War Department, October 10, 1854.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received two Despatches, of which the following are copies, addressed to his Grace by General the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.:
Balaklava, September 28, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
IN continuation of my Despatch of the 23rd instant, I beg leave to lay before your Grace the names of the officers whose names have been brought to my notice by the Generals of Division, and the Heads of Departments.
Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown speaks in the highest terms of Lieutenant-Colonel Yea, of the Royal Fusiliers; Lieutenant-Colonel Chester, of the 23rd, who was unfortunately killed, and of Captain Bell, who succeeded to the command, and brought the regiment out of action, and Lieutenant-Colonel Blake, of the 33rd. Lieutenant-Colonel Saunders, of the 19th, who was severely wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Egerton, of the 77th Regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Shirley, of the 88th; also of Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence and Major Norcott, of the Rifle Brigade, each commanding a wing of that corps; Lieutenant-Colonel Lake, commanding the Artillery, of Captain Brandling, commanding a 9-pounder troop of Horse Artillery, and Captain Anderson, commanding a Field Battery, and Captain Gordon, of the Royal Engineers; likewise of Lieutenant-Colonel Sullivan, and Lieutenant-Colonel Airey, of the Adjutant and Quartermaster-General’s Department, and Captain Hallowell of the latter, and Captain Whitmore and the other officers of his personal Staff; and Captains Glyn and Mackenzie, the Brigade-Majors serving with the division.
Lieutenant-General His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge recommends Colonel the Honourable Francis Hood, of the Grenadier Guards, Colonel the Honourable George Upton, of the Coldstream Guards, and Colonel Sir Charles Hamilton, of the Scots Fusilier Guards; Lieutenant-Colonel Cameron, of the 42nd, Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas, of the 79th, and Lieutenant-Colonel Ainslie, of the 93d; Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Alexander Gordon, and Lieutenant-Colonel Cunynghame, the Assistant-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, Captain Butler and the Honourable Arthur Hardinge, the Deputy Assistant-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General of the Division, and Major the Honourable James Macdonald, and the other officers of his personal Staff; also Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres commanding, and Captains Paynter and Woodhouse of the Royal Artillery, and Captain Chapman of the Royal Engineers; and Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling, and Captain the Honourable Percy Fielding, the Brigade-Major of the division.
Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans eulogizes the conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Percy Herbert of the Quartermaster-General’s Department, who was wounded, I hope not severely; Major Lysons of the 23rd, acting as Assistant-Adjutant-General in the absence from sickness of Lieutenant-Colonel Wilbraham, Captain Lane Fox and Captain Thompson, Deputy-Assistant-Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, and Captain Allix and the other officers of his personal Staff. He also praises the exertions of Lieutenant-Colonels Hoey, of the 30th, Lieutenant-Colonel Warren, of the 55th, and Lieutenant-Colonel Webber Smith, of the 95th, who was severely wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Carpenter, of the 41st, Lieutenant-Colonel Haly, of the 47th, and Major Dalton, of the 49th, Lieutenant Colonels Fitzmayer and Dupuis, and Captains Turner and Swinton, of the Royal Artillery, and to these I may add Captain Lovell, of the Royal Engineers, Brevet-Majors Thackwell and Armstrong, the Brigade-Majors of the division.
I consider it my duty especially to recommend Captain Adye, of the Royal Artillery, the principal Staff officer of that branch of the Service, and Captain the Honourable Edward Gage, Brigade-Major of Artillery, and Major Tylden, Brigade-Major of the Royal Engineers, and Major the Honourable Edward Pakenham, and Captain Weare, who was wounded, of the Adjutant-General’s, and of Captains Wetherall, Woodford, Sankey, and Hamilton, of the Quartermaster-General’s Department.
Mr. Commissary-General Filder and Dr. Hall, the. principal Medical Officer, were in the field the whole time, and merit my approbation for their exertions in discharging their onerous duties.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) RAGLAN.
:His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
Balaklava, September 28, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
I HAVE the greatest satisfaction in acquainting your Grace, that the Army under my command obtained possession of this important place on the 26th instant, and thus established a new and secure base for our future operations.
The Allied Armies quitted their position above the Alma on the morning of the 23rd, and moved across the Katscha, where they halted for the night, and on the following day passed the Belbeck.
It then appeared that the enemy had established a work, which commanded the entrance of the river, and debarred its use for the disembarkation of troops, provisions, and material; and it became expedient to consider whether the line of attack upon the north side should not be abandoned, and another course of operation adopted.
