Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-08-24
VOL. KILN, NO WHOLE NO. 2549.

vious policy was 10 remain on the de-
lcnsivc. The more advanced paral-
lei Of attack ought at once 10 have
been turned into defensive parallel
by putting its ditch outside, and pro-
viding it with TANKS; and shelter
ought TO have been constituted in its
immediate rear for the gaurd of the
trenches. The lines of Balaklava
ought TO have been closed in the
rear, and Kamiesch Bay fortified. If
these precautions had been taken,
not an inch of ground would have
been lost, and the army might have
wintered in security, and guarded
their position without fatigue or ex
posure This would also have left
leisure for The repair of roads, the
construction of huis, the establish
ment of depots, and all those indls-
pensable measures which were ne
cessarly neglected for want of men ;
and more than this, it would have
allowed time for the reorganization
OF departments and the reformation
of details-all Of which were impos-
sible while every man in the camp,
from the chief of the staff to the
drummer-boys, were worked beyond
the power of human endurance.
A different policy was adopted,
and one-half the army was sacrificed
TO the obsinacy with which it was
perscvercd in. The front of our
trenches was always left open to the
sorlies of the garrison and guards
were required which il was far be-
yond the strength OF our army TO
supply while the works were push
cd forward with a rccklessness which
was fatal to the men employed in
them. Had ii been that our en-
ginecrs had discovered that the dis
lance of 1900 yards, at which their
first batteries were placed, was too
far off TO do any damage, there might
be some excuse for seeking a more
advanced position IN which TO place
them before attempting further oper-
atoms against the place. But when
the fire opened again on the 9th oil
April, il was from the identlca! bate
ries from which il was thrown on the
18th of October. All we had gained
at the expense of such suffering
and misery, and by the loss of SO
many brave men was that on our left
the saps had been pushed forward TO
within 600 yards Of the cnemy's
works, but at the edge of a ravlne,
beyond which further progress in
that direction was impossible. On
our right very little progress had been
made; and although in the centre
we had advanced some 400 or SOC
yards, we could not prevent the Rus
slams from occupying the Mamelon,
$50 yards in advance Of their origin
al lines, and within about 400 of oui
most advanced trenches.
THE SECOND BoMBARpMrST.
Du'ins the winter the Frenoh had
covered the whole ground in front OF
the lines they were attacking with a
network of parallels, and advanced
them TO within about 200 yards oil
The Russian works. But il is still
questionable whether il was worth
their while TO do this. If they could
subdue the fire of the place they
could as easily have done this in
three weeks as six months aad il
they cannot subdue the fire of the
( place they are hardly more advanced
towards taking the place than the,
were.
Such was nearly the position o
matters, when, on the 9Th Of April
the second great bombardment tool
place.
On this occasion the armament o
our batteries was, as nearly as cal
be ascertained, as follows