Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-05-03
Battle Before ScbaStOpOl,
English Account ofthe Engagement.

From The voluminous foreign news which
We have received by the Nashuille's mails we
extinct the following account Of the battle OF
the 23d Of March, as likely to he read with
The most Intense interest by our readers:
Correspondence of the London Morning Herald. ]
BEFORE SEBAsToPoi, March %, 1855.
Last night one Of the most desperate Of the
Sorlies which have been made on the allied
lines Tor some time past took place against our
advance parallels OH the right attack. | have
already informed your readers that several
new works have lately been undertaken by
tie Flench on our extreme right, towards Ink
eTman Valley, aud our right attack has also
advanced a new parallel, both for the sake of
protecting the flank Of the French batteries,
and also for the purpose of concentrating b
hea Wy fire on the works around Malakoff
Tower.
Last night the guard for The trenches was
furnished by detachmentS from the 18th, 34th,
nth, SSth, 99lh, and 9th regiments, all under
the command of Col. Kelly, of the sab, who
was field officer for tie night. The French
guard was composed Of four regiments from
The 4th and I'd divisions, with a strong party
Of volunteers--in all about 5000 men. Our
own party was only between 400 and 900.
The French held the right and flank OF tie
advanced work; the English t Z left and part
OF The center opposed TO the mamelon. Soon
after The guard entered The trenches the Rus
SLAMS began q deSultory canonade, firing every
minute or so upon different parts OF our line
II did but little mischief, aud no notice was
taken oft beyond the occasional shell with
which the French replied every row and then.
A 1,A,,I -, npnI.at l-. IL e IL
Russians rather increased, and q slight con-
fusion was heard in the neighhorhood of the
mamelon ;but still there was no indication Of
any attempt Of attack as the night, though
very dark, was clear and still. A little after
ten the euemy's fire became rather quick, and
as 1t has been since remarked, appeared so
managed as 20 prevent the noise of any ai-
v%ancing body being distinguished. In the
midst Of this, one OF our advanced %sentries on
the left was heard 10 cry out, and the sound
was followed instantly by the discharge of a
muSket, while most AT the same moment
Two or three Of the out posts fell back upon
the parallel, saying that they believed n large
torce OF the enemy was advancing. OF course
though all were instantly on the qui uiUe,
the report was moi credited at that moment,
until heavy volIeyS Of musketry from the
French on the right showed that the enemy
had something or other on the doDjs The
men instantly stood 10 their arms, and fell in
along the lines, though there was still no in
dicaliOnS of an attack until Captaio Wears
who was eagerly loot ng over the breast work,
described throuehrthe darkness a strong col
m Of men, rapidly YET silently approaching
our deienses. He instantly called out as loud
as he could, "Look out, men, here are the
RuSSirns," and the wtoIe force on the left lay
behi ind the breast work, and prepared
for action, leaning their minnies, over the
bank, and taking Il cool, deadly aim upon
he If assailants. Not q shot was fred until
the Russians were within twenty yards of the
work, when, at the work, a murderous yolIey
was poured into the head of the column, which
II era ly made the whole mass reel and faller.
The Russian off ers, it rs said, instantly rush
to the head Of their troops, and clee,pd
them on, while, at the same lime, they stroye
deploy them into line. Perhaps Fortunate
~ for us, the nature of the ground IN front nj
the parellel only admitted of this latter ma.
noenver being partially carried INTO effect, and
by The time il was accomplished, the enemy
had suffered dreadfully under our fire, which,
from the first rolley, was continued incessaut.
~. The instant the Russians had deployed,
hey Sirove TO close with the poin; Of The bay.
onet, and dashed at the breast work with ire
NhendonS cheers The men of tie 90th, 9Th,
,nn 34th never exposed themselves. but, ole
ilent Inc commands Of their officers, laid
lose under the breast work, never throwing
way q shot, and bayoneting the Russians in
head end breast as they strove 10 cross
he bTe0stwork. AT the same time all the
batteries Dpened against all the Eng
IlSh and French liDeS. and noured n natrao,
torn Of shot and shell in every direclion.--
The fight with the English was on the ex-
left Of The line. On the extreme riph,
the French were posted, the c%onlinu-
ro! Of musketry showed that thew were
desperately engaged and hard pushed. The
renler OF our position, which was guarded Ly
Of the 7th, nth, and 88th, was no,
ltlacked al The same time with the others, but
the English on The left were at close
quarters, a powerful column of the enemy
suddenly maze its appearance al the center of
he parallel.
The 7lh, nth and SSth had been aroused
thoroughly by the firing at the other parts Of
position, and Were, therefore, Of course
vel prepared for the attack. Their advanced
fell back 10 the shelter of The work
N admirable order, and asthe enemy annroach.
I'd a steady, deadly file fire opened on hem
Ill along The line. As they ran on the enc
ny fired a scattered vo!ley, which did but lii.
lie mischief, and instantly after precinitated
themselves on the breast work. A most DIES
leraie struggle ensued. Our men met them
" it'll The point Of the bayonet, and pitched
hem back as fast as they gained the ion of
h work, but still the enemy per evered FIR
few moments, when the Russian soldiers