It having, after due deliberation, been determined by Marshal St. Arnaud and myself, that we should relinquish our communication with the Katscha, and the hope of establishing it by the Belbeck, and endeavour, by a flank march to the left to go round Sevastopol and seize Balaklava, the movement was commenced on the 25th, and completed on the following day by the capture of this place by Her Majesty’s troops, which led the advance. The march was attended with great difficulties. On leaving the high road from the Belbeck to Sevastopol, the Army had to traverse a dense wood, in which there was but one road that led in the direction it was necessary to take. That road was left in the first instance to the Cavalry and Artillery; and the divisions were ordered to march by compass and make a way for themselves as well as they could; and, indeed, the Artillery of the Light Division pursued the same course as long as it was found to be possible, but, as the wood became more impracticable, the batteries could not proceed otherwise than by getting into the road above mentioned.
The Head Quarters of the Army, followed by several batteries of Artillery, were the first to clear the forest, near what is called, in Major Jarvis’ map, Mackenzie’s Farm, and at once found themselves on the flank and rear of a Russian division, on the march to Baské-Serai. This was attacked as soon as the cavalry, which had diverged a little into a bye and intricate path, could be brought up. A vast quantity of ammunition and much valuable baggage fell into our hands, and the pursuit was discontinued after about a mile and a half, it being a great object to reach the Tschernaya that evening.
The Russians lost a few men, and some prisoners were taken, amongst whom was a Captain of Artillery.
The march was then resumed by the descent of a steep and difficult defile into the plains, through which runs the Tschernaya River, and this the cavalry succeeded in reaching shortly before dark, followed in the course of the night by the Light, First, Second, and Third Divisions; the Fourth Division having been left on the heights above the Belbeck till the following day, to maintain our communication with the Katscha.
This march, which took the enemy quite by surprise, was a very long and toilsome one, and, except at Mackenzie’s Farm, where two wells, yielding a scanty supply, were found, the troops were without water, but they supported their fatigues and privations with the utmost cheerfulness, and resumed their march to this place on the morning of the 26th.
As they approached Balaklava nothing indicated that it was held in force; but as resistance was offered to the advance of the Rifle Brigade, and guns were opened from an old castle, as the head of the column shewed itself on the road leading into the town, I deemed it prudent to occupy the two flanking heights by the Light Division and a portion of Captain Brandling’s troop of Horse Artillery on the left; movements terminated by the surrender of the place, which had been occupied by very inconsiderable numbers of the enemy.
Shortly after we had taken possession we were greeted by Captain Mends, of the Agamemnon, and soon after by Sir Edmund Lyons himself.
His co-operation was secured to us by the activity and enterprize of Lieutenant Maxse, of Her Majesty’s Ship Agamemnon, who reached my camp on the Tschernaya, on the night of the 25th with despatches, and who volunteered immediately to retrace his steps through the forest, and to communicate to Sir Edmund the importance I attached to his presence at the mouth of the harbour of Balaklava the next morning, which difficult service (from the intricacy of the country infested by Cossacks) he accomplished so effectually that the Admiral was enabled to appear off this harbour at the very moment that our troops shewed themselves upon the heights.
Nothing could be more opportune than his arrival, and yesterday the magnificent ship that bears his flag entered this beautiful harbour; and the Admiral, as has been his invariable practice, co-operated with the Army in every way possible.
We are busily engaged in disembarking our siege train and provisions, and we are most desirous of undertaking the attack of Sevastopol without the loss of a day. I moved up two divisions yesterday to its immediate neighbourhood, when I was enabled to have a good view of the place; and Lieutenant-General Sir John Burgoyne and General Bisot, the French Chef de Génie are occupied in reconnoitering it closely to-day.
The march of the French Army on the 25th was still more fatiguing and prolonged than ours.
Being behind our columns they could not reach Tschernaya till the next day, and I fear must have suffered sadly from want of water.
I regret to have to acquaint your Grace, that Marshal St. Arnaud has been compelled, by severe illness, to relinquish the command of the Army. I saw him on the 25th, when he was suffering very much, and he felt it his duty to resign the next morning. I view his retirement with deep concern, having always found in him every disposition to act in concert with me. He has since become much worse, and is I fear in a very precarious state.
Fortunately he is succeeded by an officer of high reputation, General Canrobert, with whom I am satisfied I shall have great pleasure in acting, and who is equally desirous of maintaining the most friendly relations with me.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle.
&c. &c. &c.
Admiralty, November 5, 1854.
THE following Despatches from Vice-Admiral Dundas have this day been received at the Admiralty:-
No. 523. Britannia, off the Katscha,
October 13, 1854.
SIR,
1. I BEG you will acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the Allied Armies are employed in erecting batteries to the south of Sebastopol, but I hear are much retarded by the rocky nature of the ground; the Russian fire of shot and shell by day and night has produced little or no effect. The Naval and Marine battalions are healthy, and there is less sickness in the Army.
