Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-04-12
sfsEeH OF raK rsrscz rxrfl0. 10 I'm
Desperate Fight at MISUNDERSTANDING Of
the Malakoff Redoubt -

The mail by the .Baltsc brings Us the fol-
lowing account of this affair, which seems 10
have been quite serious one. Describing
the recent storming Of Russian redoubt b.
the French, the London Times saws, editori-
ally: -
=" 1t appears, by the last accounts, that the
purpose Of the allied generals is still fixed on
the prosecution Of the seige by means Of a
bombardment, followed BY ansssnllt Two
experimental attacks have been made, by the
French in two different WAYS. which serve 20
show that il is not easy TO gain an advantage
over our indefatigable antagonist. II appears
from both the Russian and French reports,
that on the night Of the 2lst of February, the
Russians succeeded in throwing up with great
rapidity new redoubt on the right bank Of
the careening harbor.
"Within forty-eight hours Gen. Canrobert
resolved to force the new position, and the
attack was made before the work had been
completed. A large body Of French troops,
under Gen. Monet advanced in the Eight Of
the 22d against the redoubt. The Zouaves
rushed upon the intrenchments with the ut
most bravery, and sanguinary contest ensued.
which cost nearly five hundred of these adj
mirable soldiers.
"The Russian infantry regiments Of Seleng-
hinski and Volhynia, under Gen. Kruust-
chat, defended the work with great steadiness
and after q severe combat the French were
compelled to retreat. This unfortunate result
has been attributed to several cause.-the dis
closure by spies of the French plan Of attack.
the fire Of the Russian vessels In the harbor
and from the surrounding forts, and want Of
steadiness on the part of one portion Of the
assailants, who are said 10 have left the
Zouaves TO bear the brunt Of the engagement
1--WE are unable to determine with certainty
what amount Of truth there may be in these
statements but it is undoubtedly true that
the Russians appear TO have expected the at
tack, and had occupied the position with q
small army rather than with detachment in
proportion to its extent. On the side of the
French the force consisted of only half 4
brigade of Zouaves, l,6oo strong; two battAl-
ions of marines, 1900 strong, and 400 volun-
teers in all less than $500 men.
"The Russians were 10000 strong, and the
unfortunate Zouaves fell into a regular am
buscade. Nevertheless, such was the daunt-
less vigor of these troops, that they stomed
the redoubt and held one-ha Of il against
/ fearful odds, when the russians succeeded in
outflanking the column (; the marines were
separated from the Zousves aud driven back
in all directions and the latter were complete
/ ly surrounded by the enemy.
"a second time they succeeded, by sheel
hand to-hand fighting in completing the cap
ture of the redoubt; but no sooner had the
Russian infantry fallen back than the batterie:
and ships opened terrific fire upon the work
and rendered Il completely untensble. twas
not till then that Gen. Monet. who was twice
severely wounded, ordered q retreat and
though the night was disastrous from the los
of many hundred lives and the failure Of the
chief object the gallsntry displayed by tbs
Zouaves was such that this repulse nigh. vel
I've ranked with their most brilliant achieve
ments."
Tbs Journal Of 81. Petersburg gives Ions
account Of the same affair. Tho report sum;
up by saying:
Twice the enemy (Frensh) attempted 4
renew the attack, but each time was driver
. back with loss os the trenches. Finally
after an hours combat nj the point Of "a.
bsyonet, during which the Russian drummer
never ceased 70 beat the charge, the enen,
was compelled 10 retreat leaving IN GU
power more than hundred killed, anon,
} whom were eight officers.
, Moreover, our troops took twenty-fou
prisoners, Of whom five were officers. IN all
the loss Of the enemy was not under six hun
dred men for, during their retreat, they wen
exposed 10 the heavy fire Of the neighbour,
bastions, and the steamers Vladimir, Cle-
sonese and GroDsonossetts, anchored in III
roadstead. On our side We had sixty-fve me
, killed, and five subaltem officers, and tw
hundred and thirty-six men wounded"
A nocturnal levy Of recruits was mad
throughout Russian Poland on the night {
the 18th.