists of the killed

and wounded by this opportunity, but I will forward them by telegraph as

soon as they are made out.

I have not any definite information upon the movements of the French

columns, and the atmosphere became so obscured by the smoke from the

guns and musketry, that it was not possible by personal observation to

ascertain their progress, though I was particularly well situated for

the purpose; but I understand that their left column, under General

d'Autemarre, passed the advanced works of the enemy, and threatened the

gorge of the Malakoff Tower; and that the two other columns, under

Generals Mayran and Brunet, who both, I regret to say, were killed, met

with obstacles equal to those we encountered, and were obliged in

consequence to abandon the attack.

The superiority of our fire on the day we opened, led both General

Pelissier and myself, and the officers of the Artillery and Engineers of

the two services, and the Armies in general, to conclude that the

Russian Artillery fire was, in a great measure, subdued, and that the

operation we projected could be undertaken with every prospect of

success. The result has shown that the resources of the enemy were not

exhausted, and that they had still the power, either from their ships or

their batteries, to bring an overwhelming fire upon their assailants.

Whilst the direct attack on the Redan was proceeding, Lieutenant-General

Sir R. England was directed to send one of the brigades of the 3rd

Division, under the command of Major-General Barnard, down the Woronzow

Ravine, with a view to give support to the attacking columns on his

right; and the other brigade, under Major-General Eyre, still further to

the left, to threaten the works at the head of the Dockyard Creek.

I have not yet received their reports, and shall not be able to send

them to your Lordship to-day; but General Eyre was very seriously

engaged, and he himself wounded, though I am happy to say not severely,

and he possessed himself of a churchyard, which the enemy had hitherto

carefully watched, and some houses within the place; but as the town

front was not attacked, it became necessary to withdraw his brigade at

night.

I shall make a special report upon this by the next mail, and I shall

avail myself of the same opportunity to name to you the officers who

have been particularly mentioned to me.

I am concerned to have to inform you, that Lieutenant-Colonel Tylden, of

the Royal Engineers, whose services I have had the greatest pleasure in

bringing so frequently to your Lordship's notice, is very severely

wounded. The account I received of him this morning is upon the whole

satisfactory, and I entertain strong hopes that his valuable life will

be preserved.

I feel greatly indebted to Sir G. Brown for the manner in which he

conducted the duties I entrusted to him; and my warmest acknowledgments

are due to Major-General Harry Jones, not only for his valuable

assistance on the present occasion, but for the able, zealous, and

energetic manner in which he has conducted the siege operations since he

assumed the command of the Royal Engineers.

He received a wound from a grape-shot in the forehead yesterday, which I

trust will not prove serious.

I brought up the 1st Division from the vicinity of Balaklava as a

reserve, and I shall retain them on these heights.

The Sardinian troops, under General La Marmora, and the Turkish troops,

under Omer Pasha, crossed the Tchernaya on the 17th instant, and occupy

positions in front of Chorgouna. They have not come in contact with any

large body of the enemy.

I have, &c.,

RAGLAN.

GENERAL PELISSIER'S DESPATCH.

HEAD-QUARTERS BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _June 22_.

MONSIEUR LE MARÉCHAL,--Since the capture of the external works on the

7th of June I had rapidly made every arrangement to make them the basis

of our attack against the _enceinte_ itself of Karabelnaia. We armed

them with powerful artillery; the Russian communications and _place

d'armes_ were turned to our own use; the ground plan of attack studied

in detail; the Allied armies had their respective tasks allotted to

them. The English were to storm the Great Redan, and we were to carry

the Malakoff Tower, the redan of the Careening Bay, and the

intrenchments which cover that extremity of the faubourg. It is

superfluous, M. le Maréchal, to point out to your Excellency what would

have been the result of such an operation if it had succeeded. Since our

last successes the attitude of the enemy and the enthusiasm of our

troops promised victory. There was no time to be lost.

In concert with Lord Raglan, on the 17th we poured a crushing fire into

Sebastopol, especially into the works we intended storming. At an early

hour the enemy ceased replying from the Malakoff and from the Redan. It

is probable they were economizing their batteries and fire, and that

they did not suffer so much from the effects of our artillery as we were

led to presume.

However that may be, the superiority of our guns confirmed us in our

plan for making an assault on the 18th, and on the night before we made

all the necessary arrangements for a general movement on the morrow.

Three divisions were to take part in the combat--the divisions of Mayran

and Brunet, of the 2nd corps; the Division d'Autemarre of the 1st. The

division of the Imperial Guard formed the reserve.

Mayran's division had the right attack, and was to carry the

intrenchments which extend from the battery of the point to the redan of

Careening Bay.

Brunet's division was to turn the Malakoff on the right.

D'Autemarre's division was to manoeuvre on the left to carry that

important work.

General Mayran's task was a difficult one. His First Brigade, commanded

by Colonel Saurin, of the 3rd Zouaves, was to advance from the ravine of

Careening Bay as far as the aqueduct, to creep along the left hill side

of the ravine, avoiding as much as possible the fire of the enemy's

lines, and to turn the battery of the point by the gorge.

The Second Brigade, commanded by General de Failly, was to make an

attempt on the right of the redan of Careening Bay. They were provided

with everything necessary to scale the works.

The special reserve of this division consisted of two battalions of the

1st Regiment of the Voltigeurs of the Guard.

All these troops were ready at their post at an early hour. Brunet's

division had one of its brigades in advance and to the right of the

Brancion Redoubt (Mamelon), the other in the parallel in the rear and to

the right of that redoubt.

A similar arrangement was made as regards D'Autemarre's division--Niol's

brigade in advance and to the left of the Mamelon; Breton's brigade in

the parallel in the rear.

Two batteries of artillery, which could be served _à la bricole_, were

placed behind the Brancion Redoubt (Mamelon), ready to occupy the

enemy's positions in case we succeeded in carrying them.

The division of the Imperial Guard, forming the general reserve of the

three attacks, was drawn up in a body in the rear of the Victoria

Redoubt.

I selected the Lancaster Battery for my post, from which I was to give

the signal by star rockets for the general advance. Notwithstanding

great difficulties of ground, notwithstanding the obstacles accumulated

by the enemy, and although the Russians, evidently informed of our

plans, were on their guard and ready to repel an attack, I am inclined

to think that if the attack could have been general and instantaneous on

the whole extent of the line--if there had been a simultaneous action

and the efforts of our brave troops had been united--the object would

have been achieved. Unhappily, it was not so, and an inconceivable

fatality caused us to fail.

I was still more than 1,000 mètres from the place whence I was to give

the signal, when a violent fire of musketry, intermixed with grape,

apprised me that the combat had commenced seriously on the right. In

fact, a little before 3 A.M., General Mayran fancied he recognized my

signal in a shell with a blazing fuse sent up from the Brancion Redoubt.

It was in vain that he was informed of his mistake.

This brave and unfortunate General gave the order for the attack. The

Saurin and De Failly columns immediately rushed forward. The first rush

was magnificent, but scarcely were these heads of columns in march when

a shower of balls and grape was poured in upon them. This crushing fire

came not only from the works which we wished to carry, but also from the

enemy's steamers, which came up at full steam and manoeuvred with

great skill and effect. We, however, caused them some damage. This

prodigious fire stopped the efforts of our troops. It became impossible

for our soldiers to advance, but not a man retired one step. It was at

this moment that General Mayran, already hit in two places, was knocked

down by a grapeshot, and was compelled to resign the command of his

division.

All this was the work of a moment, and General Mayran was already

carried off the field of battle when I sent up the signal from the

Lancaster Battery. The other troops then advanced to support the

premature movement of the Right Division. That valiant division, for a

moment disconcerted by the loss of its General, promptly rallied at the

voice of General de Failly. The troops engaged, supported by the second

battalion of the 95th of the Line, and by a battalion of the Voltigeurs

of the Guard, under the orders of the brave Colonel Boudville, hold a

footing in the bend of the ground where the General places them, and

boldly maintain their position there. Informed, however, of this

position, which might become critical, I ordered General Regnault de St.

Jean d'Angely to send four battalions of the Voltigeurs of the Guard,

taken from the general reserve, to the support of that division.

Generals Mellinet and Uhrich marched with that fine body of men, rallied

the stragglers in the ravine of Careening Bay, and gave a solid support

to General de Failly, by occupying the bottom of the ravine.

General Mellinet in person advanced to the right of General de Failly at

the head of a battalion of Grenadiers, placed the evening before to

defend the ravine, and was of great service to him by covering his

right.

The attack on the centre had not a better fate. General Brunet had not

yet completed all his arrangements when the signal-rockets were fired.

The whole of the right was already prematurely engaged for more than

twenty to twenty-five minutes. The troops, nevertheless, resolutely

advanced, but their valour was of no avail against the well-sustained

fire of the Russians and against unforeseen obstacles. At the very

outset General Brunet fell mortally wounded by a ball in the chest. The

flag of the 91st was cut in two by a ball, but it is needless to add

that its fragments were brought back by that gallant regiment.

General Lafont de Villiers took the command of the division, and

intrusted that of the troops engaged to Colonel Lorencez. The latter

held firm while the remainder of the division occupied the trenches to

provide against the eventualities of the combat.