2. Sir Edmund Lyons, in the Agamemnon, with the Diamond, and a squadron of steamers, is at Balaklava, assisting the troops. A French squadron, under Vice-Admiral Bruat, is anchored between the lighthouse and the harbour, in communication with the left of the French Army. A division of steam-vessels watches the mouth of the port constantly, where four or five Russian steam-vessels always have their steam up, and the large sailing vessels are with Admiral Hamelin and myself anchored off the Katscha River, the weather hitherto having permitted our remaining in those positions.
3. The Sidon and Inflexible, with Cacique and Caton, are still in Odessa Bay, to prevent any communication by sea with the Crimea, and I have sent a transport to them with coals and fresh provisions, which I have drawn from Sinope.
4. On the 11th, an Austrian vessel, laden with hay for the Commissariat, got within range of the batteries, and was deserted by her crew at the second shot; she ran on shore about 1500 yards south of the harbour mouth, and was got off that evening and towed to Balaklava. I enclose the report of Captain Jones, of the Sampson, who, with Captain Stewart, of the Firebrand, and Mr. Boxer, Second Master in charge of the Beagle, assisted by the French launches, of the inshore squadron, got the Austrian to sea from under the batteries in a very successful and creditable manner. The Firebrand has four shots in her hull, but fortunately no casualties.
5. I learnt from Captain King, of the Leander, of the approach to Eupatoria of a large Russian force near the town. I have sent the Firebrand and Vesuvius to assist in the defence, should it be attacked, and shall send two other vessels to-day.
6. The French and Turkish troops sent for from Varna and Constantinople by the Simoom, Vulcan, Cyclops, and our transports, are hourly expected; they have been kept back and detained by the late strong north-east gales.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) J.W.D. DUNDAS,
Vice-Admiral.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty. &c. &c. &c.
No. 527. Britannia, off the Katscha,
October 18, 1854.
SIR,
1. I BEG you will acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the siege batteries of the Allied Armies opened fire upon the Russian works south of Sebastapol about half past 6 o’clock yesterday morning, with great effect, and small loss.
2. In consequence of the most urgent request of Lord Raglan and General Canrobert, it was agreed by the Admirals of the Allied Fleets that the whole of the ships should assist the land attack by engaging the sea batteries north and south of the harbour, on a line across the port, as shown in the accompanying plan, but various circumstances rendered a change in the position of the ships necessary and unavoidable.
3. The Agamemnon, Sanspareil, Sampson, Tribune, Terrible, Sphinx, and Lynx, and Albion, London, and Arethusa, towed by the Firebrand, Niger, and Triton, engaged Fort Constantine and the batteries to the northward; while the Queen, Britannia, Trafalgar, Vengeance, Rodney, Bellerophon, with Vesuvius, Furious, Retribution, Highflyer, Spitfire, Spiteful and Cyclops, lashed on the port side of the several ships, gradually took up their positions, as nearly as possible as marked on the plan.
4. The action lasted from about half-past one to half-past six, P.M., when being quite dark, the ships hauled off.
5. The loss, sustained by the Russians, and the damage done to Fort Constantine and Batteries cannot, of course, as yet be correctly ascertained.
6. An action of this duration against such formidable and well armed works, could not be maintained without serious injury, and I have to regret the loss of 44 killed and 266 wounded, as detailed in the accompanying lists. The ships, masts, yards, and rigging are more or less damaged, principally by shells and hot shot. The Albion has suffered much in hull and masts, the Rodney in her masts, she having tailed on the reef, from which she was got off by the great exertions of Commander Kynaston, of the Spiteful, whose crew and vessel were necessarily exposed in performing this service; but with the exception of the Albion and Arethusa, which ships I send to Constantinople to be repaired, I hope to be able to make my squadron serviceable in twenty-four hours. Foreseeing from the nature of the attack that we should be likely to lose spars, I left the spare topmasts and yards on board Her Majesty’s Ship Vulcan at this anchorage, where I had placed her with all the sick and prisoners.
7. I have now the pleasure of recording my very great satisfaction with the ability and zeal displayed by Rear Admirals Sir Edmund Lyons and the Honourable Montagu Stopford, and all the captains under my command, as well as my sincere thanks to them, and to the officers, seamen, and marines employed for their unremitting exertions and the rapidity of their fire, in the absence of a large number of the crews of each ship, who were landed to assist in working the siege batteries, &c., on shore, and to this circumstance I attribute the small loss of killed and wounded.
8. The gallant and skilful conduct of our French Allies in this action was witnessed by me with admiration, and I hear with regret that they have also suffered considerable loss.
9. I beg to express my gratitude at the manner in which Ahmed Pasha, the Turkish Admiral, did his duty.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) J.W.D. DUNDAS,
Vice-Admiral.
Secretary of the Admiralty,
&c., &c., &c.
War Department, 11.55 a.m.,
November 11, 1854.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received a Despatch of which the following is a copy, addressed to His Grace by General the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
(This Despatch was lost in its passage through France, and was received at the above hour, by His Grace, to whom it was transmitted by His Excellency the Lord Cowley, G.C.B.)
