The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-08 00:00:00

BATTLE OF ALMA

LIST OF
KILLE D

AND

WOUNDED.

SUN OFFICE, 'lwo o'Clock.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
October 8, 1854, 8 o'clock a.m.

Major the Lord Burghersh arrived this mornh4
with a despatch from General the Lord Raglan,
G.C.8., to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, o
which the following is a copy

Read-quarters, Katcha River,
SEPT. 23, 1854.

My Lord Duke,—l have the honour to inforn
your Grace that the Allied Troops attacked th(
position occupied by the Russian Army, behin(
the Alma, on the 20th instant ; and I hay,
great satisfaction in adding, that they suc
ceeded, in less than three hours, in driv
ing the enemy from every part of the growl(
which they had held in the morn ink
and in establishing themselves upon it.
The English and French Armies moved out
their first encampment in the Crimea on the 19th,
and bivouacked for the night on the left bank of
the Bulganac, the former having previously sup-
ported the advance of a part of the Earl of Cardi-
gan's brigade of Light Cavalry, which had the
effect of inducing the enemy to move up a large
body of Dragoons and Cosaques, with artillery.
On this, the first occasion of the English encoun-
tering the Russian force, it was impossible for any
troops to exhibit more steadiness than did this
portion of her Majesty's cavalry.

It fell back upon its supports with the most
perfect regularity under the fire of the Artillery,
which was quickly silenced by, that of the bat-
teries I caused to be brought into action.
Our loss amounted to only four men wounded.

The day's march had been most wearisome and
under a burning sun, the absence of water, until
we reached the insignificant but welcome stream of
the Bulganac, made it to be severely felt.

Both Armies moved towards the Alma the fol-1
lowing morning, and it was arranged that Marshal;
St. Arnaud should assail the enemy's left by
crossing the river at its junction with the sea, and
immediately above it, and that the remainder of
the French divisions should move up the heights,
in their front, whilst the English Army should,
attack the right and centre of the enemy's position.
In order that the gallantry exhibited by Her
Majesty's troops, and the difficulties they had to
meet may be fairly estimated, I deem it right, even
at the risk of being considered tedious, to endea-
vour to make your Grace acquainted with the
position the Russians had taken up.
It crossed the great road about 21 miles from
the sea, and is very strong by nature.
The bold and almost precipitous range of heights,
of from 350 to 400 feet, that from the sea closely
border the left bank of the river here ceases and
formed their left, and turning thence round a,

great amphitheatre or wide valley, terminates at a
salient pinnacle where their right rested, and
whence the descent to the plain was more gradual.
The front was two miles in extent.

Across the mouth of this great opening is a
lower ridge at different heights, varying from 60
to 150 feet, parallel to the river, and at distances
from it of from 600 to 800 yards.
The river itself is generally fordable for troops,
but its banks are extremely rugged, and in most
parts steep; the willows along it had been cut down,
in order to prevent them from affording cover to
the attacking party, and in fact everything had
been done to deprive an assailant of any species of
shelter.

In front d the position on the right bank, at
about 200 yards from the Alma, is the village of
Bouliouk, and near it a timber bridge, which had
been partly destroyed by the enemy.

The high pinnacle and ridge before alluded to
was the key of the position, and consequently,
there the greatest preparations had been made for

defence.

Half way down the height and across its front waF
a trench of the extent of some hundred yards, to
afford cover against an advance up the even steep
slope of the hill. On the right, and a little retired,
was a powerful covered battery, armed with
heavy guns, which flanked the whole of the right
of the position.
Artillery, at the same time, was posted at the
points that best commanded the passage of th(
river and its approaches generally.
On the slopes of these hills (forming a sort bi
table land) were placed dense masses of the enemy'
infantry, whilst on the heights above was his grew
reserve, the whole amounting, it is supposed, tc
between 45,000 and 50,000 men.

The combined armies advanced on the same
alignement, her Majesty's troops in contiguoth
double columns, with the front of two divisions
covered by light infantry and a troop of horse ar-
tillery, the 2d Division, under Lieutenant-Genera]
Sir De Lacy Evans, forming the right, and touch-
ing the left of the 3d Division of the French Army,
under his Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon.
and the Light Division, under Lieutenant-General
Sir George Brown, the left ; the first being sup-
ported by the 3d Division, under Lieutenant
General Sir Richard England, and the last by the
Ist Division, commanded by Lieutenant-Genera.
his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.

