Large rifle-pits having been made by the Russians in front of the
advanced works of the British right attack, it became necessary to
dislodge them. One of these rifle-pits was gallantly taken during the
night of the 19th. of April. The resistance of the enemy, although
obstinate, was speedily overcome by the impetuosity of the troops, and
the pit was, without the loss of a moment, connected with the British
approach, thereby furnishing protection to the working party to continue
its labours without interruption for a considerable time. At the
interval, however, of about three hours, the enemy brought a heavy fire
of artillery and musketry upon the party in advance of the pit, into
which they retired, and which they effectually defended and maintained;
but this brilliant achievement was not accomplished without considerable
sacrifice of life. Colonel Egerton, of the 77th., was killed when
forming troops for the support of those on the extreme advance; and
Captain Lemprière, of the same regiment, fell in the first affair; in
which also, Colonel Egerton received a contusion that only incapacitated
him from duty for a few minutes. Five officers were wounded, three of
them dangerously. A second rifle-pit was abandoned by the enemy on the
following night, and not being required, was filled up by the British.
The other rifle-pits were connected with each other and the quarries.
The “Staff Officer” relates the following characteristic anecdote, in
reference to the rifle-pits.—“A drummer-boy of the 77th. regiment went
with his comrades in the first rush agains the enemy’s pits, when he saw
a Russian trumpet-boy trying to clamber over the parapet in order to get
away. He was immediately collared by our drummer, who, having no arms,
began to pummel him in truly British fashion. The Russian boy, not
understanding this mode of treatment, tried to grapple with him, but in
this he signally failed, as the English boy threw him on the ground,
made him a prisoner and took his trumpet from him. He afterwards gave it
to Sir George Brown, who liberally rewarded him, and praised him much
for his courage and daring. Lord Raglan, hearing of the circumstance,
also made the boy a present.”
During the night of the 5th. of May, the enemy assaulted the advanced
parallel on the right attack, and some actually got into the trench; but
they were speedily driven out and repulsed with the utmost gallantry, by
the detachments occupying it, of the 30th. and 49th. regiments, under
Captain Williamson and Lieutenant Gubbins, of the former, and Lieutenant
Rochfort, of the latter, who was severely wounded. On the same night
Captain Arnold, of the 4th. Foot, was wounded and taken prisoner whilst
posting the advanced sentries of the left attack, and died of his
wounds. Lord Raglan stated that “the loss of the services of this
officer is greatly to be lamented. He had done his duty unremittingly,
and in the most spirited manner, throughout the operations of the
siege.”
Two serious assaults were made by the enemy upon the most advanced
parallel of the right attack, during the night of the 9th. of May, but
they were, on each occasion, most nobly met, and repulsed with
considerable loss.
During the following night the Russians opened a powerful fire on the
trenches, and exposed their columns to a heavy musketry fire from the
troops on duty. They did not, however, reach the parapets, nor approach
very near them.
On the night of the 11th. of May, a very determined sortie was made upon
the advance of the left attack. The enemy moved forward in two columns
from the Woronzoff road. The advanced sentries having slowly retired,
the guard of the trenches was prepared to receive them, and drove them
back in the most determined manner. A few Russians only got into the
parallel, and five were left dead close outside.
One of the most memorable events of the month was the presentation of
the Crimean Medal by Her Majesty to the officers and men of the troops,
and of the Naval Brigade and Marines, who, from ill-health, or on
account of wounds, had returned from the seat of war. The Queen had
already shown her interest for the wounded, by visiting them in
hospital, and this requital of their valour was a becoming sequel. Never
had such an honour been thus conferred; and it was a most touching sight
to witness the officers and men, many of whom by their pallid
countenances or maimed limbs, affectingly appealed to the sympathy of
all, receiving from their Sovereign’s own hands the well-earned guerdon
of bravery; they represented, as it were, their brethren in arms before
the beleaguered city, and the recital of this day’s proceedings must
have exercised a great effect upon the troops before Sebastopol,
although it was no new thing for them to experience the Queen’s
consideration.
This interesting ceremony took place on the parade of the Horse Guards,
on the 18th. of May, 1855, in the presence of numerous spectators,
including the members of the Royal Family, and of both Houses of
Parliament, for whom galleries were erected, as well as for the
fortunate persons who were enabled to obtain tickets. Every exertion was
made to accommodate as many as possible, and the ceremony, which was of
a most impressive and affecting character, is not one easily to be
forgotten.
Colonel Sir Thomas Troubridge, Bart., of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers, who
lost both his feet at Inkermann, and Captain Sayer, of the 23rd., who
had the ankle joint of his right leg shot away at the Alma, were drawn
in wheeled chairs. Captain Currie, of the 19th. regiment, desperately
wounded at the Alma, approached on crutches, with his disabled leg
supported by a soldier. To these, as to many other officers whose wounds
still crippled them, the Queen addressed expressions of kind
commiseration, and Sir Thomas was appointed one of her aides-de-camp.
The recipients of the medal were subsequently marched to Buckingham
Palace, in the riding-house of which the men partook of a substantial
repast, during which the Queen and royal party visited them. The
officers were entertained at luncheon in the palace. Until the
announcement of dinner the whole were permitted to walk in the gardens
of the palace, and there, likewise, Her Majesty encouraged them in their
enjoyment by her presence and sympathy. The formation of the troops was
superintended by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who had been
compelled, through ill-health, to return to England.
Renewed exertions were made during this month by the allies, the railway
which had been constructed proving of immense benefit. The enemy at the
same time were actively employed in covering their advanced works; they
constructed a new battery on their left of Mamelon, and troops were
constantly in motion on the north side. A welcome reinforcement had
arrived, in the shape of a portion of the Sardinian troops. The
expedition which had been embarked early in May, for Kertch, and
countermanded, again sailed on the 22nd. of May, and was attended with
complete success. It was composed of British, French, and Turkish
troops, commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, and Admiral
Sir Edmund Lyons,[171] the French being under General D’Autremarre.
The forts were forced, and the magazines were exploded by the Russians
themselves; but all their guns, an immense quantity of corn, grain,
munitions of war, naval stores, and military equipments, fell into the
hands of the troops. A most serious blow to the enemy was thus effected,
and the whole coast of the Crimea became open to the allies, and the
difficult route through Perekop was the only road by which
reinforcements or provisions could be sent to the troops in Sebastopol.
After leaving a sufficient garrison, principally Turks, in Kertch and
Yenikale, the greater portion of the troops returned to Balaklava on the
15th. of June. It was a matter of congratulation that so much was
effected without loss of life.
An expedition to Anapa was in course of preparation, when on the 5th. of
June, the Russians withdrew from that place, and thus abandoned their
last stronghold on the coast of Circassia.