War-Department, 10 a.m., December 11, 1854.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received Despatches and Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to his Grace by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
No. 110. Before Sebastopol,
November 23, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
THE Russian advanced posts in front of our left attack having taken up a position which in-commoded our troops in the trenches, and occasioned not a few casualties, and at the same time took in reverse the French troops working in their lines, a representation of which was made to me both by our own officers and by General Canrobert, a detachment of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, under Lieutenant Tryon, was directed on the night of the 20th to dislodge the enemy; and this service was performed most gallantly and effectively, but at some loss both in killed and wounded, and at the cost of the life of Lieutenant Tryon, who rendered himself conspicuous on the occasion, was considered a most promising officer, and held in the highest estimation by all.
The Russians attempted several times to re-establish themselves on the ground before daylight on the 21st, but they were instantly repulsed by Lieutenant Bourchier, the senior surviving officer of the party, and it now remains in our possession.
Brigadier-General Sir John Campbell speaks highly of the conduct of the detachment, and of Lieutenant Bourchier and Lieutenant Cuninghame, and he laments the death of Lieutenant Tryon, who so ably led them in the first instance.
This little exploit was so highly prized by General Canrobert that he instantly published an “Ordre Général,” announcing it to the French Army, and combining, with a just tribute to the gallantry of the troops, the expression of his deep sympathy in the regret felt for the loss of a young officer of so much distinction.
Nothing else has occurred since I had last the honour to address your Grace.
The weather is again very bad, and steady rain is constantly falling.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
No. 112. Near Sebastopol,
November 28, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
IN the despatch which I addressed to your Grace on the 23rd instant, I reported the gallant conduct of a detachment of the 1st battalion Rifle Brigade, and its occupation of an advanced position which it continued to retain, notwithstanding the repeated efforts of the enemy to re-establish themselves upon it.
On the night of the 22nd and on the following morning, shortly before daylight, the Russians renewed their endeavours to get possession of the ground they had been driven from, but they were repulsed on each occasion in the most spirited manner, in the first instance by a detachment of the 4th Foot, under Lieutenant Patric Robertson, and a working party belonging to the 57th Regiment, in the last instance by the detachment of the 4th Foot alone.
Brigadier-General Eyre speaks in the highest terms of the conduct of these troops, and particularly that of Lieutenant Robertson, whose former distinguished service at the Cape, coupled with that he displayed in the present affair, fully entitle him to be considered an officer of much promise.
There has been no movement of importance on the part of the enemy. The weather has been very bad, and the camp and the country are in consequence of the rain in a most unsatisfactory state.
The men are, however, endeavouring, and with some success, to shelter themselves with the stones that are found in the vicinity of the encampment, and every effort is making to provide them with the materials for hutting themselves, but the condition of the roads render this a matter of extreme difficulty.
It is gratifying to me to be able to assure you, that, notwithstanding their privations, their exposure to the weather, and the constant labour required of them, they exhibit the same cheerfulness, the same ardour in the discharge of their duty as they have manifested throughout the extensive operations in which they have been engaged.
The defences of the Inkerman position, notwithstanding the frequent interruptions from the weather are making considerable progress.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
War-Department,
December 30, 1854, 10½ o’clock a.m.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to his Grace by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.
Before Sevastopol,
December 13, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
YOUR Grace will be happy to hear that the weather has continued fine, since I had the honour to address your Grace on the 8th instant.
The enemy has made no movement of importance, and nothing of any material consequence has taken place before Sevastopol.
The Russians moved upon our advanced pickets, in front of our left attack, the night before last, in some force; but they were instantly driven back by a detachment of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, on the right, and by one of the 46th on the left. The firing, however, was kept up for some time, and the 3rd and 4th Divisions were held in readiness to support, in case their assistance should have been required.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War Department, January 8, 1855.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to His Grace by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
December 18, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
NOTHING has occurred since I had the honour to address your Grace on the 13th instant. The weather, which was then fine, changed on the following afternoon, and, from that time to the evening of the 16th, it hardly ceased either to rain, hail, or snow.
The night of the 16th was particularly severe; but it cleared up yesterday, and today it is again dry.
The bad days above mentioned have, however, rendered the communications more difficult, and materially retarded the movement of supplies and stores.
