The Express.
London, England, 1855-01-12 00:00:00

: •
THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING; JANUARY 12, 1855.

British army depended upon them, and they nobly held
their own--cash man performiag deeds of almost anthem-
pled heroism.
The 4th divides, who.. cusp was far distent, had early
hastened to the point of attack, led by Sir George Cathcart,
but they did not reach it until after the Guards bad long
been engaged la the struggle for the poseession of the two-
ban battery. One brigade under General Goldin was de-
tached to the assistance of the tad
by division, now hard
Crhen the the is of the enemy.
et. left
eessammtkid by ienerel Temese, tamed to the
right end glued the Quids, who were almost surrounded.
filir Game Catheart believed that this mast effectual ette-
soar genii he given them by tarsier; the enemy's link, and
• thus eeespdliag them to GU back from the disputed battery.
trswilling to credit the earnest representations made to him
that tit:Russians bad already oecupi.d the opposite heights,
he placed himself at the head of a few companies of the
68th Regiment and with undaunted spirit entered a gully
to the right of the earthworth. But he bad scarcely de-
wended far before he perceived the Russians on the ridges
above him. He saw, too late, that he was surroumied.
Attempting to lead back his men, this distinguished officer
fell mortally wounded, and his body remained for some
time In the midst of the enemy. His gallant aide-de-camp.
Col. Charles Seymour, who had long shared the fortunes of
his chief, and who stooped to receive his last breath,
perished by his Bide.
Bet • contest no less terrible than that around the two-
gar battery raged on the hill above the harbour, ea which
the Russians had Ant appeared, and which was separated by
• deep ravine from that held by the Guards. The grouted
was covered with low and thick brushwood, and was much
broken. A cloud of skirmishers throws out. by the ad-
vancing column, were thus able to keep under suMciest
cover, and to inflict considerable loos upon our troops, who
could with difficulty advance in Use. The 2nd Division bed
been joined by a brigade of the let—together they rushed
upon the enemy, and for some moments held him in check.
Their ammunition having been expended, they even re-
ceived the approaching columns with stones, until ex-
hausted they were forced to retire. trader cover of the
incessant and well-directed fire of their artillery, the Rus-
sians advanced with renewed confidence, charging our re-
treating regienestr, and redoubling their unearthly yells.
Four of our guns were already in their possession, and
they were almost in the midst of the tents of the tad
Divi-
sine. For a moment the isms of the day mimed doubtful,
and the sternest heart felt a thrill of doubt and dread. Bat
again, by superhuman efferts, our broken regiments rallied,
emerged into their dense rank% drove them back in disorder,
and recaptured the guns.
General Basques, as usual, had loot no time in ascertain-
leg the nature of the attack, and had ordered two battle
lions of infantry to aid in the defence of the British position.
He would have hastened himself to take part in the con-
test with a larger force, but, the Russian fire suddenly
slackening between eight and nine o'clock, Sir George Cath-
cart, under the impressive that the enemy were retiring,
sent to inform him that there was no longer need for his
immediate advance. At an early hour of the morning a
movement had taken place in the corps d'arinfe
under Liprande in the valley of the Tehernaia.
A column of infentry, with riflemen, had ad-
vanced to the foot of the heights, end had ex-
°banged shots with the nemeses and French troops
defeuding that part of the position. The batterii aon the
Tehernaia ridge and in the redoubts, and some field pieces,
opened upon Selektive and upon the edge of the Valetas.
in rear of our linos. This fire WIN returned, and having
been continued on both sides for some time, without any
apparent effect, the Russians fell back, but still appeared to
threaten a further advance. Snob being the case, General
Bssquet could not withdraw the troops which defended this
part of the position, and, for • time believing it possible
from the slackening of the fire in front of the British camp,
that after all the real attack might be made in the rear, he
speedily returned to his own pest. But the Russian artil-
lery had only erased awhile, to draw nearer to the English
camp under cover of the mist which still prevailed. Soon
after it opened again with redoubled violence. Fresh,
bodies of men at the same time came over the crest of the
hill endue the ravines. Oar regiments, no longer able to
oppose their shattered line* to the exhaustless stream of
men, were forted back at all points, and were retreating
mingled together in complete disorder.
