Now arrived the time for the sixth and final bombardment of Sebastopol,
before which the allies had been nearly a year. It was ordered that the
firing should commence steadily on the morning of the 5th. of September,
and as the day progressed it was to be increased, it being so regulated
that a sufficient quantity of ammunition should remain for a very heavy
fire during the assault, which was to take place on the morning of the
8th. The French commenced a tremendous cannonade about five o’clock
a.m., the British batteries opening on the Redan and Malakoff. During
the 6th. and 7th. the bombardment continued, and on the morning of the
8th. the whole of the batteries were in full play. At a few minutes
before noon the French signal was given, and their columns moved to the
front. The Russians were at dinner, and the Malakoff was taken by
surprise without loss. This work was retained by the French, who
repulsed every attack to regain possession of it. The tri-colour planted
on the parapet was the signal for the British to advance; and the fire
of the artillery having made as much of a breach as possible in the
salient of the Redan, it was decided that the columns of assault should
be directed against that part, as being less exposed to the heavy
flanking fire by which the work was protected.
The arrangement for the attack were entrusted to Lieutenant-General Sir
William Codrington, who carried out the details in concert with
Lieutenant-General Markham. The Second and Light Divisions were to have
the honour of the assault, from the circumstance of their having
defended the batteries and approaches against the Redan for so many
months, and from the intimate knowledge they possessed of the ground.
The assaulting column was to be formed by equal numbers of these two
Divisions, the column of the Light Division to lead, and that of the
Second to follow.
Leaving the trenches at the preconcerted signal, the troops moved across
the ground, preceded by a covering party of two hundred men, and a
ladder party of three hundred and twenty. Upon arriving at the crest of
the ditch, and the ladders being placed, the men immediately stormed the
parapet of the Redan, and penetrated into the salient angle. Major
Welsford, of the 97th., who led the storming party, was killed, and
Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Henry Handcock, commanding the
regiment, was mortally wounded. Here a most determined and sanguinary
contest was maintained for nearly an hour, but, though supported to the
utmost, and the greatest bravery displayed, it was found impossible to
maintain the position. It was a marvel that any escaped.
Colonel Windham’s gallantry on this occasion brought that officer’s name
prominently before the public. One of his messages reached the trenches,
and the right wing of the 23rd. was in consequence ordered out by
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Codrington, when a brilliant advance was
made, and a most severe loss sustained. All was of no avail; the
soldiers of the several corps employed had displayed undaunted courage,
but unfortunately the attack was not successful.
A loss of twenty-nine officers killed, and one hundred and twenty-five
wounded, together with three hundred and fifty-six non-commissioned
officers and men killed, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-two
wounded, and one hundred and seventy-five missing, bore fatal evidence
of the severity of the struggle.
General Simpson, whilst enumerating the services of the army, did not
omit the sister service; in his despatch it was stated that “The Naval
Brigade, under the command of Captain the Honourable Henry Keppell,
aided by Captain Moorsom, and many gallant officers and seamen who have
served the guns from the commencement of the siege, merit my warmest
thanks.”
Her Majesty’s navy, commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, and ably
seconded by Sir Houstoun Stewart, received special mention. Of the
former it was stated “when at times affairs looked gloomy, and success
doubtful, he was at hand to cheer and encourage; and every assistance
that could tend to advance the operations was given with the hearty
good-will which characterizes the British sailor. Nothing has
contributed more to the present undertaking, than the cordial
co-operation which has so happily existed from the first between the two
services;” also the conduct of the Royal Engineers, and of Major-General
(afterwards Sir Harry) Jones; the latter, although suffering on a bed of
sickness, was conveyed on a litter at the eventful hour of the assault,
to witness the completion of his arduous undertakings. The Royal
Artillery, under Major-General (afterwards Sir Richard) Dacres, the
chief of the Staff, the Adjutant and Quartermaster-Generals, and General
Staff, as well as Generals commanding divisions and brigades, were all
likewise thanked for their cordial co-operation and assistance.
It was determined to renew the attack on the following morning, with the
Highlanders, to be supported by the Third Division; this was arranged by
General Simpson with Lieutenant-General Sir Colin Campbell, who
commanded the Highland Brigade, and Major-General Sir William Eyre
commanding the Third Division. The Highland Brigade occupied the
advanced trenches during the night. About 11 o’clock the enemy commenced
exploding their magazines, and Sir Colin Campbell, having ordered a
small party to advance cautiously to examine the Redan, found the work
abandoned. It was not, however, deemed necessary to occupy it until
daylight.