The 4th Division, under Lieutenant-Genera:

Sir George Cathcart, and the cavalry under Ma-
jor-General the Earl of Lucan, were held in re
serve to protect the left flank and rear against
large bodies a the enemy's cavalry, which had
been seen in those directions.

On approaching to near the fire of the guns,
whieh soon became extremely formidable, the twc
leading divisionideployed into line, and advanced
to attack the front, and the supporting divisions
followed the movement. Hardly bad this taken
place, when the village of Bouliouk, immediately
opposite the centre, was fired by the enemy at a]]
points, creating a continuous blaze for three hun-
dred yards, obscuring their position and renderinL
a passage through it impracticable. Two regi-
ments of Brigadier-General Adams' brigade, part
of Sir De Lacy Evans' division, had, in conse-
quence, to pass the river at a deep and difficult
ford to the right under a sharp fire, whilst his first
betide,' under Major-General Pennefather, and

',he remaining regiment of Brigadier-General
Adams crossed to the left of the conflagration, op-
posed by thb enemy's artillery from the height 4
I.bove,:and pressed on towards the left of theill
position with the utmost gallantry and steadiness.;
In the meanwhile, the Light Division
sunder Sir;
George Brown, effected the passage of the Almal
In his immediate front. The banks of the river'
Itself were, from their rugged and broken na-
ture, most serious obstacles, and the vineyards%
3hrough which- the troops had to pass, and the
zees which the enemy had felled, created addi-
tional impediments, rendering every species of for-
mation, under a galling fire, nearly an impossibil—
ity. Lieut.-General Sir George Brown advanced;;
against the enemy under great disadvantages. •
In this difficult operation he nevertheless perse-
vered, and the Ist Brigade under Major-General
Jodrington, succeeded in carrying a redoubt, ma-
terially aided by the judicious and steady manner ,
in which Brigadier-General Buller moved on the:,
:eft flank, and by the advance of four companies of •'
the Rifle Brigade, under Major Norcott, who pro-
mises to be a distinguished officer of light troops.
The heavy fire of grape and musketry, however, 1
to which the troops were exposed, and the losses
onsequently sustained by the 7th, 23d, and 33d
Regiments, obliged this brigade partially to relin-
pish its hold. •
By this time, however, the Duke of Cambridge
lad succeeded in crossing the river, and had moved
ip in support, and a brilliant advance of the bri- •
;ado of Foot guards, under Major-General Ben-
;inck, drove the enemy back, and secured the final
possession of the work.

The Highland Brigade, under Major-General
air Colin Campbell, advanced in admirable order
Lnd steadiness up the high ground to the left, and
n co-operation with the Guards ; and Major
Jeneral Penuefather's Brigade, which had been
onnected with the right of the Light Division
rorced the enemy completely to abandon the posi-
ion they had taken such pains to defend andH

iecure.

The 95th Regiment, immediately on the right
of the Royal Fusiliers in the advance, sufferec
equally with that corps an immense loss.
The aid of the Royal Artillery in all these ope-
rations was most effectual. The exertions of thc
Field Officers and the Captains of troops and bat-
teries to get the guns into action were unceasing;
and the precision of their fire materially contri-
buted to the great results of the day.

Lieutenant-GeneralSir Richard Engl/nd brought
his division to the immediate support of the troops
in advance, and Lieutenant-General the Hon. Si)
'George Cathcart was actively engaged in watchinL
the left flank.

The nature of the ground did not admit of the em-
ployment of the cavalry under the Earl of Lucan ; but
they succeeded in taking some prisoners at the
close of the battle.

In the detail of these operations, which I have
gone into as far as the space of a dispatch would
'allow, your Grace will perceive that the service.
in which the General and other Officers of tht
'Army were engaged, were of no ordinary cha
racter ; and I have great pleasure in submitting
them for your Grace's most favourable considera-
tion.