This was the most critical period of the day. More than
an hour had been lost by General Hosquet's return to the
rear. lie now beret the magnitude of the danger. Pre-
sumiog that General Liprandi's attack was but a feint, with
the decision and courage of a true general he resolved at
once to act upon the supposition. Leaving, therefore, his
position almost undefended, he brought nearly the whole of
his force to the aid of the English. Advancing to the verge
of the range of the Resale's artillery, be halted his troops,
and, anrreuadsd by his staff, rode himself into the midst of
the conflict. At this instant the dispersion of the mist re-
vealed the scene for the first time. He yed it with a,
calm and practised eye; he returned to his men, and,
making the dispositioos he deemed necessary, gave orders'
for the attack. The field-artillery covering the left of oar I
position was now nearly overpowered by the superior'
weight and range of the Russian guns. A heap of dead
and wounded men and horses mingled together proved the
deadly nature of the enemy's fire. General Boequet sent
two troops of horse artillery and one field battery to protect
and sestet our guns. At full speed they swept before our
almost disabled batteries, and taking up • position in front
of them, amidst the cheers of our men, opened a rapid and
well-directed fire upon the enemy's powerful artillery; but
still the allies could not contend evilest the superior weight
awl length of range of the Russian ordnance.
It was, however, in the rear of the 2nd division, in the
ravines, running up to the two-gun battery, where the
guards were engaged in the deadly struggle, that the danger
threatened mat; and it was to that point that General
113 squat principally directed his troops. A reginscat of
Zouaves, and of indigenes or Arabs, were accordinely
ordered to charge the enemy, who covered in one dense
gray mess the sides of the hills. Rushing headlong upon
the Russians with an impetuosity that nothing could with-
stand, they drove them back in confusion. These brave and
intelligent troops on this day well sustained their reputation.
Not affecting the calm and steady advance of the British
lines, they scattered themselves over the broken and undu-
lating ground, seeking for every irregularity in the soil ;
sheltering themselves behind the brushwood and rocks ;
tiring with deadly accuracy into the opposite columns ;
then suddenly darting forward, and with irresistible daring
throwing themselves upon the wavering ranks, they struck
terror into the Russian infantry. " See cried their
brace general, as lid gared with admiration upon them;
" see ! they bound like panthers from the bush !"
The French troops of the line, moving forwards more
steadily in support of our broken regiments to the left,
were exposed to a heavier fire from the Russian artillery on
the ridge, as well as from the batteries of the town and
skins. For a moment they quailed before it. Then with
loud shoots of " Vivo l'Empereur I" and amidst the cheers
of the Hoglish, they charged with the bayonet. Thee re-
lieved, our dis3rdered regiments were able to form again ;
and when their allies, in their turn, were overpowered by
numbers, they once more rushed upon the enemy. Sass
the various uniforms of the two nations were mingled togs-
User: English regiments charging with French ; their
shouts of dctlanos and of victory rising together, sad their
blood moistening the same soil. Both were inspired with
a generous rivalry, and returned with fresh ardour to the
fight. Nothing could resist such men animated by such a
spirit. The vast wave, which threatened at one time to
overwhelm the British camp, again broke upon these herds
bands, and rolled back over the heights.