To the left, General d'Autemarre could not go into action before

Brunet's division, nor could he explain the hasty fusillade he heard in

the direction of Careening Bay; but at the signal agreed upon for the

attack he threw forward with impetuosity the 5th Chasseurs-à-Pied and

the first battalion of the 19th of the Line, which, following the ridge

of the Karabelnaia Ravine, arrived at the intrenchment which connects it

with Malakoff Tower, scaled the intrenchment, and entered the _enceinte_

itself. The sappers of the Engineers were already placing the

scaling-ladders for the remainder of the 19th and 26th Regiments, who

were hurrying up by order of General d'Autemarre to follow his gallant

column. For an instant we believed in success. Our eagles were planted

on the Russian works. Unhappily, that hope was promptly dispelled. Our

allies had met with such obstacles in their attack on the Grand Redan,

they had been received with such a fearful shower of grape, that,

despite their well-known tenacity, they had already been obliged to beat

a retreat. Such was the spirit of our troops that, despite this

circumstance, they would have pushed on and charged down upon the enemy,

but the want of unity in the attack of our divisions permitted the

Russians to fall upon us with their reserves and with the artillery of

the Great Redan; and the enemy did not lose a moment in advancing all

the other reserves of the Karabelnaia against our brave

Chasseurs-à-Pied.

Before so imposing a force Commandant Garnier, of the 5th battalion,

already struck by five balls, endeavoured, but in vain, to maintain the

conquered ground. Compelled to give way to numbers he re-crossed the

intrenchments. General Niol came up to support his brigade, reinforced

by the 30th of the Line. A new offensive movement was attempted to

assure the success of the new effort, and on a message from General

d'Autemarre to the effect that his reserve was reduced to the 74th of

the Line, I sent him the regiment of Zouaves of the Guard; but on the

arrival of those hardy veterans of our African campaigns, as the

movement had no longer any desirable _ensemble_ for so vigorous a blow,

with a single division without support either on the right or on the

left, and cut up by the artillery of the Redan, the attack upon which

had been relinquished by our allies, I at once saw that all chance of

success was over. Another effort would only have led to useless

bloodshed. It was half-past eight o'clock, and I ordered a general

retreat to the trenches. This movement was carried out proudly, with

order and coolness, and without the enemy following us on any point. A

portion of the Russian trenches remained even occupied by some of our

men, who evacuated them gradually, without the enemy daring to turn

their advantage to account against them.

Our losses have been great. We took care at the very commencement of the

action to carry off most of our wounded. But a certain number of those

glorious dead remained lying on the glacis or in the ditches of the

place. The last duties were rendered to them the following day.

Besides General Brunet and General Mayran (who died during the night) we

have to deplore the loss of an officer beloved and appreciated by the

whole army, the young and brave Lieutenant-Colonel of Artillery De

Laboursinière, killed while scaling the reverse of a trench obstructed

by troops on his way from one of his batteries to the Brancion Redoubt.

It is a great loss. In him were the germs of future promise. A number of

brave superior officers have been wounded while showing the most noble

example. The officers of the staff and of the troops worthily performed

their duties, and the conduct of the men was admirable everywhere.

We had 37 officers killed, and 17 taken prisoners; 1,544

non-commissioned officers and privates killed or missing. On the evening

of the 18th, 96 officers and 1,644 men went to the ambulances.

Many wounds, at first thought very serious, will ultimately prove not to

be so. The bearers of these honourable scars will shortly rejoin their

colours.

These losses have not shaken either the ardour or the confidence of

these valiant divisions. They only ask to make the enemy pay dearly for

this day's work. The hope and the will to conquer are in every heart,

and all count upon it that in the next struggle fortune will not play

false to valour.

PELISSIER,

Commander-in-Chief.

THE BATTLE OF THE TCHERNAYA.

HEAD-QUARTERS, BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _August 18_.

MONSIEUR LE MARÉCHAL,--You will have learnt by my telegraphic despatches

of yesterday and of the day before the general results of the battle of

the Tchernaya; to-day I send your Excellency a detailed report of that

battle, so glorious for our arms.

For some days, although the enemy abstained from any apparent movement,

certain indications made us suppose he would attack our lines on the

Tchernaya. You know those positions, which are excellent, and which are

covered to the full extent by the Tchernaya itself, and by a canal,

which forms a second obstacle. The Sardinian army occupies the whole of

the right, opposite Tchorgoun; the French troops guard the centre and

the left, which joins after a declivity our plateaux of Inkerman.

Independently of a few fords, which are bad enough, there are two

bridges across the Tchernaya and the canal. One, a little above

Tchorgoun, is under the guns of the Piedmontese; the other, called

Traktir Bridge, is below, and almost in the centre of the French

positions. Looking straight before one towards the other bank of the

Tchernaya, you behold to the right the heights of Tchouliou, which,

after extending themselves in undulating plateaux, fall somewhat

abruptly towards the Tchernaya below Tchorgoun, opposite the

Piedmontese. These heights diminish opposite our centre, and starting

from that point to the rocky sides of the Mackenzie Plateaux, there is a

plain about three or four kilomètres in width. It is by that plain that

the Mackenzie Road leads across the Tchernaya at Traktir Bridge, and,

after passing through our pontoons, leads into the Balaklava plain.

A strict watch was kept all along our lines--the Turks, who occupy the

hilly grounds of Balaklava, were on the alert, and watched Alsou; and

General d'Allonville, also put on his guard, doubled his vigilance in

the high valley of Baidar. My mind was quite at rest, moreover, as

regards the extreme right; it is one of those mountainous regions where

it is impossible to manoeuvre large bodies of men. The enemy could

only make false demonstrations there--in fact, that is what occurred. In

the night between the 15th and 16th of August, General d'Allonville

notified that he had troops opposite him; but his attitude imposed upon

the enemy, who attempted nothing on that side, and dared not attack him.

During this time, the main body of the Russian troops, which had

descended from the Mackenzie Heights with the intention of debouching

near Ai Todor, advanced, favoured by night, on the Tchernaya; to the

right, the 7th, 5th, and 12th Divisions crossed the plain; and to the

left, the 17th Division; a portion of the 6th and the 4th followed the

plateau of Tchouliou. A strong body of cavalry and 160 pieces of

artillery supported the infantry.

A little before daybreak the advanced posts of the Sardinian army,

placed as vedettes as far as the heights of Tchouliou, fell back, and

announced that the enemy was advancing in considerable force. Shortly

afterwards, in fact, the Russians lined the heights of the right bank of

the Tchernaya with heavy guns (_pièces de position_), and opened fire on

us.

General Herbillon, who commanded the French troops on this point, had

made his arrangements for battle. To the right of the Traktir Road,

Faucheux's division, with the 3rd battery of the 12th artillery; in the

centre, his own division, with the 6th company of the 13th; to the left,

Camou's division, with the 4th battery of the 13th. On his side, General

Della Marmora had ranged his troops in order of battle. At the same

time, General Morris's fine division of Chasseurs d'Afrique, speedily

joined by General Scarlett's numerous and valiant English cavalry, took

up a position behind the hills of Kamara and Traktir. This cavalry was

to take the enemy in flank, in case he should succeed in forcing a

passage by one of the three outlets of Tchorgoun or Traktir, or at the

incline to the left of General Camou.

Colonel Forgeot, in command of the artillery of the Tchernaya lines,

kept six batteries of horse artillery, two of which belonged to the

Imperial Guard, ready to act as a reserve. Six Turkish battalions of

Osman Pasha's army, led by Sefer Pasha, came to lend us their

assistance. Finally, I ordered forward Levaillant's division of the 1st

corps, Dulac's division of the 2nd corps, and the Imperial Guard,

comprising reserves capable of remedying the most serious _contretemps_.

The thick mist which covered the depths of the Tchernaya, and the smoke

of the cannonade which had just commenced, prevented us distinguishing

against which particular point the chief effort of the enemy would be

directed; when, on our extreme left, the 7th Russian division came tilt

against Camou's division. Received by the 50th of the Line, the 3rd

Zouaves, who charged them with the bayonet, and by the 82nd, which took

them in flank, the enemy's columns were compelled to make a demivolte to

recross the canal, and could only escape the fire of our artillery by

getting out of range to rally. That division did not appear again during

the day.

In the centre, the struggle was longer and more desperate. The enemy had

sent two divisions (the 12th supported by the 5th) against Traktir

Bridge. Many of their columns rushed at once upon the bridge, and the

temporary passages they constructed with ladders, pontoons, and

madriers. They then crossed the Tchernaya, the trench of our lines, and

advanced bravely on our positions. But, assailed by Generals Faucheux

and De Failly, these columns were routed, and the men recrossed the

bridge occupied by the 95th, and were pursued beyond it by the 2nd

Zouaves, the 97th of the Line, and by a portion of the 19th battalion of

Chasseurs-à-Pied.

However, while the artillery was roaring on both sides, the Russians

re-formed their columns of attack, the mist had cleared, and their

movements became distinctly visible. Their 5th division reinforced the

12th, which had just been engaged; and the 17th was preparing to descend

the heights of Tchouliou to support these two first divisions.

General Herbillon then ordered General Faucheux to be reinforced by

Cler's Brigade, and gave the 73rd as a reserve to General de Failly.

Colonel Forgeot, moreover, placed four batteries of horse artillery in

position, which gave him on this front a total of seven batteries to be

brought to bear upon the assailing masses. The result was, that the

second attempt of the Russians, in spite of its energetic character,

proved of no avail against us; and they were compelled to retreat with

great loss.