The mode in which Lieutenant-General Sii
George Brown conducted his division under the
most trying circumstances, demands the expressioi,
of my warmest approbation. The fire to which
division was subjected, and the difficulties he
Iliad to contend against, afford no small proof that
his best energies were applied to the successful
discharge of his duty.
I must speak in corresponding terms of Lieu-
tenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans, who likewise
.;onducted his division to my perfect satisfaction,
and exhibited equal coolness and judgment in car-
rying out a most difficult operation.
His Royal ' Highness the Duke of Cambridge
brought his division into action in support of the
Light Division with great ability, and had for the
iirst time an opportunity of showing the enemy
eis devotion to Her Majesty, and to the profes-
4ion of which he is so distinguished a member.
My best thanks are due to Lieutenant-Genera
iir R. England, Lieutenant-General the Honoura-
de Sir George Cathcart, and Lieutenant-General

-,he Earl of Lucan, for their cordial assistanc(
wherever it could be afforded, and I feel it m 3
luty especially to recommend to your Grace's no-
ice distinguished conduct of Major-Genera
3enthlck, Major-General Sir Colonel Campbell,
Major-General Pennefather, Major-General Cod-
ington, Brigadier-General Adams, and Brigadier-
general Buller.

In the affair of the previous day, Major-General
he Earl of Cardigan exhibited the utmost spirit

tied coolness, and kept his brigade under perfec

:ommand.

The manner in which Brigadier-General Strang
rays directed the Artillery, and exerted himsel
`o bring it forward, met my entire satisfaction.

Lieutenant-General Sir John Burgoyne wa:

constantly by my side ; and rendered me, by hi

counsel and advice, the most valuable assistance ;
►nd the Commanding Royal Engineer, Brigadier
leneral Tylden, was always at hand to carry ou i
Lny service I might direct dim to undertake.
I deeply regret to say ithat he has since fallen

1. 'victim to cholera, as has Major Wellesley, whc
vas present in the affair of the previous day.

totwithstanding that he was then suffering from
.erious illness. He had, during the illness of Major-
eneral Lord de Ros, acted for him in the most
.fficient manner. I cannot speak too highly of
3rigadier-General Estcourt, Adjutant-General, of
if Brigadier-General Airey, who, in the short

ime he has conducted the duties of the Quarter-
naster-General, has displayed the greatest ability;
Ls well as aptitude for the office.
I am much indebted to my Militrry Secretary,
Lieutenant-Colonel Steele, Major Lord Burghersh,

rnd the officers of my personal Staff, for the zeal;
ntelligence, and gallantry, they all, without ex
•
eption, displayed.
Lieutenant Derriman, R.N., the Commander of

he Caradoc, accompanied me during the whole of

he operation, and rendered me an essential ser-
vice, by a close observation of the enemy's move-
nents, which his practiced eye enabled him accu•

rately to watch.

I lament to say that Lieutenant-Colonel Lagon-
lie, who was attached to my head quarters, by
,he Emperor of the French, fell into the enemy':

ands on the 19th, on his return from Prince Na-
poleon's division, where he had obligingly gone at
ray request, with a communication to his Imperial

Clighness.

This misfortune is deeply regretted, both by my-
;elf and the officers of my personal Staff.

The other officer placed with me under similari
circumstances, Major Vico, afforded me all the
assistance in his power, sparing no exertion to bei
of use.

I cannot omit to make known to your Grace the;
cheerfulness with whioh the regimental officers of
;he Army have submitted to most unusual priva-

tions.

My anxiety to bring into the country every
,gAvalry and infantry soldier who was available)

:prevented me from embarking their baggage ani,;-j
llmals, and these officers have with them at this
Imoment nothing but what they can carry, and
'they, equally with the men, are without tents or
!covering of any kind.
II have not heard a single murmur. All seem

impressed with the necessity of the arrangement ;'
and they feel, I trust, satisfied that I shall bring
up their bat horses at the earliest moment.
The conduct of the troops has been admirable,
When it is considered that they have suffered se-1
verely from sickness during the last two months ;
that, since they landed in the Crimea, they hay el
been exposed to the extremes of wet, cold, and
heat ; that the daily toil to provide themselves
with water has been excessive, and that they have
been pursued by cholera to the very battle-field, I
do not go beyond the truth in declaring that they
merit the kighest commendation.
In the ardour of attack they forgot all they had
endured, and displayed that high courage, that
gallant spirit, for which the British soldier is ever
distinguished ; and under the heaviest fire they
maintained the same determination to conquer, as
they had exhibited before they went into action.

should be wanting in my duty, my Lord Duke,

if I did not express to your Grace, in the most
earnest manner, my deep feeling of gratitude to
the officers and men of the Royal Navy for the
invaluable assistance they afforded the Army upon
this as on every occasion, where it could be brought
to bear upon our operations.
They watched the progress of the day with the
most intense anxiety ; and as the best way of
ivincing their participation in our success, and
their sympathy in the sufferings of the wounded,
they never ceased, from the close of the battle CHI
we left the ground this morning, to provide for
the sick and wounded, and to carry them down to
the beach, a labour in which some of the officers'
ven volunteered to participate, an act which I
shall never cease to recollect with the warmest
thankfulness.

