Every heart beat high with expectation on the 16th. of October, for on
the morrow was to commence the first bombardment of Sebastopol, and at
half-past six o’clock on the morning of that day one hundred and
twenty-six pieces of ordnance from the French and British batteries
opened their fire on the fortress. The tower of the Malakoff by ten
o’clock had become untenable, and all its guns had been either damaged
or dismounted, whilst the earthen battery round it had slackened its
fire. Five hours afterwards the Redan was so considerably injured by an
explosion in its rear, that only three guns remained standing; during
the afternoon several explosions occurred in the lines of the army.
It was not until one o’clock that the allied fleets commenced their
share in the fray. At this period the French batteries had ceased
firing, two of their magazines having exploded, which completely
disabled two of their batteries. Thus the Russians directed their whole
attention to the British lines, and such of their guns, relieved from
the French bombardment, as could be turned against the British batteries
were brought to bear thereon, but the latter did not suspend their fire
until evening. A determined sortie was made by the Russians against the
extreme left of the French, between four and five o’clock in the
afternoon, but, after displaying great gallantry, they were compelled to
retire.
The ammunition expended from the mortars and guns during the bombardment
of the 17th. of October, amounted to twenty-one thousand eight hundred
and eighty-one rounds, of which two thousand seven hundred and
forty-five were from mortars. Each of the shells from the Lancaster guns
cost about £25, and three hundred and seventy were fired on this
occasion, which alone made it a costly proceeding.
Shortly after daybreak on the 18th. of October the British batteries
re-opened their fire, and continued it during the day. This was replied
to by a formidable fire from the Russians, who had repaired the works
and re-mounted the guns in the famous Redan. The French were employed in
repairing their batteries, and were therefore not in a position to
assist, so that the British stood alone in this day’s cannonade. On the
following morning, the French having succeeded in that respect, the
whole of the Anglo-French lines renewed the bombardment. It however
became evident that Sebastopol could not be assaulted so early as was at
first anticipated, and consequently many changes in the works of attack
had to be made; the fire of the Russians continued such as to prevent
the principal alterations being effected otherwise than during the
night.
A naval brigade of over a thousand men, with fifty heavy guns, had been
landed from the fleet, and took part in the bombardment. In the attack
by the fleet it was arranged that the English should take the north side
of the harbour, the French the south, the Turkish ships being in the
centre. The English sailing ships were placed in their proper positions
by steamers lashed alongside; the “Albion” by the “Firebrand,” the
“London” by the “Niger,” “Britannia” by “Furious,” “Queen” by
“Vesuvius,” “Trafalgar” by “Retribution,” “Vengeance” by “Highflyer,”
“Rodney” by “Spitfire,” “Bellerophon” by “Cyclops,” and “Arethusa” by
the “Triton.” The “Terrible,” “Tribune,” “Samson,” “Sphinx,” “Spitfire,”
and “Lynx” took up independent positions, and engaged principally the
forts and earthworks on the cliff to the north of Fort Constantine. The
French ships were first engaged; and about two p.m. the “Agamemnon,”
Admiral Sir E. Lyons, piloted by the steam tender “Circassian,” Master
E. Bale, who had volunteered for the service, anchored, amidst a storm
of shot and shell, about 750 yards from Fort Constantine, in five
fathoms water, and opened her fire. A few minutes afterwards, the
“Sanspareil” (Captain Dacres), and the “London” (Captain Eden), anchored
astern, followed soon after by the “Albion” (Captain Lushington), and
most ably supported Sir Edmund, who from his position was exposed to a
cross fire from the forts. The action became general, but after an
hour’s furious cannonading the Albion and London, much shattered, hauled
off to a greater distance, and the Russians concentrated their fire on
the Agamemnon, but the greater part of their shot (the ship lying so
close to the forts), fortunately struck her rigging instead of her hull.
