War-Department, March 24, 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 10, 1855.
MY LORD,
I HAVE really nothing to report to your Lordship this day.
I am happy however to be able to inform you that the weather is exceedingly fine; and that I entertain great hopes, derived from the reports of the Principal Medical Officer, that the sick will materially benefit by the improvement in the temperature.
Our advanced batteries are making considerable progress.
Every effort is directed to the maintenance of the camps in a healthy state, which, as the warm weather approaches, becomes daily more important.
I received on the evening of the 6th instant, a telegraphic despatch from Lord John Russell, dated Berlin, the 2nd, announcing the death of the Emperor of Russia at twelve o’clock on that day.
According to the information of deserters, the event has not been promulgated at Sevastopol.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
War-Department, March 28, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received two Despatches and their Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Lordship by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
March 13, 1855.
MY LORD,
THE enemy commenced working upon the mamelon in front of the tower of Malakoff in the night of Friday; but the nature of the work, from the thickness of the atmosphere, could not be distinguished.
Great progress, however, had been perceived on Sunday, and that night a strong working party of the British troops was occupied in commencing a parallel from the advanced point of our right attack, with a view to form a junction with the corresponding parallel to be made on their side by the French, who began it on the following evening; and much was done to forward the operation before daylight this morning, and it is hoped that the object will be completed to-night.
The weather is generally fine in the early part of the day, but towards evening heavy sea fogs come rolling in, and wholly obscure the view of the place.
The enemy have shewn a battalion and some Cosaques on the heights above Balaklava, and towards Kamara, probably with the view to interrupt the French and English wood-cutting parties, for the construction of gabions, in the immediate neighbourhood, but the allied detachments have not been obliged to discontinue their work.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
Before Sevastopol,
March 17, 1855.
MY LORD,
THE progress of the parallel, which I reported to your Lordship in my despatch of the 13th instant (No. 205), has not been as rapid as was anticipated, the ground being extremely rocky, and the difficulty of procuring cover consequently excessive, and rendering it almost impossible to carry on the operation during the day.
Both the English and the French have now, however, succeeded in establishing the communication between them. Her Majesty’s troops have not been assailed; but our Allies have been kept constantly in action, and they have succeeded in driving the enemy from the rifle pits, in which they had established themselves in their immediate front, with distinguished gallantry and great perseverance. They, however, have sustained some loss, though not equal to that which they have inflicted upon their opponents.
A steady fire has been maintained upon the mamelon in the occupation of the enemy, from the guns in our right attack; and the practice of both the navy and the artillery has been conspicuously good, and reflects the highest credit on those branches of Her Majesty’s service.
Although no positive attack had been directed against our works, our approaches are carried so close to the enemy, that the casualties are greater than they have lately been, as your Lordship will be concerned to remark in examining the returns I have the honour to enclose; and it is my painful duty to announce to your Lordship the death of Captain Craigie, of the Royal Engineers, whose zeal and devotion to the service could not be surpassed, and who was killed on the 13th, after he had been relieved from the trenches, and was on his way to the Engineer Park, by a splinter from a shell, which burst close to him.
I have the honour to report the arrival of Lieutenant-General Simpson, who joined my Head Quarters yesterday, and that of Sir John McNeill and Colonel Tulloch, who reached Balaklava a few days before.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, April 3, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received a Despatch and its Enclosure, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Lordship, by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
March 20, 1855.
MY LORD,
IT is with deep concern that I transmit for your Lordship’s information the copy of a letter, which I received on the 18th instant, from General Canrobert, announcing, with every expression of concern, the death of a British officer, who appears to have wandered into the French camp, and not answering the challenge that was repeated three times was shot dead by the French sentry, whose post he had approached.
This officer, Surgeon Le Blanc, of the 9th Foot, occupied a tent near the hospital huts of his regiment, situated at some distance from the encampment of the regiment itself. He was a gentleman of most temperate habits, and was occupied in reading, when suddenly, upon the alarm sounding, he rose from his seat, leaving his candle lighted and his book open, and walked out, he was never seen alive afterwards.
It should be explained that, shortly after the close of day on the 17th, there was a very heavy fire on the left of the French right, which was maintained for several hours. None of the English posts were attacked, but it was considered prudent to get the greater portion of our troops under arms. Mr. Le Blanc was shortsighted, and probably mistook his way from the first, the night being excessively dark, for he was found far distant to the left, and must have wandered from our position without knowing the direction in which he was going.