The 89th and 17th Regiments have arrived from Gibraltar, and will take their place in the 3rd and 4th Divisions this day.
A considerable portion of the warm clothing has been received, and is in course of issue; and the men are most grateful to Her Majesty’s Government for having provided for them what conduces so essentially to their comfort.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, January 9, 1855.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received two Despatches, of which the following are copies, addressed to his Grace by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
December 23, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
A GREAT deal of rain has fallen in the last forty-eight hours, and the weather has again become very inclement.
The only occurrence in the siege operations has been a sortie made by the enemy on both our right and left attack, during the night of the 20th, the one being conducted silently, the other with drums beating, and shouting; the first being probably the real object of the advance, as nearer to the Inkerman heights.
Owing to the extreme darkness of the night the enemy were enabled to come very near the right attack without being perceived, and having made a sudden rush upon the most forward parallel, they compelled the men occupying it to withdraw, until reinforced by a party under Major Welsford, of the 97th Regiment, when it was regained possession of, and the Russians retired, not however without occasioning some loss in both killed, wounded, and missing, Lieutenant Byron, of the 34th Regiment, being amongst the latter.
On the left attack, the enemy were met with great gallantry by Lieutenant Gordon, of the 38th Regiment, who, when supported by the covering party of the trenches, under Lieutenant-Colonel Waddy of the 50th, succeeded in at once driving them back. But here too I regret to say, the loss was still more severe, Major Möller, of the 50th, fell mortally wounded, and I am concerned to add is since dead, and Captain Frampton, and Lieutenant Clarke, both of the 50th Regiment, are missing. Sir Richard England speaks in high terms of the gallantry and vigilance of these troops, and of the distinguished conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Waddy.
I enclose the return of casualties to the 20th inclusive.
Two regiments of French cavalry under General D’Allonville, made a reconnoissance on the 20th, towards the ground recently occupied by the enemy in front of Balaklava, while the 42nd Regiment, a detachment of the Rifle Brigade under Colonel Cameron, 42nd Regiment, and a battalion of Zouaves, made a corresponding movement on the extreme right. The latter saw only a picket of Cosaques, which retired upon their approach, the former exchanged shots with the enemy, and ascertained that they had scarcely any troops on the left bank of the Tchernaya.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
Before Sevastopol,
December 26, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
I HAVE nothing to report to your Grace to-day.
The rain which prevailed on Saturday was succeeded by snow on Sunday, and it was almost the worst day I ever saw. At night it froze, and the frost has continued ever since, without being severe; but it has not as yet tended to dry the ground, still in a lamentable state.
Every effort is making, that the state of the roads will permit, to bring up ammunition and the materials of siege, and General Canrobert is in this respect affording us every possible assistance.
The garrison keeps up a heavy fire upon our trenches, particularly at night, and your Grace will regret to see by the returns which I inclose, that we daily sustain some casualties.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War Department, January 12, 1855.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has this day received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to His Grace by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
December 30, 1854.
MY LORD DUKE,
SINCE I wrote to your Grace on the 26th, the weather has been somewhat more propitious; but the state of the ground is hardly more satisfactory.
The 18th Regiment has arrived; and I have likewise the honour to inform you that we are daily receiving vast supplies of ammunition, warm clothing, and huts for the Army. The utmost efforts will be made to disembark all those stores; but the difficulty of effecting this desirable object is very great, owing to the very limited extent of the harbour, its crowded state, and the narrow entrance to the town, and want of space on the beach, the rocks on the north side rising directly out of the water, and there being, consequently, no accommodation but on one side.
The Russians continue to withdraw from the Valley of the Tchernaya, whilst they have constructed defensive works on the heights above, which would imply a difficulty of maintaining their troops in the field.
A reconnoissance was sent out this morning by General Canrobert towards the river, in co-operation with a portion of Major-General Sir Colin Campbell’s force on the extreme right of Balaklava, the result of which is not yet known.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, January 27, 1855.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to his Grace by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
January 13, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
THE weather continues very severe, and to-day it blows a gale of wind, with drifting snow.
Although I have not received the official report from the officer commanding the 4th Division, the officer of the Quartermaster-General’s department, whose duty it is to visit the advanced posts at daylight, has brought in an account of a sortie made by the Russians in the course of last night upon our right and left attack, the enemy advancing, under protection of a heavy cannonade, along the Woronzow road and the ravine on our extreme left.
