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

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 officer
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
faorternenulism deeplyn
regrehtiltiedlmbopteh6blly milyigeehlfnetussid tlTehoiice istrais-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 SUCCESkii
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 successive 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 whose untimely
death the tidings had not at, the time reached Paris.
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,

OcToDEu 14, 1854.

Bubbanach. On the 20th, as early as six in the morning,
I carried into operation with the division of General MM.
quet, reinforced by eight Turkish batudions, a turning
movement which enveloped the left of the Russians and
turned borne of their batteries. General Bosquet
nomvred with as much intelligence as bravery. This
movement decided the success of the day. I had arranged
that the English should extend their left, in order at the
same time to threaten the right of the Russians, whilst I
should occupy them in the centre, but their troops did not
arrive in line until half-past ten. They bravely made up
for this delay. At half.past twelve the line of the allied
army, occupying an extent of more than a league, arrived
on the Alma, and was received by a terrible lire from the
tirailleurs.
In this movement the head of the column of General
Bosquet appeared on the heights, and I gave the signal for
a general attack. The Alma was crossed at double-quick
time. Prince Napoleon, at the head of his division,
took possession of the large village of Alma, under
the fire of the Russian batteries. The Prince showed
himself worthy of the great name he bears. Nye
then arrived at the font of the heights, under the fire of the
Russian batteries. There, sire, commenced a real battle
along all the line—a battle with: its episodes of brilliant
feats of valour. Your Majesty may be proud of your sol-
diers : they have not degenerated : they are the soldiers of
Austerlitz and of Germ. At half-past four the French army
was everywhere victorious. All the positions had been
carried at the point of the bayonet to the cry of " Vise
l'Empereur!" which resounded throughout the day. Never
was such enthusiasm saen; even the wounded rose from
the ground to join in it. On our left the English met with
large masses of the enemy, and with great difficulties, but
everything was surmounted. The English attacked the
Russian positions in admirable order under the tire of their
cannon, carried them, and drove off the Russians. The
bravery of Lord Raglan rivals that of antiquity. In the
midst of cannon and musket shot he displayed a calmness
which never left him. The French lines formed on the
heights, attacking the Russian left, and the artillery opened
its tire. Then it was no longer a retreat, but a rout; the
Russians threw away their muskets and knapsacks, in
order to run the faster. lf, sire, I had had cavalry, I
should have obtained immense results, and Menschikoff
would no longer have hail an army ; but it was late, our
troops were herassed, and the ammunition of the artillery
was exhausted. At six o'clock in the evening we encamped
on the very bivouac of the Russians. My teut is on the
very spot where that of Prince Menschikoff stood in the
morning, and who thought himself so sure of beating us
that he left his carriage there. I have taken possession of
it with his portfolio and correspondence, and shall take
advantage of the valuable information it contains.