Being anxious to ascertain the facts of this unfortunate case, as correctly as possible, I have set on foot an enquiry to be conducted by English and French officers, in association with each other; and I propose to do myself the honour to send you their report.
I have addressed a similar letter to the General Commanding-in-Chief.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
War-Department, April 6, 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 24, 1855.
MY LORD,
ON the morning of the 22nd the French troops in the advanced parallel moved forward, and drove the enemy out of the rifle pits in their immediate front, but nothing of any importance occurred during the day.
Early in the night, however, a serious attack was made upon the works of our Allies in front of the Victoria redoubt, opposite the Malakof tower.
The night was very dark, and the wind so high, that the firing which took place, and which was very heavy, could scarcely be heard in the British camp; it is therefore difficult to speak with certainty of what occurred from any thing that could be heard or observed at the moment.
It appears, however, that the Russians, after attacking the head of the sap which the French are carrying on towards the Mamelon, fell with two heavy masses on their new parallel, to the rear of which they succeeded in penetrating and momentarily possessing themselves of, after a gallant resistance on the part of our Allies.
Having broken through, they passed along the parallel and in rear of it, until they came in contact with the troops stationed in our advanced parallel extending into the ravine, from the right of our advance, where it connects with the French trench.
The enemy was here met by detachments of the 77th and 97th Regiments, forming part of the guard of the trenches, who, although thus taken suddenly both in flank and rear, behaved with the utmost gallantry and coolness.
The detachments of the 97th, which was on the extreme right, and which consequently first came in contact with the enemy, repulsed the attack at the point of the bayonet.
They were led by Captain Vicars, who, unfortunately, lost his life on the occasion; and I am assured that nothing could be more distinguished than the gallantry and good example which he set to the detachment under his command.
The conduct of the detachment of the 77th was equally distinguished; and the firmness and promptitude with which the attack, in this part of our works, was met, were in the highest degree creditable to that regiment.
These troops were under the direction of Major Gordon, of the Royal Engineers, who was wounded on the occasion so severely, as for some time I fear, to deprive the Army of the benefit of his valuable services.
The attention of the troops in our advanced works having been by these transactions drawn to the right, the enemy took occasion to move upon, and succeeded in penetrating into, the left front of our right attack, near the battery where two 10-inch mortars have recently been placed. They advanced along the works until they were met by a detachment of the 7th and 34th regiments, which had been at work in the neighbourhood, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Tylden, of the Royal Engineers, who promptly made them stand to their arms, and led them with the greatest determination and steadiness against the enemy, who were speedily ejected from the works and fairly pitched over the parapet, with but little or no firing on our part.
Lieutenant-Colonel Tylden speaks in the highest terms of the conduct of the troops on this occasion, and particularly of that of Lieutenant Marsh, Acting-Adjutant of the 33rd Regiment, whose services and activity throughout the night were very useful to him.
Captain the Honourable Cavendish Browne, of the 7th, and Lieutenant Jordan of the 34th Regiment, were unfortunately killed in this attack after displaying the most distinguished gallantry and Lieutenant McHenry of the former Regiment was wounded, but I hope not very severely. Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly, of the 34th Regiment, who commanded in the trenches, is, I regret to have to add, missing.
The French, in retiring from their advanced parallel upon their supports, speedily rallied, and fell upon the enemy, whom they repulsed with great loss, and followed so far up towards the Mamelon, that they were enabled to level and destroy nearly all the “ambuscades” or “rifle concealments” erected along their front.
I fear, however, that this success has not been accomplished without considerable loss on their part, although that of the enemy is much greater.
Yesterday the whole of the ground between the posts of the two armies was covered with their dead, amounting to several hundreds, besides those which they had undoubtedly carried off before daylight.
In the meanwhile the enemy in great numbers found their way into the advanced batteries on our extreme left, which are not yet armed, and momentarily got possession of them.
The working parties were, however, speedily collected and reformed by Captain Chapman, of the 20th Regiment, Acting-Engineer, and they at once drove the enemy out of the trenches with the utmost gallantry.
Captain Montagu, of the Royal Engineers, who was superintending the works, unfortunately fell into the hands of the enemy.
The wind is excessively high, but the weather is in other respects fine.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
War-Department, April 12, 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 27, 1855.
