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

THE MILITIA.

The Northumberland Light Infantry Regiment of
Militia assembled for permanent duty a-, Alnwick on
Tuesday. They are under the command )f the Earl of
Beverley, and will commence immediately to recruit,
to make up the full complement of men.
It is stated that the North York Rifles will go into
garrison in Stirling Castle.
The South Devon Militia has volunteered for the
Mediterranean.

The Ist Royal Cornwall Rangers, under the command
of Lieutenant-Colonel Coryton, are 1,051 lank and file
when all embodied, but the greatest dumber yet em-
bodied has been about 410 men. The permanent staff
consists of an adjutant and 33 non-commissioned officers
and buglers. The number of arms and accoutrements
issued up to the present time has been 500.
The 2d Regiment of Cornwall Rifles consists of 215
rank and file, but the largest number which has been yet
embodied has been from 80 to 85. The stiff consists of
but one adjutant and seven non•commissuned officers
and buglers.
During the past week there has been a good deal of
volunteering going on at Brighto❑ from the Militia into
the regulars, the 04th Regiment having received the
largest number, on account of the height of the men, the
great proportion of the volunteers not being tall enough
either for the Grenadier Guards, the artilery, or the
cavalry, although in the present crisis they are taken at
a much lower standard than formerly. The men muster
every morning for drill at the Royal Brunswick Cricket-
ground. The corps assembles at half-Fast ten, and
scarcely a day passes that the colonel of the regiment,
the Doke of Richmond, is not on the ground. Up to the
present tlnie the men, almost without an exception, have
behaved remarkably well in the town.
The Artillery battalion of the Roya'. Sussex Militia
are to be embodied on the 2d of February for coast duty
at Eastbourne, which is to bo their head-quarters.
Col. Lord Methuen, of the Royal Wilts Militia, quar-
tered at Portsmouth garrison, and the officers and men of
the regiment have been roost kind in ministering to the
wants of the poor women and children who came home
lately from the seat of war and landed at Portsmouth
from the Himalaya. A large number of these, the wives
' and widows and orphans of our brave soldiers, left the

THE BATTLE OF INKERMIN-THE
PROSPECTS OF THE JrAR.

(From the new number of the Oarteriy Review.)
In the meanwhile large reinforcements vere daily join-
ng the Russian camp to the north of Sebastopol. Extra-
ordinary efforts were being made to brrig down those
troops which the Austrian occupation of tie Principalities
now placed at the disposal of the Czar fix the defence of
the Crimea, and all the resources of the ountr7 were em-
ployed for this purpose. Cads, carriaies,.. post-horses,
bore one corps (ram* frunrOdesesibeo. Before
we even received notice of their approach fifty thousand
men were collected on the heights of Inkerman, the
greater number of whom the generals of the allied armies
had been assured from home were still wattling the fron-
tiers of Bessarabia in expectation of an Austrian invasion.

Prince Menschikoff resolved, by one great elort, to force
our ill-defended position, which, once carried, would place
the Allied armies at his mercy. His plan vas well con-
ceived. Our front was exposed, our flank and roar open,
and he could pour his columns from all sides upon our de-
voted bands, before we could oven know that they were
near. A despatch, written to the Emperor, his master,
some days before the execution of his design, betrays the
confidence ho felt in its result, and the almost mad excite-
ment of his brain at the prospect of success. "A terrible
calamity," he wrote, " impends over the invaders of your
dominions. In a few days they will have perished by the
sword, or will be driven into the sea. Let your Majesty
send your sons hero, that I may render up to them un-
touched the priceless treasure which your Majesty has en-
trusted to my keeping." Two days before he was to fulfil
his pledge, two imperial carriages, preceded by outriders,
and accompanied by an escort of cavalry, were seen to
enter Sabastopol by the high road from the north, and the
sound of rejoicings came up from the city.
Soon after midnight, on the morning of the sth of Nov.,
thoss who guarded the trenches and lay sleepless in their
tents listened to the tolling of bells, as for some sacred
ceremony The distant sounds of chanting are even said
to have been heard by persons who watched still nearer to
the beleagnred city. The solemn peal ceased about two
hours before daylight, and was succeeded by the bright
flash and heavy report of ordnance in the rear of the British

