The Press.
London, England, 1855-05-26 00:00:00

SIEGE CHRONICLE.

Letters from the camp to the 12th inst. have been
received this week. The following account of the
repulse of the desperate sortie made by the Russians
on the British lines on the night of the 9th, is given
by the Herald correspondent

1114 v 10.—We have had our dulness enlivened by
a brisk sortie which was made against the left attack
last night. As usual, the enemy met with a severe re-
pulse.

The trench guard was mounted at the usual hour yester-
day evening. Near the left attack a working party accom•
panied, part for the purpose of repairing the zigzags, and
part for the new advanced work, which is now nearly com•
pleted. Beyond an occasional shot or shell, Sebastopol
was remarkably quiet, and the officers in command con•
gratulated themselves on the prospect of advancing the
work without molestation. After dark, however, appear-
ances altered much. The weather, which had been fine
during the day, became quite tempestuous, the wind blew
half a gale ; it was pitchy dark, with blinding showers of
rain ; in fact, a sortie night beyond all doubt.

At one o'clock the weather seemed doing its worst.
Nothing could be seen for the rain and darkness, and
nothing could be heard for the howling of the wind.
Suddenly, both wind and rain ceased ; but the darkness
was still intense. One of the out-sentries thought he
heard something unusual in the direction of the Redan,
and with the utmost coolness and judgment tried to dis-
cover the cause, before giving an alarm. He communi-
cated his suspicions to two other sentries, and they all ad-
vanced in the direction of the noise, creeping cautiously
along the ground. As they approached the Russian
works the noise, as of many men moving about, though
not advancing, was distinctly heard. The steps ap-
peared to be about one hundred yards off, but it was
impossible to distinguish anything. Suddenly the
sound ceased. The three sentries were in doubt what to
do, but eventually one of them returned to the advanced
work to report what they had heard, and alarm the cover-
ing party.

The instant the sentry had made his statement the
trench guard was aroused—the men formed up in strict
silence—the weapons looked to, and each detachment,
under the command of its officers, proceeded to its ap-
pointed post. Orders were issued that none were to fire
until the general command was given.
Colonel L. Yea, of the 7th, was field officer in command
of the whole party. In the meantime the two sentries,
who had remained in advance, waited quietly for some
further indication of the enemy's presence. After about a
quarter of an hour's anxious expectation, the head of a
body of men, advancing quickly and cautiously, was dis-
tinctly heard. One of the sentries instantly returned to
report it, the other remained at his post until the enemy
were within forty yards of where he lay. He then began
retreating, keeping close to the ground, neither going on

THE PRESS.

too fast, or suffering the enemy to overtake him. When '
within a stone's throw of our trenches the Russians
stopped; our sentry quietly entered our works and pointed
out their precise position. All our troops preserved a
strict silence, and so quiet were the enemy that it was al-
most impossible to say that they had not altered their
plan, and proceeded in another direction. A few minutes
passed in this manner, and then in an instant fifty shots
were fired into our lines at a distance of six fret. It seems
that when the Russians halted they lay down on their
bellies, and crawled forward unobserved until within a
musket's length of our trenches, when a number of them
fired and sprang upon their feet. Our men were in no way
taken by surprise. Their positions were already assigned,
and they lay so close under cover that only two men were
struck by the enemy's volley—one man killed on the
spot, another dangerously wounded. The Russians, who
had first risen, made an attempt to rush into the work
under cover of their fire, which they believed had taken us
entirely by surprise; but nearly all who tried were shot or
bayonetted. The rest of the party, which now seemed
about 1,000 strong, commenced a heavy fire, but it was
totally inefficient against our troops, who were sheltered by
the breastwork. Our fire, on the contrary, was cool and
well sustained, and at the short distance told with murder-
ous effect on the crowds of Russians. They fell on all
sides, while we scarcely lost a man. After a few minutes
the enemy became confused, and fell back iu disorder. It
appears, however, to have been only a momentary panic,
as, after retreating a short distance, during the whole time
of which they were skirmishing, they returned at the
charge, and, with the utmost coolness and daring, moving
more to the left, tried to storm the breastwork at another
point. In this they were as unsuccessful as in their first
attempt. The troops reserved their fire until the Rus-
sians closed, and giving one tremendous volley prepared to
receive those who might strive to cross the breastwork
with the bayonet. But so severe was the effect of their
volley that the enemy seemed paralysed. Their officers
tried to lead them up, but the men, though their fired fast,
seemed disinclined to follow. They were wavering fast,
when a second force of Russians, about SOO strong, came
upon the field. The reinforcement made no fresh effort to
force our trenches, contenting themselves with skirmish
ing to cover the retreat of the attacking perty. The
English never quitted their breastwork, but fired with
deadly accuracy into the enemy, who were trying to re-
move their killed and wounded. While effecting this they
suffered a severe loss from our fire, which from our very
sheltered position they were quite unable to return, at
least with any effect. After about a quarter of an hour's
skirmishing in this manner, the enemy fell back and got
under cover of the Redan.