MY LORD,
ADVERTING to my despatch of the 24th instant, I do myself the honour to state that the following officers have been brought to my notice as having distinguished themselves on the night of the 22nd and morning of the 23rd, in addition to those whose names I have already submitted to your Lordship; Major The Hon. James Lyon Browne of the 21st Regiment, brother of The Hon. Captain Browne of the Royal Fusiliers, who, it has already been my painful duty to report, fell upon this occasion; Captain Butler of the 20th and Captain Rickman of the 77th.
I am happy to say that Captain Montagu of the Royal Engineers, who was taken prisoner, was not wounded, and that Lieutenant-Colonel Kelly, of the 34th Regiment, who also fell into the enemy’s hands, is not severely wounded, though he received some injury both in his head and hand.
Major-General Eyre the General Officer of the Trenches, highly eulogizes the dispositions of Lt.-Colonel Kelly and laments the loss of his services.
The Major-General also speaks in the warmest terms of the conduct of Lieut.-Colonel Tylden, Royal Engineers, who received a contusion, which however I am glad to be able to assure your Lordship does not incapacitate him from continuing those exertions and displaying those qualities which render him so valuable an officer.
There was a suspension of hostilities for about three hours on Saturday for the purpose of burying those who had fallen in the late encounters; and it was evident from the numbers of bodies of the Enemy, and of the French, to whom the last sad offices had to be paid, that the loss sustained both by the French and the Russians had been very severe, particularly that of the latter. Some French, too, were found lying close to the Mamelon, a proof that their gallant spirit had carried them up to the Enemy’s intrenchments.
Nothing of importance has since occurred. The siege operations continue to progress, and during the last two nights the interruption from the fire of the Enemy has been inconsiderable.
The Enemy are very assiduous in the improvement of their defences, and in the establishment of a trench in the front of the Mamelon, towards which our ally is advancing by serpentine sap.
The weather continues very fine, and the appearance and health of the troops are manifestly improving.
Dr. Gavin, of the Sanitary Commission and Mr. Rawlinson, Civil Engineer, have arrived, and are earnestly applying themselves to the discharge of the duties they have undertaken to perform; and I will take care that they receive every assistance it may be in my power to afford them.
The Himalaya has arrived, and has been disembarking her horses yesterday and this day in Kasatch Bay.
Since writing the above, I have received the official report that Captain A.E. Hill of the 89th Regiment was severely wounded, and taken prisoner last night whilst posting his sentries in front of the advanced trench on our extreme left.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
War-Department, April 14, 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 31, 1855.
MY LORD,
SINCE I wrote to your Lordship, on the 27th instant, the operations of the siege have been continued, without any material interruption from the enemy beyond occasional shots from guns and mortars, and the more constant firing of musketry from rifle-pits, which have occasioned, I regret to say, the casualties which your Lordship will see in the returns I inclose.
Captain A.E. Hill, of the 89th Regiment, whom I mentioned in my despatch, No. 222, as having been severely wounded and taken prisoner, died, I regret to say, of his wounds, before he reached the Russian ambulance, as I learnt last night from General Osten-Sacken, to whom I had written for information on the subject.
He had gone forward with a view to place the sentries in front of our advanced works, as I stated to your Lordship on Tuesday, and he, unfortunately, mistook a Russian for a French picquet, and, having challenged it in French, he was immediately fired upon, and brought to the ground.
Early yesterday morning a fire was observed in the town of Sevastopol, which raged with violence for a considerable time, but how it originated I have not been able to ascertain.
The enemy has made no movement on the side of the Tchernaya.
The railway continues to progress in the most satisfactory manner, and last night had nearly reached the top of the hill, usually called the Col de Balaklava, and advantage has been taken of it to bring up large quantities of ammunition and stores.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
Before Sevastopol,
April 7, 1855.
MY LORD,
SOME interchange of troops has taken place since I addressed your Lordship on the 31st ultimo.
Battalions and considerable convoys have entered the town, and other bodies of troops have been seen to leave the north side. The garrison has been constantly engaged in adding to the works, and particularly in connecting the rifle pits in the immediate front of our right attack; and as we have pushed forward, the fire upon our advance has occasioned more loss, I deeply regret to say, than we have sustained since the sortie of the 23rd March.
Lieutenant Bainbrigge, of the Royal Engineers, was, I lament to have to add, killed on the morning of the 4th April, whilst in the execution of his duty, by the bursting of a shell.
He was a young officer of much promise, and though he had not long been here, he had acquired the esteem and good opinion of his brother officers, and his loss is greatly deplored by all.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
Before Sevastopol,
April 17, 1855.