lines. After a little time there was again deep silence,
only broken by a low rumbling heard by the furthest
pickets, who thought it to be the noise of waggons laden
with supplies entering the town.
The dawn long struggled through the mist which hung
on the heights of Sebastopol. As daylight broke a party of
unarmed men appeared on the crest of the hill, above the
eastern end of the harbour of Sebastopol, and in front of
the second division of the British army. They made signs
as of surrender to the pickets which watched those
heights. The officer believing them to be deserters ad-
vanced to receive them. Having been thus thrown off
his guard he and his men were suddenly surrounded and
seized by a large body of troops who had lain in ambush
behind the ridge. An alarm was thus avoided, and the
first Russian columns were fast drawing near to the Bri-
tish lines, partly concealed by the mist, before they were
perceived by the remaining pickets, which gave notice of
their approach, and beldly resisted and checked the ad-
vance of the enemy. They only fell back when their am-
munition had been expended, and when completely over-
powered by the weight of succeeding masses of men. The
second division, to which, though reduced to nearly half
its numbers by battle and disease, was still confided the
important post now menaced, had scarcely time to collect
to receive the Russian advance. Their able and expe-
rience(' commander, overcome by his dies, anxiety, and
disease, was on a sick bed at Balaklava. Gen. Pennefather
pouring in dense masses over Soon
afarthey
had taken his place. He hastily formed the decimated
opened
regi-
ments, and rapidly led them to meet the enemy, who were
the deadly fire of the Minie, teekkie hay fro
the approaching columns. The Russians, seeing flip:Tatra*
British troops were now prepared to receive them, rushed
forward with loud and disoordant yellsribing above the roll
of musketry and the roar of artillery—a sound—how un-
like the hearty English cheer ! —never to be forgotten by
those who heard it on that memorable morning. At that
same time their numerous artillery, which had been
brought to the edge of the Lill over which they had been
so noiselessly dragged, and the guns of the town and ships
of war, threw an unceasing volley of shot and shell not
only into our troops, but even beyond their camp, tearing
to pieces the tents and killing the horses which were still
fastened to their pickets. The batteries of the Ist and
2d divisions soon took up 'a position on a rising ground
iu front of our lines, and sought in vain to check the heavy

