During Easter Sunday, the 8th. of April, 1855, the busy hum of
preparation might be heard in the allied camp, the second bombardment of
Sebastopol having been resolved on for the morrow. Showers had been
frequent during the day, and in the evening there was heavy rain; the
trenches in consequence became flooded, and in more than one battery the
drenched soldiers were standing in eight inches of water; this
comfortless position was not improved by the darkness of the night and
the gale which was blowing. A thick fog and drizzling mist heralded in
the morning of the 9th. of April, which prevented the enemy’s works from
being seen; but about half-past five the outlines of the Redan and
Malakoff were discerned, the mist having partially cleared. A few
minutes afterwards and the first gun fired from the British batteries,
was followed almost immediately by the whole of the right and left
attacks, with the single exception of No. 9 battery, right attack; and
on the French attacks commencing, the south side of Sebastopol was
environed by the fire of the allies. The fleet had no share in this
bombardment.
It was evident that the besieged were taken by surprise, as for a short
interval they did not return a shot, and it was almost six o’clock
before anything like a general fire was opened by the enemy. Heavy rain
fell throughout the day, and the southerly wind driving the smoke from
the allied batteries over the town, completely concealed it and
prevented the effect of the fire being observed. Towards one o’clock a
somewhat brisker fire was opened by the enemy, which was immediately
checked by the British and French batteries. When the mist was somewhat
dispelled, towards three in the afternoon, these works were noticed to
be considerably injured. Towards evening the fire of both parties, as if
by consent, slackened, but at daylight on the following morning the fire
was resumed from all the batteries, to which the enemy vigorously
responded. By ten o’clock, the sun, so long a stranger, burst out, and
the heavy rain subsided. The fire of the Malakoff was considerably
lessened, while that of the Mamelon was soon checked; not so that of the
Redan, which still continued formidable. The fleets advanced at mid-day,
on the 11th. of April, but did not attack. Both officers and men of the
Royal Artillery now became exhausted, having had only two reliefs since
the afternoon of the 8th., and their unparalleled exertions and overwork
began to tell upon them. So swollen were the men’s feet from being
constantly wet that they were fearful of not being able to get on their
boots again if they attempted to take them off. Nevertheless both
officers and men toiled on with persevering resolution, and few gave up,
although many were fitter for the hospital than for these trying duties.
Another day dawned, and the 12th., as the others, opened with fire. But
the Russians, like the shoes of the dancing princesses in the
fairy-tale, seemed to be as fresh as ever, their resources appearing
inexhaustible; and their courage and determination being fully equal to
the emergency. The mornings of the 13th., 14th., 15th., and 16th. of
April, witnessed the repetition of the previous ones, and the day after
orders were received from Lord Raglan to lessen the fire from all the
batteries, which was nearly confined to that from the mortars, some of
the guns firing daily about eight rounds. The Russians also ceased
firing.
Thus the second bombardment of Sebastopol terminated without any decided
result. Eight days’ incessant firing had not succeeded in silencing the
fire of the Russians, or in destroying their works, although some of the
heaviest guns and mortars ever employed on a like occasion, had been
served with a precision, zeal, and determination unequalled in any
siege, but had not produced that permanent effect which might have been
anticipated from its constancy, power, and accuracy. The advantages
obtained daily over the Malakoff and Mamelon, were, as before adverted
to, repaired by night, and their fire was not sufficiently subdued to
justify an assault being attempted. Forty-seven thousand eight hundred
and fifty-four rounds of ammunition (thirty-two thousand five hundred
and sixty-eight shot, and fifteen thousand two hundred and eighty-six
shell) had been expended during this second bombardment, which lasted
from the 9th. to the 16th. of April, both days inclusive.