Glasgow Courier. — 1855-03-20 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

FEBRUARY.  We take the following from the private correspondence of the Presse d'Orient of the sth inst., the account of our own correspondent having been delayed by the break down of the Cairo steamer :  ' Heights before Sebastopol, Feb. 26.  Since we have been installed upon the heights of Inkerman we have commenced works of approach which, step by step, will lead us to the foot of the Malakhoff Tower. On their side the Russians had thrown up considerable works behind the tower, and commenced demolishing it to allow full play to their batteries. But not satisfied with that, in the night of the 21st the Russians made a very bold, and at the same time a very dangerous, move. They came and installed themselves between the Malakhoff Tower, and at a little to our right. The position was immediately attacked. On the 224 it became evident that it was their intention to stop the advance of our trenches by works of counter-approach.  ' The Commander-in-Chief resolved to carry their position. Orders were issued on the evening of the 23d. During the nighttwo battalions of the 2d Zouaves, one battalion of marines, and some companies of workmen started under orders of General Monet. They advanced in profound silence towards the Russian position to about 1,000 or 1,200 metrevin front of the Malakhoff Tower. One battalion of Zonaves took the right, the other the left of the attack; the marines were to meet the enemy in front.  Arriving at the redoubt without being discovered, the Zousves halted for a moment. They cast a searchino. glance into the darkness; a dark line was discernible in advance of the redoubt in the direction of its front. General Monet, certain of being supported, advanced. On a signal given the Zonaves rushed upon the Russians with impetuosity, and were received by a murderous fire. Nothing daunted, they soon scaled the works, and enrered the redoubt by sheer fighting. A terrible fight of cold steel took place. At the same moment the Russian ships in port sent a shower of projectiles into the redoubt. But the daring of our men was irresistable. The Russians were driven out and fled towards the city. The nearest batteries then opened their fire upon the redoubt, and, amid a shower of balls, the workmen knocked the works to pieces and spiked all the guns.  'This work accomplished, it was necessary to beat a hasty retreat; the position, exposed as it was to the guns of the ships, was not tenable. There was not a moment to be lost; the firing from the ships did us considerable damage; blue lights, thrown up from the batteries, enabled them to direct their aim. The whole garrison was under arms by this, and the drums and bells of Sebastopol were distinctly audible. The word of command of the avant garde of the troops advancing against us could be heard. The General gave the order to retreat.  Our loss in this affair is balanced by that of the Russians, who were much superior in numbers; the guns of their ships did them nearly as much harm as they did us Their resistance was, however, energetic, and the hand-to-hand struggle within the redoubt was most obstinate. We have to deplore the death of Lieutenant of Artillery De la Fosse, and four or five officers of Zonaves are missing. There are from 90 to 100 wounded, among whom are fifteen officers. Altogether 250 men were touched. The affair was admirably managed by General Monet, who, to use M. Bosquet's expression, fought like a hero. On the first discharge of the Russians a ball carried off the thumb of his right hand. Nothing disconcerted, the brave General took his sword in his left hand, and was one of the first to jump into the redoubt. In another moment he was wounded in the left hand and in the arm. Notwithstanding his three ~ounds, General Monet was the last man to leave the redoubt after seeing all his wounded carried out.  • The marines lost their way in the dark, and did not come up in time to take a serious part in this brilliant affair.  ' This success was immediately taken advantage of to push on the approaches. One trench has been opened which leads to the redoubt, and will scarcely allow the Russians to re-establish themselves there should they feel so inclined. It must be owned that for the last two months the defence has been admirably conducted The Russians mount gun after gun, and throw up redoubt after redoubt. On our side our works advance slowly and surely, and must ultimately be crowned with success.'