fire.
Whilst fresh columns ascended the hill facing the end of
the harbour, others, winding round its base, threatened
our flank by a road through a deep ravine, and: our rear by
aseup from the Inkerman valley.
through a narrow gorge
Anothercend
large body
leadingad.va
u
eed towards the five-gun battery
, stretching from " Careening
.Bay" almost into the centre of our pgsitiou. Thus was
the right of the Allied armies menaced on all sides by
everwhelnainguumbers. -
The Guaras wore in the immediate rear of the 2d divi-
sion' and consequently the nearest to the point of attack.
TheGrenadiersund,Scots Fusiliers lost no time after the
first shot was fired in hurrying forwards. The greater
part of the brigade had but just returned from the trenches,
in which they had been exposed to rain since an hour be-
fore daylight on the previous Worniig. Benumbed . with
cold, wet, long without rest, and for many hours without
food, they were led against the enemy. As they advanced,
justly anticipating that the enemy would :ascend in force
by the road in the rear of the second division, they turned
to the right. On a small spur, some way down the preci-
pitous hill overlooking the valley of lukernian was a small
battery built of sandbags and fascines ; it had held two
siege-guns, placed there to Silence a gun which, mounted
by the Russians on the opposite heights, above the ruins,
had caused much annoyance to our camp. The desired
object having been effected, the two guns, being required
elsewhere, had been removed. The unarmed battery was
occupied .on that morning by a, picket of the 55th Regi-
ment. In front of it, before daylight, the enemy had
brought up heavy guns, which opened suddenly upon
this small body of men. Surprised by an overwhelming
force, and unsupported by their own division, they
were compelled to fall back, after making for, a short
time a vigorous resistance, and losing nearly two-thirds
of their number. As. they retreated the Guar& were ad-
vancing to the spot. Seeing that the pickets were retiring
before the enemy, who had already taken possession of the
battery, the Greuadiers, giving a loud cheer, charged
down the declivity. It was the work of a moment. The
Russians were driven headlong from the work: The three,
regiments of Guards, the Cohistreanss having soon after
joined the rest of thubrigade, held the battery, formed
into lino at right angles to it, and occupied the ridges of
thnprojecting spur.
Then commenced a struggle which has rarely if ever
been equalled in modern warfare. The ,columns of the
enemy, unchecked by tne English the, a*luin impeLuounly ,
advanced with fearful yells up the slope, attempting to
turn the right flank of the Guards. The Grenadiers,
united with the Coldstreams, met the approaching columns
with a second eharge. Again the enemy wore driven
back, but again, urged. onwards by the overwhelming
numbers behind, they returned. The ammunition of the
Guards was nearly expended, and their ranks broken and
thinned .by those who had fallen in this bloody contest;
but still they held their ground—firing upon the advanc-
ing foe on one side, rushing with the bayonet upon those
who attempted to surround them on the other. Fresh
supplies and some reinforcements frcm the. 4th division
at length reached them. But still the Russians pressed
on with undiminished strength. .Again our' brave men
were iu need of ammunition, and were fast falling be-
fore the unceasing fire of the moray, who, concealed
by the thick brushwood and by the undulating ground,
had now succeeded in surrounding them. They could
but give 3 way. Charging with dEsperate firy, they
bore their colours triumphantly through the dense
mass. Reaching a breastwork whida had been raised at
some distance behind the battery, they formed again, and ,
with the bayonet prepared once more to dispute every inch
of ground. During more than five hews this hereie brigade
almost alone resisted the attack of an overwhelming force,
supported by a heavy and continuous fire of artillery.
Nearly two-thirds of their numbers were mown down in
this hand-to-hand fight. Yet they knew that the safety
of the British army depended upon ttem, and they nobly
held their own—each man Performing deeds of almost Un-
exampled heroism.
The 4th division, whostcamp was far distant, had early
hastened to the point of attack, led by Sir Geo. Cathcart,
but they did not reach it until after the Guards had long
been engaged in the struggle for the pessessien of the two-
gun battery. Ono brigade under General Goldie was de-
taehed tolho assistance of the 2d diviEion now hard pressed
on the left by the increasing columns of 'the enemy. The
other, commanded by General Tereus, turned to the
right and sought the Guards, who were almost surrounded.
Sir G. Cathcart believed that the nest effectual succour
could be given them by turning tea enemy's flank, and
thus compelling them to fall back from the disputed battery.
Unwilling to credit the earnest reireientations made to
him that the Russians had alreadyoccupied the opposite
heights, he placed himself at the head of a few companies
of the 68th Regiment, and with unlaunted spirit entered
a gully to the right of the earthwork But he had scarcely
descended far before he perceived the Russians on the ridges
above him. Re saw, too late, thin he was surrounded.
Attempting to lead back his men, tile distinguished officer
fell mortally wounded, and his tody remained for.some
time in the midst of the enemy. Hi; gallant aide-de-camp,
Colonel Chas. Seymour, who had long shared the fortunes
of his chief, and who stooped to receive his last breath,
perished by his side.
But a contest no less terrible that that around the two-
gun battery raged on the hill abovethe harbour, on which