The Russia artillery, however, maintained its position,
and by its incessant and vigorous fire encouraged the re-
aimed attacks of the infantry. It has been estimated thee
the enemy had no less than ninety guns in the field on this
day, almost every one being superior in weight and range
to those po,sessed by the English. A large number were
" guns of position," that ia, cannon of too large a sine to be
commonly used in the field, and intended for perma-
nent works. Moreover, the fleet and tows batteries
threw a oontinual volley of heavy shot and shell into our
lines The contest at one time of the day, when a bright
sunshine had dispelled the mist, was becoming a mighty
duel of artillery to be decided by the number and weirrat of
the guns on either side. As yet the allies had been almost
overpowered, end had buffered most severe losses. We had
still two 18 pounders remaining is the park of the siege
train. Lord Raglan ordered them to be brought up to the
front. The execution of this order was declared to be im-
possible, but Colonel Dickson had already anticipated it,
and prepared to carry it into effect, Colonel Gambier, who
commanded the siege train, being wounded. By the help
of men and horses Le dragged the heavy gene through roads
deep in mud, and over the rough ground. Reaching at last
• ridge in front of the camp of the 2nd division, he pro-
ceeded, although exposed to the heaviest fire, with admir-
able calmness and judgment, assisted by Captain D'Aguilar,
to place them in position. He w ell knew how much de-
panda upon the steadiness and accuracy of their practice.
They were opposed to a large number of guns of equal if
not heavier calibre. The ammunition provided for them
was limited and not easily obtained ;* not a round, there-
fore, WAS to be wasted. The unerring shot crashed through
the Russian batteries, *soh one disabling a gun or destroy-
ing men and horses. Soon they began to waver. The
buries were seen to move forward. Another well-directed
'shot plunged through them, end the artillerymen, harness-
ing their teams. Id back apes She Mae et the bill when
they had bet taken up their pukka.
within read. Avis tbsk seas were overthalwas and tum-
id they were still
hbrilsestylecoy brelemitsiss essethsairpesedbmayT.bioe Arekerreledieseduried,onanwad the
by it, weresf=lbask ea ell chess The foasyst and In-
Meaner' rel wised them. Is Win while none
win left on the h Mae the Bride Vass, but the still
powerful Dries artillery carried es the battle, and
SAVIROR the &stmt. Throe times were the entire detach-
MOM Worked the two English ids mown down
WON the arraty's fire completely sensed, and their last
winos had disappeared over the crest of the
W agli irjng is one spot a heap of dead, sixty-eight hones, CITY OP LONDON AND COUNTIES FREEHOLD
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*pop mir usual, primate:l any Bork trophy falling Sheriff of Loofas) mid that the object of the meeting was
to wars those Me ware shareholders is the society that it
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and ships still 'dead the retreat el the Iteriaas. Lord himpou a shambilair
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tai ten war d bath had shows before, ~sabered
thin AA asks, bad recently made Tory eligible
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of about eleven ewes, at Telee-bill,
rrirdlti"::i4aTi=dmild be allotted early In the ensuing
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lade of the river, were gathered together the thousands
which had bees d;lveni from the height*. Broke. °oilstone
were hurrying is utter disorder over the narrow causeway
.which crossed the marshy valley, although there were none
to pursue. A ?remelt battery advanced at full opted to the
edge of the overbangiag height, and poured its fire steam
the panieethickes crowd. It reeled to and fro, and
them breaking up, the hell sides and the ravines were
covered with flyieg men. No army had ever made a more
disgraceful retreat. Before nightfall not a remnant of the
mighty host whisk bad that morning been led to bat:le
meld be seen.
Whilst the battle was rising on the heights to front of
the second divisioe, a large body of infantry with artillery,
under General Soimoaoff, attameted to tare our flank by
wending the valley to the right of the five gnu battery;
but they gave way before the steady and well-directed fire
of a small body of Marines, end of the first brigade of the
light division ander General Codeington. At the same time
• sortie was made upon the extreme left of the French line-.
About 6,000 men inning from the town under cover of the
mist surprised and entered two batteries, bat they did not
lung hold them. General Forty, who oommended the divi-
sion attached to the siege operations, quickly advenoed.
The Ennis= were driven back in disorder, and with great
lose. General de Lourmel, carried away by the ardour cf
the pursuit, feU mortally wounded under the very walls of
the town. In him the French army lost • leader renowned
for his chivalrous bravery.
