The British Expedition to the CrimeaRussell, William Howard, Sir
History
The British Expedition to the Crimea
Russell, William Howard, Sir
Crimean War, 1853-1856
It was after nine o'clock when the French streamed over the brow of the
hill on our right--Chasseurs d'Orleans, Tirailleurs, Indigènes, Zouaves,
Infantry of the Line, and Artillery--and fell upon the flank of the
Russians. On visiting the spot it was curious to observe how men of all
arms--English, French, and Russians--lay together, showing that the
ground must have been occupied by different bodies of troops. The French
were speedily engaged, for the Russians had plenty of men for all
comers. Their reserves in the valley and along the road to Sebastopol
received the shattered columns which were driven down the hill, allowed
them to re-form and attack again, or furnished fresh regiments to
assault the Allies again and again. This reserve seems to have consisted
of three large bodies--probably of 5,000 men each. The attacking force
could not have been less than 20,000 men, and it is a very low estimate
indeed of the strength of the Russians to place it at from 45,000 to
50,000 men of all arms. Some say there were from 55,000 to 60,000 men
engaged on the side of the enemy; but I think that number excessive, and
there certainly was not ground enough for them to show front upon.
Captain Burnett, R. N., states that he saw fresh bodies of Russians
marching up to the attack on three successive occasions, and that their
artillery was relieved no less than four times. The Minié rifle did our
work, and Lord Hardinge is entitled to the best thanks of the country
for his perseverance in arming this expedition as far as he could with
every rifle that could be got, notwithstanding the dislike with which
the weapon was received by many experienced soldiers.
Three battalions of the Chasseurs d'Orleans rushed by, the light of
battle on their faces. Their trumpets sounded above the din of battle,
and when we watched their eager dash on the flank of the enemy we knew
the day was safe. They were followed by a battalion of Chasseurs
Indigènes. At twelve o'clock they were driven pell-mell down the hill
towards the valley, where pursuit was impossible, as the roads were
commanded by artillery.
The day, which cleared up about eleven, again became obscured. Rain and
fog set in, and we could not pursue. We formed in front of our lines,
the enemy, covering his retreat by horse on the slopes, near the
Careening Bay, and by artillery fire, fell back upon the works, and
across the Inkerman Bridge. Our cavalry, the remnant of the Light
Brigade, were moved into a position where it was hoped they might be of
service, but they were too few to attempt anything, and lost several
horses and men. Cornet Cleveland, was struck by a piece of shell and
expired.
General Canrobert, who was wounded in the early part of the day,
directed the French, ably seconded by General Bosquet, whose devotion
was noble. Nearly all his escort were killed, wounded, or unhorsed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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