the Russians had first appeared, and which was separated
by a deep ravine from that held by the Guards. The ground
was covered with low and thick brush wood, and was much
broken. A cloud of skirmishers thrown out by the ad-
vancing columns were thus able to keep under sufficient
cover, and to inflict considerable loss upon our troops, who
could with difficulty advance in line. The 2d Division had
been joined by a brigade of the Ist—together they rushed
upon the enemy, and for some moments they held him in
check. Their ammunition having been expended, they
even received the approaching columns with stones, until
exhausted they, were forced to retire. Under cover of the
incessant and well-directed fire of their artillery, the Rus-
sians advanced with renewed confidence, charging our re-
treating regiments, and redoubling their unearthly yells.
Four of our guns were already in theirpossessiou, and they
were almost in the midst of the teats of the 2d Division.
For a moment tho issue of the day seemed doubtful, and
the sternest heart felt a thrill of doubt and dread. But
again, by superhuman efforts,'our broken regiments rallied,
charged into their dense ranks, drove them back in dis-
order, and recaptured the guns.
General Bosquet, as usual, had lost no time in ascertain-
ing the nature of the attack, and had ordered two batta-
lions of infantry to aid in the defence of the British posi-
tion. Ho would have hastened himself to take part in the
contest with a larger force, but, the Russian fire suddenly
slackening between eight and nine o'clock, Sir G. Cathcart,
under the impression that the enemy were retiring, sent to
inform him that there was no longer need for his imme-
diate advance. At an early hour of the morning a move-
ment had taken place in the corps d'armee under Liprandi,
in the valley of the Tchernaya. Acolumn of infantry, with
riflemen, had advanced to the foot of the heights, and had
exchanged shots with the Zouaves and French troops de-
fending that part of the position. The batteries on the
Tchernaya ridge and in the redoubts, and some field pieces,
opened upon Balaklava and upon the edge of the plateau,
in rear of our lines. This fire was 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. Such being the case, General
Bosquot could not withdraw the troops which defended this
part of the position, and, for a time believing it possible
from the Blackening 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 post. But the Russian artil-
lery had only ceased 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 sumo time came over the crest of the
hill, and up the ravines. Our regiments, no longer able to
oppose their shattered lines to the exhaustless stream of
men, were forced 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 Bosquet's return to the
rear. Ha now learnt the magnitude of the danger. Pre-
planning 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 Russian artillery, he halted
his troops, and, surrounded by his staff, rode himself into
the midst of the conflict. At that instant the dispersion
of the mist revealed the scene for the first time. He sur-
veyed it with a calm and practised eye ; he returned to his
men, and, making the dispositions he deemed necessary,
gave orders for the attack. The field-artillery covering
the left of our 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 toge-
ther proved the deadly nature of the enemy's fire. Gene-
ral Bosquet sent two troops of horse artillery and one field
battery to protect and assist our guns. At full speed they
swept before our almost disabled batteries, and taking up
a 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
against the superior weight and length of range of the
Russian ordnance.
It was, however, in the rear of the 2d division, in the
ravines, running up to the two-gun battery, where the
Guards were engaged in the deadly struggle, that the danger
threatened most; and it was to that point that General
Bosquet principally directed his troops. A regiment of
Zouaves, and of Indigenes, or Arabs, were accordingly
ordered to charge the enemy, who covered in one dense
grey mass 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 theirreputation.
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;
firing 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
bravo general, as ho gazed 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
ships. For a moment they quailed before it. Then with
loud shouts of " Viva l'Empereur !" and amidst the cheers
of tho English, they charged with the bayonet. Thus re-
lieved, our disordered regiments were n.bln to form 'wain :
and when their allies, in their turn, were overpowered by
numbers, they once more rushed upon the enemy. Soon
the various uniforms of the two nations were mingled to-
gether : English regiments charging with French ; their
shouts of defiance and of victory rising together, and their
blood moistening the same soil. Both were inspired with
a generous rivalry, and returned with fresh ardour to the
fight. Nothing could roaiet *inch men animated by such a
spirit. The vast wave, which threatened at one time to
overwhelm the British camp, again broke upon these heroic
bands, and rolled hack over the heights.
The Russian artillery, however, maintained its position,
and by its incessant and vigorous firo encouraged the re-
newed attacks of the infantry. It has been estimated that
the enemy had no loss than ninety guns in the field on this
day, almost every one being superior in weight and range
