The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-29
Che. european l,ar.
tn. m.,n. st ,.s.sm....

A little after three, on the morning
Of Sunday the 9th. when heavy tng
shroudcd every thing from view, the
various garrisons Of the redopbis Of
Balaklsvs were ronsed out by The noise
Of large masses of troops approaching.
A, about four O'Clock, n cloud Of skir-
mishers advanced TO the brow Of the
hills on which the rear of our camp lines
rest.
Suddenly, and near FIVE O'Clock, TO
the surprise aud ! think alio n little 10
the CONSERVATION Of all IN the camp, a
most tremendous cannonade was opened
from the heights near lnkermAnn, fall
upon the right Of our position. The
two gun battery on the hill over the
Tchernaya was held by u sircng party
Of the 55ih
No one suspected or believed 1t pos
sihle that the enemy could get guns up
this in single night so the place had
been but little regarded. Yet il was
from this spot thai the Russians opened
the fire from about ten guns iull ON the
two. gun battery and the light and light
and second divisions, which lay about
hall mile in the rear. The instant
the cannonade began, and the first emo
tions of after asionishment and surprise
were passed, the 55ih picket kept close
under the carthwork OF the battery, and
the shot few over them, doing but little
injury. The cannonade in the rear re-
commenced Al the forts, redoubls, and
batteries round Scbasiopol opened with
a tremendous roar, which seemed to
shake the earth. The scene at this mo-
ment was awful, The whole camp, ex-
cept TO the sea, seemed encirclcd by
fire, as fash after flash lit up the foggy
air in all directions. The uproar WAS
deafcning, for our batteries began 10
reply, and both sides firing shell in
creased the din two fold. The shower
OF these terrible explosives. which rained
) into the camp like hail. battles descrip-
ZION No place was safe from them.
They killed men and tore the tents TO
pi ces on places which W. hitherto con.
sidered ms utterly ont of range.
; The horror of the scene was increased
by the obscurity of the morning II
' was not six o'clock, the darkness and
, FOG were still thick, and through the
! al. .,f ,i.n
i guns, and their tremendous reports
e seemed ten times louder than ever.
q For all that could be seen or told TO the
e contrary. the Russian batteries seemed
i within fifty yards Of you on all sides.
z OF coarse the troops remained under
9 arms, but did not attempt TO move
s every one knew that before the real at
: tack commenced, the artillery would
1t cease, and the sharp, cracking fire o.
T. musketry begin.
e The men still lay under cover, wher
y the guns ceased. The noise OF an i'm
ID mense body Of men advancing was clos'
Us upon the batteries. The fog prevenic'
IN our fellows seeing far, but the noise toll
H. 100 plainly That some 5000 or Goo'
y Russians were already close at hand
ID The instant the Russians caught sigh
'e Of our battery, though they seemed al
y terly spent by their exeriions in clint
ie ing he hill, they rushed forward wit
he dash we hardly gave them crcdi
- for. Nothing daunled by the immens
n disparity OF numbers, the fity-flil
y waited TIL they closed within ten feet
p and then gave one tremendous volle
ed which stretched two hundred Of the ei
es emy in the dust ; and then each ma
Mt loading and firing as fast as he coul'
ed kept up an incessuni discharge of mu
nd kerry upon each Russian as he al
RS, preached The Russians halted for
m moment, and then, with wonderll
lr. courage. rallied up and returned a clos
ed and deadly fire. In less Than iivc mil
m u,es they again attempted TO storm III
% battery. IN an instant they rushed &
NJ and poured over It's banks and ihrong
- its embrasures 10 overpowering nun
lts bers. There was moment Of despera
eh struggle, during which our gallant 53i
ld- fought hand 10 hand aud foot TO 70
ey with their numerous assailant.. II wi
M but moment, and 10 the next they b.
rs repuised the attack aud preserved n
~ battery. But il was in vain our felloV
'Fe displayed all this courage--ihe enem
'n- already onlnumbered Them at the ra
red Of forty to one. and fresh masses We
oi coming up every minute. Dur men 4
g by dozens
aly Their numbers diminished every
al siani. Shile those Of the enemy ihereas'
Nh Suddenly the Russisns made anoili
lhe charge, and this time with more eiie
as From every point The enemy pour
IN into The battery like bees. IN truly irr
Ton sislable numbers. aud The 5jih, an
on more than two-ibiri. of the picket ]
dead around, retired from ihe batter
IN The R1sdans had now got beise
'n' 5000 and 10000 mea up ibsir heigi
on on our right, and their battery on &
hn- hil thre~ shot and she'll among O
hat men With terrible edert. The pick
on were preparing TO retire from. the "a
or when fortunately two regiments II !
and "a division Of The 4lss and 4sih cai
de- into setion, and passing the wall open
- n destructive Gle Ore on the Rsssisns
',a- our righi near Ihe t~o-gan battery.
'hs The enemy reformed Il qaite as sisl
'"r oatly bot their small inoheiehi wea