Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-04-19


THr WAR-SroRMIse OF TEE MALA
KoFr REDoUBr.-De Describing the recer
storming of Russian redoubt by th
French, the London Times says. editc
sriaIlys
at appears by the last accounts ths
the purpose of the allied generals
stin fixed on the prosecution Of tn
siege, by means of q bombardment, fol
lowed by an assault Two experimen
tai attacks have been made by th
French in two different ways. whicl
serve to show that it is not easy TO gan
an advantage over our indefstigable an
tagenist. 1t appears, from both thu
Russian and French reports, that on tht
night of the s1st of February, the Rus
slams succeeded in throwing up with
great rapidity a new .redoubt on the
Tieht bank of the careening harbor.
"Within forty-eight hours General
Canrobert resolved to force the new posi-
tion, and the attack was made before
the work had been completed. A large
body of French troops, under General
Monet, advanced on the night of the
Esd against this redoubt The Zouayas
rushed upon the intrenchments with the
utmost bravery, and a sanguinary con-
test ensued, which cost nearly 500 Of
these admirable soldiers.
"The Russian infantry regiments of
Selenghinski and Volhynia, under Gen.
Kroustehaff, defended the work with
great steadiness, and after severe COM
bat the French were compelled to re-
treat. This unfortunate result has been
attributed to several causes,-the dis
closures By spies of the French plan of
attack, the fire of the Russian vessels in
the harbor and from the surrounding
forts, and a want of steadiness on the
part of one portion of the assailants;
who are said to have left the Zouaves to
bear the bruntof the engagement.
1--WE are unable to determine with
certainty what amount of truth there
may be in these statements, but it is un-
doubtedly true that the Russians appear
to have expected the attack, and occu-
pied the position with small army
rather than with a detachment in pro-
portion to its extent. On the side of
the French, the force consisted of only
half a brigade of Zouayes, 1900
strong; two battalions of marines g, 300
strong, and 400 volunteers; in all, less
than a, 500 men.
"The Russians were 10000 strong,
and the unfortunate Zouaves fell into a
regular ambuscade. Nevertheless, such
was the dauntless vigor of these troops,
that they stormed the redoubt and held
of it against fearful odds, when
the Russians succeeded in outhanking
the column; the marines were separated
from the Zouaves and driven back in all
and the latter were complete
" surrounded by the enemy.
GA second time they succeeded, BY
sheer hand-to-hand fighting, in COM
pleting the capture Of the redoubt, but
70 sooner had the Russian infantry fall
en- back than the batteries and ships
'pened terrific fire upon the work, and
'endered. it completely untenantable. 1t
vas not till then that Gen. Monet, who (
vas twice severely wounded, ordered
etreat, and, though the night was dis
strous from the loss of many hundred ]
ives and the failure of the chief object, !
he gallantry displayed by the Zouaves
vas such that this repulse might well be
anked with their most brilliant achieve
nents.'' lie
The Journal Of 81. Petersburg gives
ong account of the same affair. The
eport sums up by saying:
"Twice the enemy (French) at
empted to renew the attack, but each
ime was driven back with loss to the
renches. Finally, after an hours COM
'at at the point of the bayonet, during
Ehich the Russian drummers neve-
eased to beat the charge, the enemy ,
Tas compelled to retreat, leaving in our =
over more than hundred killed, .
mong whom were eight officers.
: Moreover, our troops took "a pris- Il
ners, of whom s we're officers. In all, C
1e loss of the enemy was not under
90 men, for during their retreat theyf
ere exposed to the heavy fire of the a
bastions, and OF the steam Il
rs Vladimir. Chersonese and Gromo- 7
essets, anchored in the roadstead. On b
ur side we had IS men killed, and s "
lbaltern officers and 236 men wound
l."
GREAT MILITARY EXPEDITION TO THE D
ArNs.-Eonr Thonanr1 Men 10 tnLe m