Such was the battle of lakermann, one of the most me-
morable in the annals of war. For nearly seven hours 8,000
English and 6,000 French soldiers sustained a hand-to-hand
fight against nearly 60,000 men, supported by artillery
vastly superior in number and calibre to any that could be
opposed to them. Upon the issue of the struggle depended
the very 'mistimes of the shied armies. Had the Russians
succeeded in their attempt, the prophecy of their commander
might have been fulfilled—their enemy would have perished
by the sword, or have been driven into the sea.
Again in this instance an admirably planned attack was
ill executed. It owed its failure principally to two noses:
the want of vigour in the attempt of General Soiroonoff to
turn the flank of the Sod Division by ascending the valley
leading up to the five-gun battery, and the unskilful manner
in which General Liprandi °seceded his ill-ooseealed feint.,
But it is principally to the latter MIN that the complete'
defeat of the Russians must be attributed. Had the attack
upon Belaklava and our rear been sufficiently persevered
in, General &squat could not have moved hie battalions to
the assistance of the English. Without this aid our troops
could not have maintained their ground against the vastly
superior numbers brought against them. The Russians,
encouraged by the presence of the sons of their Emperor,
blessed by their priests before entering into battle, and
drunk with religious enthusiasm and strong drink, rushed
with blind fury upon our trooes. The foremost columns,
when once engaged in the struggle, could seareely fall teak ;
there was no space for them to deploy. and the thick
brushwood impeded their movements. Masses after masses
.if men pressed up the bill sides, pushing onwards those
that were; in front, and leaving no room for retreat.
Upon these dense crowds the Minis told with fatal effect,
and when once they were broken, the meet complete confu-
sion ensued. Hence the terrible slaughter In the Remiss
ranks. Tie excitement of • first success having subsided,
they rapidly gave way and ti-td panic-stricken before the
impetuous and repeated charges of the Frenen and English
troop.. Their artillery was well served, end iellicted great
loss upon the allies. But again the tear of leaving • trophy
made the gunners uncertain in their movements, and in-
duced them to retire too soon. Mere than once the horses
were led to the guns whilst the issue of the struggle was
still doubtful. Colonel Dickeen well divined the best mode
of defeating the enemy, when, neglecting the columns of
men, he directed his round shot upon their guns. The,
artillery once silenced or hesitating, the Hessian infantry
an longer fought with eonfidence, but sewn fell back in dis-
order.

• British troops fought on this day with a calm and
steady courage that has never been surpassed. Led on by
their regimental officers, tin y charged over and over again
the massive columns of the enemy, end drove them back
with the bayonet. When, without ammunition, and borne
down by overpowering numbers, they were compelled to
retire, they formed spin vs soon as they were out of fire,
and rushed once more into the fray. We owe our preserva-
tion to the Indomitable courage and heroic conduct of the
soldier ; and well, therefore, was Inkermerm called by oi.e
comers on the field "the soldiers' victory."
The imminent danger we had incurred on the fith of No-
vember opened the eyes of the nation to the p ions
position of the allied armies, and to the desperate nitrate
of the enterprise in which we were engaged. No longer
besiegers but the besieged, with • force nearly twice as
great as our own upon our flank, a fortress of enormous
strength and an arsenal with unlimited rerootces in our
front, and reinthireementa and supplies pouring in .o a place
which we were unable to invest—it was only by enormous
exertion that we could continue to hold the ground we bad
occupied. When the time had almost passed, ministers
began to make their efforts, and it may be hoped that der
all the sacrifices we have made we may eucteed in our
object.
The unexpected resistance which they had met en the
height of Inkermann Limon paralysed theßussians. They
made one more attempt upon Bahaism From a bill com-
manding the height occupied by the marines they opened
an ineffectual fire of field pieces. The day after, • crowd
was sten dragging • siege gun of large sire up the precipi-
tous went. It ha 4 nearly embed the summit, when the
orpipht, overpowering men and horse, hurled them down
into the ravine beneath. With thew exceptions,
and occa-
sional sorties, principally directed against the i each bat-
teries, and all vigorously repulsed. the Russians have not
again ventured upon an 'Melt. The allied armies, at the
same time, have remained on the defensive; each satisfied
to hold their position until fresh reinforrements of men, and
fresh supplies of the munitions of war, should enable them
to recommence the siege with some prospect of success.
