Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-11-09

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lage. Our plan of operations was that the
French should establish themselves under the &
fire of the guns on the heights on the extreme
of the enenls's left.
When the attack was sufficiently developed {
and had met with success, the British army
was to force the right and part OF the centre
of the Russian position, and the day was gain
ed 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 south side OF the Alma, and presently
we saw them Smelling the heights IN splendid
STYLE, the shells bursting over the enemy's
squares and batteries, and finally driving
them from their position on the right within
5000 yards Of the sea.
The French practice commenced about hall
past twelve o'clock, and lasted about an hour
and half. We could ace the shells falling
over the baberies of the enemy, and bursting
right into ..em; aid then the black masses
inside the wkks broke into little specks which
few about liz all directions, and when the
smoke cleared away there were some to be seen
strewed over the ground. The Russians an
swered the ships from the heights but with
out effect.
A powder tumbril was blown up by a
French she'll; another shell fell by accident
into an ambuscade which the Russians had
prepared for the advancing French, and at
last they drew off from the seaside, and con-
fined their efforts to the defense Of the gull
lies aud heights beyond the fire of the heavy
guns of the steamers. AT one O'Clock we saw
the French columns struggling up the hills,
covered by cloud of skirmishers, whose fire
seemed most deadly.
Once, at sight of a threatening mass of
Russian infantry, in a commanding position
above them, who fred rapid volleys among
them, the French paused, but it was Only to
collect their skirmishers, for as soon as they
had formed they ran up the hill at the pas dr.
chargc, and at once broke up the Russians,
who fed in disorder, with loss, up the hill.
We could see men dropping on both sldcs,and
the wounded rolling down the steep. At 1.50
our liue of skirmishors got within range Ct
the battery on the hill, and Immediately the
Russians opened fire at 1920 yards with ef-
feet, the shot poughing through the open
lines Of the rihemon, and falling into the adj
vancng columns behind.
Shortly before this time deuse yolumns OIL
smoke arose from the river and drifted along
to the eastward, rather interfering with the
view of the enemy on the left of Our posi-
ton. The Russians had set the village CT
fire. 1t was fair exercise Of military skill
was well cxecutel--took place at the right
time, and succeeded in occasjoning goot
deal Of annoyance. Our troops halted whcs
they neared this village, their left extending
beyond it by the verge Of the stream ou1
right behind the burning cottages. and within
range of the batteries. 1t is said the Russian
had taken the range Of all the principal points
in their front, ard placed twigs and sticks tt
mark them. In this they were assisted b,
the post signbosrds on the road.
The Russians opened furious fire on tn,
whole of our line, but the French had not ye
made progress enough to Justify in advan
cling. The round shot whizzed in every di
rection, dashing up the dirt and sand into th
faces Of the staff of Lord Raglan, who wer
also shellcd severely, and attracted much 0
the encmy's fire. Still Lord Raglan wuitet
patiently for the development of the French
attack. At length an aid-dc-camp came t
him and reported the French had crossed tn
Alma, but they had not established themsclve
sufficiently to justify us in an attack.
The infantry were therefore ordered to Ii
down, and the army for short time was quit
passive, only that our artije.y poured fort
an uuceasing fire Of shell, re cts and roun'
shot, which pioughed througa the Russians
and caused them great loss. They did no
waver, however, and replied to our artilor,
manfully, their shot falling among our me-
as they lay, and carrying off legs and arms a
every round. Lord Raglan at last bcoam
weary of his inactivity-his spirit WIS up
he looked around and saw men on whom h
knew he might stake tho honor anl fate o
Great Britain by his side, and, anticipating I
little, in military poiut Of view, the crisis o
action, he gave orders for our whole line tt
advance.
Up rose these serried masses, and passing
through fearful shower of round, case shot
and shell, they dashed into the Alma, an'
aoundered " through its waters which wen
literally torn into foam by the deadly hail. A
the other side Of the river were number o
vineyards, and, to our surprise, they were oc
cupied by Russian rhemen. Three of tn
staff wcro here shot down, but, led by Lore
Rag CLAN in person. the rest advanced cheering
on the men. And now came the turning poln
of the battle, in which Lord Raglsn, by hi
sagacity and military skill, probably secured
the victory at smaller sacrifice than woult
have been otherwise the case. He dashe'
over the bridge, followed by his staff. From
the road over it. under the Russian guns, hi
saw the state Of the action.
The British line, which he had ordered II
advance, was struggling through the rive
and up the heights in masses, firm indeed, bu
Dlowed down by the murderous fire of the bat
teries, and by grape, round shot shell canister
case shot, aud musketry, from some Of the gun
of the central battery, and from an immense
and compact mass of Russian infantry Thel
commenced one of the most bloody and deter
mined struggles in the annals Of war; TIL
I'd division, led by Sir d. Evans in the mos
dashing mariner, crossed the stream on tn
right. The 7th Fusileers, led by Colonel Ca
were swept down by fftes.
The 55th, 30th and 95th, led by Brigade
Pennefather, who was in the thickest of tn
fight, cheering on his men, again and agai
were checked indeed, but they never drew
back in their onward progress, which wa
marked by fierce roll of Mimic musketry
and Brigader Adams with the 4lst, All
and 49th, bravely charged up the hill, AM
aided them in tho battle, Sir George Brown
conspicuous on gray horse, rode in front o
his Light Division, urging them with voic
and rostnra Enllant fellows theu Mnr,