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    1084 THE LEADER [Saturday,

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    By The Last Mail From Sebastopol, We Fin...

    . Petersburg houses in English bottoms , as the British "blockading ships being now mostly withdrawn , it is fully expected that the Russian cruisers -will venture out , and endeavour to capture any British merchant vessels that may be found in the Baltic . PATRIOTIC FUND . The Patriotic Pund Meetings are continuing ; and the total sum raised is enormous . It is curious that the only failure , among the meetings , is that which has occurred in the imperial city of Westminster . The High-Ba . iliff called a meeting for Thursday ; and only about twenty persons attended ! Lord Aberdeen , the Bishop of IiOndon , Mr . Card well , and Sir John Shelley , were in attendance ; and by their advice the High-Bailiff adjourned the meeting to a future day , promising that he -would advertise better .

    THE AFFAIR OF THE 25 TH OP OCTOBER . We take the account of the gallant affair of the 25 th from the correspondent of the Times , Mr . Russell , whose graphic pen is making him famous : — At half-past seven o ' clock this morning an orderly < came galloping in to the head-quarters camp from Balaklava , with the news that at dawn a strong corps of Russian , horse , supported by guns and battalions of infantry , had maTched into the valley , and had already nearly dispossessed the Turks of the redoubt No . 1 ( that on Canrobert ' s bill , which is farthest from our lines ) , and that they were opening fixe on the redoubts Nos * 2 , 3 , and 4 , -which would speedily be in then * hands unless the Turks offered a stouter resistance than they had done already .

    Orders were despatched to Sir George Cathcart and to H . R . ff . the Duke of Cambridge to put their respective divisions , the 4 th and the 1 st , in motion for the scene of action , and intelligence of the advanee of the Russians was also furnished to General Canrobert . Immediately on receipt of the news the general commanded General Bosquet to get the 3 rd division under arms , and sent a strong body of artillery and some 20 0 Chasseurs d'Afriqne to assist us in holding the valley . Sir Colin CampbeU , who was in command of Balaklava , had drawn up the 93 rd Highlanders a little in front of the road to the town , at the first news of the advance of the enemy . The marines on the heights got under arms ; the seamen ' s latteries , and marines' batteries , on the heights

    -close to the town , were manned , and the French artillerymen . ' and the Zouaves prepared for action along their lines . Lord Lucan ' s little camp was the scene of great excitement . The men h . ad not had time to water their horses , they had not broken their fast from the evening of the day before , and had barely saddled at the first blast of the trumpet , when they were drawn up on the slope behind the redoubts in front of their camp to operate on the enemy's squadrons . It was soon evident that no reliance was to be placed on the Turkish infantry or artillerymen . All the stories we had heard about their ¦ b ravery behind stone walls and earthworks proved how differently the same or similar people fight under different circumstances . When the Russians advanced the

    Turks fired a few rounds at them , got frightened at the distance of their supports in the rear , looked round , received a few shots and shell , and then "bolted , " and fled with an agility quite at variance with common-place notions of Oriental deportment on the battle-field . But Turks on the Danube are very different beings from Turks in the Crimea , as it appears that the Russians of Sebastopol are not at all like the Russians of Siliatria . Soon after 8 Lord Raglan and his staff turned out and cantered towards the rear of our position . The booming of artillery , the spattering roll of musketry , were heard

    rising from the valley , drowning the roar of the siege guns in front before Sebastopol . As I rode in the direction of the firing over tho thistles and large stones which cover the undulating plain that stretches away towards Balaklava , on a level with tlie summit of the ridges above it , I observed a French light infantry regiment ( tho 27 th , I think ) advancing with admirable ctvro and celerity from our right towards tho ridgo near the tolegrapli-houso , which was alroady lined by companies of French infantry , while mounted officors scampered along its broken outline in every direction .

