The Press.
London, England, 1854-11-18 00:00:00

NOVEMBER 18, 1854.

at its base, and causing an extensive explosion in the
rear of a strong redoubt in our immediate front ; the
enemy, notwithstanding, answered to the iast from a
number of guns along their more extended line.
The fire was resumed this morning at daylight by
the British sailors and artillery, and responded to,
though in a somewhat less degree, by the Russians ;
but the French troops, being occupied in the repair
of their batteries, and in the formation of others,
have not contributed to the renewal of the attack,
except from a work on their extreme left ; they expect,
however, to be able to do so to-morrow morning.
I beg to lay before your grace a return of the loss
sustained by the royal navy, and the army under my
command, between the 13th and the 17th inst., and
to this lam deeply concerned to add that of Colonel
the Honourable Francis Hood, commanding the 3rd
Battalion Urenadier Guards, an excellent officer
whose death in the trenches this morning has just
been reported to me.
The English, French, and Turkish fleets moved
towards the mouth of the harbour about noon, and
kept up a heavy fire upon the enemy's forts for
several hours.
I am not fully acquainted with the details of the
attack, or its result, but I understand that Rear-
Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, with the Agamemnon and '
Sanspareil, assisted occasionally by the London,
Queen, and Albion, gallantly approached to within six
hundred yards of Fort Constantine, the great work at
the northern entrance, where he maintained himself
till late in the afternoon, and succeeded in exploding
a magazine, and causing considerable injury to the
face of the fort.
Since I wrote to your grace on the 13th, six batta-
lions of Turkish infantry and three hundred Turkish
artillery bare been added to the force in front of
Balaklava.
These troops have been sent from Constantinople
and placed under my command by the Government
of the Porte, and I feel greatly indebted to her Ma
jesty's ambassador, Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe,
for the ability and energy with which he brought
under the notice of the Sultan the importance I at-
tached to an immediate reinforcement of the imperial
troops. RAGLAN.

Before Sebastopol Oct. 28, 1854.
The enemy attacked the position in the front of
Balaklava at an early hour on the morning of the
25. h inst.
The low range of heights that runs across the
plain at the bottom of which the town is placed was
protected by four small redoubts hastily constructed.
Three of these had guns in them, and on a higher
bill, in front of the village of Camara, in advance or
our right flank, was established a work of somewhat
more importance.
These several redoubts was garrisoned by Turkish
troops, no other force being at my disposal for their
occupation.
The 03rd Highlanders was the only British regi-
ment in the plain, with the exception of a part of a
battalion of detachments composed of weakly men,
and a battery of artillery belonging to the third di-
vision ; and on the heights behind our right were
placed the marines, obligingly landed from the fleet
by Vice-Admiral Dundas. All these, including the
Turkish troops, were under the immediate orders of
Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, whom I had taken
from the Ist division with the 93rd.
As soon as I was apprised of this movement of the
enemy I felt compelled to withdraw from before Se-
bastopol the Ist and fourth divisions, commanded by
Lieutenants-General his Royal Highness the Duke
of Cambridge and the Honourable Sir George Cath-
cart, and bring them down into the plain; and
General Canrohert subsequently reinforced these
troops with the first division of French infantry and
the Chasseurs d'Afrique.
The enemy commenced their operation by attackir

the work on our aide of the village of Camara, and,
after very little resistance, carried it.
They likewise got possession of the three others in
contiguity to it, being opposed only in one, and that
but for a very short space of time.
The farthest of the three they did not retain, but
the immediate abandonment of the others enabled
them to take possession of the guns in them, amount-
ing, in the whole, to seven. Those in the three leiser
forts were spiked by the one English artilleryman
who was in each.
The Russian cavalry at once advanced, supported
by artillery, in very great strength. One portion of
them assailed the front and right flank of the 93rd,
and were instantly driven back by the vigorous and
steady fire of that distinguished regiment, under
Lieut.-Colonel Ainslie.
The other and larger mass turned towards her
Majesty's heftyy cavalry, and afforded Brigadier-
General Scarlett, under the guidance of Lieutenant-
General the Earl of Lucan, the opportunity of in-
flicting upon them a most signal defeat. The ground
was very unfavourable for the attack of our dragoons,
but no obstacle was sufficient to check their advance,
and they charged into the Russian column, which

THE PRESS.