MY LORD,
THE fire of both the French and English armies has been continued upon Sevastopol since I addressed your Lordship on the 14th instant, and though superior to that of the enemy, it has not produced that permanent effect which might have been anticipated from its constancy, power, and accuracy.
The guns of the Russians have been turned upon some of our advanced works in vast numbers, and in one particular instance the injury sustained by a battery was so great that the unremitting exertions of Captains Henry and Walcot, and the gallantry and determination of the artillerymen under their orders, alone enabled them to keep up the fire and to maintain themselves in it.
In another battery yesterday a shell burst close to the magazine, which in consequence exploded, killing I am much concerned to say, one man, wounding two most severely, and seven in a less degree.
Both the batteries I have mentioned have been repaired and restored to their original condition.
I have to lament the loss of two young and promising officers who had only lately joined the army, Lieutenant Preston, of the 88th Regiment, and Lieutenant Mitchell, of the Artillery; and I regret to add that two others have been severely wounded, Captain Green, of the East India Company’s Service, who has been employed throughout the siege as an Assistant Engineer, with great credit to himself and every advantage to the service, and Captain Donovan, of the 33rd, who has most zealously served from the commencement of the campaign.
The French blew up several small mines in front of the Bastion du Mât after sunset on Sunday evening, with a view to establish a parallel on the spot. This operation greatly alarmed the enemy, who at once commenced a heavy fire of cannon and musketry in every direction from that part of the town, which they kept up for a considerable time. It occasioned no harm on our left attack, upon which a part of it was directed, and I hope did little injury to our allies.
Several hundreds of the Russian Cavalry and a small body of Cossacks appeared on the low range of heights in front of Balaklava this morning, and remained about an hour, when they retired, the greater portion by the bridge of Tractea. The object of this movement was probably a reconnaissance.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, April 20, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received two Despatches and their Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Lordship by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
April 3, 1855.
MY LORD,
I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship a letter of this date, from Dr. Hall, enclosing a weekly return of the sick of the Army, up to the 31st ultimo.[not enclosed]
Your Lordship will see, with satisfaction, that the general health of the Army continues steadily to improve.
I have also to submit to your Lordship, with reference to your despatch, No. 22, of the 26th February, the copy of a letter from the same officer, on the question of accommodation for wounded men, on the event of any sudden emergency occurring.
As the ships referred to by Dr. Hall arc constantly on passage, and might all be so at the time they might be wanted for the wounded, I proposed to Sir Edmund Lyons to have some sailing vessels got ready for their reception, and accordingly, with his sanction, the following transports are under preparation; – Orient, Sir George Pollock, St. Hilder, William Jackson, and Poictiers; – and it is calculated that they will hold from 100 to 150 men each.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
War-Department, April 24, 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,
April 10, 1855.
MY LORD,
IN accordance with the arrangement made between General Canrobert and myself, the batteries of the French and English armies opened upon Sevastopol soon after daylight yesterday morning.
The weather was extremely unpropitious. Much rain had fallen in the course of the night, and it continued during the day, accompanied by a tempestuous wind and a heavy mist, which obscured everything, and rendered it impossible to ascertain with any degree of accuracy the effect of the fire, which has been continued with little or no interruption from the commencement, and has been superior to that of the enemy, who were evidently taken by surprise, and, except upon the extreme left, did not respond to the attack for nearly half an hour.
This morning has been hazy, and for some time there was a drizzling rain; but it is clearing this afternoon, and there is again a prospect of fine weather.
The country yesterday was covered with water, and the ground was again very deep. The trenches were likewise extremely muddy, and their condition added greatly to the labours of the men employed in the batteries, who consisted chiefly of sailors, artillerymen, and sappers. They conducted their duties admirably, and I am sorry to say that the two former, particularly the Navy, sustained considerable loss.
I have not yet received the returns of the casualties beyond the 9th instant, which are herewith inclosed; but the death of Lieutenant Twyford, of the Royal Navy, a most promising officer, and greatly respected by all, has been notified to me; and Captain Lord John Hay, who has taken a most active part in the gallant and distinguished services of the Naval Brigade, was wounded almost at the very moment, I believe by the same shot. I hope the injury he has received is not very serious, but the loss of his assistance even for a time is much to be regretted.
The Russians have not shown themselves in any force in front of Balaklava.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, April 26, 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,
April 14, 1855.
MY LORD,
SINCE I wrote to your Lordship on the 10th instant, a steady and heavy fire upon the works of the enemy has been maintained from all the batteries of the Allies.