Before Sebastopol, October 18, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
IT was arranged between General Canrobert and myself, that the batteries of the two armies should open immediately after daylight on the morning of the 17th, and we invited Admiral Dundas and Admiral Hamelin to attack the enemy’s works at the mouth of the harbour with the combined fleets, as nearly simultaneously as circumstances might permit.
Accordingly, upon a signal being given from the centre of the French lines, the batteries of the two armies commenced their fire about a quarter before seven yesterday morning.
On this occasion we employed about 60 guns of different calibres, the lightest being 24-pounders.
It may here be proper to observe that the character of the position which the enemy occupy on the south side of Sebastopol is not that of a fortress, but rather of an army in an entrenched camp on very strong ground, where an apparently unlimited number of heavy guns, amply provided with gunners and ammunition, are mounted.
The guns having opened as above stated, a continuous and well directed fire was carried on from the works of the two armies until about ten o’clock A.M., when, unfortunately, a magazine in the midst of one of the French Batteries exploded and occasioned considerable damage to the works, and I fear many casualties, and almost paralyzed the efforts of the French Artillery for the day.
The British Batteries, however, manned by sailors from the fleet, under the command of Captain Lushington and Captain Peel, and by the Royal Artillery, under the superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Gambier, kept up their fire with unremitting energy throughout the day to my own and the general satisfaction, as well as to the admiration of the French Army, who were witnesses of their gallant and persevering exertions, materially injuring the enemy’s works, and silencing the heavy guns on the top of the loop-holed tower, to which I adverted in my despatch of the 13th instant, and many of the guns at its base, and causing an extensive explosion in the rear of a strong redoubt in our immediate front, the enemy notwithstanding, answered to the last from a number of guns along their more extended line.
The fire was resumed this morning at daylight by the British sailors and artillery, and responded to, though in a somewhat less degree, by the Russians; but the French troops, being occupied in the repair of their batteries, and in the formation of others, have not contributed to the renewal of the attack, except from a work on their extreme left; they expect, however, to be able to do so tomorrow morning.
I beg to lay before your Grace a return of the loss sustained by the Royal Navy, and the Army under my command, between the 13th and the 17th instant, and to this I am deeply concerned to add that of Colonel the Honourable Francis Hood, commanding the 3rd battalion Grenadier guards, an excellent officer, whose death in the trenches this morning has just been reported to me.
The English, French, and Turkish fleets moved towards the mouth of the harbour about noon, and kept up a heavy fire upon the enemy’s forts for several hours.
I am not fully acquainted with the details of the attack, or its result, but I understand that Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, with the Agamemnon and Sanspareil, assisted occasionally by the London, Queen, and Albion, gallantly approached to within six hundred yards of Fort Constantine, the great work at the northern entrance, where he maintained himself till late in the afternoon, and succeeded in exploding a magazine, and causing considerable injury to the face of the fort.
Since I wrote to your Grace on the 18th, six battalions of Turkish infantry and 300 Turkish artillery have been added to the force in front of Balaklava.
These troops have been sent from Constantinople, and placed under my command by the government of the Porte, and I feel greatly indebted to Her Majesty’s ambassador, Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, for the ability and energy with which he brought under the notice of the Sultan the importance I attached to an immediate reinforcement of the Imperial troops.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
Portman-Square, Midnight,
November 6, 1854.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this evening received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to his Grace by General Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sebastopol, October 23, 1854,
MY LORD DUKE,
THE operations of the siege have been carried on unremittingly since I addressed your Grace on the 18th instant.
On that afternoon, the French batteries not having been able to re-open, the enemy directed their guns almost exclusively on the British entrenchments, and maintained a very heavy fire upon them till the day closed, with less damage, I am happy to say, to the works, and with fewer casualties than might have been anticipated.
On the following morning, shortly after daylight, General Canrobert not only resumed his fire from the batteries which had been injured, but materially added to the weight of his attack by the fire of batteries which he had caused to be constructed the previous day; and these have continued ever since; and he has had it in his power to push his approaches forward, and like the English, materially to injure the defences of the place; but these are as yet far from being subdued, neither is a serious diminution of their fire perceivable.
Our fire has also been constant and effective; but the enemy having at their disposal large bodies of men, and the resources of the fleet and arsenal at their command, have been enabled by unceasing exertion to repair their redoubts to a certain extent, and to replace many of the guns that have been destroyed in a very short space of time; and to resume their fire from works which we had succeeded in silencing.
This facility of repairing and re-arming the defences naturally renders the progress of the assailants slower than could be wished; and I have it not in my power to inform your Grace, with anything like certainty, when it may be expected that ulterior measures may be undertaken.
I have the honour to transmit to your Grace the Return of killed and wounded between the 18th and 20th instant inclusive.