As it was, she was almost reduced to a wreck, every spar being more or
less damaged, her rigging hanging in shreds, and her main top and
hammock nettings on fire. The “Queen,” “Rodney,” and “Bellerophon,” by
signal, bore down to support her, but the Queen being set on fire by a
shell was towed out again, and the Rodney ran aground under Fort
Constantine, but was got off by the exertions of her own crew, and
Commander Kynaston in the Spiteful. The engagement continued till dusk,
and soon after six p.m. the ships drew off, when darkness had compelled
the combatants to cease firing. The loss in the fleet was forty-four men
killed, and two hundred and sixty-six wounded, and two of the ships, the
Albion and Arethusa, had suffered so much in their hulls and rigging
that they were sent to Malta to be repaired. The French had more ships
disabled, but their loss in men was less, and the Turks escaped with but
trifling damage. The result of the contest was not satisfactory. It was
a trial of strength between stone and wood, and stone proved itself the
stronger.
ACTION AT BALAKLAVA.
25TH. OCTOBER, 1854.
The toils, difficulties, and sameness of trench life were shortly to be
varied by a conflict which will ever be memorable in British military
annals, occurring to, as it did, on the anniversary of one of England’s
remarkable victories, that of Agincourt. The low range of heights
traversing the plain at the bottom of which Balaklava is situated, was
protected by four small redoubts, hastily constructed. Of these, three
had guns; and on a higher hill, in front of the village of Kamara, in
advance of the right flank of the British, a work of somewhat more
importance was established. No other force being disposable, the several
redoubts were garrisoned by Turkish troops. The only British regiment in
the plain, with the exception of a portion of a battalion of
detachments, composed of weakly men, and a battery of artillery
belonging to the third division, was the 93rd. Highlanders. On the
heights, behind the right, were placed the Marines, who had been landed
from the fleet by Vice-Admiral Dundas. The whole of these, including the
Turkish troops, were under the immediate orders of Major-General Sir
Colin Campbell, who had been taken, with the 93rd. from the first
division.
At an early hour on the morning of the 25th. of October, the enemy
attacked the position in front of Balaklava. Lord Raglan, in
consequence, withdrew from before Sebastopol the first and fourth
divisions, commanded by Lieutenant-Generals His Royal Highness the Duke
of Cambridge and the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, and brought them
down into the plain. General Canrobert subsequently reinforced these
troops with the first division of French infantry and the Chasseurs
d’Afrique.
The first operation of the enemy was the attack on the work on the
British side of the village of Kamara, which, after very little
resistance, they carried; they likewise obtained possession of the three
others in contiguity to it, being opposed only in one, and that but for
a very short space of time. The farthest of the three they did not
retain, but the immediate abandonment of the others enabled them to take
possession of the guns in them, amounting in the whole to seven. Those
in the three lesser forts were spiked by the one English artilleryman
who was in each.
Advancing in great strength, supported by artillery, the Russian cavalry
appeared on the scene. One portion of them assailed the front and right
flank of the 93rd., but were instantly driven back by the vigorous and
steady fire of that distinguished regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Ainslie. The other, and larger mass, turned towards the heavy cavalry,
and afforded Brigadier-General the Honourable James Yorke Scarlett,
under the guidance of Lieutenant-General the Earl of Lucan, the
opportunity of inflicting upon them a most signal defeat.
Notwithstanding that the ground was anything but favourable for the
attack of the dragoons, no obstacle could check their advance, and they
charged into the Russian column, which, although far superior in
numbers, soon sought safety in flight.
No writer has surpassed Mr. Russell’s description of this exciting
scene.[159] “As lightning flashes through a cloud, the Greys and
Enniskilleners pierced through the dark masses of Russians. The shock
was but for a moment. There was a clash of steel and a light play of
sword-blades in the air, and then the Greys and the red-coats
disappeared in the midst of the shaken and quivering columns. In another
moment we saw them emerging with diminished numbers, and in broken
order, charging against the second line. It was a terrible moment. ‘God
help them! they are lost!’ was the exclamation of more than one man, and
the thought of many. With unabated fire the noble hearts dashed at their
enemy. It was a fight of heroes. The first line of Russians, which had
been utterly smashed by our charge, and had fled off at one flank and
towards the centre, were coming back to swallow up our handful of men.