The fire of the British artillery, chiefly directed against the Garden Batteries, the Barrack Battery, the Redan, the Malakoff Tower, and the Mamelon, has been most effective, and the enemy’s works have suffered very considerably, although they have as usual made a good use of the night to repair damages, notwithstanding that the vertical fire has been continued throughout the twenty-four hours.
The practice both of the Naval Brigade and the Artillery has been excellent.
The casualties have not been very numerous, but the loss has fallen heavily upon the sailors, as your Lordship will see by the accompanying returns, and the Royal Navy has to deplore the death of Lieutenant Douglas, who had served with great ability and zeal from the commencement of the siege.
Lieutenants Urmston and D’Aeth, Royal Navy, and Steele, Royal Marine Artillery, all valuable officers, have been wounded.
The Royal Artillery has also to lament the death of Lieutenant Luce, who was an officer of much promise; and Lieutenants Sinclair and L’Estrange are among the wounded. The former has sustained several severe injuries, but I am happy to add that there is every hope of his recovery. They are both highly meritorious officers.
Captain Crofton, of the Royal Engineers, who had in the course of the protracted operations before Sevastopol rendered most essential service, has also received a wound, which will, I fear, detain him from duty for a very considerable time.
Our batteries and parapets continue to stand remarkably well, notwithstanding the very unfavourable state of the weather.
The enemy’s fire has been comparatively slack, but the practice good, and owing to their having ascertained the range of our batteries with great nicety, several guns have been disabled in both the right and left attacks.
Towards the Tchernaya nothing important has been observed, but small bodies of men, from 150 to 500, have been seen, with a heavy gun and some ordnance carriages, moving along the Inkerman heights towards Mackenzie’s Farm-road, near which it has been placed in position.
Although the duties have been unusually severe and arduous both by day and night during the week, they have been carried out with the utmost cheerfulness and zeal, reflecting much credit both on officers and men.
The submarine telegraph has been safely brought to the Monastery from Cape Kelegra, and as soon as it is established at the former place, the engineers will proceed to convey it from the latter to the immediate neighbourhood of Varna, where I hope it may be in a state to act in a week or ten days from this time.
The first division of the 10th Hussars, arrived this day at Balaklava.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
Admiralty, April 26, 1855.
A DESPATCH, of which the following is a copy, has been received from Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, Bart., G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty’s Ships and Vessels in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Royal Albert, off Sevastopol,
April 13, 1855.
SIR,
MY letter of the 10th instant, No. 284, will have informed the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that the siege batteries before Sevastopol re-opened their fire on the 9th instant.
I grieve to say that the casualties have been severe, though not, perhaps, more than might have been expected, considering the number of guns which are manned by seamen. Lists of the casualties on each day are enclosed for the information of their Lordships; and I have to lament the fall of two gallant and promising young officers, Lieutenant Samuel Twyford, of the London, and Lieutenant W.H. Douglas, of the Queen. Captain Lord John Hay and Lieutenant Urmston, of the Queen, have been wounded, though not severely.
The services of the officers and seamen of the Naval Brigade have been invaluable.
I have, &c.,
ED. LYONS,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty,
London.
War-Department, May 7, 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,
April 24, 1855.
MY LORD,
NOTHING material has occurred since I made my report to your Lordship on the 21st instant.
The Russian rifle pit, immediately in front of that which was taken on the night of the 19th, was destroyed by a party of volunteers on the morning of the 21st instant. These were headed by Lieutenant and Adjutant Walker, of the 30th Regiment, who is stated to be an excellent officer, and to have conducted himself on the occasion in the most spirited manner.
The pit was found to be empty, and being useless was immediately levelled and filled in. The enemy did not interrupt the work.
I inclose the list of casualties, which, I regret to say, is heavy.[not enclosed] The nearer we approach the place the more loss is to be apprehended. Hitherto it has been less than might have been expected.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, May 16, 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,
May 1, 1855.
MY LORD,
I HAVE little to report to your Lordship to-day.
The Russians continue actively engaged in covering their advanced works, and they have constructed a new battery on their left of the Mamelon; troops are constantly in motion on the north side, and there is every appearance of the establishment of a very large camp on the plateau above the Balbek, extending towards Mackenzie’s Farm.
No movement has been perceived on the Tchernaya.
