Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-12-01
j. w. ID. DUNDAS. Vice Admiral.
RUSSIAN ACCOUNTS

The Invalidc Russo and the Journal DC st. Peters.
bours of the 9th and Goth u:mn contain long re-
ports from Prince Mcnschkoff OH the military opera
tons uf the Russians in the Crimea sinc" the brgin
ming of September; but the chief interest lcs in his
account of the battle uf the Alma which sus follows:
"On the 9Th (20thl Of September Prince Mcnscl,i-
koff occupied position the left bank of the Ama,
with fory-two baiaions, sixteen squalrons, and
eichtyfor pieces Of artillery. The centre Of the
der ot battle WAS formed on the steep bank of the
river, opposite the village Of ROurouk. and the left
wing hill at about two rerS;s from tho sea- the
right wing the lkest point Of the position. In
front Of The line of battle the rillugo of BOsuruuk,
and the adjoining vIncS ards occupied by sharp
shooters. Behind tic anre wns posted reserve Of
three regiments oj in antry, (th"sc of Nolhynia,
Minsk, and Moscow, >, with two ght-foot batteries: or
their right the two regiments of hussars, with two
light-foot batteries and the right of these the two
regiments of hussars, with two batteries Of horse
artillery; and behind the right wing the rcg-
ment of chasscurs Of Ougltsch. 4 reserve bata
tached to occupy the village uf Buoukou, be-
hind the left flank of the position close to the
coast. AT noon the enemy marched rnGn the Alma
and resoutcly attackc our position, Their right
wing consisted OF tie lreIicR aud their left Of the
English. The turks romanod i'll reserve behind the
Frenrh troops, hGlh advanced with precision in ex-
tended lincs under the protection of thick chain of
sharp.hooteis armed with carbincs. Ours received
TIE enemy Wltl u well directed hrc, ana III lew
sants sharp fire Of small arms opened ali along
the line OF battle. F:om the commencement OF the
battle the numerous sharp shooters OF the enemy
armed with carbncs with cunral balls made great
ravages IN onr rank. \ great number Of officer,
fell the first victims thai murcruus Wrauui and
this circumstance naturally had !; great Influence on
the further progress Of ;lu hattie, Alter occupying
the vineyards ct .ic right hank ui the Alma, the en-
clnys hattaliois. iurlled into columns, crossed
the river, anu dcpyed rgaM in lines on the opposite
bank notwithstanding the constant fire Of our Bate
res. Prince Mrn-chikuf gave orders to the first line
to receive the enemy ht thc point OF the hayone III
tunes our Ia;;ali.s, med by their iarrpd S. chefs,
charged the enemy viii the bayonc,; hut each time
meeting with the toarihl" -ou5 tSe oi the drpoyrG
line, or by the thick CtGn "a! skirmi.icrs with the
carhnes, they ;9e!u rrpu&d with great loss. The
enenys infantry sustained slili firmncss and withnu;
deployed battalons ny de,xn und took cover behind
the shelter afforded by the ground, while their sharp
shooters kept shooting down artillery men. In
one OF our divisions of eight guns all the i..Un and
horses were disabled. Whilst this ..,naulnary con-
test was going ON in the ceTtrc nt the position ami on
our right wing, the left wing, notwithstanding, lis dis
tance from the sen, was reached by the prccii!es OF
the fleet. Under cover of the fire from the ships.
French column, having at its head some African
troops called Iouaves crossed the valley of the Alma
near tho seasFore, and rapidly climbed the cliff by
path through narrowr avne, The appearance Of these
troops OH our flank, and almost on our rear. obliged
Prince Menschikof 10 bring up from the reserve the
regiments of Mnsk and Moscow and some sqGadrous
of hpssars. The French had, however, Succeeded in
establishing battery ON the heights, which received
our reserve with such sharp fire that they were
obliged to fall back. Prince Menschkof then seeing
bic left turned and the centre and right not being