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Leader (1850-1860), 14th October 1854, Edition Country of 2, Page 2, Advices from Odessa, of the 7th, state t...

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      962 The Leadel " \ [Saturday,

      962 THE LEADEl " \ [ Saturday ,

      The War

      THE WAR

      The Crimea. The Battle Of Alma And The S...

      THE CRIMEA . The Battle of Alma and the strategctic inarch on Balaklava , of which we give ami de details , have been followed by the complete investment of Sebastopol . The latest accounts state that tbe siege train had been landed ; the batteries intended for the attack almost completed ; tbe -trenches advanced within 1500 yards of the external works of the fortifications of the city ; the water supply of the garrison cut off ;

      and the bombardment was intended to commence on the 5 th instant . It is even stated that it had actually begun , and two breaches been made at Quarantine Port . The place was expected to fall by the 8 th , on ¦ which day , if it had not surrendered , an assattft would take place . The gossip of the camp , however , stated that Lord Raglan had written to the keeper of the first hotel in Sebastopol to prepare apartments- for himself and his staff oh the 6 th .

      After Having Sunk Eiglxt Of Their Ships ...

      After having sunk eiglxt of their ships of war at the mouth of the harbour of Sebastopol , thus blocking the entrance of the fleets , the -Russians are said to be preparing to sink -the nine vessels of the line which , yet remained to them . It is also reported that they have sunk thirty-two ships in theTenikall Straits . The Frencii landed their battering train at Cape Chersonese .

      All The Reserves Have Left Varna For The...

      All the reserves have left Varna for the . Crimea , and two French regiments and one English are to leave the Pireeus for the same destination . Eresh English troops were to be sent from Malta to Athens .

      Advices From Odessa, Of The 7th, State T...

      Advices from Odessa , of the 7 th , state that Prince Menschikoff's right wiiag was at Bakstchi Serai , his left "wing at Alushta , his centre at Simpheropol , where reinforcements from Perekop v > i \\ concentrate—all which is absniid .

      . Lord Baglan Is In Supreme Command Of^T...

      . Lord Baglan is in supreme command of ^ the Allied . Armies .

      The Russian Papers Contain The Following...

      The Russian papers contain the following account of the battle of the Alma : — " The Adjutant-General Prince Menschilcoff has informed his Majesty the "Emperor that , on the 20 th September , the Anglo-French corps in the Crimea approached the position occupied by the Russians near the village of Biirliuk on the Alma . During some hours the Hussiari army repelled the most obstinate attacks of the enemy , but being menaced on both flanks by his numerous forces , and particularly by his ships , our army was towards evening ' led back' ( V . uruekgefuhrt ) to the other side of the river Katcha , and on the following clay it took up a position before Sevastopol . Prince Menschikoff , halving taken all the necessary measures for defence , was prepared to offer a lively resistance to the enemy . "

      The Principalities. It Ia Stated At Vien...

      THE PRINCIPALITIES . It ia stated at Vienna that Omar Pacha had received orders on the 2 nd inat . to commence offensive operations immediately ; and that Prince Gorfcsohakoffhad received orders on the 5 th to recross the Prnth , if the Turks crossed tlic Soroth to attack Bessarabia-Galatss and Ibrailo- liavo been evacuated by tho Turks , andl occupied l > y the Anstriana .

      The Balti C, It Is No-Yv Stated Tlmt Tho...

      THE BALTI C , It is no-yv stated tlmt though tho return of tho fleets was provisionally countermanded , it is settled that nothing moro onn bo done in tho Baltic this season , and that tho fleets aro ordered to winter quarters . Most of tlie ships will return homo . A despatch , dated 1 st October , has been received from Sir O . Napier , stating that "The Bulldog had joined from I , cdsund , bringing sovon of tho Vulturo'a men , who had been prisoners in the vicinity of Abo , and havo been oxohflmged . " Tho Vulture ' s men spoalc in high torms of tho very kind treatment thoy have rocoivod during thoir imprisonment . "

      The Battle Of The Alma

      THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA

      The Narrative Of The Battle Of Alma Prov...

      The narrative of the battle of Alma proves that the British troops laboured under fearful disadvantages , being opposed to a strong force posted in a strong position , supported by a large number of guns of heavy calibre . The nature of the enemy's position may be gathered from Lord llaglan ' s despatch . He says : — " In order that the gallantTy exhibited by her Majesty's troops , and the difficulties they had to meet , may be fairly estimated , I deem it right , even at the risk of being considered tedious , to endeavour to make you acquainted with the position the Russians had taken up . " It crossed the great road about two miles and a half from the sea , and is very strong by nature .