    General Bosquet , a stout soldierlike-looking man , who reminds ono of tho old genre , of Ifroncli generals as depicted at Versailles , followed , with bis staff and a small oscort of Hussars , at a gallop . Faint white clouds rose here and there above tlio hill from tho oannonado below . Never did tho painter's oyo rest on a mdro boautiful scene than I beheld from tho ridgo . Tho fleecy vapours still hung around tho mountain topB , and mingled with tho ascending volumes of sinoko ; tho patch of aoa sparkled freshly in tho rays of tho morning min , but its light was eclipsed by tho flashes which gleamed from tho masses of armed men below .

    Looking to tho loft towards the gorgft , wo behold six compact mii 88 os of Ruaainn infantry , which ha < l just debouohod from tho mountain poBoos nonr tho Tchornaya , and wore slowly advancing with solemn atntolinosa up tho vall « y . Immediately in thuir front wan u regular lino of artillery , of at leant 20 pieces strong . Two Imttorioa of light guns wore already a milo in advance of them , and wore playing with onorgy on tho redoubts , from which feoblo pufl'H of amoko came at long inturvulH . Bohind those ( pmn in front of tho infantry wore enormous bodies of cavalry . They worn in nix compact Hquaros ,

    three on each flank , moving down en echelon towards us , and the valley was lit up with the blaze of their sabres and lance points and gay accoutrements . In their front , and extending along the intervals between each battery of guns , - were clouds of mounted skirmishers , wheeling and whirling in the front of their march like autumn leaves tossed by the wind . The Zouaves close to us were lying like tigers at the spring , with ready rifles in hand , hidden chin deep by the earthworks which run along the line of these ridges on our rear , but the quick-eyed Russians were manoeuvring on the other side of the valley , and did not expose their columns to attack . Below the Zouaves we could see the Turkish gunners in the

    redoubts , all in confusion as the shells burst over them . Just as I came up the Russians had carried No . 1 redoubt , the farthest and most elevated of all , and their horsemen were chasing the Turks across the interval which lay between it and redoubt No . 2 . At that moment the cavalry , under lord Lucan , were formed in glittering masses—the Light Brigade , under Lord Cardigan , in advance ; the Heavy Brigade , under Brigadier-General Scarlett , in reserve . They were drawn up just in front of their encampment , and were concealed from the view of the enemy by a slight " wave" in the plain . Considerably to the rear of their right , the 93 rd Highlanders were drawn up in line , in front of the approach to Balaklava . Above and behind

    them , on the heights , the marines were visible through the glass , drawn up under arms , and the gunners could be seen ready in the earthworks , in which , were placed the heavy ships' guns . The 93 rd had originally been advanced somewhat more into the plain , but the instant the Russians got possession of the first redoubt they opened fire on them from our own guns , which inflicted some injury , and Sir Colin Campbell " retired" his men to a better position . Meantime the enemy advanced his cavalry rapidly . To our inexpressible disgust we saw the Turks in redoubt No . 2 fly at their approach . They ran in scattered groups across towards redoubt KTo . 3 , and towards Balaklava , bufc the horsehoof of the Cossack was too quick for them , and sword and lance were

    busily plied among the retreating herd . The yells of the pursuers and pursued were plainly audible . As the Lancers and Light Cavalry of the Russians advanced they gathered up their skirmishers with great speed and in excellent order—the shifting trails of men , which played all over the valley like moonlight on the Water , contracted , gathered up , and the little jpeZoton in a few moments became a solid column . Then up came their guns , in rushed their gunners to the abandoned redoubt , and the guns of No . 2 redoubt soon played with deadly effect upon the dispirited defenders of No . 3 Tedoubt . Two or three shots in return from the earthworks , and all is silent . The Turks swarm over the earthworks