By sheer steel and sheer courage Enniskillener and Scot were winning
their desperate way right through the enemy’s squadron, and already grey
horses and red-coats had appeared right at the rear of the second mass,
when, with irresistible force, like one bolt from a bow, the 4th.
Dragoon Guards, riding straight at the right flank of the Russians, and
the 5th. Dragoon Guards, following close after the Enniskilleners,
rushed at the remnants of the first line of the enemy, went through it
as though it were pasteboard, and put them to utter rout.
“This Russian horse in less than five minutes after it met our dragoons,
was flying with all its speed before a force certainly not half its
strength. A cheer burst from every lip; in the enthusiasm officers and
men took off their caps, and shouted with delight; and thus keeping up
the scenic character of their position, they clapped their hands again
and again. Lord Raglan at once despatched Lieutenant Curzon,
Aide-de-Camp, to convey his congratulations to Brigadier-General
Scarlett, and to say ‘Well done!’”
Lord Raglan observed in his despatch, that “the charge of this brigade
was one of the most successful I ever witnessed; it was never for a
moment doubtful, and is in the highest degree creditable to
Brigadier-General Scarlett, and the officers and men engaged in it.”
As the Russians withdrew from the ground which they had momentarily
occupied, Lord Raglan directed the cavalry, supported by the fourth
division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart, to move forward
and take advantage of any opportunity to regain the heights. Not having
been able to accomplish this immediately, and it appearing that an
attempt was being made to remove the captured guns, the Earl of Lucan
was desired to advance rapidly, follow the enemy in their retreat, and
try to prevent them from effecting their object. Meanwhile the Russians
had time to re-form on their own ground, with artillery in front and
upon their flanks.
From some misconception of the instruction to advance, (so runs the
despatch), the Lieutenant-General considered that he was bound to attack
at all hazards, and he accordingly ordered Major-General the Earl of
Cardigan to move forward with the Light Brigade. This order was obeyed
in the most spirited and gallant manner. Lord Cardigan charged with the
utmost vigour, attacked a battery which was firing upon the advancing
squadrons, and, having passed beyond it, engaged the Russian cavalry in
its rear; but there his troops were assailed by artillery and infantry,
as well as cavalry, and necessarily retired, after having committed much
havoc upon the enemy. This movement was effected in some confusion; and
the loss sustained was severe in officers, men, and horses, only
counter-balanced by the brilliancy of the attack, and the gallantry,
order, and discipline which distinguished it, forming a striking
contrast to the conduct of the enemy’s cavalry, which had previously
been engaged with the Heavy Brigade.
The casualties in killed, wounded, and missing, in what is popularly
known as “the Death Ride,”[160] amounted to thirty-eight officers and
three hundred and fifty-six non-commissioned officers and men. Three
hundred and eighty-one horses were killed. The 93rd. Highlanders did not
sustain any loss.
It must not be omitted that the Chasseurs d’Afrique advanced on the
English left, and gallantly charging a Russian battery, checked its fire
for a time, and thus rendered an essential service to the British
cavalry.
After this the enemy made no further movement in advance, and at the
close of the day the brigade of Guards of the first division, and the
fourth division, returned to their original encampment, as did the
French troops, with the exception of one brigade of the first division,
which was left in support of Sir Colin Campbell by General Canrobert.
The remaining regiments of the Highland brigade also continued in the
valley. Sir George Cathcart, the fourth division being advanced close to
the heights, caused one of the redoubts to be re-occupied by the Turks,
affording them his support, and availed himself of the opportunity to
assist with his riflemen in silencing two of the enemy’s guns. This
redoubt had to be abandoned at nightfall, in consequence of its being so
exposed, from the enemy’s retaining possession of the two others; and
Lord Raglan, seeing that the means of defending the extensive position
which had been occupied by the Turkish troops in the morning, had proved
wholly inadequate, decided, in concurrence with General Canrobert, to
withdraw from the lower range of heights, and to concentrate the force,
which was subsequently increased by a considerable body of seamen. The
Russians, although unsuccessful in their chief object, had by their
occupation of the Turkish redoubts, obliged the British to abandon the
use of the Woronzoff road for the circuitous route by the Col de
Balaklava.