to those possessed by the English. A large number were
" gulls of position,"that is, cannon of too large a size to be
commonly used in the field, and intended for permanent
works. Moreover, the fleet and town batteries throw a
continual volley of heavy shot and shell into our lines.
The contest at one time of the day, when a bright mishits*
had dispelled the mist, was becoming a mighty duel of
artillery to be decided by the number and weight of the
guns on either side. As yet the Allies had been almost
overpowered, and had suffered most severe losses. ,We had
stilt two 18-pounders remaining in the park o: 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 Col. Dickson had already anticipated it, and
prepared to carry it into effect, Col. Gambier, who com-
manded the siege train, being wounded. By the help of
men and horses he dragged the heavy guns through roads
deep in mud, and over the rough ground. Reaching at last
*hip in front of the camp of the 2d division, he proceeded,
although exposed to the heaviest fire, with ad mirable calm-
ness and judgment, assisted by Captain D'Aguilar, to
place them in position. He well know how much depen-
(hid 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 easily obtained ;" not a round, therefore,
was to be wasted. The unerring shot crushed through
the Russian batteries, each one disabling a gun er destroy-
ing men and horses. Soon they began to waver. The
horses were sent to move forward. Another well-directed
shot plunged through them, and the artillerymen, harness•
ine their teams, fell back upon the edge of the hill where
the'oe, had first taken up their position. But they were still
within roach. Again their guns wore overthrown, and
tumbrils lay broken on the ground. The fire slackened,
and the heavy columns of their infantry, no longer urged
onwards by it, avers falling back on all sides. The Zouaves
and Indigenes relentlessly pursued them. In a little while
none wore left on the hill facing the British lines, but the
still powerful Russian artillery carried on the battle, and
covered the retreat. Three times were the entire detach-
ments which worked the two English guns mown down
before the enemy's fire completely ceased, and their last
ammunition waggon had disappeared over the crest of the
hill, leaving iu one spot a heap of dead, 63 horses, six en-
tire and several broken tumbrils, anti the shattered remains
of gaveled gun-carriages ; but no gun had been aban-
doned. By extraordinary exertions the Russian artil-
lerymen had, as usual, prevented any such trophy falling
into our hands.
The battle was now won. A heavy fire from the town
and ships still covered the retreat of the Russians. Lord
Raglan, zcua tti Ly
the officers of their staff, advanced to the edge of the cliff
beneath the two-gun battery. Long before they reached
the spot they dismounted, for no horse could tread there on
that day. A heap of dead and dying, perhaps more dread-
ful than ever field of battle had shown before, encumbered
the ground. Oa a small plain beneath, on the opposite
side of the river, were gathered together the thousands
which had been driven from the heights. Broken columns
were hurrying in utter disorder over the narrow causeway
which crossed the marshy valley, although there were none
to pursue. A French battery advanced at full speed to the
edge of the overhanging height, and poured its fire upon
the panic-stricken crowd. It reeled to and fro, and then
breaking up, the hill sides and the ravines were covered
with flying men. No army had ever made a more dis-
graceful retreat. Before nightfall not a remnant of the
mighty host which had that morning been led to battle
could be seen.
Whilst the battle was raging on the heights in front of
the second division, a largo body of infantry with artillery,
under General Soimonoff, attempted to turn our flank by
ascending the valley to the right of the five-gun battery ;
but they gave way before the steady anti well-directed fire
of a small body of Marines, and of the first brigade of the
light division under General Codrington. At the same time
a sortie was made upon the extreme left of the French
lines. About 5,030 men issuing from the town under cover
of the mist surprised and entered two batteries, but they.
did not long hold them. General Furey, who cou?Lpfplidd
the division attached to the siege operations, quickly
ad-
vanced. The Russians were driven back in disorder, and
the
with great lose. General de Lournsel, c
w ownedehal we
des the
ardour of the pursuit, fell mortally
very walls of the town. In hint the French army lost a
leader renowned for his chivalrous bravery.
Such was the battle of Inkerman, one of the moat me-.
morable in the annals of war. For nearly seven hours 8,000
English and 6,000 French soldiers sustained a baud-to-baud
fight against nearly 60,00 J mon, 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 existence of the Allied Armies. Had the Rus-
sians 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 causes :
the want of vigour in the attempt of General Soimonoff to
turn the flank of the 2d Division by ascending the valley
leading up the five gun battery, one the unskilful manner
in which General Liprandi executed his ill-concealed feint.
Bet it is principally to the latter cause that the complete
defeat of the Russians must be attributed. Had the attack

* It will appear seareely credible that these highly useful
guns had been supplied from England with only 120 rounds
of ammunition each.