The 17th Russian Division, which had come down throwing out large bodies

of riflemen as skirmishers, had no better success. Received with great

resolution by General Cler's Brigade, and by a half battery of the

Imperial Guard, harassed on the left by the troops of Tretti's Division,

who pressed it closely, that division was compelled to recross the

Tchernaya, and to fall back behind the batteries of position which lined

the heights from which it had started.

From this moment, 9 A.M., the defeat of the enemy was inevitable. Their

long columns withdrew as fast as they could, under the protection of a

considerable body of cavalry and artillery.

For a moment I felt inclined to order a portion of the cavalry to charge

and cut down the remnant of the 17th Russian Division, between the

Tchouliou and Traktir Bridges. With this object in view, I had prepared

some squadrons of Chasseurs d'Afrique, who were joined by some Sardinian

squadrons, and by one of General Scarlett's regiments, the 12th Lancers

(from India); but the retreat of the Russians was so prompt, that we

could only have made a small number of prisoners, and this fine cavalry

might have been reached by some of the enemy's batteries still in

position; I deemed it preferable not to expose it for so small a result.

General Della Marmora did not, moreover, stand in need of this support

boldly to retake the advanced positions which his small posts occupied

on the heights of Tchouliou.

At three o'clock the whole of the enemy's army had disappeared. The

Division of the Guard and Dulac's Division relieved the divisions

engaged, as they stood in need of some rest. I sent back the first corps

of Devaillant's Division, and the cavalry returned to its usual bivouac.

This splendid action does the greatest honour to the infantry, to the

horse artillery of the Garde, to that of the reserve, and to the

artillery of divisions. I will shortly ask your Excellency to place

before the Emperor the names of those who have deserved rewards, and to

submit to the approbation of his Majesty those which I may have awarded

in his name. Our losses are doubtless to be regretted, but they are not

in proportion to the results obtained, and to those we have inflicted

upon the enemy. We have eight superior officers wounded, nine subaltern

officers killed, and fifty-three wounded; 172 non-commissioned officers

and soldiers killed, 146 missing, and 1,163 wounded. The Russians have

left 400 prisoners in our hands. The number of their killed may be

estimated at more than 3,000, and of their wounded at more than 5,000,

of which number 1,626 men and thirty-eight officers have been taken to

our ambulances. Among the slain found by us are the bodies of two

generals, whose names I have not been able to ascertain.

The Sardinian army, which fought so valiantly at our side, has about 250

men _hors de combat_. It inflicted a much greater loss upon the enemy.

One hundred prisoners, and about one hundred and fifty wounded, remain

in its hands. I am sorry to announce to your Excellency that General

Della Marmora has informed me that Count de Montevecchio, whose

character and talents he greatly appreciated, was killed gloriously at

the head of his brigade.

I must point out to your Excellency the rapidity with which General

Scarlett's cavalry, placed at my disposal by General Simpson, came up.

The martial appearance of these magnificent squadrons betrayed an

impatience which the happy and prompt result of the battle did not allow

me to gratify.

The English and Sardinian position batteries, and the Turkish battery

which Osman Pasha had sent to Alsou, fired with great precision and

success. I thanked Osman Pasha for the promptitude with which he sent me

six Turkish battalions under Sefer Pasha (General Koscielzki), four of

which during the day occupied the passage near Tchorgoun.

Nothing remarkable took place during the day on the Sebastopol side.

Generals De Salles and Bosquet were, however, prepared to drive back

with energy any attack of the besieged. I send your Excellency with this

report the copy of the plan for the battle of the 16th, found upon the

body of a Russian general, supposed to be General Read, who commanded

the enemy's right, and was especially entrusted with the attack on

Traktir Bridge.

I am, &c., &c.,

PELISSIER,

Commander-in-Chief.

* * * * *

As this battle really decided the fall of the place, inasmuch as it

enabled the Allies to continue without fear of molestation the armament

of those tremendous batteries which would have annihilated the whole

forces of Russia inside the walls of Sebastopol, it may not be

uninteresting to add the despatches of General Simpson, who was late on

the field, and of General Della Marmora, who took an active part in

directing the operations of the Sardinians on this memorable day.

General Simpson wrote as follows:--

BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _August 18_.

MY LORD,--In my despatch of the 14th instant, I informed your Lordship

that I had reason to believe that the Russians would attempt by a

vigorous attack to force us to raise the siege! This they endeavoured to

do on the morning of the 16th, but the result was most glorious to those

of the Allied troops who had the good fortune to be engaged.

The action commenced before daylight, by a heavy column of Russians

under the command of General Liprandi, and composed of the 6th and 17th

Divisions, with the 4th and 7th Divisions in reserve, attacking the

advanced posts of the Sardinians. The ground occupied by them is on

commanding hills on the right of the position, on the left bank of the

Souhaia river, where it forms its junction with the Tchernaya, with two

advanced posts on the opposite side. These were held with very

determined gallantry for a considerable time; but being separated from

their supports by the river, and not having the protection of artillery,

they were compelled to leave the most advanced one.

About the same time, the 5th and 12th Divisions, to which was added a

portion of the 17th, advanced against the bridge of Traktir, held by one

battalion of French infantry of the Line, who were for a short time

obliged to yield and fall back upon the main supports; with these,

however, they quickly retook the bridge at the point of the bayonet.

Again the Russians attacked with persevering courage, and were enabled

to follow up their advantage by gaining the heights which rise

precipitously on each side of the road; their success was but

momentary--they were driven back across the river, leaving the ground

covered with dead and wounded.

The Russian General, in no way daunted by the failure of his two

attempts, ordered a second column, of equal force to the first, to

attack; they advanced with such impetuosity, covered by the fire of

their numerous artillery, that a third time the bridge was carried, and

the heights above it crowned, but they were again repulsed, and retired

in great confusion into the plain, followed by the bayonets of our

gallant allies. The General Officer who commanded the Russian column,

and who is supposed to be General Read, was killed, and in his

possession was found the orders for the battle, signed by Prince

Gortschakoff, who commanded in person. From these it would appear that

it was a most determined attempt to force us to raise the siege. Had

they succeeded, Balaklava was to have been attacked by one portion of

their army, whilst the heights on which we now are were to have been

stormed with the other; at the same time a vigorous sortie was to have

been made from the town on the French works on our extreme left from the

Quarantine, and another on the works on our extreme right on Mount

Sapoune.

The action which I have endeavoured to describe is most glorious to the

arms of the French and Sardinian troops. To meet the force of the

Russians, the former had but 12,000 infantry and four batteries of

artillery engaged; the latter had 10,000 men in position, 4,500 actually

engaged, and twenty-four pieces of cannon.

The Russian force consisted of from 50,000 to 60,000 men, with 160

pieces of artillery, and cavalry to the amount of 6,000. This disparity

of numbers will readily explain to your Lordship the difficulty that

would have been experienced had an attempt been made to follow up the

advantage by a pursuit. The Russian retreat, moreover, was protected by

the fire from the heavy guns in position on the Mackenzie Heights.

The loss sustained by the Russians is estimated at between 5,000 and

6,000 men, including 600 prisoners, whilst on the part of the Allies it

does not amount to more than 1,000 men.

This brilliant affair has caused the greatest delight amongst the ranks

of the Allied army; and while it adds fresh lustre to the gallant

achievements of the French arms, it is with the utmost pleasure that I

have to record the intrepid conduct and gallant bearing of the Sardinian

troops, under General Della Marmora, who have for the first time met,

conquered, and shed their blood against our common enemy, who is now

disturbing the peace of Europe.

Captain Mowbray's battery of 32-pounder howitzers was placed in advance

with the Sardinian troops, and did most excellent service in preventing

the advance of the enemy's artillery.

Our cavalry, under Lieutenant-General Sir J. Scarlett, K.C.B., was

placed in the plain of Balaklava, prepared to take advantage of any

circumstance that might present itself, but the opportunity did not

arise for calling upon their services.

I regret that I am unable to give a more detailed account of the part

performed by the Sardinians, as up to this time I have not received

General Della Marmora's report.

I have, &c.,

JAMES SIMPSON,

General Commanding.

_Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c._

BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _August 21_.

MY LORD,--In my despatch of the 18th instant I was unable to give as

detailed an account of the part taken by the Sardinian troops, in the

battle of the Tchernaya, as I could have wished. I have since received

General La Marmora's report, of which I have now the honour to send you

a copy.

The killed and wounded of the Russian army exceed, if anything, the

number I originally stated. An armistice was granted, to enable the

enemy to bury the dead, and vast quantities were carried away.

The fire from the batteries of the Allies has been very effective, and

the result attained has been sufficient to enable the works against the

place to progress satisfactorily.

I beg to enclose the list of casualties to the 19th instant.

Major M'Gowan, 93rd Highlanders, who was reported by me as missing in my

despatch of the 11th August, I have since ascertained was attacked

whilst posting his sentries in advance of the trenches, wounded

severely, and made prisoner.

I have, &c.,

JAMES SIMPSON,

General Commanding.

_The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c._

[_Translation._]

SARDINIAN ARMY.--HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE EXPEDITIONARY

FORCES IN THE EAST, KADIKOI, _August 17_.

SIR,--The interest which you are so kind as to evince in everything

relating to the Sardinian Expeditionary Army makes it imperative upon me

to inform your Excellency of the share taken by the troops under my

command in the engagement on the Tchernaya yesterday.

Upon receiving the report of Colonel Dessaint, attached to the French

head-quarters, which you were good enough to communicate to me on the

evening of the day before yesterday, and by which we were led to expect

very shortly an attack on the line of the Tchernaya, I at once gave

orders that my troops should be under arms yesterday morning at an

earlier hour than usual.

