Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-05-18
TIC war In The crl,nen.
Il Brief The Mamelon, the Mdlakof, the Rife
Pits and the Hedan- Carrying off the Dead

Brief Truce-The Manaelom, the Malakof. the Rife
Pits and the Hedan- Carrying off the Dead.
Although we have given our readers perhaps
,urfei of war news lately, yet the subjoned letter
rom the Crimea correspondent OF the London Herald
is 80 graphic in It's descriptions, and gives clear
and understandable account of the position CT the
Russian advanced works, that are convinced that
no will find its perusal uninteresting.
CAMP BEFORE SEvAsToPoL.-l said in the close OF
nv last letter that truce of two hours had been
agreed upon to enable the Russians to recover and
bury ther dead. Shortly before twelve, therefore,
went down to our right attack in order to take ad-
vantage of the truce to see the enemys position as
closely as possible, arriving at Go. don's Battery
however, found that firing was still going on, and
that the truce would not for another halt
hour or so. The advanced work OF the enemy-call-
ed the Mamelon, omitted to mention in my letter.
had opened fire this morning upon the night OF Cor:
don's Batter 1t then only firing three guns OF
heavy cabre, but eight others also in position.
Until the Russians actually unmarked their guns
many of our officers used to express themselves con-
fdeniy that they would never attempt TO place any
there, but merely continue as an infantry redoubt
But the result shows that in this as IN other matters,
we have undervalued our enemy and the spirit OF
determination with which they appear bent on resist
ing to the last.
After spending short time in Gordon's Battery,
which is in the most perfect state of repair and good
order, proceeded by the zigzags and covered ways
into the advanced trench whch the sorte late
" made. This is an advanced work about 200 yards
from the Mamelon, about 600 yards from the Mala-
koff Tower, and about 100 yards from the enemys
rife pits which scattered more or less numerous.
lv along the whole front of the allied lines. The
marksmen in these latter posts continually on the
alert and keep every else the alert also They
fire on the slightest sound, or at the most trhlng IN
dication Of enemy's presence. In approaching the
advanced work by the covered ways some of the an
giles necessarily little open, so that at two or
three turnngs glmpses of the caps and heads OF our
md he obi On these
corners the enemys rhemen 10 cor centrate all
their vigilance and though every one naturally
stoops and darts round them quick possible, yet
the fZz of rifle bullet close above, generally shows
that the sharpshooers have been equally quick and
watchful of their opportunity. Several times were
the party was with thus admonished by the enemy
TO be careful for the future, and though we had
a very narrow chance from bullet, which passed
near our heads all got 10 the advanced trench IN
safety. This work connects our right attack with
the different French batteries at lnkermann. One
half of it down TO the middle ravine in front OF the
Mamelon Battery is held by the English, the other
half, on the right beyond the ravne, by the French
When entered the trench all the troops were ~
ing Ter the shelter of the bank, gazing through
two three CreVlces at the movements OF the enemy
in the different batteries. In advance OF the work,
about 50 yards, were two three small banks OF
sand bags, under cover of which lay our own SEN
tries exchanging shots end then with their con-
cealed aiversares in the pit. Beyond a few such
of hostilities in fact the whole aspect of affairs in
the advance was that of serious idleness. The men
in it laughing and chatting in under tones
Very many wrapped up IN their great Goals last
asleep. | walked down the work, looking at the
marks which the ace presented OF the late desper
ate attack In one or places the gabions had
been almost destroyed and neally all the sand-bags
in the parapet knocked away. Those which had tai.
len inside had been replaced. Those outside were
nearly Just as the enemy had left them In part
Of tbot thn hOdI of nd
four men The officer the one who so distinguish
ed himself by his determined efforts to force an en-
trance, and who, at last, unfortunately for himself,
succeeded. Outside the work the dead lay thicker,
though with those in and out there were not more
than $50 in all On the right the appearance of the
French trench showed that the Struggle had been
long and bloody. This work had almost all been
completely destroyed, and though every effort dur
ing the nights which have since elapsed has been
made TO repair it, it is still in rather dilapdated
condition. Their gabions had been almost pulled
away, and were lying in heaps in front of the work
and in long train up to the MalakOf lower, Just as
the Russians had thrown them away in their flight
The enemys dead were here in serious numbers In
front of the work. At least 200 were outside, and
nearly as many more inside the trench. The French
troops in strong force at this post, probably
between five and six thousand, and many othcers
were there, both English and French, waiting till the
flag of truce should be raised to the trench ant
survey the enemys work
The time was to be between half past twelve anC
two. yet ii past one, and no signs OF ap
peared, on the contrary, the French and Russian ri
femen from their respective concealments, were fir
, ing away pretty sharply. A gun also was fired from
the MalakGf Tower and went kissing through the
air Gordon's Battery, but instant afterwards
white flag was hoisted on the Mamelon, which was
replied to by one in the advanced trench. A few mo
ments afterwards and all the batteries had white flag
flying, while body of Russian soldiers 1900 2,
900 strong, siragg out from the of the Mala
ko4f hnoa
the middle ravlne StretChers were then brought u
and the word given to our to carry out the bod
les of the dead Russians who lay inside the trench
and the rest of the men, who watching this sig
nal, instantly swarmed over the breastwork and be
gan looking about them like boys out of school,
From some mistake or other as men showe
themselves, two shots were fired from the rifle pits
upon which the troops instantly ordered to re
turn, and private sent forward with whit
, handkerchief tied 10 the end of his musket. Ate
! this no shots were fred and every walked abou
as he pleased
| crossed witt the rest and advanced beyond tn
- middle ravlne almost 10 the foot of the small stee
" slope which the Mamelon is erected. AS th
work is likely to figure rather Importantly i
80 our future proceedings surveyed it with much CT
- riosity and interest Viewed in connection with GU
chances of capturing Sevastopo the impression whc
1T produced on my mind was anything but favorable
1t u.s. as have said steep rocky eminence, about
mile in circumference at the base and about quar-
ter OF mile at the top. Its average height from OF
advanced parallel is at least 100 feet, its dstant
from it about 300 yards and its distance from tt
Gu Nlalakot lower nearly double that Seeing, Their
On FORE that it is to works than the Russian
or your readers will doubtless ask with surprise VIII
es the allies never occupied it themselves, especially
u It's summit entirely commands every part of II
works round the Malakoff Tower. But this is
at question which no one can answer and much mo
nj surprise is felt about remssness in this partic
l. her IN who tho &C