The approach of the stormy season further disclosed the
neglect and improvidence in the goy zrnment, and the gross
negligence and incompetency of the departments to which the
details and conduct of the war had been confided. Our
army was left without adequate clothing to protect them
from the inclemency of the weather; with scarce sufll-
eient food to sustain them ; and withrut an adequste
medical staff to care for those who were wounded in battle,
or disabled by sickness brought on by the prirati,sne and
sufferings to which they were exposed. From the absence
of the means of transport and the want of a proper road, the
operations of the siege have been paralysed, our horses
have been destroyed, the supplies, which might have pre-
d, the health and contributed to the comforts of the sol-
dier, have been allowed to rot, and the sick have been left ex-
posed to wet and cold in miserable tents* at Bel iklava. The
Freneh, more provident than ourselves, had foreseen the
difficulties and unavoidable sufferings of a winter campaign.
The had constructed roads between their lines and the piece
of disembarkation, and had moreover made depots for the

rommiesariat io their camp, anticipating the poisibility of•
temporary interruption. from weather or other causes, of
rommunieation with the harbour: provisions for the men
ar prorsndsr for the horsey have thus been at all time at
bead. Larne substantial sheds of wood were easily built
Om their sick and wronded, aid afforded them effectual
protection until they could be removed to Constscititiople,
liters well ordered and well provisioned hospitals, furnished
with all that humanity and medical skill could devise, acre
mady to receive them. Their shipping in Kamish Boy has
Men admirably managed ; sad although greatly inferior to
awn in tonnage and in sin, has n failed to furnish them
With necessary supplies, whilst proper and well-enforeed
aronlations have prevented confusion and preserved • coro
meitlem and usencurabsred lauding-plans is the harbour.

Contrast the condition of our army, and the management of
the department connected with it, with that of our allies;
the state of our roads, the sufferings of oar sick, the harbour
and town of Beaklike', oar hospitals at Scutari, and the
unparalleled sufferings of our men and animals. As is all
the naval movements we have hitherto been behind them,
so in all that tends to the efficiency and comfort of the eol-
di.r, we have shown ourselves infinitely their inferiors.
These are humiliating reflections, and still more painful
when it is remembered that they are mused by our own
want of common foresight, aad our obstinate determination
to reject every weenies and every counsel.
Before we elnelude we cannot bat refer to the ready mad
truly considerate manner in which General Canrobert and
his officers have assisted min our waists. By his willingness
to aff.rd at all times that aid which our own negligence and
Imprudent" have compelled us to seek at his hands, no less
than by hie eminent qualities as • commander, and the ge-
nerous way in which he has always borne testimony to the
courage and conduct of cur troops, he has gained the confi-
dent. and esteem of oar army, and has strengthened that
bond of anion which now exists between the two natians.
By the end of the year the allies, after extraordinary
exertions, were, it would appear, in a condition to cimmence
a wooed attack upon Sebastopol, and poseibly, at the time
we are writing, that event has actually occurred. We
devoutly hope that it may prove eueeessful. Indeed, we
can scarcely doubt that if oar preparations and resources
are such as we are informed they are, the south side of the
place must succumb before our fire and • subsequent
assault. Bat we must be prepared for a heavy loss and for
further difficulties. Whatever may he the result of this
agpedition—whether the fall of Sebastopol be but the first
*lent in a long and bloody war, or whether the nation
Onillen • hollow and aasertain peace to be concluded,
Wisely inconsistent with the vast sacrifices it has made—
le Inters historian of the campaign in the Crimea will
lamed with mingled feelings the indomitable courage and
loag suffering of an English army,—that incapacity and
neglect of an English ministry.—an the generous for-
bearance and noble spirit of the EDO& people.

• It will asereely h• audited that many of the trate sent oat with
the army were used in the Peninentar war. It need hardly be added
that they Warded 10 potted= whatever.