The British Expedition to the CrimeaRussell, William Howard, Sir
History
The British Expedition to the Crimea
Russell, William Howard, Sir
Crimean War, 1853-1856
The third division, with equal success and greater losses, attacking a
mamelon occupied in force by the enemy, drove them back with great
intrepidity: but it was evident by the movements of the Russians that
they were about to make a great effort to save their centre, and M. St.
Arnaud sent off orders to General Forey, who commanded the reserve, to
move one of his brigades (de Lourmel's) to General Canrobert's support,
and to proceed with the other (d'Aurelle's) to the extreme right of the
battle. This was a happy inspiration: d'Aurelle's brigade, with great
speed, crossed the river, and arrived to the support of Canrobert's
division at a most critical moment. The Russians seemed to consider the
Telegraph Tower as the key of the centre of their position.
Sharpshooters, within the low wall outside the work, and batteries on
its flanks, directed a steady fire on the French, who were checked for a
moment by its severity: but the two batteries of the reserve came up and
drew off some of the enemy's fire. The Russians, however, still
continued a serious fusillade, and directed volleys of grape against the
French, who were lying down in the ravine till the decisive moment
should arrive for them to charge the enemy. The losses of our allies
were sensible; it was evident that the Russian cavalry, says, M. de
Bazancourt,[13] were preparing for a rush in upon them from the flank of
the Russian square, which, partially covered by the Telegraph Tower,
kept up an incessant fire from two faces upon the French. Colonel Cler,
at this critical moment, perceiving that the 1st and 2nd Zouaves, the
Chasseurs, and the 39th Regiment had arrived, calling to his men to
charge, dashed at the tower, which, after a short but sanguinary combat,
they carried at the point of the bayonet, driving out the Russians in
confusion, and at the very moment General Canrobert, with his division,
advanced at the double to support the movement. Struck down for a moment
by a fragment of a shell which wounded him on the chest and shoulder,
the gallant officer insisted upon leading on his men to complete the
success obtained against the Russian left and left-centre; and Generals
Bosquet and Canrobert, wheeling round their divisions from left to
right, drove back the enemy towards the rear of the troops, which were
still contending with the English, or forced them to seek for safety in
flight. It was at this moment that M. St. Arnaud, riding up to the
Generals, congratulated them on the day, and directed them to proceed to
the aid of the English. Thanks be to the valour of our soldiers--thanks
be to Heaven--we required no French aid that day. We received none,
except that which was rendered by one battery of French artillery of the
reserve, under M. de la Boussiniere, which fired a few rounds on some
broken Russian columns from a spot close to the two English guns, of
which I shall have to speak hereafter. Such is the part, according to
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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