Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-05-30
THE BoMBARpMENT OF sEBAsToPOL-HoW
1T COMMENCFD

The BoMBARDMENT OF sEBAsToPoL- HOW
IT COMMENCED.
From the London Times correspondent
On the day previous TO the commencement of the |
which was Easter Sunday the Pro-
estant and Roman Catholic services OF the army
:haplains in the English Camp were most numer- |
ously attended. In the French Camp, also, the |
duties OF religion attended TO in the morning
after which, with both French and English labors
OF beseiging force went forward, as on other
days. An immense quantity of shot and shell
was sent up. with one lS-inch mortar and S4
FOUNDER both for the batteries on the right attack
In the afternoon d message was sent down 20
the Sailors Camp TO tell off the men to their
guns and have everything in readiness to begin
the final attack at daybreah. 1t is represented
that one of the Sailors Batteries still wanted three
four guns, but in return TO this statement,
Lord Raglan replied that it of no consequence,
and that the batteries must all be ready 10 open
next morning. AT late hour the troops detached
TO guard the trenches were ordered to take their
rations cooked with them, 10 the expose
which would otherwise be incurred by men car
rying them in the daytime The ambuance-cars
were also ordered 10 wait for wounded Ia the
several ravines, and an order was sent down 10
Balaklava for eco stretehers for wounded, which,
with 200 extra tents for emergencies, were for
warded per rail.
Throughout the night there was very little
firing on either side. Beyond an occasional gun
to keep up the appearance of war, and take away
the slight sence OF security which sometimes
exists in the trenches, all was quiet All in the
| Allied Camps knew that the bombardment would
commence at day break, and all full of
regrets and forebcdings the change in the
weather. 1t had, indeed changed in a manner
sufficiently severe TO excite anxiety, if not mist
rust, 10 the result of the FIRST days operation.
The wind blew a regular gale; the night at
once dark and misty-while the rain Tell in such
floods almost 10 surpass every sound. Towards
morning, ii If possible still more unfavorable,
and in spite of the rain, the wind sufficiently
strong leave in all but faint hopes that the fleet
would be able to share In the struggle of the day
At o'clock, A. M, all the officers who had
| leave were on the alert, looking up waterproofs
and forgotten mutflers before setting out tor Cath
carts Hill, TO see our opening tire At this hour,
| nearly all except the sentries, were asleep, nor
was there anything whatever to denote that one
OF the most bloody struggles that ever disturbed
the world, defaced the annals OF civilization,
was about TO commence.
heavy mist hung over the sea, and partly
over Sebasopol, while both were obscured every
now and then, by the clouds of rain which were
driven before the wind. The north side was al
most completely invisible, though the mouth Of
the harbor was clear, and heavy sea running in
broke in wild line of breakers over the sunken
ships. In Sebastopol itself everything was quiet
and calm as usual Where the head of the harbor
could be seen, two three large boats seemed
crossing 1t near the land, bat no other signs OF
activity were visible, either in the water or in the
town 1t was now hve o clock none of the
clocks IN Sebastopol could be heard to strike as
the wind was very strong, and blowing up the
harbor and across the town Each moment the
weather became thicker and more wet so that in
few minutes hardly any of the town was visible
The grim line of batteries, however remained
well IN view, though they also seemed as quiet as
In rBa Ataia l-rt4
could occasionally be distinguished in the Name
lon, but this was all
Suddenly at quarter past FIVE o'clock, A. NJ.
gun was fired from our right attack. In a Sc
cond afterwards, running up and down the line
from the little mounds and hIllocks near Inker
nan--trom the broad commanding positions o.
Green Hill and Gordons Batteries-fIon quiet
picturesque ravines, where no one dreamt of guns
lurking-high from the rear on steep and lofty
ridges and away down 10 the left where the
french works stretched out over low marsh lands
to Administration every point of-our lines
came hundred streaks of fame and masses OF
smoke. For minute after there was silence
and then the great concession came rumbIing on
slowly mastering both wind and rain, and swell
ling into roar that seemed TO shake both heaven
ard earth. The shells and bullets of the first
discharge made of themselves perfect uproar
as they Tell like iron hail full upon the enemy's
batteries. Some shot short and went boun-
uIHS towards me works, scattering the earth like
water. Some were to high, and passed clear
over everything into the town; but the great
mass were well aimed and true, and passed full
into the embrasures, clearing all before them
The shells burst everywhere about like crack
eTs and the stunning explosion of the great NOR
tars made themselves conspicuous every 9th
er noise, as the huge bombs screamed through the
air, earring death and destruction into the Name
Ion and AlaIakotf After this frs. tremendous
volley each gun worked it could, and regular
file fire of mortars and heavy guns commenced
upon the place. The enemy appeared compile
tely surprised. With the first awful salvo a ge
neral confusion was observed in their. battery
For three four minutes not gun replied
then the Afamelon fired three four al once
and the Redan and Malakotf also began a slow
irregular cannonade The flagstaff Battery vas
also quick in sending two or three shells, but
the great OF the guns in all the Russian
works silent Gradually. after a lapse OF
1--WE or zen minutes, their fire extended-but, be
fore half their ordnance manned, ours had
fred a dozen rounds SO that some OF the enemy 5
guns were struck before they fired a shot and
past all manning 1t nearly six O'Clock
before all their works in full play and
then each battery, pelting against its assailant,
fell to business In earnest.
JUDIcIAL ELEcTIos-The Madison Argus
publishes official result of the late Judicial