The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-16 00:00:00

MR. RUSSELL'S NARRATIVE OF THE
WAR.

On Thursday evening Mr. W. H. Russell delivered
the second portion of his personal narrative of the Rae-
sian war at Willis's Rooms, King-street, St. James's.
The appearance of Mr. Russel; upon the platform was
the signal for loud applause. He took up the narrative
at the point at which he concluded his last lecture—the
victory of the Alma—remarking that it would be for the
future historian to say whether it was the fault of the
French or the English, or of both, that one of the greatest
efforts of valour, and one of the noblest battles ever woe,
had no consecutiveness and no result ; for instead of im-
mediately seizing upon Sebastopol they remained through
a long Beige and a weary winter, feeling that the battle
of the Alma had been all but fought in vain. The
lecturer went on to describe the tediousness of the flank
march to Balakiava, referring to symptoms of indispo-
sitiou he had felt after, crossing the river Katecha,
which caused him to fall froso his pony, the only as-
sistance be received from Dr. Alexa der, who saw the
plight he was in, being the advice to "rake care of him-
self. The sadness and melancholy of that march were
dwelt upon with much force-by the lecturer—how souse
hurried on by the wild impetus of war were obliged to
leave a sickened comrade in some forest glade, with
no prospect of seeing him again, and how sad it w.
to see the wounded lying by the wayside, imploring aid,
which none dare halt to give, because they knew that
in the rear was the marauding Cossack, and that by
doing so they would lobe all chance of partaking in the
coming glory. Baiaklava having been reached, it was
then found that the delay which had taken place had
given courage and vigour to the arms of the enemy.
The difficulty ofalanding our siege train at Bala.alriva
was referred to, and the insignificance of our artillery
and cavalry forces pointed out. It was so miserably
oeficient that it would be a standing reproach to ourgene-
sale and officers of all the superior grades, that they bad
the audacity to take Sebastopol with 73 pieces of arthisry.
Mr. Russell then went on to describe the work of the
trenches before Sebastopol—the unsuccessful result cf the
first bombardment, remarking in somewhat pointed temp,
upon the superiority of the English over the French
army. The capture of the Turkish redoubts and the re-
treat of the Turks was then adverted to ; and the budden
wheeling of our heavy cavalry to meet the advanctug
enemy—the encounter and defeat of the imireree army
by a force sot one this dof its strength—was vividly de-
picted. The scene at lukerman—being the concluding
pram of the lecture—was dwelt upon with some em-
phasis ; the charge of Lord Cardigan and his cavalry
band being described in the most graphic terms. It lued
been said, by the French, that that charge was not war ;
but it was war—war in its noblest form • which calls
upon a man to disregard life and to sacrifice all that he
holds dear, except his honour and his country; and so
lan history, has got a page in its volume, whatever
way have been the errors of the commanders or the re-
criminations of the chiefs, the courage of the Engdeh
soldiers who rode into that cavern of death would always
be beld sacred in the heart of every Englishirtan.
Mr. Russell was listened to throughout the delivery of
his lecture, which occupied two hours and a half, with
attention and interest, and at its couclusion was loudly
applauded.