    and run in confusion towards the town , firingtheir muskets at the enemy as they run . Again the solid column of cavalry opens like a fan , and resolves itself into a " long spray" of skirmishers . It laps the flying Turks , steel flashes in the air , and down go the poor Moslems quivering on the plain , split through fez . and musketguard to the chin and breast-belt . There is no support for them . It ia evident the Russians have been too quick for us . The Turks have been too quick also , for they have not held their redoubts long enough to enable us to bring them help . In vain the naval guns on the heights fire on the Russian cavalry ; tho distance is too great for shot or shell to reach . In vain the Turkish

    gunners in tho earthen batteries which aro placed along the Frcncli intrenchments strive to protect their flying countrymen ; their shot fly wide and short of the swarming masses . The Turks betake themselves towards the Highlanders , where they check their flight , and form into companies on the flanks of the Highlanders . As tho Russian cavalry on tho loft of their lino crown the hill across tho valley they perceive the Highlanders drawn up at tho distance of some half mile , calmly waiting their approach . They halt , and squadron after squadron flics up from the rear , till they have a body of some 1600 men along the ridgo—Lancers and Dragoons and Hussars . Then they move en dohelon in two bodies , with another in reserve , The cavalry who

    have been pursuing the Turks on tho right arc coming up to the ridge beneath us , which conceals our cavalry from view . Tho heavy brigade in advance is drawn up in two linos . Tho firat lj-no consists of tho Scots Greys and of their old companions in glory , tho Enniskillonn ; tho second of the 4 th Royal Irish , of tho 5 th Dragoon Guards , and of tho 1 st Royal Dragoons , The Light Cavalry Brigade is on their loft , in" two lines also . The silence is oppressive ; between the cannon bursts ono enn hear the champing of bits and the clink of uabros in the valloy below . Tho Russians on their loft drew bronth for a moment , and thon in ono grand lino dashed at the

    Highlanders . Tho ground Hies beneath their horHCH feet ; gathering speed at ovory Htrlde , thuy daub on towards that thin rod ntroak topped with a lino of ntocl . Tho Turks flro a volloy at 800 yards , and rim . A » tho ttuaaiana como within Ci () 0 yards , down goo * that lino of fiteul in front , and out rings a rolling volloy of Minid musketry . Tho distance * m too great—the llutminnH are not checked , hut still swoop onwardH with the whole force of horao and man , through tho hhioUo , hero and there knooked over by tho shot , of our baUwiofl above . With breathless HUHponac ovory ono uwait . n tlw bumting of tho wavo upon tho lino of CJaolic rock ; but , ore they

    come within 150 yards , another deadly volley flashes from the levelled rifle , and carries death and terror into the Russians . They wheel about , open files right and left , and fly back faster than they came . " Bravo Highlanders ! well done ! " shout the excited spectatorsbut events thicken . The Highlanders and their splendid front are soon forgotten , men scarcely lave a moment to think of this fact , that the 93 rd never altered their formation to receive that tide of horsemen . "N " o , " said Sir Colin Campbell , " I did not think it worth while to form them even four deep ! " The ordinary British line , two deep , was quite sufficient to repel the attack of these Muscovite cavaliers . Our eyes were , however , turned in a moment on our own cavalry . " We saw

    Brigadier-General Scarlett ride along in front of his massive squadrons . The * Russians—evidently a corps d ' elitetheir light blue jackets embroidered with silver lace , were advancing on their left , at an easy gallop , towards the brow of tlie hill . A forest of lances glistened ia their rear , and several squadrons of grey-coated dragoons moved up quickly to support them as they reached the summit . The instant they came in sight the trumpets of our cavalry gave out the warning blastpwhich told us all that in another moment we should see the shock of battle beneath our very eyes . Lord Raglan , all lis staff and escort , and groups of officers , the Zouaves , Trench generals and officers , and bodies of French infantry on the height , were spectators of the

