SORTIE OF THE 26TH. OF OCTOBER.

The partial success already described induced the enemy to make a sortie on the following day; and about noon, on the 26th. of October, an assault was made on the right flank of the British position at Inkermann, where the second division was posted under Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans, who was attacked by several columns of infantry, supported by artillery. The division immediately formed line in advance of the camp,—the left under Major-General Pennefather, the right under Brigadier-General Adams, whilst Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzmayer, and the captains of batteries (Turner and Yates) promptly posted their guns and opened fire. Immediately on the cannonade being heard the Duke of Cambridge brought up the brigade of Guards, under Major-General Bentinck, with a battery under Lieutenant-Colonel Dacres. General Bosquet, with similar promptitude, and from a greater distance, approached the position with five French battalions; Sir George Cathcart, with a regiment of rifles hastened to the scene of action, and Sir George Brown pushed forward two guns in co-operation by the left. The enemy came on at first rapidly, assisted by their guns, on the mound hill; but the pickets, then chiefly of the 30th. and 49th. regiments, resisted them with remarkable determination and firmness. Lieutenant Conolly, of the 49th., Captain Atcherley and Bayly, of the 30th., all of whom were severely wounded, greatly distinguished themselves. Great bravery was also displayed at this point by Sergeant Daniel Sullivan, of the 30th., who was subsequently appointed to a commission in the 82nd. regiment.

Meanwhile, the eighteen guns in position, including those of the first division, were served with the utmost energy, and in half an hour they forced the enemy’s artillery to abandon the field. The batteries were then directed with equal accuracy and vigour upon the Russian columns, which, being also exposed to the close fire of the advanced infantry, soon fell into complete disorder, and, taking to flight, were literally chased by the 30th. and 95th. regiments over the ridges and down towards the head of the bay. So eager was the pursuit, that it was with difficulty Major-General Pennefather eventually effected the recall of the men. The above regiments and pickets were gallantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mauleverer, 30th.; Major Eman, 41st.; and Majors Champion and Hume, 95th. The Russians were similarly pursued farther towards the right, by four companies of the 41st., gallantly led by Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable Percy Herbert, Assistant Quartermaster-General. The 47th. also contributed. The 55th. were held in reserve.

Upwards of eighty prisoners were captured, and about one hundred and thirty of the enemy’s dead were left within or near the British position. It was estimated that the Russian casualties could scarcely be less than six hundred. The British loss exceeded eighty, of whom twelve were killed, and five officers wounded. This affair has received the name of “Little Inkermann.”

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