At break of day our outposts stationed on the Mamelon, which commands

Tchorgoun, were enveloped in a well-sustained fire of artillery, which

proceeded from three batteries posted opposite to the breastworks by

which our outposts were covered, and on the two Mamelons further to the

right, which form the two banks of the Souliou. They were at the same

time vigorously charged by three Russian columns, which came on with

fixed bayonets, and attacked our breastworks in front and rear. The men

composing these columns carried ladders with them to scale the parapets.

The preconcerted signal of alarm was immediately given; and the troops

took up the positions which had been assigned to them in anticipation of

this attack.

I begged his Excellency Hosman Pasha to bring up the Turkish troops

which were stationed furthest off; and I ordered the 4th battalion of

Riflemen (bersaglieri) to the support of our outposts, which only

consisted of three companies, in order that these latter might be

enabled to hold their ground as long as possible, and thus give us time

to complete our arrangements.

Attacked in the rear by the enemy's artillery, and charged by three

columns of infantry, the outposts, after an hour's firing, fell back,

the reinforcements I had sent to them greatly facilitating their

retreat. At the same time I made every effort to silence the enemy's

guns. In this endeavour I was assisted by the Turkish field-pieces from

Alsou, and by the English battery, with which you were good enough to

reinforce us. Several of the enemy's ammunition wagons exploded between

seven and eight o'clock.

In the meantime the Russians had stationed fresh batteries near the

centre of their position, and had opened a most effective fire of

artillery on the tête-de-pont at Traktir, and on the French positions on

our left. A column of infantry, under cover of this fire, attacked the

Mamelon, which formed the extreme right of General d'Herbillon's

Division. The first column had crossed the Tchernaya, and surmounted the

steep ascent of the Mamelon in spite of the fire of the tirailleurs,

when it was vigorously attacked by the French troops in support, and

hurled back, broken and disordered, into the Tchernaya.

As I considered, from the subsequent dispositions of the enemy's forces,

that he only intended to make a demonstration of artillery before our

position, while he concentrated his infantry chiefly on the extreme

right of the Third Division (Faucher's), on which point a second column

was now advancing, I ordered a portion of my 5th Brigade, under the

command of General Mallard, to march to the support of the right wing

of the French, and I posted two of our batteries in a position from

whence they could maintain an oblique fire upon the Russians. At the

same time I requested the English cavalry to move down into the plain to

be in readiness to charge. I had given similar orders to my own cavalry.

When the soldiers of my 5th Brigade arrived at the Mamelon, they found

that the enemy's attack had been already repulsed; but the fire of the

two batteries of the 2nd Division (Trotti's) appeared to do great

execution on the 2nd Russian column, which, checked in front by the

French troops, and harassed in the rear by the fire of our batteries and

the musketry of our battalions, fell back in the greatest disorder. I

then ordered some of our battalions to advance under cover of the

Riflemen (bersaglieri), but I was requested to countermand this

movement.

The enemy, repulsed at all points, commenced his retreat. One column,

which appeared to me to consist of a division, retreated by the valley

of the Souliou. Another division, the one which had attacked our

outposts and the French right in the morning, fell back upon the zigzag

Mamelon; while a third division followed the road which leads to

Mackenzie's Farm.

I took advantage of this state of things to reoccupy with my troops the

zigzag Mamelon; in which design I succeeded perfectly, in spite of the

imposing force which the enemy still retained on that point. In the

meantime, three battalions of Turkish troops advanced into the Valley of

Tchorgoun, to replace the battalion of Cialdini's Brigade, which was

occupying the heights of Karlooka.

Later in the day I crossed the Tchernaya with four squadrons, and

marching in a parallel line with the zigzag Mamelon, came upon the old

Russian redoubt, whence I could easily discern, at a little distance

before us, a very fine array of regular cavalry, supported by horse

artillery. It was distributed in twelve separate bodies, and must have

been composed of at least fifty squadrons. This cavalry did not fall

back on Mackenzie Road till the whole of the infantry and artillery had

effected their retreat.

The losses sustained by our troops, a portion only of whom was engaged,

were very inconsiderable. They amount to about two hundred men placed

_hors de combat_; and I impute the fact of our not having lost more men

mainly to the works with which we fortified our position, and to the

batteries of heavy guns which you were so obliging as to lend us for

their defence. It is, however, my painful duty to announce to your

Excellency that Count Montevecchio, the General commanding the 4th

Brigade, is mortally wounded; a ball passed through his chest.

Pray accept, General, the assurance of my high consideration.

The General Commanding-in-Chief the

Sardinian Expeditionary Forces,

(Signed) LA MARMORA.

HANG

_To his Excellency the General Commanding-in-Chief

the English Army._

GENERAL SIMPSON'S DESPATCH.

GENERAL SIMPSON TO LORD PANMURE.

(_Received September 22._)

BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _September 9, 1855_.

MY LORD,--I had the honour to apprise your Lordship in my despatch of

the 4th instant, that the Engineer and Artillery Officers of the Allied

Armies had laid before General Pelissier and myself a report

recommending that the assault should be given on the 8th instant, after

a heavy fire had been kept up for three days.

This arrangement I agreed to, and I have to congratulate your Lordship

on the glorious results of the attack of yesterday, which has ended in

the possession of the town, dockyards, and public buildings, and

destruction of the last ships of the Russian Fleet in the Black Sea.

Three steamers alone remain, and the speedy capture or sinking of these

must speedily follow.

It was arranged that at twelve o'clock in the day the French columns of

assault were to leave their trenches, and take possession of the

Malakoff and adjacent works. After their success had been assured, and

they were fairly established, the Redan was to be assaulted by the

English; the Bastion, Central, and Quarantine Forts, on the left, were

simultaneously to be attacked by the French.

At the hour appointed our Allies quitted their trenches, entered and

carried the apparently impregnable defences of the Malakoff with that

impetuous valour which characterizes the French attack; and, having once

obtained possession, they were never dislodged.

The Tricolor planted on the parapet was the signal for our troops to

advance.

The arrangements for the attack I entrusted to Lieutenant-General Sir

William Codrington, who carried out the details in concert with

Lieutenant-General Markham.

I determined that the second and light divisions should have the honour

of the assault, from the circumstance of their having defended the

batteries and approaches against the Redan for so many months, and from

the intimate knowledge they possessed of the ground.

The fire of our artillery having made as much of a breach as possible in

the salient of the Redan, I decided that the columns of assault should

be directed against that part, as being less exposed to the heavy

flanking fire by which this work is protected.

It was arranged between Sir W. Codrington and Lieutenant-General Markham

that the assaulting column of 1,000 men should be formed by equal

numbers of these two divisions, the column of the light division to

lead, that of the 2nd to follow. They left the trenches at the

preconcerted signal, and moved across the ground preceded by a covering

party of 200 men, and a ladder party of 320. On arriving at the crest of

the ditch, and the ladders placed, the men immediately stormed the

parapet of the Redan, and penetrated into the salient angle. A most

determined and bloody contest was here maintained for nearly an hour,

and although supported to the utmost, and the greatest bravery

displayed, it was found impossible to maintain the position.

Your Lordship will perceive, by the long and sad list of casualties,

with what gallantry and self-devotion the officers so nobly placed

themselves at the head of their men during this sanguinary conflict.

I feel myself unable to express in adequate terms the sense I entertain

of the conduct and gallantry exhibited by the troops, though their

devotion was not rewarded by the success which they so well merited; but

to no one are my thanks more justly due than to Colonel Windham, who

gallantly headed his column of attack, and was fortunate in entering,

and remaining with the troops, during the contest.

The trenches were, subsequently to this attack, so crowded with troops

that I was unable to organize a second assault, which I intended to make

with the Highlanders under Lieutenant-General Sir Colin Campbell, who

had hitherto formed the reserve, to be supported by the third division

under Major-General Sir William Eyre. I, therefore, sent for these

officers, and arranged with them to renew the attack the following

morning.

The Highland Brigade occupied the advanced trenches during the night.

About eleven o'clock the enemy commenced exploding their magazines, and

Sir Colin Campbell having ordered a small party to advance cautiously to

examine the Redan, found the work abandoned; he did not, however, deem

it necessary to occupy it until daylight.

The evacuation of the town by the enemy was made manifest during the

night. Great tires appeared in every part, accompanied by large

explosions, under the cover of which the enemy succeeded in withdrawing

their troops to the north side by means of the raft-bridge recently

constructed, and which they afterwards disconnected and conveyed to the

other side.

Their men-of-war were all sunk during the night.

The boisterous weather rendered it altogether impossible for the

Admirals to fulfil their intention of bringing the broadsides of the

Allied Fleets to bear upon the Quarantine Batteries; but an excellent

effect was produced by the animated and well-directed fire of their

mortar vessels, those of Her Majesty being under the direction of

Captain Wilcox, of the _Odin_, and Captain Digby, of the Royal Marine

Artillery.

It now becomes my pleasing duty, my Lord, to place on record the high

sense I entertain of the conduct of this Army since I have had the

honour to command it. The hardships and privations endured by many of

the regiments during a long winter campaign are too well known for me to

comment upon. They were borne both by officers and men with a patience

and unmurmuring endurance worthy of the highest praise, and which gained

them the deserved applause and sympathy of their country.