      The bold and almost precipitous range of heights , of from 350 to 400 feet , that from the sea closely border the left bank of the river , here ceases and formed their left , and turning thence round a great amphitheatre or wide valley , terminates at a salient pinnacle where their right rested , and whence the descent to the plain was more gradual . The front was about two miles in extent . " Across the mouth of this great opening is a lower ridge at different heights , varying from 60 to 150 feet , parallel to the river , and at distances from it of from GOO to 800 yards . ¦ " The river itself is generally fordable for , troops , but its banks are extremely rugged , and in most parts steep ; the willows along it had been cut down , in order to prevent them , frorn affording cover to the attacking party , and . in fact everything had been done to deprive an assailant of any species of shelter . .

      " In front of the position on the right bank , at about 200 yards from the' Alma , is the village of Burliuk , and near it a timber bridge , which had been partly destroyed by the enemy . " The high , pinnacle and ridge before alluded to was the key of the position , and consequently , there the greatest preparations had been made for defence . " Hajfway down the height and across its front was a trench of the extent of some hundred yards , to afford cover against an advance up the even steep slope of the hill . On . the right , arid a little retired , was a powerful covered battery , armed with heavy guns , which flanked the whole of the right of the position . " Artillery at the same time , was posted at the points that best commanded the passage of the river and its approaches . generally .

      " On the slopes of these hills ( forming a sort of table land ) were placed dense masses of the enemy ' s infantry , whilst-on . the heights above was his great reserve , the whole amounting , it is supposed , to between 45 , 000 and 50 , 000 men . " It was against this fortress—for it was little less - ^ -the JSritisb , Trench , and Turkish forces were led having bi'okeii tip their camp at Ivimishi on tlao 19 th September . " The way , " says the correspondent of the Morning Chronicle , " led along continual steppes ; affording no

      shelter from the burning heat of the sun , nor water to assuage the intolerable thirst suffered by all . The only relief was afforded by tho muddy stream of Bulganak , which the men drank with avidity . That day an insignificant skirmish took place between a body of Cossacks and . the light division . On passing over tho brow of a hill , the former were discovered drawn up in order . A slight fire was opened , which wounded threo or four of our men , but n gun drove up and throw a shell with such wonderful precision in tho midst of tho enemy that above a dozen -were knocked over by this one projectile , and tho Cossuclca speedily disappeared . "

      The march was continued on tho 20 th , and at about one o'clock the light division of , the French army came in sight of the village of Almntanak , and the British of that of Buvliuk , both situated on tho right bank of the river Alma . This river , or rather stream , in of insignificant brondth , and only at a fow points of any groat dopth . A wooden bridge spanned it . Tho banks are , however , stoop , and completely commanded by a ninas of surrounding heights . Thcsa heights aro in their turn commanded , by a nin ^ mount , on which tho Russians lind constructed a redoubt and bro / iHhyorlc , with platforms for Hcvontceu gtui 8 . This redoubt completely domineered tlio village- of Buvlvuk , and in it were mounted gunn of 821 b . calibre On all

      tho hilln imtfccrieH were established , nil coucontrnted on tho abovo village . Tho Uunsinn infantry ayah drawn up behind tho redoubt , or partially conoonlod in favourable poflidouo . Tho cavalry whs pouted on < lio heights to tho roar of tho buttorios , but tho hilly nature of tho ground was hostihi to cavalry manoeuvres . Tho utrugglo ' ivhh pro-oiniuuiuly bet . woon tho liritinh infantry mid ( ho Umwlnn artillery . Thin wuh tho centre of tho Kiwaiun portiUon , to which wmh . opposed the ; English uivinion . Sir G . ISrcHvn , u good judgo , < led « ron dial , in tho 1 ' oniiinulm-Htrugfrlo tho English hud om-ountorod no nuch position ; and , as I liavo iilrcnrty mentioned , it . iippenrn impTogniiblo . Triiico MoiiHoliikofT ' N < ktspatch-uox lin * fallen into our hnml » , and contains n letter ndilrc-Hned to tins Czar , Avhioh wtatca that tbo writer wuu nwaro of the ,

      approach of the allies , but that , against the weak artillery possessed by them , he would be enabled to hold the position he occupied at least three weeks , and trusted to be able within a brief period to announce to his Imperial Majesty the complete defeat of the allies . In three hours his position was taken and the Russian army routed . The ridge of the hills continued towards the sea , and terminated in high cliffs . These hills were occupied by the Russian left wing , and opposed to the French . On a commanding mount , a strong octangular tower , coastructed of white stone , was in course of erection . Blocks of hewn stone covered the ground

      but no cannon were mounted there . The Bussian artillery was concentrated in the centre ; consequently , the fire which encountered the French was chiefly -that of musketry . The fleets were anchored near shore , but were unable to afford , any assistance to the land forces , owing to the great distance . A few of the smaller steamers -threw , I have heard , a few shells amongst some Kussian cavalry , but nothing further . The Kussian left wing was established about ttvo miles inland , and the centre at a distance of perhaps four milesfrom the beach .

