But few of the stormers succeeded in reaching the abattis. Of the sappers, there were at least four or five who gained it, or nearly so. Coppin and private Mole, belonging to the party with destroying tools, made the barricade to the left, while corporal Paul and Perie went directly to the front. All bent themselves behind knots of rock, or dropping into shell-holes or hollows, fired away with all the coolness of riflemen, such ammunition as they could collect from the pouches of the killed and wounded. When it was evident the day was lost, sergeant Coppin, directed by Lieutenant Graham, ran to the front to command the skirmishers to retire. His mien was that of a calm man and a fearless soldier. He first communicated the orders to the officer in command of the rifles, and then to the sergeant of the 57th, as the captain who had led them to the front was killed. Coppin was thus one of the last men to return to the trenches. Paul and Perie were afterwards awarded distinctions, which but a minimum of their comrades attained. Besides a gratuity of ten pounds and a medal for distinguished service, Paul was promoted to the rank of sergeant and received the Legion of Honour; while Perie, an unlettered man but a first-class sapper and leader, was decorated with the military war-medal of France “for valour and discipline.” Coppin, though it was not his good fortune to obtain a badge to show his merit, was, by the voice of his comrades, as brave and ready a sapper as ever toiled in the trenches. Among the sappers with the right column there were five casualties:— Private Thomas McNeil } killed. ” Joseph Barnes } Lance-corporal Joseph Maycock, wounded in the head { Both were struck by Private Samuel Spear, wounded in the left knee { rifle-balls, and died { of their wounds. ” Edward Pearson, wounded in the hand. Private McNeil, when found next day, was under the abattis riddled with balls. He was a good and an ardent soldier, and his comrades spoke in high terms of his bravery on all occasions. As already shown, he had his jaw broken in a strange manner on the 3rd April. Captain Jesse, who hastened to the front to ascertain the complexion of affairs, was shot through the head while speaking to Lieutenant Fisher. Lieutenant Graves was also killed. Three sappers with the left column were put hors-de-combat: Private Robert Eadie—killed by a round shot which went through his chest and knocked him to pieces. He was with the Staff at the time bearing signal flags. ” John Perie—wounded in right side, by rifle bullet. ” William Preece—wounded slightly. Two casualties occurred in the column under General Barnard, placed in position on the right of the Woronzoff road, viz:—