The Naval Brigade, under the command of Captain the Honourable Henry

Keppel, aided by Captain Moorsom, and many gallant officers and seamen

who have served the guns from the commencement of the siege, merit my

warmest thanks.

The prompt, hearty, and efficacious co-operation of Her Majesty's Navy,

commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, and ably seconded by Sir

Houston Stewart, has contributed most materially to the success of our

undertaking; and here, perhaps, I may be permitted to say that, if it

had pleased God that the successful result of this memorable siege

should have been reported by my ever to be lamented predecessor in this

command, I am sure that it would have been one of his most pleasing

duties to express the deep sense which I know he entertained of the

invaluable assistance and counsel he received on all occasions from Sir

Edmund Lyons. When at times affairs looked gloomy and success doubtful,

he was at hand to cheer and encourage; and every assistance that could

tend to advance the operations was given with the hearty goodwill which

characterizes the British sailor.

Nothing has contributed more to the present undertaking than the cordial

co-operation which has so happily existed from the first between the two

services.

I cannot sufficiently express my approbation of the conduct of the Royal

Engineers under Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Jones, who has conducted

the siege operations from the beginning of this year. For some time past

he has been suffering on a bed of sickness, but the eventful hour of the

assault would not permit him to remain absent; he was conveyed on a

litter into the trenches to witness the completion of his arduous

undertakings.

My warmest thanks are due to the officers and soldiers of the Royal

Artillery under the command of Major-General Sir R. Dacres, who, during

the arduous operations of this protracted siege, have so mainly

contributed to its ultimate success.

I must beg further to record my thanks for the cordial co-operation and

assistance I have received in carrying out the details of the service

from the Chief of the Staff, the Adjutant and Quartermaster-Generals,

and General Staff, as well as Generals commanding Divisions and Brigades

of this Army.

I must reserve to myself, for the subject of a future despatch, bringing

before your Lordship the particular mention of officers of the various

branches of this Army, whom I shall beg to recommend to your favourable

notice.

I entrust this despatch to the care of Brevet-Major the Honourable

Leicester Curzon, who has been Assistant Military Secretary to my noble

predecessor and myself since the commencement of this war, and who will

be able to give your Lordship more minute details than the limits of a

despatch will allow.

I have, &c.,

JAMES SIMPSON,

General Commanding.

FINAL ASSAULT ON SEBASTOPOL.

MARSHAL PELISSIER'S REPORT.

HEAD-QUARTERS, SEBASTOPOL, _September 11, 1855_.

MONSIEUR LE MARÉCHAL,--I shall have the honour to send you by next

courier a detailed report of the attack which has rendered us masters of

Sebastopol. I can only give you to-day a rapid sketch of the principal

features of this great military achievement.

Since the 16th of August, the day of the Battle of the Tchernaya, and

despite the repeated notifications of a new and more formidable attack

of the enemy on the positions which we occupy on that river, every

preparation was being made for a decisive assault upon Sebastopol

itself. The artillery of the Right Attack opened already on the 17th of

August a better sustained fire against the Malakhoff and against the

Redan and Careening Bay, the neighbouring defences, and the roadstead,

so as to allow the engineers to establish lodgments near the place,

where the troops could throw themselves promptly on the _enceinte_. The

engineers, moreover, prepared their scaling ladders, and all our

batteries of the left opened a very violent fire against the town on the

5th of September. On their side the English kept up a heavy and

incessant fire at the Great Redan and its redoubts, which they had to

attack.

Everything being ready, I resolved, in concert with General Simpson, to

give the assault on the 8th of September, at noon.

M'Mahon's division was to storm the Malakhoff works; Dulac's division

the Redan of Careening Bay; and in the centre the division of La

Motterouge was to march against the Curtain which unites those two

extreme points. In addition to these troops I have given General Bosquet

General Mellinet's division of the Garde to support those three first

divisions. So much for the right.

In the centre the English were to attack the Great Redan by scaling it

at its salient.

On the left the first corps, to which General della Marmora added a

Sardinian Brigade, having at its head Levaillant's division, was to

penetrate by the Central Bastion into the interior of the town, and then

turn the Flagstaff Bastion, to make a lodgment there. General de Salles'

instructions were only to follow up his attack if circumstances allowed

him.

Moreover, the fleets of Admiral Lyons and Bruat were to make a powerful

diversion by attacking the Quarantine, the roadstead, and sea fronts of

the fortress. But the state of the sea, owing to a strong wind from the

N.E., was such that neither the line-of-battle ships nor frigates could

leave their anchorage. The English and French mortar-boats were,

however, enabled to open fire. They fired in a remarkable manner, and

did us good service.

Precisely at noon M'Mahon, La Motterouge's, and Dulac's divisions,

electrified by their leaders, threw themselves against the Malakhoff,

the Curtain, and the Little Redan of Careening Bay. After surmounting

unheard-of obstacles, and after a terrible hand-to-hand struggle,

M'Mahon's division succeeded in making good a footing in the front part

of the Malakhoff. The enemy kept up a hail of projectiles of every

description upon our brave troops. The Redan of Careening Bay, exposed

to a cross fire and to the fire of the steamers, was obliged to be

evacuated after having been occupied; but La Motterouge's division held

its ground on a portion of the Curtain, and M'Mahon's division gained

ground in the Malakhoff, where General Bosquet poured in reserves, which

I hastened up.

The other attacks were subordinate to that of the Malakhoff, the key of

the defences of the whole place.

From the Brancion Redoubt, where I had placed myself, I saw that the

Malakhoff was in our hands, and I gave the signal agreed upon with

General Simpson.

The English at once advanced bravely against the salient of the Great

Redan; they succeeded in lodging themselves there, and struggled for a

long time to keep it; but, overwhelmed by the Russian reserves, which

never ceased advancing, and by a violent fire of artillery, they were

forced to fall back into their parallels.

At the same signal General de Salles attacked the Central Bastion.

Levaillant's division had commenced establishing itself there, as also

on the right lunette, when, after a sweeping fire of grape, such strong

Russian reinforcements came up, that our troops, decimated by the fire,

and their officers _hors de combat_, were compelled to return to the

_places d'armes_ they had started from.

Convinced that the capture of the Malakhoff must decide the success, I

prevented a renewal of the other attacks, which, by occupying the enemy

on all the points of his vast _enceinte_, had already fulfilled their

chief object, and I concentrated all my attention on the possession of

the Malakhoff, now completely in the power of General M'Mahon. A

critical moment was, however, at hand.

General Bosquet had just been struck by a large fragment of a shell, and

I was obliged to give his command to General Dulac. A powder magazine in

the Curtain near the Malakhoff blew up, and made me fear the most

serious consequences.

The Russians, hoping to profit by this accident, advanced in dense

masses, and in three columns attacked the centre, left, and right of the

Malakhoff. But arrangements had already been made within the work.

General M'Mahon had daring troops, who feared nothing, to oppose them,

and after some desperate attempts the Russians were compelled to beat a

retreat. From that moment they relinquished any offensive attack. The

Malakhoff was ours, and could not be taken from us. It was half-past

four. Measures were immediately taken to put us in a condition to

repulse the enemy, should he attempt to attack us in the night. But our

uncertainty was soon put an end to. At nightfall flames burst out on all

sides, mines exploded, powder magazines blew up. The spectacle of

Sebastopol in flames, witnessed by the whole army, was one of the most

imposing and terrible sights ever presented in the history of wars. The

enemy was evacuating the place. The retreat was effected during the

night by means of the bridge established between the two sides of the

roadstead, and under cover of the successive explosions, which prevented

me from approaching to harass it. On the morning of the 9th the whole

south side of the town was abandoned and in our hands.

I need not point out to your Excellency the importance of such a

success; nor need I speak of that brave army whose warlike virtues and

devotion are so well appreciated by our Emperor, and I shall have,

though the number is great, to point out to you those who distinguished

themselves among so many valorous soldiers. I cannot do so yet, but I

shall fulfil that duty in an early despatch.

Accept, M. le Maréchal, the expression of my respectful devotion.

PELISSIER,

Commander-in-Chief.

* * * * *

On the 9th of September, when it became known that the city was

abandoned, the following order was issued:--

"GENERAL AFTER-ORDER.

"HEAD-QUARTERS, _September 9_.

"The Commander of the Forces congratulates the army on the result of the

attack of yesterday.

"The brilliant assault and occupation of the Malakoff by our gallant

Allies obliged the enemy to abandon the works they have so long held

with such bravery and determination.

"The Commander of the Forces returns his thanks to the general officers

and officers and men of the Second and Light Divisions, who advanced and

attacked with such gallantry the works of the Redan. He regrets, from

the formidable nature of the flanking defences, that their devotion did

not meet with that immediate success which it so well merited.

"He condoles and deeply sympathizes with the many brave officers,

non-commissioned officers, and men who are now suffering from the wounds

they received in the course of their noble exertions of yesterday.

"He deeply deplores the death of the many gallant officers and men who

have fallen in the final struggle of this long and memorable siege.

"Their loss will be severely felt, and their names long remembered in

this army and by the British nation.

"General Simpson avails himself of this opportunity to congratulate and

convey his warmest thanks to the general officers, officers and soldiers

of the several divisions, to the Royal Engineers and Artillery, for

their cheerful endurance of almost unparalleled hardships and

sufferings, and for the unflinching courage and determination which on

so many trying occasions they have evinced.

