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Leader (1850-1860), 14th October 1854, Edition Town of 2, Page 962, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      THE WAR

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      THE CRIMEA . The Battle of Alma and the strategetic march on Balaklava , of which we give ample details , have teen followed by the complete investment of Sevastopol The latest accounts state that the siege train had teen landed ; the batteries intended for the attack almost completed -, nfche trenches advanced within 1500 yards of the external works of the fortifications of the city ; the water supply of the garrison cut off ; and the bombardment was intended to commence on the 5 th instant . It is even stated that it had actually begun , and two breaches beeamade at 'Quarantine Port . The place was expected to fall by the 8 th , on which day , if it had not surrendered , an assault would take place .

      The gossip of the camp , however , stated that Lord Haglan had . written to the keeper of the first hotel in Sevastopol "to prepare apartments for himself and Ms Btaffonthe 6 th .

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      All the Tesetves Have left "Varna for the Crimea , and two French regiments and one English are to leave the JPiraaus for the same destination . Fresh English troops were to be sent from Malta to Athens .

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      The Russian papers contain , the following account of the battle of the Alma : — . " The Adjutant-General Prince Mensehikoff has informed his Majesty the Emperor that , on the 20 th S « ptember , t 3 ie Anglo-French ., corps in . the Crimea approached the position occupied by the Russians near "the village of Builiuk on th , e Ahna . During some hours the Kussian army repelled the most obstinate attacks of the enemy , but being menaced on both flanks by h . is numerous forces , and particularly byjbis ships , our army ¦ wa s towards evening ' led back ( zuruckgefuhrt ) to tlio ether side of the river Katcha , and on the following day 5 t took up a position before Scbastopol . Prince Mensclrikofl " , having taken all the . necessary measures for defence , -was prepared to ofter a lively resistance to the enemy . "

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      THE PRINCIPALITIES . It is stated at 'Vienna that Omar Pacha had received , orders on the 2 nd inst . to commence offensive operations immediately j and that Prince Gortschakofflmd received orders on tho 5 th torecross the Pruth , if the Turks crossed the Sorqth to attack Bessarabia , Galatz and Ibraila have been evacuated by tho Turks , and occupi « d by the Austrians .

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      THE BALTIC . It is now stated that though tho return of tho ileots was provisionally countermanded , it is eottlod that nothing moro can he done in tho Baltic this season , and that tho fleota aro ordered to winter quarters . Most of tho ships will return homo . A despatch , dated 1 st October , has been received from Six C . Nnpior , stating that "Tho Bulldog Imd joined from Lcdaund , bringing seven of t . ho Vulture ' s men , who had boon prisonara in tho vicinity of Abo , and lmvo been exchanged . " The Vulturo ' a xnon spouk in high terms of tho vory kind treatment they hnvo received during their imprisonment . "

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      The narrative of the battle of Alma proves that the British troops laboured under fearful disadvantages , being opposed to a strong force posted in a strong position , supported by a large number of guns of heavy caLibre . The nature of the enemy ' s position may be gathered from ILord Raglan ' s despatch . He says : — "In order that the gallantry exhibited by her Majesty ' s troops , and the difficulties they had to meet , may be fairly estimated , I deem it right , even at the risk of being considered tedious , to endeavour to make you -acquainted with the position , the Russians had taken Tip . " It crossed the gTeat road about two miles and a half from the sea , and is very strong by nature .

      The bold and almost precipitous range of heights , of from 350 to 400 feet , that from tho sea closely border the left bank of the river , here ceases and formed -their left , and turning thence round a great amphitheatre or wide valley , terminates at a salient pinnacle where their right rested , and -whence the descent to the plain was more gradual . The front was about two miles in extent . " Across the moutb . of this great opening is a lower ridge at different heights , varying from 60 to 150 feet , parallel to the rivex and at distances from it of from 600 to 800 yards . " The river itself is generally fordable for troops , but its banks , are extremely rugged , and in most parts steep ; the willows along ; it had . been cut down , in order to prevent - them from affording cover to the attacking party , and in fact everything had been done to deprive an assailant of any species of shelter .

      " Infjont of the position on the right bank , at about 200 yards from the Alma , is the village of Burliuk , and near it » timber bridge , which had been partly destroyed by the enemy . " The high pinnacle and ridge before alluded to was the key of the position , and consequently , there the greatest preparations had been made for defence . " Halfway down the height and across its front was a trench of fhe extent of some hundred yards , to afford cover against an advance up the even steep slope of the hill . On , the right , and a little retired , was a powerful covered battery , armed with , heavy guns , which flanked the whole of the light of the position .

