The Press. — London, England, 1854-10-14 00:00:00

964 THE WAR. THE BATTLE OF ALIdA. Official despatches from the commanders of both armies, containing full details of the battle of Alma, reached London and Paris almost at the same time, and were published by the respective Governments on Sunday last. Lord Raglan's letter appeared in an Extraordinary Gazette. It was brought by Major Lord Burgbersh, who arrived at an early hour on Sunday morning from the Crimea. The despatch is of course addressed to the Minister of War:— Head-quarters, Katschs River, Sept. 23, 1834. My Lord Duke,-1 have the honour to inform your grace that the allied troops attacked the position occupied by the Russian army, behind the Alma, on the 20th instant ; and I have great satisfaction in adding that they succeeded, in less than three hours, in driving the enemy from every part of the ground which they had held in the morning, and in establishing themselves upon it. The English and French armies moved out of their first encampment in the Crimea on the 10th, and bivouacked fur the night on the left bank of the Bulganac, the former having previously supported the advance of a part of the Earl of Cardigan's tbrigade of light cavalry, which had the effect of inducing he enemy to move up a large body of dragoons and Cos acks, with artillery. On this, the first occasion of the English encountering the Russian force, it was impossible for any troops to exhibit more steadiness than did this portion of her Majesty's cavalry. It fell back upon its sup ports with the most perfect regularity under the fire of the artillery, which was quickly silenced by that of the batteries I caused to be brought into action. Our loss amounted to oily four men wounded. The dey's march had been most wearisome, and, under a burning sun, the absence of water, until we reached the insignificant but welcome stream of the Bulganac, made it to be severely felt. Both armies moved towards the Alma the following morning, and it was arranged that Marshal St. Arnaud should assail the enemy's left by crossing the river at its junction with the sea, and immediately above it, and that the remainder of the French divisions should move up the heights in their front, whilst the English army should attack the right and centre of the enemy's position. In order that the gallantry exhibited by her Majesty's troops, and the difficulties they had to meet, may be fairly esti mated, I deem it right, even at the risk of being considered tAious t to endeavour to make your grace acquainted with the position the Russians had taken up. It crossed the great road about two and a half miles from the sea, and is very strong by nature. The bold and almost precipitous range of heights, of from MO to 400 feet, that from the sea closely border the left bank of the river, here ceases and formed their left, and, turning thence round a great amphitheatre or wide valley, terminates at a a dient pinnacle where their right rested, and whence the descent to the plain was more gradual. The front was about two miles in extent. Across the mouth of this great opening is a lower ridge at different heights, varying from 60 to 150 feet, paralle l to the river, and at distances f •om it of from 600 to 800 yards. The river itself is gene. rally fordable for troops, but its banks are extremely rugged, and in most parts steep ; the willows along it had been eut down, iu order to prevent them from affording cover to the attacking party, and in fact everything hail been done to deprive an assailant of any species of shelter. In front of the position on the right batik, at about 200 yards from the Alma, is the village of Boulioak, and near it a timber bridge, which had been partly destroyed by the enemy. The high pinnacle and ridge before allluded to was the key of the position, and, consequently, there the greatest preparations had been made fur defence. Half way down the height and across its front was a trench of the extent of some hundred yards, to afford cover against an advance up the even steep slope of the hill. On the right, and a little retired, was a powerful covered battery, armed with heavy guns, which flanked the whole of the right of the position. Artillery, at the same time, was posted at the points that best commanded the passage of the river and its approaches generally. On the slopes of these hills (fonring a sort of table land) were placed dense masses of the enemy's infantry, whilst on the heights above was his great reserve, the whole amounting, it is supposed, to between 45,0110 and 50,000 men. The combined armies advanced on the same alignement, her Majesty's troops in contiguous double columns, with the front of two divisions covered by light infantry and a troop of horse artillery, the 2nd division, under Lieute nant-General Sir De Lacy Evens, forming the right, and touching the left of die and division of the French army, under his Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon, and the light division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, the left; the first being supported by the hid division, under lieutenant-General Sir Richard England, and the last by the lstdivision, commanded by Lieutenant- General his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge. The 4th division, under Lieutenant-General Sir George Cath cart, and the cavalry, tunler Major-General the Earl of Lucan, were held in reserve to proteet the left flank and rear against large bodies of the enemy's cavalry which had been seen in those directions. On approaching near the fire of the glans, which soon became extremely formidable, the two leading divisions deployed into line, and advanced to attack the front, and the supporting divisions followed the movement. Hardly had this taken place when the village of Bouliouk, imme diately opposite the centre, was fired by the enemy at all points, creating a continuous blaze for three hundred yards, obscuring their position and rendering a passage through it impracticable. Two regiments of Brigadier -oe3lggl Adams's brigade, part of Sir De Lacy Evans's 7 .7 THE PRESS. division, had, in consequence, to pass the river at a deep and difficult ford to the right, under a sharp fire, whilst his first brigade, under Major-General Pennefather, and the remaining regiment of Brigadier-General Adams crossed to the left of the conflagration, opposed by the enemy's artillery from the heights above, and pressed on towards the left of their position, with the utmost gallantry and steadiness. In the meanwhile the light division, wider Sir George Brown, effected the passage of the Alma in his immediate front. The banks of the river itself were, from their rugged and broken nature, must serious obstacles, and the vineyards through which the troops had to pass, and the trees which the enemy had felled, created additional impediments, rendering every species of formation, under a galling fire, nearly an impossibility. Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown advanced againatthe enemy under great disadvantages. In this difficult operation he nevertheless persevered, and the Ist brigade, under Major-General Codrington, succeeded in carrying a redoubt, materially aided by the judicious and steady manner in which Brigadier-General Buller moved on the left flank, and by the advance of four companies of the Rifle Brigade, under Major Norcott, who promises to be a distinguished o ffi cer of light troops. The heavy fire of grape and musketry, however, to which the troops were exposed, and the losses conseqnently sustained by the 7th, 28rd, sad 33rd Regiments, obliged this brigade partially to relinquish its hold. By this time, however, the Duke of Cambridge had suc ceeded in crossing the river, and had moved up in support, and a brilliant advance of the brigade of 1 not Guards, under Major-General Beritinck, drove the enemy back, and secured We final possession of the work. The Highland Brigade, under Major-General Sir Cohn Campbell, ad vanced in admirable order and steadiness up the high ground to the left, and in co-operation with the Guards, and Major-General Pennefether's brigade, which had been connected with the right of the light division, forced the enemy completely to abandon the position they had taken such pains to defend and secure. The 95th Regiment, immediately on the right of the Royal Fusiliers in the r advance, suffered equally with that corps an immense loss. The aid of the Royal Artillery in all these operations was most effectual. The exertions of the field officers and the captains of troops and batteries to get the guns into action were unceasing, and the precision of their fire materially contributed to the great results of the day. Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England brought his division to the immediate support of the troops in advance, and Lieutenant-General the Hon. Sir George Cathcart was actively engaged in watching the left flank. The nature of the ground did not admit of the employment of the cavalry under the Earl of Lucan ; but they succeeded in taking some prisoners at the close of the battle. In the detail of these operations, which I have gone into as far as the space of a despatch would allow, your grace will perceive that the services in which the general and other officers of the army were engaged were of no ordinary character ; and I have great pleasure in submitting. them for your grace's most favourable con sideration. - —• The mode in which Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown conducted his division, under the most trying cir cumstances, demands the expression of my warmest appro bation. The fire to which his division was subjected, and the difficulties he had to contend against, afford no small proof that his best energies were applied to the successful discharge of his duty. I must speak in corresponding terms of Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans, who like wise conducted his division to my perfect satisfaction, and exhibited equal coohiess and judgment in carrying out a most difficult operation. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge brought his division into action in support of the light division with great ability, and had for the first time an opportunity of showing the enemy his devotion to her Majesty, and to the profession of which he is so dis tinguished a member. My best thanks arc due to Lieute nant-General Sir R. England, Lieutenant-General the Hon. Sir George Cathcart, and Lientenant-General the Earl of Lucan, for their cordial assistance wherever it could be afforded; and I feel it my duty especially to re commend to your grace's notice the distinguished conduct of Major-General Beutinck, Major-General Sir Cohn Campbell, Major-General rennelather, Major-General Codrington, Brigadier-General Adams, and Brigadier- General Buller. In the affair of the previous day Major- General the Earl of Cardigan exhibited the utmost spirit and coolness, and kept his brigade under perfect com mand. The manner in which Brigadier-General Strang ways directed the artillery, and exerted himself to bring it forward, met my entire satisfaction. Lieutenant-General Sir John Burgoyne was constantly by my side, and ren dered me, by his counsel and advice, the most valuable assistance ; and the Commanding Royal Engineer, Brigadier-General Tylden, was always at hand to carry out any service I might direct him to undertake. I deeply regret to say that he has since fallen a victim to cholera, as has Major Wellesley, who was present in the affair of the previous day, notwithstanding that he was then suffer ing from serious illness. He bad, during the illness of Major-General Lord De Ros, acted for him in the most efficient manner. I cannot speak too highly of Brigadier- General Estcourt, Adjutant-General, or of Brigadier-G eneral Airey, who, in the short time he has conducted the duties of the Quartermaster-General, has displayed the greatest ability, as well as aptitude for the office. I am much indebted to my Military Secretary, Lieute nant-Colonel Steele, Major Lord Burghersh, and the officers of any personal staff, for the zeal, intelligence, and gallantry they all, without exception, displayed. Lieute nant Deriman, R.N., the commander of the Caradoc, accompanied me diming the whole of the operation. and rendered me an essential service by a close observation of the enemy's