As usual the instant the attack was repulsed and the
Russians clear off, their batteries opened fire upon the
portion cf our lines on which the sortie had been made.
They poured in regular volleys of round shot, grape, and
shell. The heavy dark sky which lowered over everything
seemed a perfect aurora borealis with the incessant flashes
of the guns. This retaliation was Wily expected, and all
our troops lay down until the iron hail had passed. Only
one man was killed by a round shot. None others were
even wounded. In about half an hour the cannonade
ceased, and except an occasional gun from the enemy or a
large mortar from ourselves and the French, all Sebastopol
and the allied trenches were wrapt in perfect silence.

Our whole loss from this sortie was three men killed
and thirteen men wounded, two of the latter very dange-
rously. Captain Lawrence, of the 34th Regiment, was
also wounded, but not severely. The 7th and 34th Regi-
ments bore the brunt of the contest, and both behaved with
distinguished gallantry. The prudence and courage of the
out sentries are highly lauded; but for their precautions
the Russians would never have met with such a severe de.
feat, and our loss would most probably have been much
heavier.

The enemy appears to have suffered severely. In spite
of their determined efforts to carry off their killed and
wounded, one non-commissioned officer and sixteen dead
men were left behind, with two wounded skirmishers. The
latter most probably fell while covering the retreat, and
their loss was not noticed. One was very severely wounded,
the other in all probability mortally. The corpses of the
dead still lie in front of our trenches ; the two wounded
men were brought in directly after the skirmish, and for.
warded to Balaklava this morning. This afternoon the
Russians sent in a flag of truce for permission to carry off
then. dead.

The correspondent of the Times writes on the
11th :

Last night about ten o'clock there was another alarm
along our lines. It was exceedingly dark, and the wind
was high. The sentries in front challenged and gave the
alert, and the men who were in the advanced parallels be-
gan to fire with steadiness and rapidity at a body of Rus-
sians who were trying to get up to them in the darkness.
The enemy replied, and for a time there was a desultory
firing, the flashes from which were visible, but it was im-
possible to hear, owing to the violehce of the wind. The
fight took place in front of our right attack, and was over
in about half an hour or less. The instant the enemy re-
tired their batteries opened as before, and threw very
heavy and repeated flights of shot and shell upon our
works. The second division were the principal sufferers.
The newly-arrived battalions of the Royals received their
bapteme de feu, and had three men killed and four wounded,
principally by shells—altogether we had nine men killed
and seven wounded. Most of the wounds are of a very
serious character, being inflicted by jagged pieces of bombs.
MAY 12.—Last night, in the midst of so awful storm of
rain and wind, so thick that no one could see a yard
beyond him, a body of Russians came up on our left attack,
but the sentries gave the alarm just in time ; and Colonel
Macbeth, of the 68th Regiment, got his men into order and
received the first fire of the enemy as they came up to the
trench with perfect steadiness. Some of the Russians

SATURDAY,

leapt up on the parapet and jumped into the battery, where
they at once met their fate. There was a desperate struggle
between the Russians and the men of the Otith outside the
lines, in which the bayonet was freely used on both bides ;
but the enemy were repulsed by our fellows, led by Colonel
Macbeth, Lieutenant Hamilton, and a sergeant of the
Iftith. 1 regret to say that Captain Lloyd Edwards and
six men of the tltith were killed, and twenty-two men of the
same regiment were wounded. We took some wounded
prisoners. It is impossible at this hour to ascertain the
particulars of the attack, as the men have not come up
from the works yet. Some of our men were wounded by
stones flung by the Russians, whose guns would not go off,
owing to the wet. The enemy lost heavily, and they were
seen dragging off their dead during the night.
It is now blowing hard, and it has rained all night. The
camp is a mass of mud, and has resumed its old wintry
aspect.
Miss Nightingale has visited several of the hospitals
since her arrival, and has, 1 believe, found matters much
better than she expected. A marvellous change has, in-
deed, been effected within the last few months. Miss
Nightingale remains on board a steamer in the harbour of
lialaklava, and is attended by Mr. Bracebridge. M. Soyer
has also arrived, and it is to be hoped that he can suggest
some good and simple mode of cooking and messing, in-
stead of our present very imperfect, irregular, wasteful, and
unwholesome system.