soon sought safety in flight, although far superior in

number.
The charge of this brigade was one of the most
successful 1 ever witnessPd, was never for a moment
doubtful, and is in the highest degree •creditable to
Brigadier-General Scarlett and the officers and men
engaged in it.
As the enemy withdrew from the ground which
they had momentarily occupied I directed the ca-
valry, supported by the fourth division, under Lieu-
tenant-General Sir George Cathcart, to move forward
and take advantage of any opportunity to regain the
heights ; and, not having been able to accomplish
this immediately, and it appearing that an attempt
was making to remove the captured guns, the Earl
of Lucan was desired to advance rapidly, follow the
enemy in their retreat, and try to prevent them from
effecting their objects.
In the meanwhile the Russians had time to re• form
on their own ground, with artillery in front and upon
their flanks.
From some misconception of the instruction to
advance, the lieutenant-general considered that, he
was bound to attack at all hazards, and he accord
ingly ordered Major-General the Earl of Cardigan to
move forward with the light brigade.
This order was obeyed in the most spirited and
gallant manner. Lord Cardigan charged with the
utmost vigour, attacked a battery which was tiring
• upon the advancing squadrons, and, having passed
beyond it, engaged the Russian cavalry iu its rear ;
but there his troops were assailed by artillery and,
infantry, as well as cavalry, and necessarily retired
after having committed much havoc upon the

enemy.
They effected this movement without haste or con •
fusion ; but the loss they have sustained has, I deeply
lament, been very severe in officers, men, and horses,
only counterbalanced by the brilliancy of the attack,
and the gallantry, order, and discipline which distin-
guished it, forming a striking contrast to the conduct
of the enemy's cavalry, which had previously been
engaged with the heavy brigade.
The Chasseurs d'Afrique advanced on our left, and
gallantly charged a Russian battery, which checked
its fire for a time, and thus rendered the British
cavalry au essential service.
I have the honour to enclose copies of Sir Colin
Campbell's and the Earl of Lucan's reports.
I beg to draw your grace's attention to the terms
in which Sir Cohn Campbell speaks of Lieut.-Colonel
Ainslie, of the 93rd, and Captain Barker, of the
royal artillery ; and also to the praise bestowed by
the Earl of Lucas on Major-General the Earl of Car
digan, and Brigadier-General Scarlett, which they
most fully deserve.
The Earl of Lucan not having sent me the names
of the other officers who distinguished themselves, I
propose to forward them by the next opportunity.
The enemy made no further movement in advance,
and at the close of the day the brigade of Guards of
the first division and the fourth division returned to
their original encampment, as did the French troops,
with the exception of one brigade of the first division,
which General Canrobert was so good as to leave in
support of Sir Colin Campbell.
The remaining regiments of the highland brigade
also remained in the valley.
The fourth division had advanced close to the
heights, and Sir George Cathcart caused one of the
redoubts to be reoccupied by the Turks, affording
them his support, and be availed himself of the op-
portunity to assist with his riflemen in silencing two
of the enemy's guns.
The means of defending the extensive position
which had been occupied by the Turkish troops in
the morning having proved wholly inadequate, I
deemed it necessary, in concurrence with General
Canrobert, to withdraw from the lower range of
heights, and to concentrate our force, which will be
increased by a considerable body of seamen, to be
landed from the ships under the authority of Admiral
Dundas, immediately in front of the narrow valley
leading into Balaklava, and upon the precipitous
heights on our right, thus affording a narrower line
of defence. RAGLAN.

The following are the enclosures referred to in
Lord Raglan's despatch :
LORD LUCAS'S REPORT.-TIIE CAVALRY CHARGE.
Balaklava, Oct. 27, 1554.
I have the honour to report that the cavalry divi-
sion under my command was seriously engaged with
the enemy on the 25th inst., during the greater part
of which day it was under a heavy fire ; that it made
a most triumphant charge against a very superior
number of the enemy's cavalry, and an attack upon
batteries, which for daring and gallantry could not
he exceeded. Tho loss, however, iu officers, men,
and horses, has been most severe.
From half-past six in the morning, when the horse
artillery first opened fire, till the enemy had pos-
sessed itself of all the different forts, the cavalry,
constantly changing their positions, continued giving
all the sapport they could to the Turkish troops,
though much exposed to the fire of heavy guile and