movements, which his practised eye enabled him accurately to watch. I lament to bay that Lieutenant- SATURIAY, Colonel Lagondie, who was attached to my head-quarters by the Emperor of the French, fell into the enemy's hands on the 19th, on his return from Prince Napoleon' s cat i o division, where he had obligingly gone at my request with f a ort e rne nul is m deeply n regre h t il t i ed lm bo p t e h 6 b ll y m il y ig ee h lf ne tu ss id tlTe h oiice is t rais- re of my personal staff. The other officer placed with me under similar circumstances, Major Vice, affonled ins all the assistance in his power, sparing no exertion to be of use. I cannot omit to make known to your grace the cheerful. ness with which the regimental officers of the army have submittal to most unusual privations. My anxiety to bring into the cpuntry every cavalry and infantry wither who was available prevepted me from embarking their bag, gage animals, end these officers have with them at WI moment nothing but what they can carry, and they, equally with the men, are without tents or covering of any kind. I have not heard a single murmur. AU seem impressed with the necessity of the arrangement ; and they feel, I trust, satisfied that I shall bring up their hat horses at the earliest moment. The conduct of the troops has been admirable. When it is considered that they have suffered severely from sick ness during the last two months ; that, since they hsedad in the Crimea, they have been exposed to the eV-remelt of wet, cold, and beat; that the daily toil to provide tilt m selves with water has been excessive ; and that they have been pursued by cholera to the very battle-field, I do not go beyond the truth in declaring that they merit the highest commendation. In the ardour of attack they forgot all they had endured, and displayed that high courage, that gallant spirit, for which the lnitish soldier is ever distin guished ; and under the heaviest fire they maintained the same determination to conquer as they had exhibited bifure they went into action. I should be winning iu my duty, my lord duke, if I did not express to your grace, in the wort earnest mariner, my deep feeling of gratitude to the officers and men of the Royal Navy for the invaluable assistance they afforded the army upon this as on every occasion where it could be brought to bear upon our operations. They watched the progress of the (ley with the most intense anxiety ; and as the best way of evincing their participation in our SUCCESki i and their sympathy in the sufferings of the wounded, they never ceased, from the close of the battle till we left the ground this morning, to provide for the sick and wounded and to carry them down to the beach, a labour in which aurae of the officers even volunteered to participate, an act which I shall never cease to recollect with the weeniest thankful ness. I mention no names, fearing I might omit sonic who ought to be spoken of ; but none who were associated pith us spared any exertion they could apply to so sacred a duty. Sir Edmund Lyons, who had charge of the whole, was, tie always, most promineut in rendering assistance and pro viding for emergencies. I enclose the return of killed and wounded. It is, I lament to say, very large ; but I hope. all circumstances Considered, that it will he felt that no life was unnecessarily exposed, and th;t such an advantage could nut be achieved without a considerable sacrifice. I cannot venture to estimate the amount of the Russian loss. I believe it to have been great, and such is the report in the country. The number of prisoners who are not hint is small ; but the wounded amount to 800 or 900. Two general officers, klejor-Generals Earganoff and Shektinolf, fell into our hands. The former is very badly wounded. I will not attempt to describe the movements of the French army ; that will be dime by an abler-hand ; but it is due to them to say that their operations were eutruently successful, and that under the guidance of their distinguished commander, Marshal St. Arnaud, they insnitested the utmost gallantry, the greatest ardour for the attack, and the high military 9ustlities fur which they ere so foaled. This despatch will be delivered to your grace by Major Lord Burpherith, who is capable of tiffieffing you the fullest information, and whom I beg to recommend to 3otir especial notice. I have, dm RaotAx. F.S. I enclose a sketch of the field of battle. Marshal St. Arnaud's despatches were more volu minous, being written on success ive days, and de scribing events in more detail. In a great measure they necessarily recapitulate the same movements as those recorded by Lord Baglan : we give such extracts from them as possess most novelty or inte rest. In prefacing the series of letters, the cfficial writer in the 111 oniteur pays a just and toucliingcum pliment to the marshal himself, of w hose unt imel y death the tidings had not at, the time reached Pa r is. He says : " The Emperor has received from 3191.481 St. Arnaud the following report of the victory of the Alma. No one can read without emotion this simple recital of a great victory, where the general-in-chief speaks of every one except himself. Nevertheless, the Government appreciates as it merits the energy and ability displayed by the mar shal under these circumstances." The first despatch is dated "Field of Battle of the Alma, Sept. 21" : Sire,—The cannon of your Majesty have spoken ; we have gained a complete victory. It is a glorious day, sire, to add to the military annals of France, and your Majesty will have one name more to add to the victories which adorn the flags of the French army. The Russians had yesterday assembled all their forces, and collected all their means, iu order to oppose the pas sage of the Alma. ranee Mensebikeff commanded in person. All the heights were ci owned with redoubts and formidable batteries. The Russian army reckoned 40,000 bayonets, from all the points of the Crimea; in the morn ing there arrived from Theodosia 6,060 cavalry and 150 pieces of heavy and field artillery. From the heights which they occupied the liussians could count our men man by men from the 18th to the moment when we arrived on tho,