    scen « as though they were looking on the stage from the toxes of a theatre . Nearly every one dismounted and sat down , and not a word was said . The Russians advanced down the Mil at a slow canter , which they changed to a trot and at last nearly halted . Their first line was at least double the length of ours—it was three times as deep . Behind them was a similar line , equally strong ar . d compact . They evidently despised their insignificant-looking enemy , but their time was come The trumpets rang put again through the valley , and the- Greys and Enmskilleners went right at the centre of the Russian cavalry . The space between tkem ivas only a few hundred yards ; it was scarce enough to let the horses " gather way , " nor had the men quite space

    sufficient for the full play of their s-yvord arms . The Kussian line brings forward each wing as our cavalry advance , and threatens to annihilate them as they pass on . Turning a little to their left , so as to meet the Russian right , tlie Greys rush on with a cheer that thrills to every heart—the wild shout of the EnmiskiUeners rises througli the air at the same instant . As lightning flashes through a cloud , the Greys and Enniskilleners pierced through the dark masses of Russians . The shock was but for a moment . There was a clash of steel and a light play of sword blades in the air , and then the Greys and the redcoats disappear in the midst of the shaken and quivering columns . In another moment we see them emerging and

    dashing on with diminished numbers , and in broken order , against tho second line , which is advancing ag-ainst them as fast as it can to retrieve the fortune of the charge . It was a terrible moment . " God help them ! they are lost ! " was tho exclamation of more than one man , and the thought of many . With unabated fire th . o noble hearts dnshed at their enemy . It was a fight of heroes . The first lino of Russians , which had been smashed utterly by our charge , and liad fled off at one ( lank and towards the centre , were coming back to swallow up our handful of men . 13 y sheer steel and sheer courage Enuiskillenor and Scot were winning their desperate way right through the enemy ' s squadrons , and already grey horses and red coats had appeared right at

    tho rear of tlie second mass , when , with irresistible force , like one bolt from a bow , the 1 st Royals , tho 4 th Dragoon Guards , and the 5 th Dragoon Guards rushed at . the remnants of the fir . st lino of the enemy , -went through it us though it woro made of pasteboard , and , dashing on tho second body of ltuBsiana as they ivoro still disordered by tho terrible assault of the Greys and their companions , put them to utter rout . This Russian horse in less than live minutes after it met our dragoons was Dying with nil its speed before a forco certainly not half its strength . A cliecr burst from every lip- —in the enthusiasm officers and men took on" their cups and sliouted with delight , ami thus keeping up the Hcenic diameter of their position , they chipped their IiiukIm again and again . Lord Rnglnn at once- despatched Lieutenant Cwzon ,

    aide-decamp , to convey lna congratulations to Brigadior-Oeneral Sonrlett , Mud to a « y " Well done . " Tho gallant old oflicor ' rt ( itco beamed with jilottsuro when ho rocoivod tho jnissHHfjjo , " I bog to thank hits lordship vory sincerely , " wan his reply . Tho cavalry did not , long pursue tlidr enemy . Thoir loss wuh vory slight , about ; 8 fi killed and wounded in both afliiirn ( the nocoikI will bo detailed subsequently ) . Major Clnrko vvuh slightly wounded , « nd had a narrow oHcnpo from n wabro cut at tha > buck of his lioad . Liuut .-Colond ( Jrillltha rotirod after tho ilrnt cthargo , having bocsn woiimlod at llui back of tho head . Coruot ; Prciidui-gaul , wan wounded in tho foot . There ivoro not more than four or live mun killed outright ; , jiml our most material Iohh wan from tho cannon playing oi «> ur heavy < lnigoon » nfturwartlH , when covering tlio n Croat of our light cavalry .

    In tho Ifoyal Homo Artillery wo luul a severe , but anv glad to way a temporary ld , sH . Uuptain Mimdo , v directed tho Horvico of 1 i ! h g mn with bin ubixil dovov noun and dnuntlenH couwgo , wa « Htruclt in tho arm 1-hIxcII whk'U burnt at his HiiUuio-buw and killed hl » h .

    1084 The Leader [Saturday,

    1084 THE LEADER [ Saturday ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 18, 1854, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_18111854/page/4/