In my last I announced to your Grace the death which had just been reported to me of that deeply lamented officer the Honourable Colonel Hood of the Grenadier Guards. No other military officer has since fallen; but Major Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar was slightly wounded on the 19th. His Serene Highness insisted, however upon remaining in the trenches until the detachment to which he was attached was relieved at the usual hour, and he has now resumed his duty.
Captain Lord Dunkellin of the Coldstream Guards was unfortunately taken prisoner yesterday morning before daylight in front of the trenches.
The naval batteries have continued their exertions without intermission, and I regret to have to report the death of two gallant officers of the Royal Navy; the Honourable Lieutenant Ruthven who has died of his wounds, and Lieutenant Greathed of Her Majesty’s ship Britannia. Both are universally regretted. The latter received a mortal wound while laying a gun, after having, to use the language of Brigadier-General Eyre, who was then in charge of the trenches, “performed his duty in the batteries in a manner that excited the admiration of all.”
A considerable body of Russians appeared two days ago in the vicinity of Balaklava, but they have since withdrawn, and are no longer to be seen in in our front.
I have reason to believe that Prince Menschikoff is not in Sebastopol. He is stated to have placed himself with the main body of the army in the field, which is represented to be stationed in the plains south of Bacshi Serai.
Admiral Cernilof, the chief of the staff, and temporarily in command of Sebastopol, is reported to have died of his wounds the day before yesterday.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
Admiralty, Midnight, November 6, 1854.
A DESPATCH, of which the following is a copy, has this night been received at the Admiralty:
No. 534. Britannia, off the Katscha,
23rd October, 1854.
SIR,
I BEG to acquaint you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that since my letter of the 18th instant, the siege batteries have continued their fire against the Russian works, which appear to have suffered much, and the fire slackened, although it is still considerable.
2. The Naval Brigade are doing good service, and, up to the 20th, had a loss of 12 killed and 53 wounded, as per annexed list. By the desire of Lord Raglan, I have reinforced them by 410 officers and seamen, and placed Lord John Hay in the Wasp, under the orders of Captain Lushington.
3. Captain Brock, at Eupatoria, supported by the Leander and Megaera, has maintained his position well, although threatened and attacked by heavy bodies of Cavalry, with guns; we have drawn large supplies from there, but as the Russians are destroying all the villages, I fear they will in future become very scanty and uncertain.
4. Since the action of the 17th, the enemy have been working incessantly in repairing their batteries, and in constructing new works on the north side of the harbour, commanding the approaches by sea and land.
5. I have sent the Albion and Arethusa to Constantinople to repair; the other ships of the fleet have fished their masts, &c., and are ready for service.
6. The Lynx, Sphinx, Stromboli, and Viper, have arrived.
7. The weather hitherto has been very favourable, and the crews of the ships are generally healthy.
8. The English and French Steam Division still continue in the Bay of Odessa, actively employed in preventing communication with the Crimea.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) J.W.D. DUNDAS,
Vice-Admiral.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty,
&c. &c. &c.
War Department, November 12, 1854.
4 o’clock p.m.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received two Despatches, with Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Grace by General the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
No. 85. Before Sevastopol,
October 28, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Grace that the Enemy attacked the position in the front of Balaklava at an early hour on the morning of the 25th instant.
The low range of heights that runs across the plain at the bottom of which the town is placed, was protected by four small redoubts hastily constructed. Three of these had guns in them, and on a higher hill, in front of the village of Camara, in advance of our right flank, was established a work of somewhat more importance.
These several redoubts were garrisoned by Turkish troops, no other force being at my disposal for their occupation.
The 93rd Highlanders was the only British Regiment in the plain, with the exception of a part of a battalion of detachments composed of weakly men, and a battery of Artillery belonging to the Third Division; and on the heights behind our right were placed the Marines, obligingly landed from the Fleet by Vice-Admiral Dundas. All these, including the Turkish troops, were under the immediate orders of Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, whom I had taken from the First Division with the 93rd.
As soon as I was apprised of this movement of the Enemy, I felt compelled to withdraw from before Sevastopol, the First and Fourth Divisions, commanded by Lieutenant-Generals His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, and bring them down into the plain; and General Canrobert subsequently reinforced these troops with the First Division of French Infantry and the Chasseurs d’Afrique.
The Enemy commenced their operation by attacking the work on our side of the village of Camara, and, after very little resistance, carried it.
They likewise got possession of the three others in contiguity to it, being opposed only in one, and that but for a very short space of time.
The farthest of the three they did not retain, but the immediate abandonment of the others enabled them to take possession of the guns in them, amounting in the whole to seven. Those in the three lesser forts were spiked by the one English artilleryman who was in each.
The Russian cavalry at once advanced, supported by artillery, in very great strength. One portion of them assailed the front and right flank of the 93rd, and were instantly driven back by the vigorous and steady fire of that distinguished regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Ainslie.