      At half-past one p . m . the British light division , composed of the 7 th Fusiliers , the 19 th , 23 rd , 33 id , 77 th , and 88 th Regiments , with the 2 nd battalion of the Rifle Brigade , approached in columns the village of Burliuk . The village , which was of some size , but deserted by its inhabitants , was occupied by Russian riflemen . Between these and . our Rifles a fire was at once engaged . Driven : back , tbe Russians set fire to the village , and to heaps of dried dung , which instantly enveloped the "whole pla . in a dense smoke . At this moment the redoubt and Russian batteries opened their fire upon the village , causing the greatest havoc in the British ranks . Sir G . Brown gave command , " Forward , " and the light division dashed through the smoking village , followed by the 1 st division , of the army and part of the 2 nd . These v ^ ere the only English troops actively engaged in the contest ; the others arrived , notwithstanding a forced march , when all was over .

      The burning , village was passed , and the troops got into the fire of the enemy . Havdng passed the village ,-the British deployed in line , amidst the most feaTful fire . The Russians had established targets on the line of march , which , marked the range of their guns , ' and insured deadly certainty to their aim ; Ten minutes' quick march led to the river , where the cannon actually vomited fire upon the devoted regiments . The liifles , under Major Norcott , waded through the river Alma in a . masterly manner , followed by the Connaught Kangers and the other gallant regiments forming the light division . The river once crossed , the men dashed into some vineyards which flanked the high road ; but these having been cut down ,

      afforded no shelter . The fire here was fearful , for now the British were within grape range . The men here gave one of those surprising examples of coolness and contempt of danger which forms one of our national characteristics . In the midst of tho most tremendous fire which an army has ever encountered , witli comrades falling around them , the men commenced seeking for and plucking the half-ripe grapes , which wore hanging temptingly on the hewn vines . The vineyards were passed , and the light division , forming in line , advanced in measured paee up the hills . The hail of # nipe shot and of musketry momentarily checked its progress ; but

      now our soldiers opened their deadly volleys into the reclouTbt . Hundred ^ fell here on either side ; but tin 1 skill of our Rifles , and the excellent training of our men , told fearfully in tho enonry ' s ranks . One of our liiflemm knocked over successively thirty-two Jiussiaits . After u fearful struggle of one hour the light division pressed up the principal hill , with tremendous cheers , on tho redoubt and entered it . An officer of the 8 ( b-

      Here occurred the only chock which the troops nppcarod to have received . Tho critical moim'nt U thus described by a writer in . tho Times i *—" Tho British lino was struggling through ( In river and up tho heights in mnsHCs , firm indeed , but mowed down by tho murderous firo of tbo batteries , and liy grape , round nliot , mIioII , canister , ca » o shot , nn < l musketry , from twine of I ho gium of tho central bnitury , and from an iinmonso and compact lnnns of Kusmuu infantry . Then commended ones of tho niost Woody and determined utriipcft'loH in tho uhujiIh of war . Tho 2 nd Division , l'' ( 1 by Sir Do L . Kvuna in tho most ( lunhintr manner , ciwhwI

      tho stream on tlio right . Tlio 7 tit Fusiliers , lml by Culoiiol You , woro Hivapt down by fiftion . Tho fifitli , JfMib , nml Dflth , lod by Brigadier ' Ponnefuther , who wiib in thcthickosl , of iho light , cheering on hin niun , nguin nml agiiiji Avoro chookod indeod , but never drew bnvk in their onwaird pvofrruwH , which wuh marked by a lU'ivr n > llul Minld musketry ) mid Brigadier AdimiH , with thu I Int ., I 7 tl > , and'IDLh , brnvoly cluirgod up the . ) hill , ami aided thorn in tjio battle . Sir Goorgo Brown , uoiispifuuiis on u tfniy hovHO , rod « in front , of hiw Light Division , ur tfliitf tlioijii with voioo and gosturo . Udllnnt ; Ailhnv ! il 1 (' . woro worthy of Hiioh a gallant chief . Tlui 7 tli , diniiiii- 'lK ' ' by ono-half , foil buck to re-form tlioir columns !<>» l lo 1 '

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  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 14, 1854, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_14101854/page/2/