ABANDONMENT OF THE KERTCH EXPEDITION.
Details of this singular interlude, which will take
its place among the most remarkable failures and
absurdities of the war, have arrived since our
last impression. The correspondent of the lktoning
Herald, who accompanied the expedition, in the
belief that some active operations would have been
undertaken, gives the following account of the
departure and abrupt return of the squadron :

I sailed from 13alaklava early on the morning of the
4th. All the troops had previously embarked and started
for their destination. Only two commissariat vessels, one
steam-sloop, and a ship for the wounded, remained be-
hind. I was in one of these, and all four proceeded with
haste to Karniesch, in order to learn the direction in which
they were to steer to overtake the rest of the squadron.
On arriving at Kainiesch we found that Captain Mitchell,
of the Queen, was senior officer, and that he only was aware
of our destination. But, as it unfortunately happened,
Captain Mitchell was absent at Lord Raglan's head-
quarters, and no one knew in which direction we were to
proceed. In the course of the afternoon Captain Mitchell
returned, and informed all the vessels then waiting that
they were to use all speed, and repair instantly to the
rendezvous in lat. 44.55, long. 8d.28.
This at a moment's glance at the map showed to be off
Kertch, and by no means far off it either, but well in sight
of land. The positive delight which was manifested by
every one on finding that an attack on Kertch was really
intended was almost beyond bounds, and away we steamed
in the direction of the rendezvous—the three steamers
towing the sailing hospital-ship--satisfied with ourselves,
our expedition, and even with our generals. Towards
night a regular dense Black Sea fog set in, and we were
compelled, much to our dissatisfaction, to proceed at half-
speed.
At first the morning of the sth promised a continuance
of the fog, but as the day wore on it cleared, and towards
noon we came in sight of a dense smoke bank, amid
which the tapering spars of men-of-war showed that we
were fast approaching the rendezvous. As we came up all
the vessels appeared in motion. The huge screw three
and two deckers were steaming along in stately rapidity,
followed by a train of vessels of all kinds and sizes, the
steamers towing the sailers. We rejoiced that we had over-
taken them in time, though greatly perplexed at the direc-
tion in which the flotilla was steering. The high bold
land and fertile shores of Kertch were full in view. Three
hours more would have brought us to the spot selected for
our disembarkation ; yet beyond all doubt the fleet was
not proceeding in that direction, but, on the contrary,
was retracing its steps, apparently on the route to Bala-
kite/a. For a moment a dismal gloom fell on all. Had
we forgotten all our ammunition ; had the military and
medical chests been left behind; or had Sir George Browne
and the French general quarrelled ? were the questions
eagerly asked of men who knew the general tenor of our
arrangements far too well to suppose that any absurdity of
the kind was improbable. Every one could conjecture,
but no one could answer, till some one, who was unwilling
to believe that an expedition the most secret, the most
perfect, and best managed of its kind, would be abandoned
without cause, suggested that Kertch was a mere ruse, and
that we were now proceeding to our real destination—very
likely Nicolaief or Perekop. The hint was eagerly caught
at. Anything rather than suppose the expedition was
abandoned, and so we closed and followed in the wake of
the fleet, without much murmuring or discontent.

Just as we were about to proceed to the admiral to
report our arrival, and solicit instructions, the Fury steam-
frigate ran alongside and hailed. Our captain informed
the Fury what we were and what officers and stores we had
on board, but the answer was imperative—" It does not
matter who the devil you are or what the devil you have got.
The admiral's orders are, that you return with the rest of
the squadron to Balaklava 1 "

The news came upon us like a thunderbolt. No one
could believe that he heard aright, and all seemed mar-
vellously inclined to be insubordinate, and attack Kertch
on their own hook. But the orders were far too clear to
leave any loophole for mistake. They were given plainly
and coolly; they were distinctly heard and were evidently
said with the most intense disgust and dissatisfaction. In
addition to these orders the whole fleet was evidently re-
turning ; there could be no mistake about that; and so
with heavy hearts the ship was put about, and bidding
adieu to the shores of Kertch we followed with the rest.

MAY 26, 1855.