The enemy succeeded in driving in the troops in the advanced trench, which was not reoccupied until the reserves were brought forward from the second parallel.
A party in pits on the right of the advanced trench, consisting of 1 serjeant and 13 rank and file, are missing, and 1 officer and 36 privates are stated to be wounded.
The time for the despatch of the mail being at hand, I am very sorry that I shall not be able to send your Grace to-day a more accurate statement of this affair.
Great progress is making in disembarking and issuing to the troops vast quantities of warm clothing of all descriptions, and I believe I may assert that every man in this army has received a second blanket, a jersey frock, flannel drawers, and socks, and some kind of winter coat, in addition to the ordinary great coat.
The provision of fuel is still a great difficulty.
Every effort is making, and with tolerable success, in landing and putting up the huts; their great weight (2½ tons each) is a serious obstacle to their conveyance to the camp, with our limited transport. Each hut requires three stripped artillery waggons, with from 8 to 10 horses each, or 180 men.
Much sickness continues to prevail.
I have, &c.
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
.
War-Department, February 2, 1855.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle has received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to His Grace by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
January 15, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
THE fall of snow has been very great for the last three days, and it is now fully a foot deep; which, I am assured, is a very unusual occurrence in this part of the Crimea.
This circumstance adds materially to our difficulties in obtaining fuel; but detachments of Turks are posted near the coast to bring up wood, which has been cut by parties of our own in the neighbourhood of the Monastery of St. George, to the nearest divisions.
I am happy to say that the number of wounded in the sortie of the Russians, on the night of the 12th instant, was only six instead of thirty-six, as I erroneously stated to your Grace in my Despatch of the 13th, and that it was altogether a less serious affair than was at first reported.
Last night the enemy attacked the French advanced trench in considerable force, but were repulsed after a sharp contest and some loss on both sides.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, February 7, 1855.
HIS Grace the Duke of Newcastle received last night a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to His Grace by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
January 23, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
NOTHING has occurred of importance in our front; but the enemy has occasionally opened a fire upon our left attack, and Mr. Spalding, a fine young man, an Acting Mate of Her Majesty’s ship London, and in charge of the battery, was unfortunately killed by a round shot the day before yesterday.
His loss is deeply deplored.
The weather has become milder; but the country is still in a dreadful state from melted snow.
The Army is well supplied with warm clothing, and if the Commissariat were adequately provided with transport, and the huts could be at once brought up, there would be no other cause of suffering than the severity of a Crimean winter, and the duties imposed of carrying on a siege in such a climate at this season of the year.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, February 12, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
January 27, 1855,
MY LORD DUKE,
I HAVE the satisfaction to acquaint your Grace that the weather continues fine. There are severe frosts at night; but the sun shines brightly through the day, and there is an absence of wind, which, whilst it continued, added considerably to the sufferings of the troops.
Every exertion is making by public transport, and individually, in getting huts up; but this is a most difficult operation, and the ground is still so rotten that it is a most arduous labour to pass along it.
The extremely confined space of Balaklava, and the vast accumulation of stores, has obliged me to erect huts at some distance outside the town for their reception.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, February 16, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch, of which the following is a copy, addressed to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
February 3, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
NOTHING has occurred in front of the British lines since I wrote to your Grace on the 27th January.
Before daylight, on the morning of the 1st, the enemy made a vigorous sortie on the most advanced works of the French right: they were repulsed, after a sharp contest, in the most gallant manner by our Ally, who however sustained some loss.
The weather, which had latterly been fine, broke yesterday; and, after a rainy evening, there was a fall of snow during the night, and there is again a frost, with an exceedingly cold wind.
The materials for the railway continue to arrive, but I fear it will not be possible for me to supply the amount of military labour which Mr. Beatty would seem to require.
Nearly two hundred Croatians, who were hired at Constantinople, have arrived, and been handed over to him, and more are expected, and, as a matter of experiment, I have obtained four hundred Tartars from Eupatoria.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, February 20, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
February 6, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
I MENTIONED to your Grace on Saturday that the weather had broken. The frost was very severe on that night, and the thermometer down at thirteen, and the wind was very high and piercingly cold.
