CONTINUATION OF THE SIEGE.

Large rifle-pits having been made by the Russians in front of the advanced works of the British right attack, it became necessary to dislodge them. One of these rifle-pits was gallantly taken during the night of the 19th. of April. The resistance of the enemy, although obstinate, was speedily overcome by the impetuosity of the troops, and the pit was, without the loss of a moment, connected with the British approach, thereby furnishing protection to the working party to continue its labours without interruption for a considerable time. At the interval, however, of about three hours, the enemy brought a heavy fire of artillery and musketry upon the party in advance of the pit, into which they retired, and which they effectually defended and maintained; but this brilliant achievement was not accomplished without considerable sacrifice of life. Colonel Egerton, of the 77th., was killed when forming troops for the support of those on the extreme advance; and Captain Lemprière, of the same regiment, fell in the first affair; in which also, Colonel Egerton received a contusion that only incapacitated him from duty for a few minutes. Five officers were wounded, three of them dangerously. A second rifle-pit was abandoned by the enemy on the following night, and not being required, was filled up by the British. The other rifle-pits were connected with each other and the quarries.

The “Staff Officer” relates the following characteristic anecdote, in reference to the rifle-pits.—“A drummer-boy of the 77th. regiment went with his comrades in the first rush agains 428the enemy’s pits, when he saw a Russian trumpet-boy trying to clamber over the parapet in order to get away. He was immediately collared by our drummer, who, having no arms, began to pummel him in truly British fashion. The Russian boy, not understanding this mode of treatment, tried to grapple with him, but in this he signally failed, as the English boy threw him on the ground, made him a prisoner and took his trumpet from him. He afterwards gave it to Sir George Brown, who liberally rewarded him, and praised him much for his courage and daring. Lord Raglan, hearing of the circumstance, also made the boy a present.”

During the night of the 5th. of May, the enemy assaulted the advanced parallel on the right attack, and some actually got into the trench; but they were speedily driven out and repulsed with the utmost gallantry, by the detachments occupying it, of the 30th. and 49th. regiments, under Captain Williamson and Lieutenant Gubbins, of the former, and Lieutenant Rochfort, of the latter, who was severely wounded. On the same night Captain Arnold, of the 4th. Foot, was wounded and taken prisoner whilst posting the advanced sentries of the left attack, and died of his wounds. Lord Raglan stated that “the loss of the services of this officer is greatly to be lamented. He had done his duty unremittingly, and in the most spirited manner, throughout the operations of the siege.”

Two serious assaults were made by the enemy upon the most advanced parallel of the right attack, during the night of the 9th. of May, but they were, on each occasion, most nobly met, and repulsed with considerable loss.

During the following night the Russians opened a powerful fire on the trenches, and exposed their columns to a heavy musketry fire from the troops on duty. They did not, however, reach the parapets, nor approach very near them.

On the night of the 11th. of May, a very determined sortie was made upon the advance of the left attack. The enemy moved forward in two columns from the Woronzoff road. The advanced sentries having slowly retired, the guard of the trenches was prepared to receive them, and drove them back in the most determined manner. A few Russians 429only got into the parallel, and five were left dead close outside.

One of the most memorable events of the month was the presentation of the Crimean Medal by Her Majesty to the officers and men of the troops, and of the Naval Brigade and Marines, who, from ill-health, or on account of wounds, had returned from the seat of war. The Queen had already shown her interest for the wounded, by visiting them in hospital, and this requital of their valour was a becoming sequel. Never had such an honour been thus conferred; and it was a most touching sight to witness the officers and men, many of whom by their pallid countenances or maimed limbs, affectingly appealed to the sympathy of all, receiving from their Sovereign’s own hands the well-earned guerdon of bravery; they represented, as it were, their brethren in arms before the beleaguered city, and the recital of this day’s proceedings must have exercised a great effect upon the troops before Sebastopol, although it was no new thing for them to experience the Queen’s consideration.

This interesting ceremony took place on the parade of the Horse Guards, on the 18th. of May, 1855, in the presence of numerous spectators, including the members of the Royal Family, and of both Houses of Parliament, for whom galleries were erected, as well as for the fortunate persons who were enabled to obtain tickets. Every exertion was made to accommodate as many as possible, and the ceremony, which was of a most impressive and affecting character, is not one easily to be forgotten.

Colonel Sir Thomas Troubridge, Bart., of the 7th. Royal Fusiliers, who lost both his feet at Inkermann, and Captain Sayer, of the 23rd., who had the ankle joint of his right leg shot away at the Alma, were drawn in wheeled chairs. Captain Currie, of the 19th. regiment, desperately wounded at the Alma, approached on crutches, with his disabled leg supported by a soldier. To these, as to many other officers whose wounds still crippled them, the Queen addressed expressions of kind commiseration, and Sir Thomas was appointed one of her aides-de-camp.

The recipients of the medal were subsequently marched to 430Buckingham Palace, in the riding-house of which the men partook of a substantial repast, during which the Queen and royal party visited them. The officers were entertained at luncheon in the palace. Until the announcement of dinner the whole were permitted to walk in the gardens of the palace, and there, likewise, Her Majesty encouraged them in their enjoyment by her presence and sympathy. The formation of the troops was superintended by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who had been compelled, through ill-health, to return to England.

Renewed exertions were made during this month by the allies, the railway which had been constructed proving of immense benefit. The enemy at the same time were actively employed in covering their advanced works; they constructed a new battery on their left of Mamelon, and troops were constantly in motion on the north side. A welcome reinforcement had arrived, in the shape of a portion of the Sardinian troops. The expedition which had been embarked early in May, for Kertch, and countermanded, again sailed on the 22nd. of May, and was attended with complete success. It was composed of British, French, and Turkish troops, commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown, and Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons,^[171] the French being under General D’Autremarre.

The forts were forced, and the magazines were exploded by the Russians themselves; but all their guns, an immense quantity of corn, grain, munitions of war, naval stores, and military equipments, fell into the hands of the troops. A most serious blow to the enemy was thus effected, and the whole coast of the Crimea became open to the allies, and the difficult route through Perekop was the only road by which reinforcements or provisions could be sent to the troops in Sebastopol.

After leaving a sufficient garrison, principally Turks, in Kertch and Yenikale, the greater portion of the troops returned to Balaklava on the 15th. of June. It was a matter of congratulation that so much was effected without loss of life.

An expedition to Anapa was in course of preparation, when on the 5th. of June, the Russians withdrew from that place, and thus abandoned their last stronghold on the coast of Circassia.

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