1085

riflemen, when they took post on the left of the se-
cond line of redoubts, by an order from your lordship.
The heavy brigade had soon to return to the sup-
port of the troops defending Balaklava, and was for-
tunate enough in being at hand when a large force of
Russian cavalry was descending the hill. I imme-
diately ordered Brigadier-General Scarlett to attack
with the Scots Greys and Enniskillen Dragoons, and
had his attack supported in second line by the Fifth
Dragoon Guards and by a flank attack of the Fourth
Dragoon Guards.
Under every disadvantage of ground, these eight
small squadrons succeeded in defeating and dispersing
a body of cavalry estimated at three times their
number and more.
The heavy brigade having now joined the light
brigade, the division took up a position with a view of
.supporting an attack upon the heights, when, being
instructed to make a rapid advance to our front to
prevent the enemy carrying the guns lost by the
Turkish troops in the morning, I ordered the light
brigade to advance in two lines, and supported them
with the heavy brigade.
This attack of the light cavalry was very brilliant
and daring ; exposed to a fire from heavy batteries
on their front andtwo flanks, they advanced unchecked
until they reached the batteries of the enemy and
cleared them of their gunners, and only retired when
they found themselves engaged with a very superior
force of cavalry in the rear.
Major-General the Earl of Cardigan led this
attack in the most gallant and intrepid manner ; and
his lordship has expressed himself to me as admiring
in the highest degree the courage and zeal of every
officer, non-commissioned officer, and man that as-
sisted.
The heavy brigade advanced to the support of the
&Week under a very galling fire from the batteries and
ii}cao in a redoubt, and acted with the most perfect
steal.ness and in a manner to deserve all praise.
The losses, my lord, it grieves me to state, have
been very great indeed, and I fear will be much felt
by your lordship.
I cannot too strongly recommend to your lordship
the two general officers commanding the brigades,
all the officers in command of regiments, as also the
divisional and brigade staffs; indeed, the conduct of
every individual, of every rank, I feel to be deserving
of my entire praise and, I hope, of your lordship's ap-
probation.
The conduct of the royal horse artillery troop, first
under the command of Captain Maude, and, after
that o;icer was severely wounded, of Captain Shake-
spear, was most meritorious and praiseworthy. I
received from those officers every possible assistance
during the time they respectively commanded.
LuCAN.

silt COLIN CAMPBELL AND THE HIORLANDERN.
Camp Battery No. 4, Balaklava, Oct. 27, 1.051.
I have the honour to inform you that on the
morning of the 25th instant, about seven o'clock, the
Russian force which has been, as I already reported,
for some time amongst the hills on our right front,
debouched into the open ground in front of the re-
doubts Nos. 1, '2, and 3, which were occupied by
Turkish infantry and artillery, and armed with seven
12-pounders (iron). The enemy's force consisted of
eighteen or nineteen battalions of infantry, from thirty
to forty guns, and a large body of cavalry. The attack
was made againt No. 1 redoubt by a cloud of skir-
mishers, supported by eight battalions of infantry
and sixteen guns. The Turkish troops in No. 1 per-
sisted as long as they could and then retired, and
they suffered considerable loss in their retreat. This
attack was followed by the successive abandonment
of Nos. 2,3, and 4 redoubts by the Turks, as well as
of the other posts held by them in our front. The
guns, however, in Nos. 2,3, and 4 were spiked. The
garrisons of these redoubts retired, and some of them
formed on the right and some on the left flank of
the 93rd Highlander", which was posted in front of
No. 4 battery and the village of Katichioi. When the
enemy had taken possession of these redoubts, their
artillery advanced with a large mass of cavalry, and
their guns ranged to the 03rd Highlanders, which,
with one hundred invalids under Lieut.-Colonel
I)aveney in support, occupied very insufficiently, from
the smallness of their numbers, the slightly-rising
ground in front of No. 4 battery. As 1 found that
round shot and shell began to cause some casualties
among the 93rd Highlanders and the Turkish batta-
lions on their right and left flank, I made them retire
a few paces behind the crest of the hill. During
this period our batteries on the hills, manned by the
royal marine artillery and the royal marines, made
most excellent practice on the enemy's cavalry, which
came over the hill ground in front. One body of
them, amounting to about 400 men, turned to their
left, separating themselves from those who attacked
Lord Lucan's division, and charged the 93rd High-
landers, who immediately advanced to the crest of
the hill and opened their fire, which forced the Rus-
sian cavalry to give way and turn to their left, after
which they made an attempt to turn the right flank
of the U3rd, having observed the flight of the Turks

1086

who were placed there, upon which the Grenadiers
of the 93rd, under Captain Ross, were wheeled up to
their right, and fired on the enemy, which manoeuvre
completely discomfited them.
During the rest of the day the troops under my
command received no further molestation from the
Russians. I beg to call Lord Raglan's attention to
the gallantry and eagerness of the 93rd Highlanders,
under Lieut.-Colonel Ainslie, of which, probably, Ins
lordship was an eye-witness ; as well as the admi-
rable conduct of Captain Barker, and the officers of
the field battery under his orders, who made most
excellent practice against the Russian cavalry and
artillery while within range.
CouN CAMPBELL.