Sunday was rather milder, and yesterday was fine. To-day the glass has fallen, and there is every appearance of rain.
I am happy to state that the Medical Officers consider that the general condition of the men has improved, although apparently there is no diminution in the number of the sick.
The enemy has made no movement of importance, but great convoys of waggons have been observed to go into Sevastopol laden either with ammunition or provisions.
Lieutenant-Colonel Collingwood Dickson, of the Royal Artillery, an excellent officer, whom I have before had occasion to bring to your notice, was slightly wounded on the 4th instant, when making a reconnaissance in company with some French officers.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, February 23, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
February 10, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
I HAVE nothing material or important to report to your Grace since I addressed you on the 6th.
There was rain yesterday and the day before, and in the course of last night there was a considerable fall of snow, which remains on the ground; but it does not freeze, and the country is again saturated with wet.
It is reported from the front that great activity prevails in the town and harbour of Sevastopol.
Large convoys of apparently sick men were observed to be moving out of the place, and numerous carts, with one horse, to be coming in.
The enemy appear to be breaking up hulks in the Arsenal Creek, and to be using the material for platforms and chevaux de frise at the battery “du Mat.”
We are proceeding with the armament of the works on the right.
The health of the troops continues to improve in some slight degree. They are amply supplied with warm clothing and with provisions.
Forage is our only want, and this arises chiefly from the Commissary-General not receiving from England the supplies of hay upon which he has reckoned.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, February 27, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
February 13, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
I MENTIONED to your Grace in my Despatch of the 10th instant, that there had been a return of bad weather, and that the country was again saturated with wet.
On Sunday it rained or snowed from morning till night, and the wind was very high, and though it was fine yesterday, still the ground was in a worse state than I had seen it for some time.
The Enemy has made no movement.
Major-General Jones, Royal Engineers, arrived a few days ago, and is busily engaged in making himself acquainted with the position occupied by both Armies.
Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown has also returned, and I have great satisfaction in adding, in excellent health. His wound is healed, and, with the exception of not having entirely regained the full use of his elbow, he no longer suffers any inconvenience from it.
He will resume the command of his division without loss of time.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, March 2, 1855.
LORD PANMURE yesterday received a Despatch and its Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
February 17, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
I HAVE the satisfaction to acquaint your Grace that the weather has improved since I last addressed you, and the country is becoming drier.
Two days ago the thermometer was up at 60. It was somewhat lower yesterday, and early this morning it was down below freezing point, and at this moment it is snowing.
I mention these particulars in order to show your Grace how variable this climate is.
No movement has been made upon the part of the enemy. The garrison of Sevastopol is engaged in deepening the ditches, and improving the defences of the south front, and in constructing works on the north side of the harbour.
I have received information that the Russian Army, in the neighbourhood of Backshi Serai and Simpheropol, is suffering much from the want of provisions, and from privations of all kinds.
I am happy to be able to say that the railway is making considerable progress, and that every hope is entertained that in the course of a very short time it will be available for transit as far as Kadikoi, which will accelerate the conveyance of stores up to the camp.
I have great pleasure in stating that Colonel Bell, of the Royal Regiment, who received a slight wound in the side from a musket-ball, when commanding in the trenches on the night of the 14th instant, experiences very little inconvenience from it, and has felt well enough to continue to discharge his duty with his accustomed zeal.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
Royal Albert, off Sevastopol.
February 20, 1855.
SIR,
IN continuation of my letter of the 7th instant, No. 103, I enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty two letters from Captain Lushington, detailing the proceedings of the Naval Brigade since that date, and reporting their extraordinary good health.
I have, &c.,
ED. LYONS,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty,
London.
Enclosure No. 1.
Camp, Naval Brigade,
February 11, 1855.
SIR,
IN continuation of our proceedings, I have the honour to inform you that we have been employed this week in carrying shot into the batteries. The enemy continues augmenting his defences and firing on our working parties during the day. Several ineffectual sorties have been made on the French during the past week.
I have also been getting up slops and provisions, and have a supply for seven days of the latter in our store tents.
I have much pleasure in informing you of the healthy state of the brigade, having only 44 in the sick list, no serious cases, and victualling 998.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) S. LUSHINGTON,
Captain Commanding Naval Brigade.