I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship, that the 3rd Regiment or Buffs has arrived at Balaklava, and that the Alma, having the draft of the Guards on board, reached Kazutch Bay yesterday; she has proceeded to Balaklava to-day.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, May 18, 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,
May 5, 1855.
MY LORD,
SINCE I wrote to your Lordship on the 1st instant, nothing of importance has arisen; the enemy still appear to be collecting troops upon the high ground on the opposite side of the Tchernaya, in the neighbourhood of Sevastopol, and convoys are constantly seen moving in that direction.
The fire from the place upon our trenches has not been heavy; but, notwithstanding, I have some casualties to report to you, as shewn in the accompanying returns; and I have to lament the death of three promising young officers, Lieutenants Carter of the Royal Engineers, Curtis of the 46th, and White of the 62nd Regiments.
On the night of the 1st instant the French attacked a kind of counterguard which the Russians had established in front of the central bastion.
The operation was quite successful, and the enemy were driven out with great loss, leaving behind them nine small mortars. Our Allies have remained in the work, notwithstanding the heavy fire to which they have been exposed, and have established themselves therein, frustrating the efforts made by their adversaries to dispossess them of it on the following day, when a vigorous sortie was repulsed, and the Russians were again great sufferers.
The conduct of the French troops was very brilliant.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, May 21, 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,
May 8, 1855.
MY LORD,
THE enemy assaulted our advanced parallel on the right attack on the night of the 5th instant, and some actually got into the trench; but they were speedily driven out and repulsed with the utmost gallantry by the detachments occupying it, of the 30th and 49th Regiments, under Captain Williamson and Lieutenant Gubbins, of the former, and Lieutenant Rochfort, of the latter, who, unfortunately, was severely wounded; and I regret to have to add that several valuable non-commissioned officers and men were killed and wounded on the occasion.
On the same night Captain Arnold,* of the 4th Foot, was wounded and taken prisoner, whilst posting the advanced sentries on the left attack. The loss of the services of this Officer is greatly to be lamented. He had done his duty unremittingly, and in the most spirited manner, throughout the operations of the siege.
I have heard that six ships, having on board Sardinian troops, have arrived in the Bosphorus.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
P.S. I have the satisfaction to announce to you the arrival of the first detachment of the 12th Lancers.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
War-Department, May 7, 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,
April 24, 1855.
MY LORD,
NOTHING material has occurred since I made my report to your Lordship on the 21st instant.
The Russian rifle pit, immediately in front of that which was taken on the night of the 19th, was destroyed by a party of volunteers on the morning of the 21st instant. These were headed by Lieutenant and Adjutant Walker, of the 30th Regiment, who is stated to be an excellent officer, and to have conducted himself on the occasion in the most spirited manner.
The pit was found to be empty, and being useless was immediately levelled and filled in. The enemy did not interrupt the work.
I inclose the list of casualties, which, I regret to say, is heavy. The nearer we approach the place the more loss is to be apprehended. Hitherto it has been less than might have been expected.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
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,
May 1, 1855.
MY LORD,
I HAVE little to report to your Lordship to-day.
The Russians continue actively engaged in covering their advanced works, and they have constructed a new battery on their left of the Mamelon; troops are constantly in motion on the north side, and there is every appearance of the establishment of a very large camp on the plateau above the Balbek, extending towards Mackenzie’s Farm.
No movement has been perceived on the Tchernaya.
I have the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship, that the 3rd Regiment or Buffs has arrived at Balaklava, and that the Alma, having the draft of the Guards on board, reached Kazutch Bay yesterday; she has proceeded to Balaklava to-day.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, May 18, 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,
May 5, 1855.
MY LORD,
SINCE I wrote to your Lordship on the 1st instant, nothing of importance has arisen; the enemy still appear to be collecting troops upon the high ground on the opposite side of the Tchernaya, in the neighbourhood of Sevastopol, and convoys are constantly seen moving in that direction.
The fire from the place upon our trenches has not been heavy; but, notwithstanding, I have some casualties to report to you, as shewn in the accompanying returns; and I have to lament the death of three promising young officers, Lieutenants Carter of the Royal Engineers, Curtis of the 46th, and White of the 62nd Regiments.
On the night of the 1st instant the French attacked a kind of counterguard which the Russians had established in front of the central bastion.
The operation was quite successful, and the enemy were driven out with great loss, leaving behind them nine small mortars. Our Allies have remained in the work, notwithstanding the heavy fire to which they have been exposed, and have established themselves therein, frustrating the efforts made by their adversaries to dispossess them of it on the following day, when a vigorous sortie was repulsed, and the Russians were again great sufferers.