The other and larger mass turned towards Her Majesty’s heavy cavalry, and afforded Brigadier-General Scarlett, under the guidance of Lieutenant-General the Earl of Lucan, the opportunity of inflicting upon them a most signal defeat. The ground was very unfavourable for the attack of our Dragoons, but no obstacle was sufficient to check their advance, and they charged into the Russian column, which soon sought safety in flight, although far superior in numbers.
The charge of this brigade was one of the most successful I ever witnessed, was never for a moment doubtful, and is in the highest degree creditable to Brigadier-General Scarlett and the officers and men engaged in it.
As the enemy withdrew from the ground which they had momentarily occupied, I directed the cavalry, supported by the Fourth Division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart, to move forward, and take advantage of any opportunity to regain the heights; and, not having been able to accomplish this immediately, and it appearing that an attempt was making to remove the captured guns, the Earl of Lucan was desired to advance rapidly, follow the enemy in their retreat, and try to prevent them from effecting their objects.
In the meanwhile the Russians had time to reform on their own ground, with artillery in front and upon their flanks.
From some misconception of the instruction, to advance, the Lieutenant-General considered that he was bound to attack at all hazards, and he accordingly ordered Major-General the Earl of Cardigan to move forward with the Light Brigade.
This order was obeyed in the most spirited and gallant manner. Lord Cardigan charged with the utmost vigour; attacked a battery which was firing upon the advancing squadrons and, having passed beyond it, engaged the Russian Cavalry in its rear; but there his troops were assailed by artillery and infantry, as well as cavalry, and necessarily retired, after having committed much havoc upon the enemy.
They effected this movement without haste or confusion; but the loss they have sustained has, I deeply lament, been very severe, in officers, men, and horses, only counterbalanced by the brilliancy of the attack, and the gallantry, order, and discipline which distinguished it, forming a striking contrast to the conduct of the enemy’s cavalry, which had previously been engaged with the heavy brigade.
The Chasseurs d’Afrique advanced on our left, and gallantly charged a Russian battery, which checked its fire for a time, and thus rendered the British cavalry an essential service.
I have the honour to inclose copies of Sir Colin Campbell’s and the Earl of Lucan’s reports.
I beg to draw your Grace’s attention to the terms in which Sir Colin Campbell speaks of Lieutenant-Colonel Ainslie, of the 93rd, and Captain Barker, of the Royal Artillery; and also to the praise bestowed by the Earl of Lucan on Major-General the Earl of Cardigan, and Brigadier-General Scarlett, which they most fully deserve.
The Earl of Lucan not having sent me the names of the other officers who distinguished themselves, I propose to forward them by the next opportunity.
The enemy made no further movement in advance, and at the close of the day the brigade of Guards of the 1st Division, and the 4th Division returned to their original encampment, as did the French troops with the exception of one brigade of the 1st Division, which General Canrobert was so good as to leave in support of Sir Colin Campbell.
The remaining regiments of the Highland Brigade also remained in the valley.
The 4th Division had advanced close to the heights, and Sir George Cathcart caused one of the redoubts to be reoccupied by the Turks, affording them his support, and he availed himself of the opportunity to assist with his riflemen in silencing two of the enemy’s guns.
The means of defending the extensive position which had been occupied by the Turkish troops in the morning having proved wholly inadequate, I deemed it necessary, in concurrence with General Canrobert, to withdraw from the lower range of heights, and to concentrate our force, which will be increased by a considerable body of seamen, to be landed from the ships under the authority of Admiral Dundas, immediately in front of the narrow valley leading, into Balaklava, and upon the precipitous heights on our right, thus affording a narrower line of defence.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His. Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
Enclosures.
Balaklava,
October 27th, 1854.
MY LORD,
I HAVE the honour to report that the Cavalry Division under my command was seriously engaged with the enemy on the 25th instant, during the greater part of which day it was under a heavy fire; that it made a most triumphant charge against a very superior number of the enemy’s cavalry, and an attack upon batteries which for daring and gallantry could not be exceeded. The loss, however, in officers, men, and horses, has been most severe.
From half-past six in the morning, when the Horse Artillery first opened fire, till the enemy had possessed itself of all the different forts, the cavalry, constantly changing their positions, continued giving all the support they could to the Turkish troops, though much exposed to the fire of heavy guns and riflemen, when they took post on the left of the second line of redoubts, by an order from your lordship.
The Heavy Brigade had soon to return to the support of the troops defending Balaklava. And was fortunate enough in being at hand when a large force of Russian cavalry was descending the hill. I immediately ordered Brigadier-General Scarlett to attack with the Scots Greys and, Enniskillen Dragoons, and had his attack supported in second line by the Fifth Dragoon Guards, and by a flank attack of the Fourth Dragoon Guards.
