Soon after the army reached Balaclava, portions of the crews of most of
the larger ships had been sent on shore, at first simply to assist in
garrisoning the heights above Balaclava, and placed under the command of
Captain Lushington. The brigade was soon afterwards increased by a
party under Lord John Hay, of the _Wasp_. Both officers and men,
however, very soon volunteered for other services, and in every post of
danger there was some portion of the naval brigade to be found. It was
here that Captain William Peel first showed the gallantry and judgment
for which he became so conspicuous. He took command of one of the
advanced batteries before Sebastopol, which did good service. During
the first six days of the bombardment, ending October 22nd, the naval
brigade lost twelve killed and sixty-six wounded.
From the first, the conduct of all the men, though placed in a novel
situation, was excellent, and the gallantry of officers and men
conspicuous. From being near Balaclava, and from being supplied with
tents and clothing and food from their ships, they had not the same
dreadful hardships to endure as the soldiers; they yet sought out
danger, and as readily exposed their lives on shore as they are
accustomed to do at sea.
Among all the acts exhibiting gallantry, coolness, and judgment, one
performed by Mr N.W. Hewett, then acting mate of HMS _Beagle_, stands
conspicuous.
On the 26th of October 1854, the day after the battle of Balaclava, he
was in charge of the right Lancaster battery before Sebastopol, with a
party of bluejackets under him, when the Russians made a desperate
sortie from the walls against Sir De Lacy Evans' division. The advance
of the Russians placed the gun in great jeopardy; and their assault was
so vigorous that their skirmishers had got within 300 yards of the
battery, and were pouring in a sharp fire from their Minie rifles. By
some misapprehension the word was passed to spike the gun and retreat;
but Mr Hewett, taking upon himself to disregard what he heard,
answered, "That order did not come from Captain Lushington, and till he
directs us to desert the gun, we'll not move." This proceeding was
hazardous, for at the time the gun was in an ineffectual position, in
consequence of the enemy advancing on its flank. With the assistance,
however, of the seamen with him, and of some soldiers who came to his
aid, he got round the gun into position; then, blowing away the parapet
of the battery, he opened on the advancing column of the Russians so
effective a fire, that they were completely staggered, and their
progress was stopped. Seconded by his companions, whom his spirit
animated, again and again he discharged his death-dealing gun, till the
enemy gave way and retreated.
A story is current that he actually did receive an order to abandon the
gun, and that afterwards, while he was reflecting what might be the
consequences of having disobeyed it, his commanding officer inquired,
"Mr Hewett, were you not ordered to spike that gun and retreat?"
"I was, sir."
"And you chose to disregard the order, and fight the gun?"
"I did, sir; but I am sorry if--"
"Well, then, you are promoted." Sir Stephen Lushington brought Mr
Hewett's conduct before the commander-in-chief, and he received from the
Admiralty, as a reward, his lieutenancy, which he so well merited. At
the battle of Inkermann his bravery was again conspicuous, and he was
soon afterwards appointed to the command of the _Beagle_ gunboat in the
Sea of Azov.