The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-07-04
The Battle of the 22d.

About two hours ago. e., at OF clock,
P. NJ. which is the most quiet part of the
day in camp, the soldiers having all gone
to bed, the camp was disturbed by the
heaviest cannonade which has been heard
since the last bombardment, and am not
sure that it was not heavier than that
Cathcart's hill was soon reached by many
anxious spectators, and then it was seen
that the firing was from the extreme left
of the french batteries, and was returned
by the Flagstaff, the Garden and the bat
terry in the middle of the town. 1t was
an extraordinary sight, one that many of
our friends in England would give great
deal to see. Looking from Cathcart's hill
over the camps, you saw wide expanse
of country, dotted with white tents, which
shown out clearly and conspicuously in the
bright moonlight. All looked quiet and
calm. The only sound that was heard on
this side were the challenge of sentry or
the neighing of a horse; but on turning
round and gazing at Sebastopol,y you saw a
great contrast. There was visible war in
all its stern reality. A thick white cloud
of smoke hung over the French batteries
and that part of the town which was an
swering their fire. Bright flashes of fire
cleaned through the smoke every second,
as guns were fired or shells exploded
There was cessation in the firing for an
hour, when there was slight lull, and i'm
mediately volleys of musketry were hear,
which continued without intermission fol
some time. About lO4 there was an ex-
plosion in the Russians batteries. 1t seem.
ed as if there had been o train of powder
loose in the ground, as there was sudden.
ly long bright sheet of fame seen light
| ing up the wall of smoke. About l04
there was another explosion.
The number of shells that were fired
from both sides was enormous. There
were generally FIVE or six in the air at one
time, and once I counted nine. The
French fred great many "bouquets''-
not the bouquets that are popular among
young ladies but fight Of shells, which
seperate in the air and fly about in all di
rections.
The French have lately been sappine
towards the Quarantine Battery, and hac
constructed some outworks to protec
their approach. The Russians had mo-
in the meanwhile been idle, and had alst
made some defences, which were a serious
obstruction the progress of the besiegers
On the night of the 22d the French il
great force carried these obstacles, bu
could only hold the position till daylight
not having had time enough to throw uI
any shelter from the batteries, which play
ed heavily on them, and they consequently
retired in the dusk of the morning, will
serious loss. The estimated number ap
pear to be not less in killed and wounded
than 1900 men; but the Russians, wht
were also .'in swarms," suffered far more
their dead and dying are described to mi
by an eyewitness as being quite countless
On the following night (the 23d) anothe
attack was made by our Allies, and will
Increased success, for they now hold tn
grounds they had taken the preceding
night, and have thrown up such defence
as will prevent them from being expelled
from them. The loss on this second oc
casion was very great on both sides, but
have not been able to obtain an approx
imtion to the actual numbers.