The conduct of the French troops was very brilliant.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, May 21, 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,
May 8, 1855.
MY LORD,
THE enemy assaulted our advanced parallel on the right attack on the night of the 5th instant, and some actually got into the trench; but they were speedily driven out and repulsed with the utmost gallantry by the detachments occupying it, of the 30th and 49th Regiments, under Captain Williamson and Lieutenant Gubbins, of the former, and Lieutenant Rochfort, of the latter, who, unfortunately, was severely wounded; and I regret to have to add that several valuable non-commissioned officers and men were killed and wounded on the occasion.
On the same night Captain Arnold,* of the 4th Foot, was wounded and taken prisoner, whilst posting the advanced sentries on the left attack. The loss of the services of this Officer is greatly to be lamented. He had done his duty unremittingly, and in the most spirited manner, throughout the operations of the siege.
I have heard that six ships, having on board Sardinian troops, have arrived in the Bosphorus.
RAGLAN.
P.S. I have the satisfaction to announce to you the arrival of the first detachment of the 12th Lancers.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c.
*Intelligence has since been received of the death of Captain Arnold.
War-Department, May 24, 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,
May 12, 1855.
MY LORD,
I DO myself the honour to acquaint your Lordship that General de la Marmora, with a portion of the Sardinian Contingent, arrived off Balaklava on the night of the 8th instant, and he came up to head-quarters the following morning.
The very unfavourable state of the weather since the 9th has prevented any material part of the force being landed; and it has been found necessary to send the vessels that brought it, and which could not be got into the harbour, to Kazatch Bay, until it should moderate.
Five troops of the 12th Lancers landed on the 9th from the Himalaya, which performed the voyage from Alexandria to Balaklava in ninety-four hours.
The enemy made two serious assaults upon our most advanced parallel of the right attack on the night of the 9th, but were on each occasion most nobly met and repulsed with considerable loss.
The arrangements of Colonel Trollope, who had charge of the right attack, and Lieutenant-Colonel Mundy, the Field Officer of the trenches, were most judicious; and Captain Turner, of the Royal Fusiliers, and Captain Jordan, of the 34th Regiment, are reported to have done their duty in the most gallant manner.
They opened a powerful fire on our trenches on the following night, and exposed their columns to a heavy musketry fire from the troops on duty. They did not however reach the parapets, nor indeed come very near them.
Last night a very determined sortie was made upon the advance of our left attack. The enemy moved forward in two columns from the Woronzow road. Our advanced sentries having slowly retired, the guard of the trenches was prepared to receive them, and consequently drove them back in the most determined manner. A few Russians only got into the parallel, and five were left dead close outside.
The conduct of both officers and men was admirable, and it is with deep concern that I have to report the death of Captain Edwards, of the 68th Foot, and that of five men.
I have also the pain of saying, that the wounded amount to thirty.
Owing to the great quantity of rain which has fallen during the last few days, the service in the trenches has again been most arduous and severe upon our men, who deserve all praise for their energy and untiring perseverance.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, May 28, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received two Despatches and their Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Lordship by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
May 15, 1855.
MY LORD,
SINCE my despatch of the 12th instant, nothing has occurred worthy of being reported to your Lordship.
The fire has been very slack, and that of the enemy has been directed towards the French works rather than against the English trenches.
The remainder of the 12th Lancers has arrived and will be disembarked to day.
All our means are devoted to the landing of the Sardinian troops, which the bad weather had prevented on the arrival of the first ships.
I have found it necessary, in some instances, to land artillery horses at Kazatch Bay, to avoid further crowding the harbour of Balaklava.
I have, &c.,
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
War-Department, June 6, 1855.
LORD PANMURE has this day received two Despatches and their Enclosures, of which the following are copies, addressed to His Lordship by Field-Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.
Before Sevastopol,
May 26, 1855.
MY LORD,
I HAVE the honour to report to your Lordship that a portion of the Allied Armies took up a position yesterday on this side of the Tchernaya, the left of the French resting under a redoubt established upon the edge of this ridge overhanging the valley, and opposite the Inkerman heights; the right extending beyond Tractir; and the ground more to the right, behind Chorgouna, being occupied by the Sardinian troops, aided in their advance by the 10th Hussars and 12th Lancers and the Horse Artillery, under Colonel Parlby.