Rear-Admiral Sir Edmd. Lyons, G.C.B.,
Commander-in-Chief.
Camp, Naval Brigade,
February 18, 1855.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to inform you that the enemy still continues strengthening his works.
I am happy to say that there have been no casualties this week, and that the brigade is remarkably healthy. We have only 27 men in the sick list, victualling 999 men and officers. All symptoms of scurvy have disappeared; and I am informed by the medical officers in charge, that he considers this as principally owing to the liberal supply of oranges issued to the brigade.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) S. LUSHINGTON,
Captain, Commanding Naval Brigade.
Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund
Lyons, Bart., G.C.B..
&c. &c. &c.
War-Department, March 8, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received Despatches and Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, and to His Lordship, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
February 20, 1855.
MY LORD DUKE,
YOUR Grace will have learnt, by my telegraphic despatch of the 18th inst., that the enemy had on the previous morning, at daylight, attacked Eupatoria with a very large force, and a powerful body of artillery, and had been repulsed, after an engagement which terminated with their retirement at 10 A.M.
I have now the honour to lay before your Grace copies of two letters which I have received from Colonel Simmons, who is attached to the head-quarters of Omer Pasha, containing the details of the action; and, whilst your Grace will rejoice to see that the Turkish troops which have been landed at Eupatoria have availed themselves of the earliest opportunity to show that the character they acquired on the Danube was well merited and remained unimpaired, you will join in the regret which I feel that they have suffered so considerable a loss, and that among the killed is numbered the General of Division, Selim Pasha (an Egyptian), and among the wounded a General of Brigade, also an Egyptian.
This loss, however, and particularly that sustained by a battery of artillery, afford ample proof of the gallant and determined conduct of the troops, and of the serious nature of the attack made upon them, as well as of their being worthy of their illustrious chief.
I have great satisfaction in drawing your Grace’s attention to that part of Lieutenant Colonel Simmons’ dispatch, in which he bears testimony to the efficient assistance rendered to the Ottoman army by Her Majesty’s ships in the bay, under the command of the Honourable Captain Hastings, of the Curaçoa.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
&c. &c. &c.
Eupatoria, February 17, 1855,
1 P.M.
MY LORD,
I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that on the 15th instant, several large convoys and arrivals of troops were seen moving along the north shore of the Sasik Putrid Lake, from the eastward.
This movement on the part of the enemy caused Omer Pasha to place the garrison on the alert. No further movement, however, was seen yesterday on the part of the enemy; but this morning, at daylight, they advanced in great force, and opened with artillery upon the entrenchments which inclose the town. The advanced line of works, which I informed your Lordship it was his Highness’s intention to erect, were not yet commenced.
The enemy’s artillery opened their fire about twelve hundred yards from the place, covered by skirmishers, and supported by heavy masses of infantry in their rear, and cavalry on their flanks. The artillery subsequently took up a second position more in advance, about four hundred yards from a small crown work which is being erected in front of the mills to the north-east of the town, and after continuing their fire for some time, the infantry advanced to the attack, having formed under the cover of a wall about six hundred yards from the right of the town. They were repulsed at this point, leaving from 150 to 200 dead on the field. On other points of the field a number of horses were left dead, but the killed men were removed. At length, about 10 A.M., the whole force retired, covered by the artillery and cavalry.
I am not able as yet to ascertain the number of men engaged, but I should think there were not less than 40,000 of all arms, with a very powerful artillery.
As many as sixty of the enemy’s guns must have been firing at one time, amongst them some 32-pounders. Prisoners report that they were accompanied by 100 guns. As yet all the particulars I have been able positively to ascertain is that Liprandi’s division (the 12th) was present.
At present I understand that they are in position about five miles north from this, their left leaning on the Sasik Putrid Lake.
It is with much pleasure I have to inform your Lordship that the portion of Her Majesty’s Fleet, under the Honourable Captain Hastings, have rendered most efficient assistance. The Valorous threw some well directed shells and completely covered our left, whilst the Viper gun-boat, which was at first stationed on the left with the Valorous, by Captain Hastings’ directions moved and took up a flanking position on the right near the mills.
I cannot at present give your Lordship any details of the killed and wounded on the side of the Turks; I regret to say, however, that Selim Pasha, commanding the Egyptian Brigade here, is amongst the former.