We arrived off Balaklava yesterday morning, but in con-
sequence of the number of vessels which had to enter were
unable to come in till yesterday night. The artillery,
land transport corps, and small force of cavalry
which accompanied, went round to Kamiesch. The
infantry and stores came to Balaklava. None of the High.
hinders have yet disembarked, and the sanguine still
cling with fond hope to the expedition being yet carried
out in spite of all.
I have seen our troops discontented from hunger, from
cold, from neglect and overwork, but I have never yet seen,
and should be sorry ever again to see, the same feeling
which now appears to prevail among all the regimeats,
more particularly those which have formed a part of the
late expeditionary force. To say that they are discontented
will give no idea of the disgust and intense dissatisfaction
which is prevalent among them.
To be hurried off on a secret expedition—to come within
sight of the peninsula of Kertch, sufficiently near to
thoroughly alarm the enemy—sufficiently near them that
our victory was certain—and then to return without
striking a single blow, is surely enough to dispirit the
bravest, and weaken ie discipline of the best-trained troops
in the world. The Highlanders—though courage and
loyalty itself—are the very last troops in the world with
whom such tricks can be played with impunity. Had they
less courage and less loyalty, there would be less risk ; but
now they brood over the expedition as a personal slight to
themselves. It will take weeks of hard fighting and bra.
hant successes to remove the despondent, disappointed
tteling which this miserable expedition has given litre to.
And now it will naturally be asked why did we return?
The answer is the simplest in the world—we were recalled
by a message from Lord Raglan and General Canrobert, who
had received a despatch from the French Emperor, order.
ing the allied troops to be concentrated with all speed.
This is the whole reason—hardly a sufficient one—as it
no v turns out that a great mistake has been made, and the
*Atctric telegraph message mistranslated. The message
was, that if the details of the expedition to Kertch were not
already arranged, the allied troops should be concentrated,
and the expedition abandoned. lint the first and most im-
portant part of the message was overlooked—only the
order for the concentration of the allies was translated,
and though the expeditita was arranged—had started—
arrived—and in two hours more would have landed, this
was deemed sufficient to abandon the whole design, and
return the troops to their different quarters! The
authorities are now annoyed that the message was mis-
understood, the troops that it was ever sent ; only the
Rnssians are pleased. All here who are well acquainted
with the Crimea and its inhabitants consider that the fai-
lure of the expedition is tantamount to s defeat. They
say that as regards the fortunes of the campaign
t'ie capture of Kertch would be little less important than
that of Sebastopol itself. The troops, the ammuni.
ton, and immense supplies of all kinds, which are now
received by that route from South Russia, would all have
fallen into our hands almost without a blow. Now our
chances have gone, and gone for ever. The Cossacks from
the heights saw us, and watched andcornmunicated the des.
tination to the enemy, and in a few days all its details will
have transpired ; the Russians are sure to take proper pre-
cautions against another attack—the rear of Kertch will be
made to bristle with earthworks, like another Sebastopol ;
all chance of a coup de main is out of the question, and a
regular siege almost equally so. And all this because the
allied commanders did not know their minds in time, and
because their messages are mistranslated. Ido not exag-
gerate when I say that the failure and abandonment of the
expedition has produced an impression in the allied troops
which I could hardly have believed that even a defeat would
h we caused.

The following is extracted from a private letter,
written by an officer who accompanied the expedi-
tion :

Off Sebastopol, May 6, 1855.
We left this place on Thursday last with thirty line of•
battle and other ships, with 17,000 troops on board. We
started as if for Odessa, and at midnight altered our course
for Kertch, expecting a severe action on the morrow. We
were to lead the way, sounding as we went. The troops
were to be disembarked in the evening. We cleared for
action, took our topmasts and topgallantyards down, and
made a strong network of ropes aloft, to prevent the spars
when shot away from falling down upon and crushing ns.
Every man had his orders from the doctor what to do in
case of being wounded : beds were got ready, and the
chests arranged to receive them, and all were ready and
anxious for what we expected would prove a hard-fought
action. I wrote a kind of will, saying what I wished to
have done with my things if I was killed. In the morning
all the ships had arrived, and we were quite ready, with
longing hearts, to begin, when the admiral made a signal
to hold a council of war. Then all our plans were altered.
The French admiral had been recalled, and as with him
went the troops, which we could not do without, all I can
add is that all was given up, and we returned to our old
quarters. •

THE GUARDS' " BROWN BESS."
The Daily News correspondent writes from Bala-
klava on the 7th instant:—

I am glad it is in my power to give a satisfactory expla-
nation of one point respecting the Guards, which has
struck many as equally inexplicable and mysterious. The
fresh drafts came out with Brown Bess, and as the older
'ldlers are armed with Minies, the confusion of the two
w !apons in one and the same corps seemed dangerous to
th efficacy in battle. Upon inquiry in the proper quar-
t rs I find that the men were sent out on purpose with
tieir drill muskets, because at least 15,000 /dinies of the
k lled and non-effective—in short, of the army that perished

d wing the winter--are in store at Balaklava. .esterday
aid to-day detachments of the new arrivals were marched
d)wn to the store, and exchanged their smoothbores for
Minies, and in another day or two the whole of the corps
will be provided with formidable weapon. It is