Omer Pasha at the same time moved forward to the low heights in front of Balaklava, and thus afforded support to the French Divisions before him. These were commanded by General Canrobert, who pushed forward across the bridge of Tractir, and drove the enemy, who were not in great numbers, off, and having cleared his front, he withdrew to this side of the river, where he now remains.
Sir Colin Campbell advanced the Royal Marines from the high ridge on our extreme right to a point commanding the old Baidar-road; and Colonel Parlby, with the regiments I have mentioned, reconnoitred the country on the immediate right of General La Marmora’s position, and patrolled along the Woronzow-road, in the direction of Baidar.
The appearance and bearing of the Sardinian troops are highly satisfactory, and I anticipate the greatest advantage from their addition to this army under their distinguished leader General La Marmora, whose zeal for the service and ardent desire to co-operate with us, I am happy to have so early an opportunity of acknowledging and recording. Nothing of importance has occurred in the British trenches since I wrote to your Lordship on the 19th instant.
The death of Colonel Egerton, of the 77th, on the night of the 19th ultimo, as already announced to your Lordship, prevented my receiving in due course the official report of the conduct of the officers serving immediately under him, and it is only a few days ago that I learnt that Captain Gilby was the next in seniority to him, of the 77th, on the occasion, and that he had highly distinguished himself.
I deem it an act of justice to a most deserving officer to bring his conduct under the notice of your Lordship.
I enclose the returns of casualties to the 24th instant. Your Lordship will regret to see that Lieutenant Williams, of the 17th, has been severely wounded.
I have the greatest pleasure in announcing to your Lordship the brilliant success which attended an attack by the French Army, of some ambuscades at the head of the Quarantine Bay, and in front of a cemetery near it. The attack was made on the night of the 22nd, and the operation was completed on the following evening. The enemy had collected a very large force on the first occasion to resist our Allies; but, notwithstanding, the French were enabled by their brilliant gallantry and determined resolution to maintain themselves in the pits at the head of the bay on the 22nd, and on the 23rd to occupy the whole with less resistance on the part of the Russians, who are stated to have sustained a very severe loss.
The French were necessarily exposed to a very heavy fire, and were assailed by vastly superior numbers. The achievement they accomplished redounds therefore highly to their renown, and is hailed with satisfaction by their Allies.
An expedition, composed of British, French, and Turkish troops, sailed for Kertch on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, and I hope soon to be able to announce the landing of the corps, and the result of its first operations. It is commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, and has been conveyed in English and French ships, under the command of Admiral Sir E. Lyons and Admiral Bruat, whose exertions to carry out this important service have been most conspicuous.
The 31st Regiment has arrived from Corfu.
I am much concerned to have to report that Major-General Buller has been obliged by the failure of his health to leave the army. He has been constant in the discharge of his duty since he joined this army, distinguished himself both at Alma and Inkerman, and persevered in taking his turn in the trenches until driven by illness to withdraw.
I regret the loss of his services exceedingly.
I have, &c.
RAGLAN.
The Lord Panmure, &c. &c. &c.
Before Sevastopol,
June 2, 1855.
MY LORD,
THE reports which have been received from Kertch since I had the honour of writing to your Lordship on the 29th May, are of the most satisfactory character.
Five vessels, laden with corn, had come into Kertch in ignorance of the capture of the place, and had fallen into the hands of the Allies.
The French and English squadron had appeared before Berdiansk, and the enemy in consequence destroyed four of their war-steamers, and considerable depôts of corn.
They then exchanged a cannonade with the Russian forts at Arabat, and were so fortunate as to blow up a magazine with shells; and since, Captain Lyons, R.N., of the Miranda, has performed a most successful operation upon Genitschi. The Russian authorities of the town having refused to deliver up the Government depôt of corn, and ninety vessels, having on board supplies for their army in the Crimea, Captain Lyons bombarded the place with his squadron, and having driven the troops out of it, he landed the Sailors and Marines, and destroyed all the stores and the shipping.
This brilliant and decisive success marks the resolution and daring of Captain Lyons, and fortunately was accomplished with no other loss than that of one man wounded.
Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons states, that in no longer a period than four days the squadron has destroyed 241 vessels, employed exclusively in transporting provisions to the Crimea, besides four war steamers, and six millions of rations of flour and corn.
I beg leave to offer your Lordship my warmest congratulations on these important occurrences.
I have nothing of interest to report to your Lordship from hence, except that some more detachments of Sardinian troops have arrived.
A battery has arrived off the harbour.
I have, &c.,