"It is with equal satisfaction that the Commander of the Forces thanks

the officers and men of the Naval Brigade for the long and uniform

course of valuable service rendered by them from the commencement of the

siege.

"By order,

H. W. BARNARD, Chief of the Staff."

STATE OF ARMY, MARCH, 1855.

+----------+---------------------+-----------------------------------------+

| | OFFICERS. | SERJEANTS. |

| +---------------------+------------+-----------+----+-----+-----+

| | +------------+-----------+ | | |

| | | |Subalterns.|Under|Emp- |Pre- |Ab- | |Miss-| |

+----------+----+----+----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+----+-----+-----+

| Staff | ..| 1| 2| .. | 2| .. | .. | .. | 1| .. | 3|

| Division| 16| 29| 39| 46 | 125| 45 | 9 | 14 | 15| .. | 208|

|Infantry | 85| 246| 391| 218 | 1293| 165 | 150 | 406 | 134| 2 | 2150|

|Ambulance | 1| 1| 1| 1 | 6| .. | .. | 1 | 3| .. | 10|

+----------+----+----+----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+----+-----+-----+

|Staff | 7| 12| ..| 5 | 27 | .. | .. | 2 | ..| .. | 29|

| Batteries| ..| 16| 25| 10 | 52 | .. | .. | 5 | ..| .. | 57|

| Train | ..| 28| 34| 4 | 66 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1| .. | 79|

| +----+----+----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+----+-----+-----+

| Total | 7| 56| 59| 19 | 145 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 1| .. | 163|

+----------+----+----+----+------+-----+------+-----+-----+----+-----+-----+

| Royal }| | | | | | | | | | | |

|Engineers}| | | | | | | | | | | |

|Sappers, }| | | | | | | | | | | |

|and }| 4| 9| 15| 6 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 20| .. | 48|

|Miners }| | | | | | | | | | | |

+==========+====+====+====+======+=====+======+=====+=====+====+=====+=====+

+----------+------------------------------------------+

| | TRUMPETERS OR DRUMMERS. |

| +------------+-----------+----------+------+

| +-----+------+-----------+Command. | |

| | |wise | | |and | |

| |Under|Emp- |Pre- |Ab- | |Miss-| |

+----------+-----+------+-----+-----+----+-----+------+

| Staff | ..| .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |

| Division| 28| .. | 1 | 2 | 2 | .. | 33

|Infantry | 488| 2 | 35 | 106 | 8 | .. | 638 |

|Ambulance | ..| .. | .. | 1 | .. | .. | 1 |

+----------+-----+------+-----+-----+----+-----+------+

|Staff | ..| .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. |

| Batteries| 11| .. | 1 | 1 | .. | .. | 13 |

| Train | 26| .. | 1 | 2 | .. | .. | 29 |

| +-----+------+-----+-----+----+-----+------+

| Total | 37| .. | 2 | 3 | .. | .. | 42 |

+----------+-----+------+-----+-----+----+-----+------+

| Royal }| | | | | | | |

|Engineers}| | | | | | | |

|Sappers, }| | | | | | | |

|and }| 12 | .. | .. | .. | 2 | .. | 14 |

|Miners }| | | | | | | |

+==========+=====+======+=====+=====+====+=====+======+

----------+-------------------------+--------------------------------------

| RANK AND FILE. | HORSES.

+-------------+-----------+----+-----+------|-----+-----+-----+-----

+------+------+-----------+ | | | | | |

|Under |Emp- |Pre- |Ab- | |Miss-| |Pres-| |Com- |

----------+------+------+-----+-----+----+-----+------|-----+-----+-----+-----

Staff | 15| 1 | .. | 9 | 12| .. | 37| 18 | 6 | 31 | 55

Division| 989| 233 | 140 | 312 | 114| 1 | 1,789| 315 | 323 | 82 | 720

Infantry |15,920| 1854 |3394 |9476 |1713| 64 |32,421| .. | .. | .. | ..

Ambulance | 85| .. | 4 | 66 | 41| .. | 196| .. | .. | .. | ..

----------+------+------+-----+-----+----+-----+------|-----+-----+-----+-----

| | | | | | | +-----+-----+-----------

Staff | ..| 68 | .. | .. | ..| .. | 68| 51 | 12 | ..

Batteries| 1,196| .. | 175 | 307 | ..| 3 | 1,681| 749 | 290 | ..

Train | 1,608| 6 | 90 | 291 | ..| .. | 1,995| 17 | 73 | ..

+------+------+-----+-----+----+-----+------|-----+-----+-----------

Total | 2,804| 74 | 265 | 598 | ..| 3 | 3,744| 817 | 375 | ..

----------+------+------+-----+-----+----+-----+------|-----+-----+-----------

Royal }| | | | | | | | | |

Engineers}| | | | | | | | | |

Sappers, }| | | | | | | | | |

and }| 406| 43 | 37 | 76 | 106| .. | 668| .. | .. | ..

Miners }| | | | | | | | | |

==========+======+======+=====+=====+====+=====+======+=====+=====+===========

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORDNANCE.

-------------------------------------+-------------------------------------

SIEGE GUNS. | FIELD GUNS.

------------------------------+------+-------------------

10-inch. | |

|8-inch. | |

| |68-pounders. | |

--+--+--+--+--+--+--+---------+------+--+--+--+--+-------

2|15| 6|62|24| 2| 8| 14 | 135 |36|18| 4| 2| 60

--+--+--+--+--+--+--+---------+------+--+--+--+--+-------

----------------------------------------------------------------------+

GRAND TOTAL. |

----------------------------+----------------------+------------------+

Cavalry and Infantry. |Ordnance Corps. |Whole Army. |

Officers 1,077 | Officers 175 | Men 43,318|

Sergeants 2,371 | Sergeants 211 | Horses 1,967|

Trumpeters, &c. 673 | Drummers 56 | Guns 195|

Rank and File 34,443 | Rank and File 4,412 | |

Horses 775 | Horses 1,192 | |

----------------------------+----------------------+------------------+

THE TREATY OF PARIS.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ARTICLES OF THE TREATY, SIGNED

BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GREAT POWERS, AT THE END OF THE

CRIMEAN WAR.

Art. VII. Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain

and Ireland, His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, His Majesty the Emperor

of the French, His Majesty the King of Prussia, His Majesty the Emperor

of all the Russias, and His Majesty the King of Sardinia, declare the

Sublime Porte admitted to participate in the advantages of the public

law and system (_concert_) of Europe. Their Majesties engage, each on

his part, to respect the independence and the territorial integrity of

the Ottoman Empire; guarantee in common the strict observance of that

engagement, and will, in consequence, consider any act tending to its

violation as a question of general interest.

Art. VIII. If there should arise between the Sublime Porte and one or

more of the other signing Powers any misunderstanding which might

endanger the maintenance of their relations, the Sublime Porte, and each

of such Powers, before having recourse to the use of force, shall afford

the other Contracting Parties the opportunity of preventing such an

extremity by means of their mediation.

Art. IX. His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, having, in his constant

solicitude for the welfare of his subjects, issued a firman which, while

ameliorating their condition without distinction of religion or of race,

records his generous intentions towards the Christian population of his

empire, and wishing to give a further proof of his sentiments in that

respect, has resolved to communicate to the Contracting Parties the said

firman, emanating spontaneously from his sovereign will.

The Contracting Powers recognize the high value of this communication.

It is clearly understood that it cannot, in any case, give to the said

Powers the right to interfere, either collectively or separately, in the

relations of His Majesty the Sultan with his subjects, nor in the

internal administration of his empire.

Art. XI. The Black Sea is neutralized: its waters and its ports, thrown

open to the mercantile marine of every nation, are formally and in

perpetuity interdicted to the flag of war, either of the Powers

possessing its coasts, or of any other Power, with the exceptions

mentioned in Articles XIV. and XIX. of the present Treaty.

Art. XIII. The Black Sea being neutralized according to the terms of

Article XI, the maintenance or establishment upon its coast of

military-maritime arsenals becomes alike unnecessary and purposeless; in

consequence, His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias and His Imperial

Majesty the Sultan engage not to establish or to maintain upon that

coast any military-maritime arsenal.

Art. XXII. The Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia shall continue

to enjoy, under the suzerainty of the Porte, and under the guarantee of

the Contracting Powers, the privileges and immunities of which they are

in possession. No exclusive protection shall be exercised over them by

any of the guaranteeing Powers. There shall be no separate right of

interference in their internal affairs.

Art. XXVIII. The Principality of Servia shall continue to hold of the

Sublime Porte, in conformity with the Imperial Hats which fix and

determine its rights and immunities, placed henceforward under the

collective guarantee of the Contracting Powers.

In consequence, the said Principality shall preserve its independent and

national administration, as well as full liberty of worship, of

legislation, of commerce, and of navigation.

Art. XXIX. The right of garrison of the Sublime Porte, as stipulated by

anterior regulations, is maintained. No armed intervention can take

place in Servia without previous agreement between the High Contracting

Powers.

* * * * *

Hang

TREATY BETWEEN HER MAJESTY, THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA, AND THE

EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH, GUARANTEEING THE INDEPENDENCE AND

INTEGRITY OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE.

_Signed at Paris, April 15, 1856._

_Ratifications exchanged at Paris, April 29, 1856._

Art. I. The High Contracting Parties guarantee, jointly and severally,

the independence and the integrity of the Ottoman Empire, recorded in

the Treaty concluded at Paris on the thirtieth of March, one thousand

eight hundred and fifty-six.