Under every disadvantage of ground, these eight small squadrons succeeded in defeating and dispersing a body of cavalry estimated at three times their number and more.
The Heavy Brigade having now joined the Light Brigade, the division took up a position with a view of supporting an attack upon the heights, when being instructed to make a rapid advance to our front, to prevent the enemy carrying the guns lost by the Turkish troops in the morning, I ordered the Light Brigade to advance in two lines, and supported them with the Heavy Brigade. This attack of the Light Cavalry was very brilliant and daring; exposed to a fire from heavy batteries on their front and two flanks, they advanced unchecked until they reached the batteries of the enemy, and cleared them of their gunners, and only retired when they found themselves engaged with a very superior force of cavalry in the rear. Major-General the Earl of Cardigan led this attack in the most gallant and intrepid manner; and his lordship, has expressed himself to me as admiring in the highest degree the courage and zeal of every officer, non-commissioned officer and man that assisted.
The Heavy Brigade advanced to the support of the attack under a very galling fire from the batteries and infantry in a redoubt, and acted with most perfect steadiness, and in a manner to deserve all praise.
The losses, my Lord, it grieves me to state, have been very great indeed, and, I fear, will be much felt by your Lordship.
I cannot too strongly recommend to your Lordship the two General Officers commanding the Brigades, all the officers in command of regiments, as also the Divisional and Brigade Staffs; indeed, the conduct of every individual, of every rank, I feel to be deserving of my entire praise, and, I hope, of your Lordship’s approbation.
The conduct of the Royal Horse Artillery Troop, first under the command of Captain Maude, and, after that officer was severely wounded, of Captain Shakespear, was most meritorious and praiseworthy. I received from those officers every possible assistance during the time they respectively commanded.
LUCAN,
Lieutenant-General Commanding
Cavalry Division.
His Excellency the Commander of the Forces,
&c. &c. &c.
Camp Battery No. 4, Balaklava,
October 27, 1854.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to inform you that on the morning of the 25th instant, about 7 o’clock, the Russian force which has been, as I already reported for some time amongst the hills on our right front, debouched into the open ground in front of the redoubts Nos. 1, 2 and 3, which were occupied by Turkish Infantry and Artillery, and armed with 7 12-pounders (iron). The enemy’s force consisted of 18 or 19 battalions of infantry, from 30 to 40 guns and a large body of cavalry. The attack was made against No. 1 redoubt by a cloud of skirmishers supported by 8 battalions of infantry and 16 guns. The Turkish troops in No. 1, persisted as long as they could and then retired, and they suffered considerable loss in their retreat. This attack was followed by the successive abandonment of Nos. 2, 3 and 4 redoubts by the Turks as well as of the other posts held by them in our front. The guns however in Nos. 2, 3 and 4 were spiked. The garrisons of these redoubts retired, and some of them formed on the right, and some on the left flank of the 93rd Highlanders which was posted in front of No. 4 battery and the village of Katichioi. When the enemy had taken possession of these redoubts, their artillery advanced with a large mass of cavalry, and their guns ranged to the 93rd Highlanders, which with 10 invalids under Lieut.-Col. Daveney in support, occupied very insufficiently from the smallness of their numbers, the slightly rising ground in front of No. 4 battery. As I found that round shot and shell began to cause some casualties among the 93rd Highlanders and the Turkish battalions on their right and left flank, I made them retire a few paces behind the crest of the hill. During this period our batteries on the hills, manned by the Royal Marine Artillery and the Royal Marines, made most excellent practice on the enemy’s cavalry, which came over the hill ground in front. One body of them, amounting to about 400 men, turned to their left, separating themselves from those who attacked Lord Lucan’s Division, and charged the 93rd Highlanders, who immediately advanced to the crest of the hill and opened their fire, which forced the Russian cavalry to give way and turn to their left, after which they made an attempt to turn the right flank of the 93rd, having observed the flight of the Turks who were placed there, upon which the Grenadiers of the 93rd, under Captain Ross, were wheeled up to their right and fired on the enemy, which manoeuvre completely discomfited them.
During the rest of the day the troops under my command received no further molestation from the Russians. I beg to call Lord Raglan’s attention to the gallantry and eagerness of the 93rd Highlanders under Lieut.-Col. Ainslie, of which probably his Lordship was an eye-witness; as well as the admirable conduct of Captain Barker, and the officers of the Field Battery under his orders, who made most excellent practice against the Russian cavalry and artillery while within range.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) COLIN CAMPBELL,
Major-General.
To Brigadier-General Estcourt,
Adjutant-General.
2nd Division, Heights of the Tchernay,
October 27, 1854.
MY LORD,
YESTERDAY the enemy attacked this division with several columns of infantry supported by artillery. Their cavalry did not come to the front. Their masses, covered by large bodies of skirmishers, advanced with much apparent confidence. The division immediately formed line in advance of our camp, the left under Major-General Pennefather, the right under Brigadier-General Adams. Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzmayer and the Captains of batteries (Turner and Yates) promptly posted their guns and opened fire upon the enemy.
