The battles of the world : $b or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military eventsBorthwick, J. Douglas (John Douglas)
History
The battles of the world : $b or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military events
Borthwick, J. Douglas (John Douglas)
Battles; Military history
As yet we have not detailed the part borne by the magnificent
First Division,--the very flower of the British army. The Duke
of Cambridge had led his Guards and Highlanders across the Alma,
to the left of the Light Division, and rapidly advanced to its
assistance. As they ascended the hill, they encountered Sir George
Brown’s regiments slowly yielding to the immense impetus of the
Russian charge. Opening their ranks, they allowed their comrades to
pass and re-form in their rear, and then the enemy for the first
time was confronted with the most redoubtable infantry soldiers in
the world. Then began the most desperate hand-to-hand conflict yet
witnessed. The Scots Fusiliers had hurried to the rescue without
waiting to form properly, and for a brief space were confused.
But the individual courage of the members of that distinguished
corps never for an instant was found deficient. Surrounded by
the enemy, they fought with undaunted valour. Viscount Chewton,
a distinguished young captain, who had gained renown in both
services, having been originally a midshipman, and having borne
an honourable part in the Indian campaign, dashed forward, and,
waving his bearskin, shouted to them to advance. Thirteen other
officers, with reckless bravery, followed his example, and in a few
minutes eleven of their number were wounded. The gallant Chewton
had his leg broken by a ball, and fell within fifty yards of the
redoubt. Before he could be rescued, several Russians attacked
the fallen man, and beat him savagely with the butt-ends of their
muskets, others stabbing him at the same time with their bayonets.
A strong man, he struggled desperately; and when at length rescued
and borne from the field, his body was found to be almost covered
with wounds. He lingered for a few days, and then expired. Two
young officers, Lieutenants Lindsay and Thistlethwayte, who bore
the colours, were surrounded by the enemy, and, except the four
colour-sergeants, isolated from their comrades. The sergeants were
one by one struck down; and then these gallant young men, back
to back, kept the foe at bay, and, almost miraculously escaping
unhurt, cut their way through and carried their colours safely to
the top of the hill.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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