SECOND BOMBARDMENT OF SEBASTOPOL.

During Easter Sunday, the 8th. of April, 1855, the busy hum of preparation might be heard in the allied camp, the second bombardment of Sebastopol having been resolved on for the morrow. Showers had been frequent during the day, and in the evening there was heavy rain; the trenches in consequence became flooded, and in more than one battery the drenched soldiers were standing in eight inches of water; this comfortless position was not improved by the darkness of the night and the gale which was blowing. A thick fog and drizzling mist heralded in the morning of the 9th. of April, which prevented the enemy’s works from being seen; but about half-past five the outlines of the Redan and Malakoff were discerned, the mist having partially cleared. A few minutes afterwards and the first gun fired from the British batteries, was followed almost immediately by the whole of the right and left attacks, with the single exception of No. 9 battery, right attack; and on the French attacks commencing, the south side of Sebastopol was environed by the fire of the allies. The fleet had no share in this bombardment.

It was evident that the besieged were taken by surprise, as for a short interval they did not return a shot, and it was almost six o’clock before anything like a general fire was opened by the enemy. Heavy rain fell throughout the day, and the southerly wind driving the smoke from the allied batteries over the town, completely concealed it and prevented the effect of the fire being observed. Towards one o’clock a somewhat brisker fire was opened by the enemy, which was immediately checked by the British and French batteries. When the mist was somewhat dispelled, towards three in the afternoon, these works were noticed to be considerably injured. 426Towards evening the fire of both parties, as if by consent, slackened, but at daylight on the following morning the fire was resumed from all the batteries, to which the enemy vigorously responded. By ten o’clock, the sun, so long a stranger, burst out, and the heavy rain subsided. The fire of the Malakoff was considerably lessened, while that of the Mamelon was soon checked; not so that of the Redan, which still continued formidable. The fleets advanced at mid-day, on the 11th. of April, but did not attack. Both officers and men of the Royal Artillery now became exhausted, having had only two reliefs since the afternoon of the 8th., and their unparalleled exertions and overwork began to tell upon them. So swollen were the men’s feet from being constantly wet that they were fearful of not being able to get on their boots again if they attempted to take them off. Nevertheless both officers and men toiled on with persevering resolution, and few gave up, although many were fitter for the hospital than for these trying duties.

Another day dawned, and the 12th., as the others, opened with fire. But the Russians, like the shoes of the dancing princesses in the fairy-tale, seemed to be as fresh as ever, their resources appearing inexhaustible; and their courage and determination being fully equal to the emergency. The mornings of the 13th., 14th., 15th., and 16th. of April, witnessed the repetition of the previous ones, and the day after orders were received from Lord Raglan to lessen the fire from all the batteries, which was nearly confined to that from the mortars, some of the guns firing daily about eight rounds. The Russians also ceased firing.

Thus the second bombardment of Sebastopol terminated without any decided result. Eight days’ incessant firing had not succeeded in silencing the fire of the Russians, or in destroying their works, although some of the heaviest guns and mortars ever employed on a like occasion, had been served with a precision, zeal, and determination unequalled in any siege, but had not produced that permanent effect which might have been anticipated from its constancy, power, and accuracy. The advantages obtained daily over the Malakoff and Mamelon, were, as before adverted to, repaired by night, and their fire was not sufficiently subdued to justify an assault being attempted. Forty-seven thousand eight hundred and fifty-four rounds of ammunition (thirty-two thousand five hundred and sixty-eight shot, and fifteen thousand two hundred and eighty-six shell) had been expended during this second bombardment, which lasted from the 9th. to the 16th. of April, both days inclusive.

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