The British Expedition to the CrimeaRussell, William Howard, Sir
History
The British Expedition to the Crimea
Russell, William Howard, Sir
Crimean War, 1853-1856
I went back to my old spot; in doing so I had to ride
gently, for wounded men came along in all directions. One was cut in two
by a round shot as he approached. Many of them lay down under the
shelter of a wall, which was, however, enfiladed by the enemy. Just at
this moment I saw the Guards advancing in the most majestic and stately
order up the hill; while through the intervals and at their flanks
poured the broken masses of the Light Division, which their officers
were busy in re-forming. The Highlanders, who were beyond them, I could
not see; but I never will forget the awful fury, the powerful detonation
of the tremendous volleys which Guards and Highlanders poured in upon
the Russian battalions, which in vain tried to defend their batteries
and to check the onward march of that tide of victory. All of a sudden
the round shot ceased to fly along the line; then there was a sharp roll
of musketry and a heavy fire of artillery which lasted for some moments.
Then one, two, three round shot pitched in line, ricochetting away to
the rear. As I looked round to see what mischief they did, a regiment
came rapidly towards the river. I rode towards them; they were the 50th.
"The cannon shot come right this way, and you'll suffer frightfully if
you go on." As I spoke, a shell knocked up the dust to our right, and
Colonel Waddy, pushing the left, led his men across the river. I rode
towards the bridge. The road wall was lined by wounded. Fitzgerald
(7th), with his back against the wall, was surveying his wounded legs
with wonderful equanimity. "I wish they had left me one, at all events,"
said he, as we tried to stop the bleeding. As I passed the bridge there
was a spattering of musketry. The cannon were still busy on our right,
and field-guns were firing on the retreating Russians, whose masses were
over the brow of the hill. Then there was a thundering cheer, loud as
the roar of battle, and one cannon boomed amid its uproar. This was the
victory. A few paces brought me to the bloody slopes where friend and
foe lay in pain, or in peace for ever.
[Sidenote: A NICE QUESTION.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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