Immediately on the cannonade being heard, the Duke of Cambridge brought up to our support the brigade of Guards under Major-General Bentinck, with a battery under Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres. His Royal Highness took post in advance of our right to secure that flank, and rendered me throughout the most effective and important assistance. General Bosquet with similar promptitude and from a greater distance, approached our position with five French battalions. Sir G. Cathcart hastened to us with a regiment of Rifles, and Sir G. Brown pushed forward two guns in co-operation by our left.
The enemy came on at first rapidly, assisted by their guns on the Mound-hill. Our piquets, then chiefly of the 49th and 30th regiments, resisted them with very remarkable determination and firmness. Lieutenant Conolly of the 49th greatly distinguished himself, as did Captain Bayley of the 30th, and Captain Atcherley, all of whom, I regret to say, were severely wounded. Serjeant Sullivan also displayed at this point great bravery.
In the mean time, our 18 guns in position, including those of the First Division, were served with the utmost energy. In half an hour they forced the enemy’s artillery to abandon the field. Our batteries were then directed with equal accuracy and vigour upon the enemy’s columns, which (exposed also to the close fire of our advanced infantry) soon fell into complete disorder and flight. They were then literally chased by the 30th and 95th regiments over the ridges and down towards the head of the bay. So eager was the pursuit that it was with difficulty Major-General Pennefather eventually effected the recall of our men. These regiments and the piquets were led gallantly by Major Mauleverer, Major Champion, Major Eman, and Major Hume. They were similarly pursued further towards our right, by four companies of the 41st, led gallantly by Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable P. Herbert, A.Q.M.G. The 47th also contributed. The 55th were held in reserve.
Above 80 prisoners fell into our hands, and about 130 of the enemy’s dead were left within or near our position. It is computed that their total loss could scarcely be less than 600.
Our loss, I am sorry to say, has been above 80, of whom 12 killed, 5 officers wounded. I am happy to say, hopes are entertained that Lieutenant Conolly will recover, but his wound is dangerous.
I will have the honour of transmitting to your Lordship a list of officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, whose conduct attracted special notice. That of the piquets excited general admiration.
To Major-General Pennefather and Brigadier-General Adams I was, as usual, greatly indebted. Of Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres, Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzmayer, Captains Turner, Tates, Woodham, and Hemlin, and the whole of the Royal Artillery, we are under the greatest obligation.
Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert, A.Q.M.G., rendered the division, as he always does, highly distinguished and energetic services. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilbraham, A. A. G., while serving most actively, I regret to say, had a very severe fall from his horse. I beg leave also to recommend to your Lordship’s favourable consideration, the excellent services of Captains Glasbrook and Thompson, of the Quartermaster-General’s department, the Brigade-Majors Captains Armstrong and Thackwell, and my personal staff, Captains Allix, Gubbins, and the Hon. W. Boyle.
I have, &c.
DE LACY EVANS.
Lieutenant-General.
To General the Right Hon. Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
&c. &c. &c.
No. 86. Before Sevastopol,
October 28, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
I HAVE nothing particular to report to your Grace respecting the operations of the siege, since I wrote to you on the 23rd instant. The fire has been somewhat less constant, and our casualties have been fewer, though I regret to say that Captain Childers, a very promising officer of the Royal Artillery, was killed on the evening of the 23rd, and I have just heard that Major Dalton of the 49th, of whom Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans entertained a very high opinion, was killed in the trenches last night.
The enemy moved out of Sevastopol on the 26th with a large force of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, amounting, it is said, to 6000 or 7000 men, and attacked the left of the 2nd Division, commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans, who speedily and energetically repulsed them, assisted by one of the batteries of the 1st Division, and some guns of the Light Division, and supported by the brigade of Guards and by severa1 regiments of the 4th Division, and in rear by the French Division commanded by General Bosquet, who was most eager in his desire to give him every aid.
I have the honour to transmit a copy of Sir De Lacy Evans’ report, which I am sure your Grace will read with the highest satisfaction, and I beg to recommend the officers whom he particularly mentions to your protection.
Captain Bayly of the 30th, and Captain Atcherley of the same Regiment, and Lieutenant Conolly of the 49th, all of whom are severely wounded, appear to have greatly distinguished themselves.
I cannot speak in too high terms of the manner in which Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans met this very serious attack. I had not the good fortune to witness it myself, being occupied in front of Balaklava at the time it commenced, and having only reached his position as the affair ceased, but I am certain I speak the sentiments of all who witnessed the operation, in saying that nothing could have been better managed, and that the greatest credit is due to the Lieutenant-General, whose services and conduct I have before had to bring under your Grace’s notice
I have, &c.
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.