One battery of Turkish artillery was completely disabled, every gun having been struck and a great number (nearly one-third) of the horses killed.
I am desirous your Lordship should receive a report of the action, with as little delay as possible, by the Queen of the South; so I must beg your Lordship to excuse further details, which shall be sent by a future occasion.
I am, &c.
(Signed) JOHN SIMMONS,
Captain Royal Engineers, Brevet-Major.
Field-Marshal Lord Raglan, G.C.B.,
&c. &c. &c.
P.S. A prisoner informs us that a prince commanded, but he could not remember his name.
I am happy to say there are no casualties among the English or French officers. Two French sous-officers are among the killed, and two privates wounded.
(Signed) JOHN S.
War-Department, March 17, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Lordship, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
February 27, 1855.
MY LORD,
IT appears that on Saturday night the enemy sunk three or four more ships of war in the harbour, as far within the booms as the first sunken ships were outside of them; and, according to the most accurate examination yesterday, there are now four barriers or impediments to the entrance of the harbour, viz.: two of sunken ships, and two booms.
The only movement on the part of the enemy, since I last wrote to your Lordship, is the march of some infantry and artillery from the neighbourhood of Bakchi-Sarai towards the Tchernaya, upon which river, near Chagouna, they have at present five guns and several hundred men.
The weather has been fine for the last three days, the snow is gradually disappearing, and the country is becoming drier.
The enemy have re-occupied the ground which was the scene of contest between the French and Russians on Saturday morning before daylight; and they are making great progress in a work they are establishing upon that point.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
Before Sevastopol,
March 20, 1855.
MY LORD,
IN my despatch of the 17th instant, I reported to your Lordship the progress made in forming the parallel constructed to unite the right of our right attack with the left of the French on the Inkerman heights.
The contest of the latter with the enemy for the possession of the Rifle pits in their immediate front was renewed after dark on that night, and was continued for several hours, the fire being excessively heavy, particularly of musketry, and considerable loss must have been sustained by our allies I fear, as well as by the enemy, who continue to hold the ambuscades; but the French persevere, notwithstanding, in working forward, and are approaching the mamelon, on which the Russians are busily engaged in building a formidable work, though frequently interrupted by our batteries and those of the French.
On the night of the 17th the English parallels were not attacked, but the fire to which I have above alluded was so continuous, that the whole force was either under arms or ready to turn out.
It was currently reported yesterday that Prince Menchikoff had died on his way to Moscow. I have not been able to ascertain if this report be founded; but it was so fully credited as to have been despatched to Constantinople.
Prince Gortchakoff is stated to have arrived at Bachshi Sarai, and to have assumed the command of the army.
Reinforcements are reported to be on their way from Russia, and the 9th Division to have reached the neighbourhood of Eupatoria. The position of the Russian troops in the vicinity of the Tchernaya remains unaltered.
The progress of the railway continues to be satisfactory, and we are already enabled to use it with considerable advantage, both for the conveyance of supplies and hutting, so far as the high ground some way on this side of Kadikoi.
Mr. Beattie’s exertions deserve every commendation.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
War-Department, March 22, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Lordship, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
March 8, 1855.
MY LORD,
THE enemy continue to manifest great activity in preparing the work which I mentioned to your Lordship in my despatch (No. 187), and are now bringing up platform timber and guns for the equipment and armament of it.
Vast convoys are daily observed arriving on the north side of the town; and I learn, from information entitled to credit, that the road leading from Simpheropol is covered with waggons laden with provisions and munitions of war.
This morning three British guns, placed in a battery overhanging the Tchernaya, opened upon two small steamers anchored at the head of the harbour, and, after a fire of about an hour, obliged them to take refuge behind a point. One of them appeared to have sustained considerable damage, and is supposed to have been deserted by her crew.
The weather was fine yesterday, and is particularly so to day, and the country is becoming quite dry.
I have reason to hope that the sick are deriving material benefit from this change.
I have established a convalescent hospital on the heights immediately above Balaklava, near a fine spring of water.
The Inspector-General of Hospitals entertains great expectations of the advantages that will result from placing the huts in so healthy a locality.
Lieutenant-General Pennefather has resumed the command of the 2nd Division; and is, I am happy to be able to report, looking remarkably well.
I have, &c.,