The allies had now been nearly a year before Sebastopol. The batteries
opened on the 5th of September, and continued firing till noon of the
8th, when the French signal was given for the advance. Onward they
rushed, and the Malakoff was taken by surprise without loss, its
defenders being at dinner. The tri-colour flying from the parapet was
the signal for the British to advance. A column of the light division
led, and that of the second followed. The men stormed the parapet, and
penetrated into the salient angle. Here Major Welsford, 97th, who led
the storming party, was killed, and Colonel Handcock was mortally
wounded. A most sanguinary contest ensued, but it was found impossible
to maintain the position. Colonel Windham hurried back, and brought up
the right wing of the 23rd, when a most brilliant charge was made, but
it was of no avail: 29 officers killed and 125 wounded, with 356
non-commissioned officers and men killed, 1762 wounded, showed the
severe nature of the contest. Many gallant deeds were done, but the
following men deserve especial notice, for bringing in wounded men from
the advanced posts during daylight on the 8th:--Privates Thomas Johnson,
Bedford, Chapman, and William Freeman, of the 62nd. A considerable
number performed the same merciful but dangerous work during the night.
It was intended to renew the attack on the following morning with the
Highland brigade under Sir Colin Campbell; but explosions were heard
during the night, and when a small party advanced, the Redan was found
deserted, and it was discovered that, by means of admirable
arrangements, the whole Russian army were retiring by a bridge of boats
to the north side, while they in the meantime had sunk all the ships of
war in the harbour.
Thus was Sebastopol won undoubtedly by the gallantry of the French, for
the possession of the Malakoff at that time ensured the capture of the
town; but Britons may well feel proud of the heroism displayed by their
countrymen from first to last of that memorable siege, and it is an
example of the stuff with which English redcoats are filled: officers
were killed and fully 5000 men, while upwards of 15,000 died of disease.
In October, Kinburn was taken by General Spencer; and the supplies of
the Russians being cut off, they were compelled to sue for peace.
While this most bloody war showed England's might, the undaunted bravery
of her soldiers, and their admirable discipline and perseverance, it
also showed wherein her weakness lay--that her commissariat was
imperfect, and that much of her machinery had grown rusty from want of
use. She has profited by the terrible lessons she has received; and
though there is still room for improvement, the British soldier need no
longer fear that sad state of things from which so many of his gallant
comrades suffered in the Crimea.