Art. II. Any infraction of the stipulations of the said Treaty will be

considered by the Powers signing the present Treaty as _casus belli_.

They will come to an understanding with the Sublime Porte as to the

measures which have become necessary, and will without delay determine

among themselves as to the employment of their military and naval

forces.

* * * * *

THE DENUNCIATION OF THE TREATY OF PARIS.

EARL GRANVILLE TO SIR A. BUCHANAN.

FOREIGN OFFICE, _Nov. 10, 1870_.

Sir,--Baron Brunnow made to me yesterday the communication respecting

the Convention between the Emperor of Russia and the Sultan, limiting

their naval forces in the Black Sea, signed at Paris on the 30th of

March, 1856, to which you allude in your telegram of yesterday

afternoon.

In my despatch of yesterday I gave you an account of what passed between

us, and I now propose to observe upon Prince Gortschakoff's despatches

of the 19th and 20th ult., communicated to me by the Russian Ambassador

on that occasion.

Prince Gortschakoff declares, on the part of His Imperial Majesty, that

the Treaty of 1856 has been infringed in various respects to the

prejudice of Russia, and more especially in the case of the

Principalities, against the explicit protest of his representative, and

that, in consequence of these infractions, Russia is entitled to

renounce those stipulations of the Treaty which directly touch her

interests.

It is then announced that she will no longer be bound by the Treaties

which restrict her rights of sovereignty in the Black Sea.

We have here an allegation that certain facts have occurred which, in

the judgment of Russia, are at variance with certain stipulations of the

Treaty, and the assumption is made that Russia, upon the strength of her

own judgment as to the character of those facts, is entitled to release

herself from certain other stipulations of that instrument.

This assumption is limited in its practical application to some of the

provisions of the Treaty, but the assumption of a right to renounce any

one of its terms involves the assumption of a right to renounce the

whole.

This statement is wholly independent of the reasonableness or

unreasonableness, on its own merits, of the desire of Russia to be

released from the observation of the stipulations of the Treaty of 1856

respecting the Black Sea.

For the question is, in whose hand lies the power of releasing one or

more of the parties from all or any of these stipulations?

It has always been held that that right belongs only to the Governments

who have been parties to the original instrument.

The despatches of Prince Gortschakoff appear to assume that any one of

the Powers who have signed the engagement may allege that occurrences

have taken place which in its opinion are at variance with the

provisions of the Treaty; and, although this view is not shared nor

admitted by the co-signatory Powers, may found upon that allegation, not

a request to those Governments for the consideration of the case, but an

announcement to them that it has emancipated itself, or holds itself

emancipated, from any stipulations of the Treaty which it thinks fit to

disprove. Yet it is quite evident that the effect of such doctrine, and

of any proceeding which, with or without avowal, is founded upon it, is

to bring the entire authority and efficacy of Treaties under the

discretionary control of each one of the Powers who may have signed

them; the result of which would be the entire destruction of Treaties in

their essence. For whereas their whole object is to bind Powers to one

another, and for this purpose each one of the parties surrenders a

portion of its free agency, by the doctrine and proceeding now in

question one of the parties, in its separate and individual capacity,

may bring back the entire subject into its own control, and remains

bound only to itself.

Accordingly, Prince Gortschakoff has announced in these despatches the

intention of Russia to continue to observe certain of the provisions of

the Treaty. However satisfactory this might be in itself, it is

obviously an expression of the free will of that Power, which it might

at any time alter or withdraw; and in this it is thus open to the same

objections as the other portions of the communications, because it

implies the right of Russia to annul the Treaty on the ground of

allegations of which she constitutes herself the only judge.

The question therefore arises, not whether any desire expressed by

Russia ought to be carefully examined in a friendly spirit by the

co-signatory Powers, but whether they are to accept from her the

announcement that, by her own act, without any consent from them, she

has released herself from a solemn covenant.

I need scarcely say that Her Majesty's Government have received this

communication with deep regret, because it opens a discussion which

might unsettle the cordial understanding it has been their earnest

endeavour to maintain with the Russian Empire; and for the

above-mentioned reasons it is impossible for Her Majesty's Government to

give any sanction, on their part, to the course announced by Prince

Gortschakoff.

If, instead of such a declaration, the Russian Government had addressed

Her Majesty's Government and the other Powers who are parties to the

Treaty of 1856, and had proposed for consideration with them, whether

anything has occurred which could be held to amount to an infraction of

the Treaty, or whether there is anything in the terms which, from

altered circumstances, presses with undue severity upon Russia, or

which, in the course of events, had become unnecessary for the due

protection of Turkey, Her Majesty's Government would not have refused to

examine the question in concert with the co-signatories to the Treaty.

Whatever might have been the result of such communications, a risk of

future complications and a very dangerous precedent as to the validity

of international obligations would have been avoided.

I am, &c.,

(Signed) GRANVILLE.

P.S.--You will read and give a copy of this despatch to Prince

Gortschakoff.

* * * * *

PRINCE GORTSCHAKOFF TO BARON BRUNNOW.

CZARSKOE SELO, _8 (20) November, 1870_.

M. le Baron,--The English Ambassador has read to and given me a copy of

a despatch of Lord Granville relating to our communications of the 19th

(31) of October.

I have hastened to place it before His Majesty the Emperor. It has

pleased our August Master to notice, first, the earnest desire of the

Cabinet of London to maintain a cordial understanding between England

and Russia, and secondly, the assurance that it would not refuse to

examine the modifications which circumstances have caused in the results

of the Treaty of 1856. As regards the view of strict right laid down by

Lord Granville we do not wish to enter into any discussion, recall any

precedent, or cite any example, because such a debate would not conduce

to the understanding that we desire.

Our August Master has had an imperative duty to fulfil towards his

country, without wishing to wound or threaten any of the Governments who

signed the Treaty of 1856. On the contrary, His Imperial Majesty appeals

to their sentiments of justice, and to the consciousness of their own

dignity.

We regret to see that Lord Granville dwells chiefly on the form of our

communications. It was not done by our choice. Assuredly, we should have

desired nothing better than to arrive at the result in harmony with the

Powers who signed the Treaty of 1856. But Her Britannic Majesty's

principal Secretary of State well knows that all the efforts repeatedly

made to unite the Powers in a common deliberation, in order to do away

with the causes of complication which trouble the general peace, have

constantly failed. The prolongation of the actual crisis, and the

absence of a regular Power in France, remove still further the

possibility of such an union. Meanwhile, the position of Russia by this

Treaty has become more and more intolerable. Lord Granville will allow

that the Europe of to-day is very different from that which signed the

Act of 1856. It was impossible that Russia should consent to remain

indefinitely bound by a transaction which, already onerous when

concluded, lost its guarantees from day to day.

Our August Master knows his duty towards his country too well to impose

on it any longer an obligation against which the national feeling

protests.

We cannot admit that the abrogation of a theoretical principle without

immediate application, which only restores to Russia a right of which no

other nation would be deprived, can be considered as a menace to peace,

or that the annulment of one point in the Treaty implies the annulment

of the whole.

Such has never been the intention of the Imperial Cabinet. On the

contrary, our communications of the 19th (31st) of October declare in

the most explicit manner that His Majesty the Emperor adheres entirely

to the general principles of the Treaty of 1856, and that he is ready to

come to an understanding with the Powers who signed that transaction,

either by confirming the general stipulations, or by renewing them, or

by substituting for them any other equitable arrangement which will be

considered fitting to ensure tranquillity in the East, and the

equilibrium of Europe. There seems to be no reason why the Cabinet of

London, if agreeable to it, should not enter into explanations with

those who signed the Treaty of 1856.

On our part, we are ready to join in any deliberation having for its

object the general guarantees for consolidating the peace of the East.

We are sure that this peace would receive additional security if a

permanent cause of irritation now existing between the two Powers most

directly interested in it was removed and their mutual relations were

resettled on a good and solid understanding.

You are requested, M. le Baron, to read and give a copy of this despatch

to Lord Granville.

The principal Secretary of State of Her Britannic Majesty has expressed

to you the regret he would experience if this discussion would alter the

good understanding which the Government of Her Majesty the Queen has

striven to maintain between the two countries. Will you inform his

Excellency how much the Imperial Cabinet would share in this regret.

We think the good understanding of the two Governments essentially

useful to the two countries, as well as to the peace of the world. It is

with a lively satisfaction that we have seen it become during the last

few years more and more intimate and cordial.

The parity of the circumstances in which we are placed seem of a kind to

render this more desirable than ever.

Receive, &c.,

GORTSCHAKOFF.

* * * * *

EARL GRANVILLE TO SIR A. BUCHANAN.

FOREIGN OFFICE, _Nov. 28_.

Sir,--The Russian Ambassador has read and given to me a copy of a

despatch of Prince Gortschakoff of the date of 8th (20th) November.

It is not necessary for Her Majesty's Government to recur to the

important questions of international law raised by the circular of

Prince Gortschakoff, as they have nothing to add to the declaration on

the subject which they have already made.

His Excellency has been good enough to appeal to my knowledge of facts

which His Excellency states prevented that consultation and agreement

with other parties to this Treaty which Russia would have preferred.

I am aware that suggestions for Congresses to settle other European

questions have been made and not adopted.