I mention no names, fearing I might omit some
who ought to be spoken of ; but none who were
associated with us, spared any exertion they could
apply to so sacred a duty.
Sir Edmond Lyons, who had charge of the
whole, was, as always, most prominent in render-
ing assistance, and providing for emergencies.

I enclose the return of killed and wounded. It
s, I lament to say, very large ; but I hope, all

circumstances considered, that it will be felt that
no life was unnecessarily exposed, and that such
in advantage could not be achieved without a con-
iiderable sacrifice.

I cannot venture to estimate the amount of the
Russian loss. I believe it to have been great, and
such is the report in the country.

The number of prisoners who are not hurt is
small ; but the wounded to 800 or 900. Two
General Officers, Major Generals Karganoff and
Shokanoff fell into Our hands. The former is very
badly wounded.

I will not attempt to describe the movements of
the French Army ; that will be done by an abler
Land ; but it is due to them to say that their
)peratidns were eminently successful, and that
ender the guidance of their distinguished com-11
mander, Marshal St. Arnaud, they manifested they
atmost gallantry, the greatest ardour for the
attack, and the high military quali4ies for which
they are so famed.

This despatch will be delivered to your Grace I
by Alajor Lord. Burghersh, who is capable of af-
r'ording you the fullest information, and whom I
beg to recommend to your especial notice.—l
have, &c.,

RAGLAN.
P.S.—I inclose a sketch of the field of battle.
dis Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
43.1 c. &c. &c.

NOMINAL RETURN OF CASUALTIES
AMONG OFFICERS IN ACTION ON THE
RIVER ALMA, CRIMEA, SEPT. 20.

GENERAL STAFF.
Lieutenant T. Leslie, Royal Horse Guards, Or-
lerly Officer to the Commander of the Forces,
wounded severely
Capt. H. E. Weare, 50th Regiment, D.A.A.G.,
,vouudecl severely
FIRST DIVISION.
STAFF.

Captain H. W. Cust, Colstream Guards, Aide-
.e-Camp to Major-General Bentinek, killed

GRENADIER, GUARDS.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. H. Percy, wounded

,lightly.
Lieutenant R. Hamilton, wounded slightly
Lieutenant J. M. Burgoyne, wounded slightly

COLDSTREAM GUARDS.
Lieutenant C. Baring, wounded severely

SCOTS FUSILIER GUARDS.

Lieutenant-Colonel J. IL Dalrymple, wounded
slightly
Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Berkeley, wounded

leverely
Lieutenant-Colonel H. P. Hepburn, wounded

severely
Lieutenant-Colonel F. Haygarth, wounded se

verely
Captain Lord Chewton, wounded severely
Captain J. D. Astley, wounded severely
Captain W. G. Bulwer, wounded severely
Captain D. F.' Buckley, wounded severely
Captain R. Gipps, wounded slightly
Lieutenant Lord Ennismore, wounded severely
Lieutenant Hon. H. Annesley, wounded severely

93d REGIMENT.
Lieutenant R. Abercrombie, killed

SECOND DIVISION.

STAFF.

Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans. severe
contusion, right shoulder
Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. P. E. Herbert, 43d
Regiment, Assistant Quartermaster-General severe
contusion back of neck.

Captain Thompson, Deputy Assistant Quarter-I
master-General, on shoulder blade

Ensign St. Clair, 21st Regiment, Acting Inter-
preter, shot through right arm
Captain A. M. M'Donald, 92d Regiment, Aide-
de-Camp, wounded severely

30TH REGIMENT.
Lieutenant F. Luxmore, killed

Captain T. H. Pakenham, wounded severely
Captain G. Dickson, wounded severely
Crptain A. W. Conolly, wounded slightly
Lieutenant and Adjutant M. Walker, wounded

'slightly