      " Artillery at the same time , was posted at the points that best commanded the passage of the river and its approaches generally . " On the slopes of these hills ( forming a sort of table land ) were placed dense masses of the enemy's infantry , whilst oh the heights above was his great reserve , the whole amounting , it is supposed , to between 45 , 000 and 50 , 000 men . " It was against this fortress—for it was little less —the British , French , and Turkish forces were led , having ; broken up their camp at Kimishi on the 19 th September" The way , " says the correspondent of the Morning Chronicle , " led along continual steppes , affording no shelter from tho burning hoafc of tho sun , nor water to assuage the intolerable thirst suffered by all . The only relief was afforded by tho muddy stream of Bulganak , which ihc men drank with avidity . That day an insignificant skirmish took place between a body of Cossacks and tho light division . On passing over tho brow of a hill , the former were discovered drawn up in order . A slight fire was opened , which wounded three or four of our men , but a gun drovo up and throw a shell with such wonderful precision in tho midat of tho enemy that above a dozen were knocked over by this one projectile , and tho Cossacks speedily disappeared . " The march was continued on tho 20 th , and at about one o'clock tho light division of tho French army came in sight of tlio village of Alrnntanak , and tlie British of that of Burliuk , both situated on tho right bank of the river Alma .

      Thia river , or rather stream , is of insignificant breadth , and only nt a few points of nny great depth . A wooden bridge spanned it , Tho banks arc , however , steep , and completely comnumdod by a mass of surrounding heights . Those heights aro in tholr turn commanded by a single mount , on which , tho Run » innH hud constructed a redoubt and breastwork , with platforms for seventeen guna . Thia redou 1 > fc completely domineered tho villjigo of Burlink , and in it were mounted guns of 821 l > . calibre . On all tho h 5 lln batteries wore ostablinhod , all concentrated on the aliovo village . Tho Kussian infantry w « h drawn up behind tho redoubt , or pnvtiiilly concealed in favourable positiona . The cavalry wna pouted on tho hoightH to tho rear af tho batteries , hut tlio hilly naluro of tlio ground was hoatllo to cavalry manoouvroH . Tho nt . rugglo wan pre-eminently between tlio Itritiuh infantry ami the KuhhEuu artillery . Thin wuti ( ho conlro of tho ltunsiuii portion , to which was oppoHurt tho Knglinh divi . iioii . Sir O . Blown , a good judge , duolures that in tho 1 ' i-uiiimilnr ntrug ;( jlo tho English Imd iMicountoivd m > wu : li ixmition ; and , iiH 1 have already rnontioucil , it , nppoiirri impregnable . I'rineo MonHchlknfV ' H ( lctMpiu < : h-h <> x lmn fnllon into < our hands , and contiuna a hitler addrcHncil to the Czar , which atntoa that tho writer was itwaru of tho

      approach , of the allies , but that , against the weak artillery possessed by them , he would be enabled to hold the position he occupied at least three weeks , and trusted to be able within a brief period to announce to his Imperial Majesty the complete defeat of the allies . In three hours his position was taken and the Bussian army routed . The ridge of the hills continued towards the sea , and terminated in high cliffs . These hills were occuped by the Russian left wing , and opposed to the French . On a commanding mount , a strong octangular tower , canstraxeted of -white stone , was in . course of enecrfeion . J 31 oe 3 bs of hesrn stone covered the ground - but mo cannon were mounted there . The Russian artillery was concentrated in the centre ; consequently , the fire which encountered the French -was chiefly that of musketry .

      Tie fleets -were anchored near shore , but were unable to afford any assistance to the land forces , owing to the great distance . A few of the smaller steamers threw , I have heard , a few shells amongst some Russian cavalry but nothing farther . The Russian left wing was established about frwo miles inland ^ and the centre at a distance of perhaps four miles from the beach . At half-past one . p . m . the British light division , composed of the 7 th Fusiliers , the 19 th , 23 rd , 38 rd , 77 th , and 88 th Regiments , with the 2 nd battalion of the Rifle Brigade , approached in columns the village of Burliuk . ¦ The village , which-was of some size , but deserted by its

      inhabitants , was . occupied by Russian riflemen . Between these and our . Rifles a fire was at once engaged- Driven back , the Russians set fire to the village , and . to heaps oi dried dung , which instantly enveloped the whole place in a dense smoke . At this moment the redoubt and Russian , batteries opened their fire upon the village , causing the greatest havoc in the British ranks . Sir G . Brown give command , " Forward , " , and the light divasion . dashed throiigb . the smokiHg- village , followed by the 1 st division of the army and part of the 2 nd . These were the only English troops actively engaged in the . contest ; the others arrived , notwithstanding a forced march , when all was over .