It has been also stated to me that intimations have been given to some

of my predecessors, that in the case of certain contingencies, which

however have never occurred, such as the possession of the

Principalities by Austria, Russia would feel bound to call into question

some of the provisions of the Treaty of 1856. But I am ignorant of any

occasion on which Russia, the party most interested, has proposed in any

way to this country that a relaxation of the Treaty should be taken into

consideration.

I cannot therefore admit that the Imperial Government can justify this

proceeding by the failure of efforts which have never been made.

The courteous language in which Prince Gortschakoff's despatch is

written, his assurance of the manner in which he would have preferred to

open this question, and his declaration of the strong desire for a

confirmation of good relations between the two nations, particularly

important at this time, encourage Her Majesty's Government in the belief

that the obstacle to such relations will be removed.

They observe that His Excellency describes the declaration which has

been made by Russia as an abrogation of a theoretical principle without

immediate application. If these words are to be construed into an

announcement that Russia has formed and stated her own opinion of her

rights, but has no intention of acting in conformity with it without due

concert with the other Powers, they go far to close the controversy in

which the two Governments have been engaged.

Her Majesty's Government have no objection to accept the invitation

which has been made by Prussia to a Conference, upon the understanding

that it is assembled without any foregone conclusions as to its results.

In such case Her Majesty's Government will be glad to consider with

perfect fairness, and the respect due to a great and friendly Power, any

proposals which Russia may have to make.

You will read and give a copy of this despatch to Prince Gortschakoff.

I am, &c.,

(Signed) GRANVILLE.

* * * * *

THE CONFERENCE OF 1871.

HANG

THE RESULT OF THE DENUNCIATION OF THE TREATY OF PARIS BY

RUSSIA WAS THAT A CONFERENCE, SUGGESTED BY PRINCE BISMARCK,

WAS ARRANGED TO MEET AT LONDON.

PROTOCOL NO. 1.

_At the Sitting of January 17._

Earl Granville expressed himself as follows:--

Earl Granville--

"The Conference has been accepted by all the co-signatory Powers of the

Treaty of 1856, for the purpose of examining, without any foregone

conclusion, and of discussing with perfect freedom, the proposals which

Russia desires to make to us with regard to the revision which she asks

of the stipulations of the said Treaty relative to the neutralization of

the Black Sea.

"This unanimity furnishes a striking proof that the Powers recognize

that it is an essential principle of the law of nations that none of

them can liberate itself from the engagements of a treaty, nor modify

the stipulations thereof, unless with the consent of the contracting

parties by means of an amicable understanding."

The Plenipotentiary of Russia requested the permission of the

Conference to read a summary which he wished to be inserted in the

Protocol:--

"He instanced specially the precedent of the Conferences held at

different periods in Paris, and cited the decisions adopted by

general agreement with the view of modifying the Government of the

Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, an alteration which

received the sanction of the Sublime Porte, as well as the assent

of the other Contracting Powers.

"He affirmed that these deviations from the Treaty have exercised

no influence on the firm intention of the Emperor to maintain

intact the general principles of the Treaty of 1856, which have

defined the position of Turkey in the system of Europe.

"In fact, these stipulations, suggested at another period under the

influence of conjunctures entirely different from the present

situation are no longer in harmony with the relations of good

neighbourhood which exist at this moment between the two Riverain

Powers."

ANNEX.

The Plenipotentiaries of North Germany, of Austria-Hungary, of Great

Britain, of Italy, of Russia, and of Turkey, assembled to-day in

Conference, recognize that it is an essential principle of the law of

nations that no Power can liberate itself from the engagements of a

treaty, nor modify the stipulations thereof, unless with the consent

Powers by means of an amicable arrangement.

In faith of which the said Plenipotentiaries have signed the present

Protocol.

Done at London, the 17th January, 1871.

(Signed) BERNSTORFF.

APPONYI.

GRANVILLE.

CADORNA.

BRUNNOW.

MUSURUS.

BROGLIE.

March 13, 1871.

INDEX.

Adams, Brigadier-General, at Inkerman, 169

_Adelaide_, the, her arrival in Balaklava, 201

_Agamemnon_, the, her orders for sailing, 81;

enters Balaklava, and attacks the fort, 137

Airey, General Sir R., his encampment, 42;

superseded, 423

Aladyn, encampment at, 42, 46

Alexander, Colonel, 128

Alexander, Dr., 8

Allied armies, assembled at Varna, 50;

military review of the, 51;

their great losses in killed and wounded, 341;

their preparation for winter quarters, 379;

error of their campaign, 494, 495.

See _French_, and _Soldiers_

Alma, the river, halt of the Allied forces at,

and preparations for the battle of, 98;

account of the battle, 102 _et seq._;

position of the Russians on, 106;

the Allies victorious, 120;

retreat of the Russians from, _ib._;

military conduct of the battle of, 121;

state of the battle-field, 483;

telegraph at, 486;

position and attack at, 486, 487;

bitter reflections on the battle, _ib._;

graves at, 489;

frightful losses at, 490;

its entrenchments, _ib._;

monument at, 491

Aloupka, visit to, 482;

the Colonel of, _ib._;

dinner at, _ib._

Aloushta, 476;

visits to, 479

Ambalaki, capture of, 268

Ambulance corps, wretchedness of the, 199;

disbanded, 378

Ambulances, their great utility, 363;

superiority of the English ones, 439

Anderson, Captain, 42, 87

Araba drivers, their disappearance from Roumelia and Bulgaria, 201

Arabas, arrival of, with provisions, 97

Arabat, Spit of, 277, 496;

unsuccessful attack on the fortress of, _ib._

Armies of the Russians and the Allies, condition of the, 303;

their respective positions before Sebastopol, 305;

general state of the, 469

Armistice, for the burial of the dead, and

interchange of civilities during the, 228, 246, 267;

sad scenes during the, 295;

news of, from the respective governments, 457;

mutual visits after the, 458 _et seq._;

agreed to, 462;

followed by peace, 467

Arms, a gallant feat of, 258, 259

Army, British, its distressed position at Varna, 62;

its different divisions, and General Commander, 87;

its improved condition, 238;

its concentrated attack on Sebastopol, 351 _et seq._;

its amount of armament in the bombardment of Sebastopol, 336 _et seq._;

jealousies in the, 385, 386;

preparations for its winter encampment, 420.

See _Crimea_, and _Soldiers_

Artillery, duel of, 249;

its powerful effects, 463

Athens, Gulf of, 12

Athos, Mount, 12

Autemarre, General d', the French Commander in the Sea of Azoff, 265.

Azoff, expedition to the Sea of, 265;

capture of Yenikale, 268;

operations in the, 270 _et seq._;

destruction of the Russian shipping, &c., 280;

complete success of the expedition, 281;

purity of its water, 496

Baidar, miserable state of, 475

Bakschiserai, retreat of the Russians to, 131;

visit to, 472;

miserable state of, 474

Balaklava, march of the expedition to, 137;

a poor village, _ib._;

surrender of the town, _ib._;

cholera at, 138;

intended attack of the Russians on, 156;

fortified earthworks thrown around, 166;

hurricane at, 180 _et seq._;

miserable condition of, 191, 192;

dreadful scenes among the Turks in, 192;

false alarm at, 193;

improvements in, 235;

general state of, 250;

movements in front of, 325;

its singular aspect, 375;

discipline in the harbour of, 450;

improvements in, _ib._

Baltschik, rendezvous of the expedition in, 70, 71

Barnard, General, appointed chief of the staff, 305;

his meeting with the Russians, 458

Bashi-Bazouks, their military characteristics, 51;

their encampment, 52;

disbanded, 57

Batteries before Sebastopol, 214, 215;

relative position and strength of the, 336 _et seq._

Bayonet, sanguinary charge with the, at Inkerman, 169, 170;

contests with the, 255, 259;

reluctance to charge with the, 347

Bazancourt's strictures on the Allied forces, 97-100

Beatty, the engineer, his death, 250

Belbek, the river, 132;

scenery of the, _ib._;

barrier of the, 133;

arrival of the Allied troops at, _ib._;

false alarm at, 135;

deliberations at, 136;

march from the, _ib._;

heights of the, 484;

cantonments on the, _ib._

Bell, Captain, his gallantry at Alma, 114

Bentinck, Major-General Sir H., lands at Eupatoria, 86;

his orders relative to the services of the fourth division, 392

Berdiansk, attack on, 270

Birds, crowds of, on board ship, 9, 10;

Crimean varieties, 233

Bizot, General, killed, 252

Black River, the, 133;

gorge of the, 166

Black Sea, entrance of the expedition into the, 39

Blane, Major, 183

Bombardment of Sebastopol, 250 _et seq._;

terrible effects of the, 335, 338 _et seq._

See _Sebastopol_

Bomb-shells of the Russians, 248, 343

Bonaparte, Emperor, his intended visit to the Crimea, 260

Bono Johnnies, 53, 54, 175

Bosphorus, arrival of the British troops in the, 23;

scenery of the, 37, 38

Bosquet, General, commander of the second division of the French, 56;

his command at the Alma, 98;

his bravery, 102, 103;

at the Tchernaya, 155;

at Inkerman, 172

Bouljanæk, affair at, 94 _et seq._

Bouet Willaumez, the French Admiral, 487

Boussiniere, his bravery at Alma, 103

Boxer, Admiral, commander of Balaklava, 210;

his improvements at Balaklava, 239

British soldiers, their devoted heroism, 2, 3

British troops, their disembarkation at Eupatoria, 84.

See _Soldiers_

The enemy decided upon beating a retreat, leaving more than 3,000 dead,