The fifth bombardment of Sebastopol commenced at daylight on the 17th.
of August, the fire being directed against the Malakoff and Redan, which
continued throughout the day: the Russian fire, which at first replied
briskly became feeble by the evening. The fire[172] from the batteries
of the allies was reported by General Simpson, in his despatch of the
21st. of August, to have been very effective, and the result attained to
have been sufficient to enable the works against the place to progress
satisfactorily.
On the night of the 30th. of August, the enemy’s pickets made a rush at
the advanced trench, upset a few gabions, and killed Lieutenant Preston,
of the 97th. In this affair Captain Pechell, of the 77th., who commanded
the advanced party, and Lieutenant-Colonel Bunbury, of the 23rd.
regiment, who commanded the supports, behaved with great gallantry.
The brightness of the nights prevented a large amount of work being
executed, and what was performed became a task of great difficulty. By
the 1st. of September the head of the sap was about one hundred and
fifty yards from the salient of the Redan, and the garrison interrupted
the work by all possible means.