having also a heavy gun up on the heights of Inkermann, close to the ruins, which fired occasional shot into our 2nd Division, a battery for two guns was ordered to be constructed in advance of the 2nd Division, so as to silence this large piece. This battery was finished yesterday morning, and two 18-pounders placed in it. They opened on the enemy's gun at the ruins, and very soon made them withdraw it out of our sight and fill up the embrasure; so we shall not probably again be annoyed by it.

Since I wrote on the 18th we have lost a most valuable officer, Colonel Alexander. He commanded the Royal Engineers since the death of General Tylden, the morning after Alma. Colonel Alexander

died of apoplexy on the 19th instant. He is succeeded by Captain Gordon, an officer of great talent and wonderful coolness under fire; he is, moreover, what I fear is rarely to be found in the army, a truly religious man. The Naval Brigade have suffered more in the trenches than the Royal Artillery. They have lost two young officers, who were most highly spoken of, Lieutenants Ruthven and Greathead; I mention them in particular, as they displayed much courage and intelligence in their respective batteries.

Captain Peel, of H.M.S." Diamond," has also distinguished himself greatly for his marvellous sang froid in action. The other day a shell fell close to a gun which he was laying, so he took the shell and lifted it over the parapet; it exploded as it left his hands without doing any damage, whereas, had it burst on the spot where it fell, probably several men would have been wounded, if not killed. It is reported that on Friday last the portadmiral in Sevastopol, Admiral Korniloff, died of his wounds received on the 17th. The deserters say that he had more to do with the defence of Sevastopol on the land side than any one else, although not in actual command of the batteries. He was very civil to F and me when we were in Nicholieff three years ago. He spoke English perfectly, and had been in London for some months during the time the "Vladimir" steam frigate was being built at Blackwall, as the Emperor's yacht for the Black Sea.

You hear every day of heroic acts of bravery by the soldiers: one I call to mind. A few days ago a private of the 33rd (Duke of Wellington's regiment) was surprised and made prisoner by two Russian soldiers when an advanced sentry. One of these worthies took possession of his musket,

and the other of his pouch, and

between them towards Sevastopol.

marched him

The English

man kept wary watch, and when he fancied his captors off their guard sprang on the one who carried his musket, seized it, and shot dead the other of his foes, who carried the pouch as well as his own arms and accoutrements. Meanwhile the Ruskie from whom our fellow had taken his own musket, and who had then fallen to the ground, when rising from his recumbent position, fired, missed, and finally had his brains knocked out by the butt end of the Englishman's musket; after which the man coolly proceeded to take off the Russian accoutrements, &c., with which he returned laden to the post where he had been surprised, fired at by the Russian sentries, and received with loud cheers by our own pickets.

The Russians made a strong reconnaissance of our position before Balaklava on the 21st; indeed there have been several alarms at night as well as during the day. This harasses the cavalry not a little, as after an alarm they are kept saddled for hours. The horses begin to show work, and a great number are not fit for duty and look the ghosts of their former selves. The redoubts before Balaklava are so far

finished as to be each garrisoned by some four companies of Turks, with eight or nine iron guns of position. These works are not strong, yet are capable of holding in check any sudden attack on Balaklava, if properly defended. I am sorry to say these Turks don't seem worth much; they are very idle, and there is the greatest difficulty in getting them to work, even though it is for their own security and comfort. But we must hope for the best.

66

I have just heard from a deserter the names of the Russian ships sunk across the entrance of the harbour of Sevastopol. They are the "Holy Trinity," 120 guns,; "Rosteslaff," 84 guns; "Zogoodich," 84 guns; "Oriel," 80 guns; Silistria," 80 guns; Sisiopoli," 40 guns; and the "Koolevche," 40 guns: total, five ships of the line and two frigates, with 528 guns. These ships, with the exception of one of the frigates, had all their guns and stores on board and their rigging standing; this last has been cut away since the ships were sunk; a part of the hulls of the largest ships are visible just above water, and a few feet of masts are occasionally to be observed. Since we opened fire it is reported that two war-steamers have been disabled, and one obliged to be sunk.

CHAPTER VII.

Position of the Allies, Oct. 25th, Balaklava- Eastern heightsField-work, Kadikoi Turkish redoubts - Enemy appears

-

Captain Maude - Lord Raglan and General Canrobert Flight of the Turks Capture of redoubts by the enemy "Ship, Johnny, ship"-93rd regiment - Russian cavalry turn tail Charge of heavy brigade · Lord Cardigan's respect for orders - Captain Nolan and Lord Lucan - Charge of light brigade - Masterly retreat of the General Colonel Shewell Chasseurs d'Afrique-Casualties - Russians retire - Reinforcements for Balaklava-Sir De Lacy Evans's action, Oct. 26th Russian rejoicings in Sevastopol - Flag of truce -“Nous sommes Chrétiens” — English prisoners — Progress of siege Russian reinforcements 66 Sanspareil" English extreme right - Cold nights — Information from Russian deserters-Zouaves and horseflesh - Russian cannonade Illness of Sir De Lacy Evans - Movement of light cavalry.

Head-quarters before Sevastopol,

October 28th, 1854.

Ir is with sorrow that I sit down to write to you, as I shall have to tell of the deaths of so many brother officers who fell in the action of the 25th before Balaklava-for the most part uselessly sacrificed, as the results do not at all make up for our loss. But I should first endeavour to give you some sort of idea of the position occupied by the Allies on the morning that the battle took place. Ever since the