GENERAL EVANS'S REPORT.
Heights of the Tschemaya, Oct. 27.
Yesterday the enemy attack this division with
several columns of infantry, supported by artillery.
Their cavalry did not come to the front. Their
masses, covered by large bodies of skirmishers, ad-
vanced with much apparent confidence. The division
immediately formed line in advance of our camp, the
left under Major-General Pennefather, the right under
Brigadier General Adams. Lieutenant-Colonel Fitz-
mayer and the Captains of Batteries (Turner and
Yates) promptly posted their guns and opened fire
upon the enemy.
Immediately on the cannonade being heard, the
Duke of Cambridge brought up to our support the
brigade of Guards under Major-General Bentinck,
with &battery under Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres. His
Royal Highness took post in advance of our right to
secure that flank, and rendered me throughout the
most effective and important assistance. General
Bosquet, with similar promptitude and from a greater
distance, approached our position with five French
battalions. Sir G. Cathcart hastened to us with' it
regiment of Rifles, and Sir G. Brown pushed forward
two guns in co operation by our left.
The enemy came on at first rapidly, assisted by
their guns on the Mound-hill. Our pickets, then
chiefly of the 49th and 30th Regiments, resisted
them with very remarkable determination and firm-
ness. Lieutenant Conolly, of the 49th, greatly dis-
tinguished himself, as did Captain Bayley, of the 30th,
and Captain Atcherley, all of whom, I regret to say,
were severely wounded. Sergeant Sullivan also dis-
played at this point great bravery.
In the meantime our eighteen guns in position,
including those of the Ist division, were served with
the utmost energy. In half an hour they forced the
enemy to abandon the field. Our batteries were
then directed with equal accuracy and vigour upon
the enemy's columns, which (exposed also to the close
fire of our advanced infantry) soon fell into complete
disorder and flight. They were then literally chased

by the 30th and 95th Regiments over the ridges and
- - - -

down towards the head of the bay.
So eager was the pursuit that it was with difficulty
that Major-General Pennefather eventually effected
the recal of our men. _ These regiments and the

pickets were led gallantly by Major Mauleverer, Major
Champion, Major Eman, and Major Hume. They
were similarly pursued further towards our right by
four companies of the 41st, led gallantly by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel the Hon. P. Herbert, A.Q.M.G. The
47th also contributed. The 55th were held in reserve.
Above eighty prisoners fell into our hands, and
about 130 of the enemy's dead were left within or near
our position. It is computed that their total loss
could scarcely be less than six hundred.
Our loss, I am sorry to say, has been above eighty,
of whom twelve killed, five officers wounded. I am
happy to say hopes are entertained that Lieutenant
Conolly will recover, but his wound is dangerous.
I will have the honour of transmitting to 5 our lord-
ship a list of officers, non-commissioned officers, and
privates whose conduct attracted special notice.
That of the pickets excited general admiration.
To Major-General Pennefather and Brigadier-
General Adams I was, as usual, greatly indebted. Of
Lieutenant-Colonel llacres, Lieutenant-Colonel
Fitzmayer, Captains Turner, Yates, Woodham, and
Hemlin, and the whole of the royal artillery, we are
under the greatest obligation.
Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert, A.Q.M.G., rendered
the division, as he always does, highly distinguished
and energetic services. Lieut.-Colonel Wilbraham,
A.A.G., while serving most actively, I regret to say
had a very severe fall from his horse.
I beg leave also to recommend to your lordship's
favourable consideration the excellent services of Cap-
tains Glasbrook and Thomson, of the Quartermaster-
General's department; the Brigade-Majors Captains
Armstrong and Thackwell ; and my personal staff,
Captains Allix, Gubbins, and tLieutenant-Geheßoyle.
DE LACY EVANS, neral.

Before Sebastopol, October 28.

I have nothing particular to report to your grace
respecting the operations of the siege since I wrote
to you on the 23rd mst. The fire has been somewhat
less constant, and our casualties have been fewer,
though I regret to say that Captain Childers, a very