The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-10-28
THE GREAT BATTLE OF ALMA.


THE GREAT BATTLE OF ALMA.
From the London Tmes' ..own Correspondent J
THE POSITION OF TEE RUSSIANS.
At the top OF the ridges, between the gnl
lies. the Russians had erected earthwork bat
teries, mounted with 30 and "a Id. brass guns.
supported by numerous field pieces and how
tiers These guns enfiladed the tops of the
ravines parallel to them or swept them
to the base, while the whole Of the sides up
which an enemy, unable to stand the direct
fire of the batteries, would be forced to as
cend. were filed with masses of skirmishers
armed with an excellent two-grove rife,
throwing a large solid conical ball with
learnt to their cost. The principal battery
consisted of an earthwork Of the form of two
sides of triangle, with the apex pointed to
wards the bridge, and the sides covering
both sides of the stream, corresponding with
the bend in the river below il, at the distance
Of 200 yards, while, with fair elevation the
80 FOUNDERS threw. as we saw very often. be-
yond the houses ofthe village to the distance
of 400 and ! 500 yards. This was construct
ed on the brow of hill about 600 feet above
the river, but the bill rose behind it for ano-
the river.
The ascent of this bill was enfladed by
the fire of the three batteries of earthwork on
the right, and by another on the left and
these batteries were equally capable of
covering the village, the stream, and the
slopes which led up the hill to their position.
In the first battery were 10 80 FOUNDER brass
guns, of exquisite workmanship, which told
only too well. In the other batteries were
some IS guns in all. It was said the Russians
had 100 guns on the hills and 10000 men (40
battalions of infantry 1000 strong each of
the 10th, 31st, 32d, and SGD regiments) We
were opposed principally to the 10th and 32d
regiments, jupging by the number of dead in
front of US, have not been able to ascer-
tain by whom they were commanded, but
there is a general report that Menschik off
commanded the army in chief, that the left
was under Gortschakoff relative of the d.
plOmatist, and that the right was under
Bodahoff, the military Governor of Sebasto
pol.
THE PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
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 enemy's
left. When that attack was sufficiently developed
and had met with success the British army was to
force the right and part OF the centre of the Rus
sian position, and the day was gained When We
were about three miles from the village the French
steamers ran In as close e. 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 enemv'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 half mast
l2 O'Clock, and lasted for about an hour and half
We could see the shells falling over the batteries
OF the enemy, and bursting 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 IN
be seen strewed over the ground. The Russians
answered the ships from the heights, but without
effect.
THE FRENCH SCALE THE HEIGHTS.
Att O'Clock we saw the French columns strug.
Cling up the hills, covered by cloud of skirrnish
ers whose ire seemed most deadly. Once. at
sight OF a threatening mass of Russian infantry in
commanding position above them, who fred ra
pio voiieys among tnem the French paused but it
was only to collect their skirmishes for az soon as
they had formed, they ran up the hill at the pas de
charge and at once broke the Russians who fed in
disorder, with loss, up the hill. We could see men
dropping on both sides, and the wounded rolling
own the steep.
THE ENGLISH ARE ENGAGED
LORD raglan waited patiently for the develop
ment of the French attack. At length an aide. de-
camp came to him and reported the French had
crossed the Alma, but they had not established
themselves sufficiently to justify as In an attack -
The infantry were therefore ordered to lie down
and the army for a short time was quite passive
only that our artillery poured forth an unceasing
hre OF shell, rockets and round shot, which plough
ed through the Russians, and caused them erea,
loss. They did not waver, however, and replied tn
our artillery manuy, their shot falling among our
men az tney lay and carrying Off legs and arms at
every round Lord Raglan at last became weary
OF this inactivity-his spirit was up-be looked
around, and saw men on whom he knew he mioht
stake the honor and fate OF Great Britain by his
SIDE ana, anticipating little in military point OF
view the crisis OF action, he gave order for our
whole line to advance
Up rose these serried masses, and passing through
fearful shower of round, case shot, and she'll
they dashed into the Alma and ofovndared''
through its waters, which were literally torn into
foam by the deadly hail. At the other side of the
river were number of vinyaEds, and TO our sur.
prise, they were occupied BY Russian riaemep
Inree OF tne stan were here shot down, but led by
Lord Raglan In person, the rest advanced cheerin1
on the men. And now came the turning MORT Of
the battle, in which Lord Raglan, by his Sac acitu
and military skill probably secured the victory at
smaller saGr1ce than would have been otherwise
the case. He dashed over the bridge, followed bv
bis staff. From the road over it. under the Russian
guns he the state of the action The British line
which he had ordered to advance, was struggling
through taa river ana up the heights in masses, firm
indeed, but moved down by the murderous fire of
the batteries, and by grape. round shot she'll can
lister, case shot and musketry, from some of the
guns of the central battery, and from an immense
and compact mass OF Russian infantry
Then commenced one of the most bloody and do.
termined struggles IN the annals Of war The Cd
Division, led BY Sir d. Evans in the most dasbino
manner, crossed the stream ON the right The nh
Fusileers, led by Colonel Yea, were swept down bv
fftiea The 55th, 30.h, and 95th, led by Brieader
pennefather who was in the thickest Of the figbt
cheering on his men, again and again were cbecfed
indeed, but never drew back in their onward nro
gress, which was marked by fierce roll of Mimic
musketry; and Briga2ier Adams. with the 4Ist
ash, and 49h bravely charged up the hill and aid
ed them in the battle Sir George Brown. consn;c
uous gray horse, rode 10 front of his LIGHT
Division, urging them VITA voice and gesture Gal.
liant fellows they were worthy of such a yalIan,
chief The 7th, Diminished by one half fell bach
to reform their columns lost for the time the o3d
With eight officers and four wounded were stili
rushing to the 'front.' aid ed by the 18th, sd. 77rh
and ssth.
Down went Sir George Ia cloud of dust in front
Of the battery. He was soon up, and shouted s.o3d
I'm oil right. Be sure lrl remember this dav - and
ed them on again but In the shock produced by The
fall OF their chief the gallant regiment suffered ter.
rioly whhe paraiized for moment. Meantime the
Guards on the right OF the Light Division and the
Brigade OF Hlghianders were storminp the beiohts
on the ieft ihear line was almost as regular as
though they We're n Hydepark Suddenly a tor.
Rado OF round and grape rushed through from Inc
terrioie paxery, and roar Of musketry from be-
had thinned their front ranks by dozens. Il was
evident thas we We're just able to contend aeainst
the Russians, favored as they were by great posi
don. At this very time an immense msss al Ru.
siAn infantry were seen moving down towards tho
battery. They halted. 1t was the crisis Of ths aar
Sharp, angular and solid, they looked "A IL ,hs,.
were cut out of the solid rock IL was bevand ~
doubt that II our infantry, harrassed and thinned