The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-17 00:00:00

"HEIGHTS' BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, FEB 26.

" Since we have been installed upon the heights
of Inkerman we have commenced works of approach
which, step by step, will lead us to the foot of the
Malakhoff Tower. On their side the Russians had
thrown up considerable works behind the tower, and
commenced demolishing it t) allow full play to their
batteries. But, not satisfied with that, in the night of
the 21st .a.e Russians made a very bold, and at the same
a very dangerous move. They came and installed them-
selves between the Malakhoff Tower, and at a little to
our right. The position was immediately attacked.
On the 22d it became evident that it was their intention
to stop the advance of our trenches by works of counter-
approach.

"The Commander-in-Chief resolved to carry their
position. Orders were issued on the evening of the 23d.
During the night two battalions of the 2d Zuuaves, one
battalion of marines, and some companies of workmen
started under the orders of General Monet. They ad-
vanced in profound silence towards the Russian position
to about 1,000 or 1,200 metres in front of the Malakhoff
Tower. One battalion of Zouaves took the right, the
other the feft of the attack ; the marines were to meet
the enemy in front.
"Arriving at the redoubt without being discovered,
the Zouaves halted for a moment. They cast a
searching glance into the darkness ; a dark line was
discernible in advance of the redoubt in the direction
of its front. General Monet, certain of being sup-
ported, advanced. On a signal given the Zouaves rushed
upon the Russians with impetuosity, and were re-
ceived by a murderous fire. Nothing daunted, they soon
scaled the Works, and entered the redoubt by sheer fight-
ing. A terrible fight of cold steel took place. At the
same moment the Russian ships in port se:A a shower
of projectiles into the redoubt. But the daring of our
mon was irresistible. The Russians were driven out and
fled towards the city. The nearest batteries then opened
their fire upon the redoubt, and, amid a shower of balls,
the workmen knocked the works to pieces and spiked all
the guns.

"This work accomplished, it was necessary to beat
a hasty retreat ; the position, exposed as it was to the
guns of the ships, was not ;enable. There was not a
moment to be loFt ; the firing from the ships did us
considerable damage ; blue lights, thrown up from the
batteries, enabled them to direct heir aim. The whole
garrison was urder arms by this, and the drums and
bells of Seba,topol were distinctly audible. The wet."
of command of the avant garde of he troops advancing
against us could be heard. The general gave the order
to retreat.

" Our loss in this affair is balanced by that of the
Russians, who were much superior in numbers; the
guns of their ships did them nearly as much harm as
they did us. Their resistance wag, however, energetic,
and the hand-to-hand struggle within the redoubt was
most obstinate. We have to deplore the death of Lieu-
tenant of Artillery De la Fosse, and four or five officers
of Zouaves are missing. There are from 90 to 100
wounded, among whom are 15 officers. Altogether
250 men were touched. The affair was admi-
rably managed by General Monet, who, to use M.
Bosquet's expression, fought like a hero. On the first
discharge of the Russians a ball carried off the thumb of
his right hand. Nothing disconcerted, the brave Gene-
ral took his sword ir, his left hand, and was one of the
first to jump into the redoubt. In another moment he
was wounded :n the left hand and in the arm. Not:
withstanding his three wounds, 'General Monet was the
last man to leave the redoubt, after seeing all his
wounded carried out.
" The marinei lost their way in the dark, and did not
come up in time to take a serious part in this brilliant
affair.

" This success was immediately taken advantage of
to push on the approaches. One trench has been opened
which leads to the redoubt, and will scarcely allow the
Russians to re-establish themselves there, should they
feel so inclined.
"It must be owned that for the last two months the
defence has been admirably conducted. The Russians
mount gun after gun, and throw up redoubt after re-
doubt. On one side our works advance slowly and
surely, and must ultimately be crowned with success."