Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-04
,v.,n d. CORRESPONDENT of the London Timesl

Correspondent
RATTLE OF THE ALMA--FULL DETAILS
CAMP AT ALMA, Sept co..
II was said the Russians had 100 guns on the hlts
:rd 40 600 men, go battalions Of Infantry, l,OO0
strong cach of the 10th, 31st 32d and n
We we're opposed principally to the 18th And 32d
regiments judging by the nennaser q tne oeaa IN
front of us. have net been abse to ascertain oy
whom they were commanded bat there IS general
report that tine army ARM the
tsiploniatist and tatthe fright vas under Bodahon'
the military; Governor Of 5Sebastepol.
n seems strange that admiral should be ap-
ponted to command an army, but strange Things 90
hapnen in Russia. 1t is also affirmed that the car,
ri.ee of Nenchjkoff taken, and in It was found
a copy of "a despatch addressed to the Emperers IN
which the Prince stated that 40 600 men might tase
Sebastopo, but that soooo pen teoa.9 e Way l..
check for weeks blythe position Of the Altha Large
masses ofcavarN principally lancers and neavy ara
poons, menouyred ON, the bills en- the right OF the
Russians and at last decepded tAe hills crossed inc
stream and threatened our left and rear:
As we came near the river our lett wing was
thrown back in order to support our small force OF
Snykf1.r and i portion of artillery was pushed
Forward in the same direction. Our danger IN this
respect was detected by the quick eye OF Dir george
Brown and heard himgive the order for the move
ment Of the artillery almost as soon as he caught
sight of the enemy's cavalry, and just as we were
coming to the village. AS have already SAID, our
plan of operations was that the french snouiu es"
blish themselves under the fire of the guns on the
heights on the exterme of the enemy's left
When that attack sufficiently developed and
had met with success the British army was 10 force
the right and part of the centre OF the RUSSIAN posi-
tion. and the day was gained. When we were about
three miles from the village, the French steamers
ran in as close as they could to the bluff OF the shore
at the scuth-sde of the Alma and presently we saw
them Smelling the heights IN splendid STYLE the snes
bursting the enemys squares and batteries ana
finally driving them from their position on the right,
within 1000 yards of the sea.
The French practice commenced about half past
twelve o'clock, and lasted for about an hour and
half We could see the shells falling over the bat
teries of the enemy, and busting right into them;
and then the black masses inside the works broke
into little specks which flew about in all directions,
and when the smoke cleared away there were some
to be seen strewed over the ground The Russians
answered the ships from the heights, but without
effect.
A powder tumbril was blown up by French
shell another shell fell by accident into an ambus-
cade which the Russians had prepared for the ad-
vancing French, and at last they drew off from the
seaside and confined their efforts to the defence OF
the gulles and heights beyond the fire of the heavy
guns of the steamers At one o'clock we saw the
Ere nch columns struggling up the hills, covered by
cloud of skirmishers, whose fire seemed most deadly
Once, at sight of threatening mass of Russian
infantry, in a commanding position above them, who
fired rapid volleys among them, the French paused
but it was only to collect their skirmishers, for
soon as they had formed they up the hill at the
pas de charge. and at once broke up the Russians,
who fed in disorder, with loss, up the hill We
could men dropping on both sides. and the wound
Cd rolling down the steep. At Loo our line OF Skin
mishers got within range of the battery on the hill,
and Immediately the Russians opened fire at ] 200
yards with effect, the shot ploughng through the
open lines of the rfemcn, and falling into the adj
yancing columns behind
Shortly before this time dense volumes of smoke
rose from the river and drted along to the eastward
rather interfering with the view of the enemy on the
left of our position The Russians had set the viii
lage fire. 1t was fair exercise of military skill
was well executed-took place at the right time,
apd succeeded in occaslonlng good deal of annoy
ance. Our troops halted when they neared this viii
lage, their left extending beyond it by the verge of
the stream; right behind the burning cottages,
and within range othe batteries. 1t said that the
Russians had taken the range of all the principal
points in their front, and placed twgs and sticks to
mark them. In this they were assisted by thepost
signboards on the road.
The Russians opened furious fire on the whole of
our line, but the French had not yet made progress
enough to justify US in advancing The round shot
whzzed in ever direction, dashing up the dirt and
sand into the faces of the staff of Lord Raglan, who
also shelled severely and attracted much of the
cnemy's fire. Still Lord Raglan waited patiently for
the development of the French attack At length an
aid-dc-camp came to him and reported the French
had crossed the Alma, but they had not established
themselves sufficiently to justify us in attack.
The infantry were therefore ordered to lie down,
and the army for short time quite passive only
that our artillery pouiel forth unceasing fire of
SHE'LL rockets and round shot which ploughed through
the Russians ana caused tncm great loss. They did
not waiver, however, and replied to our artillery
manfu!ly, their shot falling among our men as they
lay and carrying off legs and arms at every round
Lord Raglan at last became weary of this inactivi-
ty-his spirit was up-he looked around, and saw
men on whom he kew he might stake the honor
and fate of Great Britain by his side and anticipat
ing little, in military point of view the crisis of
action he gave orders for the whole line to advance
Up rose these serried masses and passing through
fearful shower of round, shot and shells they
dashed into the Alma, and houndered through its
waters, which were literally torn into foam by the
deadly hail. At the other side of the river were
number of vineyards, and, to surprise, they
were occupied by Russian r1emen. Three of the
staff were here shot down, but, led by Lord Raglan
in person, the rest advanced, cheering on the men,
And now came the turning point of the battle in
which Lord Raglan, by his sagacty and military
SKILL probably secured the victory at smaller sac
rifce than would have been otherwise the case He
dashed the bridge, followed by his staff From
the road over it, under the Russian guns he saw
the state of the action.
The British line, which he had ordered to advance
was struggling through the water and up the heights
in masses, firm indeed, but moved down by the
Ennrderous fire of the batteries and by grape round
shot, she'll canister, shot, and musketry from
some Of the guns of the central battery, and from
Then commenced one Of the most bloody and &C.
termined struggles in the annals of war. The I'd
division led by Sir d. Evans in the most dashing
manner, crossed the stream the right The 7th
Fuseers, led by Col. YEA were swept down by
ffties.
The 55th, both and 95th, led by Brigadier Penne
father, who in the thickest of the fight cheer
ing on his men, again and again were checked in
deed but never drew back in their onward progress
tOt,xu cd NV HoPoo rollo 8