During the night extensive explosions were heard, and great fires were
seen in the town. It soon became known that the Russians were retiring
from the south to the north side, by means of the raft bridge recently
constructed, and which was afterwards disconnected and conveyed to the
other side. The men-of-war were all sunk during the night.
In Mrs. Henry Duberly’s “Journal kept during the Russian War” occurs the
following description of the Redan after the final contest:—“What
wonderful engineering! What ingenuity in the thick rope-work which is
woven before the guns leaving only a little hole, through which the man
laying the gun can take his aim, and which is thoroughly impervious to
rifle-shot! The Redan is a succession of little batteries, each
containing two or three guns, with traverses behind each division; and
hidden away under the gabions, sandbags, and earth, are little huts, in
which the officers and men used to live. Coats, caps, bayonets lay
about, with black bread and broken guns.”
Thus ended the great siege of Sebastopol. The fortress had fallen, but
Prince Gortschakoff, in his retreat, sustained his well-earned fame. The
following telegraphic message was transmitted to the Commander of the
Forces in the Crimea:—
“The Queen has received with deep emotion the welcome intelligence of
the Fall of Sebastopol. Penetrated with profound gratitude to the
Almighty, who has vouchsafed this triumph to the Allied Army, Her
Majesty has commanded me to express to yourself, and through you, to her
Army, the pride with which she regards this fresh instance of their
heroism.
“The Queen congratulates her Troops on the triumphant issue of their
protracted siege, and thanks them for the cheerfulness and fortitude
with which they have encountered its toils, and the valour which has led
to its termination.
“The Queen deeply laments that this success is not without its alloy, in
the heavy losses that have been sustained; and while she rejoices in the
victory, Her Majesty deeply sympathizes with the noble sufferers in
their country’s cause.
“You will be pleased to congratulate General Pelissier, in Her Majesty’s
name, upon the brilliant success of the assault on the Malakoff, which
proves the irresistible force, as well as the indomitable courage of our
brave allies.
“(Signed) PANMURE.”
With the fall of Sebastopol the “Medal” History of the Campaign in the
Crimea terminates, and it therefore only remains to add, that in October
following Kinburn was captured by the troops under Brigadier-General the
Honourable Augustus Spencer, and the garrison of thirteen hundred men
became prisoners. The troops employed on this successful service
consisted of an escort of cavalry, four guns, the 17th., 20th., 57th.,
and 63rd. regiments, and two battalions of Marines.
The Crimean campaign will be ever remembered for the first employment,
to any extent, of the rifled musket, the use of which has created a
revolution in warfare. Other novelties, before alluded to, were also
adopted. The sacrifice of life during this protracted siege was immense,
but the numbers who died from disease far exceeded those who fell on the
field of battle.[173]
[Illustration:
French War Medal.
]
On the 11th. of November, General Sir William Codrington, K.C.B.,
succeeded to the command of the army in the Crimea, General Sir James
Simpson having resigned that appointment. Further proceedings were
deferred in consequence of the commencement of winter, and in February,
1856, a suspension of hostilities took place. This was followed by a
treaty of peace, which was signed at Paris on the 29th. of March.
By official returns it appears that over two hundred and fifty-one
thousand shot and shell, weighing upwards of nine thousand tons, were
fired during the siege, and that more than one thousand two hundred tons
of powder were used. The expenditure of ammunition was nearly one
million five hundred thousand rounds, or a thousand tons a day. The
position of the Russians extended about fifteen miles, whilst the
trenches of the besiegers were fifty-two miles in length, and comprised
one hundred and nine batteries, armed with eight hundred and six pieces,
the guns and mortars being of a calibre seldom before used in a siege.
For three hundred and thirty-four days the trenches were open, and the
batteries for three hundred and twenty-seven days.
British valour and endurance were eminently shewn during this campaign,
and the troops, firm to a sense of duty, never disappointed the
expectations of their countrymen. The gallantry of the French soldiery,
too, and the mutual good-will existing between the allied armies,
cemented by dangers and difficulties common to both, will ever be
remembered, whilst the Sardinian forces will dwell upon the battle of
the Tchernaya, and be inseparably linked with the valorous deeds
performed before Sebastopol.