The third bombardment of Sebastopol was commenced at about half-past two
o’clock in the afternoon of the 6th. of June, instead of at daybreak as
in the two former instances. Circumstances, too, were more favourable,
for on this occasion a summer sky made the works stand out in bold
relief, instead of being veiled in rain and mist. The additional weight
of metal of the British guns, and the increase in the number of mortars,
added to the plentiful supply of ammunition in the several batteries,
augured a speedy termination of the siege. The Mamelon and Malakoff by
half-past four were nearly silenced.
The firing re-commenced at daybreak on the 7th. of June. The Russians,
with their wonted promptitude, having made good the damage sustained,
kept up a vigorous fire from the Redan and Barrack batteries, and the
Mamelon and Malakoff soon became in the same plight as before.
It was determined to make the attack on the enemy’s outworks from the
Quarries in front of the Redan, on the Mamelon, and on the Ouvrages
Blancs, during the evening; and at six o’clock, as the Anglo-French
troops formed in the trenches, a crushing fire told with great effect on
the Mamelon, which, in half an hour afterwards, was occupied by the
French. The mortars and guns were then turned on the Malakoff, towards
which the French advanced, but were driven back, and the Mamelon was
again in possession of its original owners, but after a short interval
was once more re-occupied by the French. A heavy fire was then poured
into the Malakoff until dusk.
Whilst the French had succeeded in their attack upon the Mamelon (so
named from its appearance—a rounded hill), the British had obtained
possession of the Quarries. This success was thus achieved:—On the
evening of the 7th. of June, an assault was made upon these works,
which, as their name implies, were pits from which stone had been
excavated for the buildings in the town. They were situated in front of
the Redan, from the British advanced parallel in the right attack. Their
possession was achieved with great gallantry and determination, and the
ground was maintained, notwithstanding that during the night and in the
morning of the 8th., repeated attempts were made to regain them; but
each terminated in failure, although supported by large bodies of
troops, by heavy discharges of musketry, and by every species of
offensive missile. On these occasions, overpowering numbers succeeded in
re-entering, but were each time driven back at the point of the bayonet.
The troops employed in storming the Quarries were composed of
detachments from the Light and Second Divisions, and at night they were
supported by the 62nd. regiment. The charge of holding the Quarries, and
of repelling the repeated attacks of the enemy, was confided to
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Campbell, of the 90th., after he had led the
assault, in which he was twice wounded. Colonel Shirley, of the 88th.,
acted as General of the day in the trenches of the right attack. The
55th. regiment received special commendation, and had fifty-three out of
one hundred and sixty killed and wounded. Captain Cure commanded the
party; Lieutenant Stone was killed at the head of his men, charging the
Russians in their trench with the bayonet; Captain Elton was
particularly noticed, and Lieutenants Scott and Williams were likewise
named as most active in performing their duties.
Shortly before, the French, on the right, had moved out of their
trenches, and attacked the Ouvrages Blancs, and the Mamelon. These were
carried without the smallest check, and their leading column rushed
forward and approached the Malakoff tower. This it had not been
contemplated to assail and therefore the troops were brought back, and
finally established in the enemy’s works, from which the latter did not
succeed in expelling them, notwithstanding that the fire of musketry and
cannon brought to bear upon them was tremendous. Nothing could be more
spirited and rapid than the advance of the French.
A heavy fire was opened on the morning of the 9th. of June, and it was
continued, with the exception of a truce for the burial of the dead,
which lasted from one till six o’clock. No sooner was the white flag
lowered than both sides again opened fire, the Russians having, during
the interval, mounted additional guns in the Malakoff and Redan. During
the 10th. of June, the Malakoff and Redan rarely fired more than a few
shots at long intervals. Again the bombardment was ordered to terminate,
and it was decided that the attack on the town should be deferred until
the French had established their batteries in the Mamelon. By the 16th.
of June new batteries were completed, which, it was hoped, would enable
the besiegers to resume the offensive with the utmost vigour. From the
6th. to the 14th. of June, thirty-two thousand eight hundred and
eighty-three rounds of ammunition had been expended.