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

right and part of the centre of the Russian position.
The co-operation which was intended between Prince
Napoleon's division and Sir De L. Evans's division
did not take place, for it was found the French would
have had to take ground too much to our right to
allow a combined action. It so happened that twice
or thrice during the action the French were so hardly
pressed that they sent urgent messages to us for aid,
and our guns were directed with such good effect on
a mass of infantry which threatened their left that
they were relieved from all embarrassment, and
enabled to gain a position from which they rendered
us material aid in return, by directing their guns
against the Russian reserves above the battery.

THE BATTLE BEGINS.
At 1.20 we saw the steamers in shore (French)
commence throwing shells up to a height in front,
and the enemy replied by a heavy tire, but the dis-
tance was too great for any effectual result. The
action became general at 1.45 on the part of the
French and Turks, who carried the heights on the
right, which were but weakly protected. At 2.30 we
advanced down the slope towards the valley of the
Alma, above which rose the lines and redoubts of
the enemy. As we advanced they set fire to a village
at the base of the descent to the valley at our side,
and, covered by the smoke, opened a tremendous fire
of 9 and 12 pounder guns from their earthwork bat-
teries. It was a fair exercise of military skill—was
well executed—took place at the right time—and
succeeded in occasioning a good deal of annoyance.
Our troops halted when they neared this village,
their left extending beyond it by the verge of the
stream ; our right behind the burning cottages, and
within range of the batteries. It is said the Rus-
sians had taken the range of all the principal points
in their front, and placed twigs and sticks to mark
them. In this they were assisted by the post sign
boards on the road. Our artillery replied with shot,
shell, and rockets, while the men advanced through
a storm of bullets, and rushed across the stream—
the light division on the right, the second division
next, the first division in the centre, and the third
supporting them.

PASSAGE OF THE ALMA.
The Rifles, under Major Norcott, waded through
the River Alma in a masterly manner, followed by
the Connaught Rangers and the other gallant
regiments forming the light division. The river
once crossed, the men dashed into some vineyards
which flanked the high road ; but these, having been
out down, afforded no shelter. The fire hero was
fearful, for now the British were within grape range.
The men here gave one of those surprising examples
of coolness and contempt of danger which forms one
of our national characteristics. In the midst of the
most tremendous fire which an army has ever en-
countered, with comrades falling around them, the
men commenced seeking for and plucking the half-
ripe grapes which were hanging temptingly on the
hewn vines. ThA vineyards were passed, and the
light division, forming in line, advanced in measured
pace up the hills.

THE CHARGE UP THE HILL.
While the light division was charging up the hill
on one side, the left or 2nd (Sir De L. Evans's)
division was charging the enemy close to them, was
exposed to a similar fire, and met with similar losses.
The 30th, 55th, and 95th left long lines of dead be-
hind them, and just as they came to the battery a
sheet of lead passed through them like a sword.
They were utterly broken up. It was necessary to
retire them to re-form ; and the Russians, seeing
their retreat, leaped out of the embrasures and
breastworks, and actually charged them down the
hill with the bayonet. But few exchanges of the
steel were made, probably not more than half-a-
dozen bayonet wounds were inflicted, and bitterly
did the enemy repent his temerity. The shattered
regiments re-formed, and cheered on by their
indefatigable brigadier, Pennefather, they drove the
enemy up the bill to the shelter of their earthworks,
and then sent them flying beyond the hill, pursued
byiremorseless volleys of Minis balls, while Brigadier-
General Coclringon's noble brigade dealt the same
vengeance on their opponents. The advance of the
Guards was as grand in its calm and order as any
sight ever witnessed on the battle-fild. As they
marched up the hill the lines of the black bearskins
were barely wavering ; they were nearly as straight
as if on parade, and the light division comphined
that the men of the Guards were losing time in
dressing up as if on parade ground, when they should
have been supporting the regiments exposed to such
crushing fire.
THE BATTLE WON.
The duke encouraged his men by voice and
example, and proved himself worthy of his proud
command and of the royal race from which he
comes. " Highlanders," said Sir C. Campbell, ere
they came to the charge, " don't pull a trigger till
you're within a yard of the Russians !" They
charged, and well they obeyed their chieftain's wish :
Sir Colin had his horse shot under him, but his men
took the battery at a bound. The Russians rushed