      The burning village was passed , and the troops got into the £ re of the enemy . Having passed the village , tbe British deployed in line , amidst the most fearful fire . The Russians had established targets on the line of inarch , which marked the range of their guns , and insured deadly certainty to their aim . Ten minutes' quick march led to the river , where the cannon actually vomited fire upon the devoled regiments . The Rifles , under Major Norcott ,

      waded through the river Alma in a masterly manner , followed by the Connaught Rangers and tbe other gallant regiments forming the light division . The river once crossed , the men dashed into . some vineyards which flanked tho high road ; but these having been cut down , afforded , no shelter . The fire here was fearful , for now tlie British were within grape range . The men here gave one of those surpi'ising examples of coolness and contempt of danger which forms one of our national characteristics . In the midst of the most tremendous fire

      wmcli an army has ever encountered , with , comrades failing around them , the men commenced seeking 1 for and plucking the half-ripe grapes , which-wore hanging temptingly on the hewn vines . The vineyards ivere passed , and the light division , forming in line , advanced in measured pace up the hills . The hail of grape shot and of musketry momentarily checked its progress ; but now our soldiers opened their deadly volleys into I he redoubt . Hundreds fell hero ou cither side ; but the

      skill of our Rifles , and tho excellent training of our men , told fearfully in the enemy ' s ranks . One of our Riflemen knocked owes * successively thirty-two Iiwsi < an . i . After a fearful struggle of one hour tho light division pressed up tho principal hill , with tremendous chcora , on tho redoubt and entored it . An officer of the 38 rd inserilcd his name on a 82-pomidar tv ' hiah had canned fearful rrvvayes in the British ranks . The light division followed ii ]) tlio hill , pouring in volley alter volloy after the tctroatini ? Russians .

      Hero occurred the only check which the troops appeared to have roeeived . Tho critical moment ia tUuis described by a writer iu tho Times t" Tho British lino wns struggling through tho river and up the huightn in masses , iirm indeed , but mowed down by tho murderous firo of tho bnttorioH , and by grape , round shot , shell , canister , case shot , and musketry , from sonic of tho guns of tho central battery , and from an immense and compact mnn $ of Russian infantry . Then commenced one of tho moat bloody and determined struggles in tho nnnaln of war . Tho 2 nd Divwion , led by Sir Do I * . Evans in tho moat dashing manner , crossed

      tho stream on tho rlglit . Tho 7 th FuailiorH , lo < l by CuUincl Yea , worn swept down by fifties . Tho Dlkli , * HOth , nml Of > lh , led by Brigndiur Ponncfathor , who wan in tlio thkkout of tho fight , cheering on his men , ngaiu imd cuniiu wore chocked indcod , but novor drew buck in thoir onward jirogroNS , -which w «« marked by a flerco roil of 3 \ lini < 5 musketry ; nml Brigadier AdamH , with tho -Lint , -17 th , and 49 th , bruvuly charged up tho liill , and aided ( ham iu tlio battle . Sir deortfo lJrown , csoiiniiiciiutiH on ai . groy luirwo , rodo In front of Iiis Light Dlvihimi , urwii'K ithum with voieo nml gOHturc . Qullimt followhl tlu \ y ivci'c wortUy of hucIi a giillanl chiuf . Tlin 7 tli , diinliiiMlwl hy ono-liiilf , fell back to ro-forni thoir cvhunna lost'lor

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      After having sunk eight of their ships of war at the mouth of the harbour of SebastopOl , thus blocking the entrance of tlie fleets , 4 he Russians are said to be preparing to sink the niae vessels of the line wliich yet remained to them . It is also reported that they have sunk thirty-two ships in the Tenikall Straits .

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      The Erench landed their battering train at Cape Chersonese .

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      Advices from Odessa , of the 7 th , state that Prince MenschikofT ' s right wing was at BakstcM Serai , his left wing at Alushta , his centre at Simpheropol , where reinforcements from Perekop will concentrate—all ¦ which is absurd .

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      Xord Raglan is in supreme command of the Allied Annies .

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      THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA

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      962 THE LEADER , [ Saturda y ,

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 14, 1854, page 962, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2060/page/2/