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December 8, 1855.1 T H E L E A D E E. 11...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The W A K. Kbetch Threatened; The Rumour...
as they construct each day new works , such as they so well know how to make , which would indicate that they have no intention of evacuating the Crimea , as most persons suppose . They are far- from being in want of provisions or munitions of any kind . At Eupatoria , an important affair is out of the question . The Russians have choked up the wells , an 3 , besides , thay have a considerable force . " At the same timr , the writer says that the Allied positions are impregnable . The health of the confederated armies is excellent ; their comforts are abundant ; and , allowing for the circumstances , they may look forward to spending " A Merry Christmas" on the ruins of Sebastopol .
THE BATTLE OF THE ttTGOUR MAJOR SIMMONS S ACCOUNT . The Earl of Clarendon has received a despatch from Major SimmouSj her Majesty ' s Comtnissioner attached to the ftrrny of Omar Pacha , in Asia , of which the following is a copy : — "Camp , Shangwano , N " ov . 7 . "My Lord , —I have to inform your Lordship that Ornar Pacha , having collected a depot of provisions at Tchinishera , moved on by the sea coast to the mouth of the river Ertiss-Tchal , where a standing bridge was immediately constructed for the passage of the troops . The advanced guard , consisting of sixteen battalions of infantry and three battalions of Chasseurs , under Lieutenant-Colonel Ballard , the whole commanded by Fi rhad Pacha ( Baron Stein ) , moved on the 2 Sth of October to the village of Ertiss-Zkalsk .
"From that day until the 1 st of November , liis Highness was occupied in sending up provisions to the advanced guard , in moving other troops to support it , ami in establishing ; depots at Godova , at the mouth of the Ertiss-Tchal , whence to provision Ms army for a forward movement . "On the 1 st inst . the advanced guard moved about ten miles forward , having its advanced j > osts on the river Iugouv , opposite an old ruined castle called Rooki , on the road to Sugdidi . His Highness joined the advanced guard himself on the 3 rd inst ., his total force consisting of four brigades ( thirty-two battalions ) of infantry , four battalions of Chasseurs , and 1 , 000 cavalry , witii twenty-seven field pieces and ten mounted guns , or , in all , about 20 , 000 men ; the remainder of liis force , about 10 , 000 men , being employed to protect the depots at Godova , Tchimshera , and Soukoum .
" On the 4 th inst ., his Highness commenced constructing batteries on the right bank of the Ingour , with the view of menacing the enemy by the ford at Rooki . These batteries were armed on the following night , and opened their fire on the morning of the 6 th instant about noon . On the same morning , his Highness moved three brigades of infantry ( twenty-four battalions ) with three batteries , with an advanced guard of throe and a half battalions of Chasseurs and four guns , under the command of Colonel Ballard , down the right bank of the river , a distance of abiut seven miles , where a branch of the river was forded to an island which is some miles in length , and from a half to two miles wide .
" After proceediug along this island for about two miles , some Mhigrelian Militia were encountered near a ford which crosses from the island to the left bank of the river ; they speedily retired , when the eiiomy opened a fire of artillery and a heavy fire of musketry from their intrenohmeuts on the left bank , thrown up for the protection of the ford . It very soon became evident that to force a direct passage at this ford would be a very difficult undertaking . " His IlighnesH , therefore , while oocupying the enemy at this ford , Bent officers to the right and loft , and fords were discovered in both directions—one about throe-quarters of a milo above ox * to the loft of the main ford , tho other about one milo and a half bolow or to tho right of tho main ford .
" Troops woroiuunediutoly sent to pass these fords ; that to the loft was unprotected . The passage wns made by two battalions of infantry and three companies of Chasseurs by about four p . m . Ilia Highness having intrusted mo with this command , I moved them by a waggon track through tho forest , unporoeivod by tho enemy , until within about six huudrod yard * of tho position at the muitt ford , which bin troops were occupied in defending from a direct attack . Tho Turkish troops advaucod readily to tho attack , taking the enemy and Inn intronohinunts iu reverse .
" Tho onoiny immediately foil back , and attempted to break through tho Turku in column , but , boinginot by a heavy fire in their front and on both flanks , they broko and dispersed iu tho forost , leaving hh masters of tho fiold , with throo pieoos of thoir field artillery Mid six ammunition waggons in our possession . At tUa moment that tho Russian columns attempted to briDuk through our lino , I grieve to Bay that my uidode-wmp , Captain Dymook , OGth Itogimont , having first had hia horso killod under him , wan woundod close W UVy side , encouraging tho Turkish troops . He died < u > on afterwards . His aonthis to bo deplored , «*» her Mnjoaty has lout iu him tho Horvioos of a moat
promising and brave young officer , forwhom his Highness Omar Pacha has frequently expressed to me his high esteem" This young officer had accompanied me from the commencement of the war in Turkey . " While this operation was proceeding on the left , a brigade moved down to the right , under Osmnn Pacha , and forced a passage id front of a force believed to be of four battalions , but without artillery and not intrenched . This operation succeeded ; and soon after dark the Turkish , forces on the loft bank were in communication from right to left , and complete masters of that side of the river throughout this length . The loss on the side of the Turks has
been three hundred and ten killed and wounded , of whom , sixty-eight are killed , and four missing . His Highness has been pleased to express himself in terms of the highest satisfaction of the conduct of the British officers who accompanied his force . Lieutenant-Colonel Ballard conducted the advanced guard , and sustained a very heavy fire from the enemy at the principal ford , about a hundred yards wide , from noon until dark at five p . m ., occupying the enemy until his positiou was turned by the Turkish left . Captain Caddell also rendered good service , attached as second senior artillery officer to that branch of the service . His interpreter was killed .
"The loss on the side of the enemy has not yet been ascertained ; but , up to the present time ( noon ) , three hundred and forty-seveu have been buried , of whom eight are officers , among which the prisoners report there are two colonels . The prisoners report that there were eight battalions of infantry , besides a great number of Mingreliaa Militia , opposite the main ford . —I am , & c , " Jonx L . A . Simmons . " The Earl of Clarendon , & c . " TECE CZAE ' S REWARD TO THE DEFENDERS OF SEBASTOPOL . The Emperor Alexander addressed an order to his troops under date Siinpheropol , October 31 st ( November 12 th V It concludes as follows : —
" Iu commemoration of the celebrated and valorous defence of Sebastopol , I have iustituted , especially for the troops who defended the fortifications , a silver medal , to be worn at the button-hole with the riband of St . George May this sign be the certificate of merit for each , and inspire your future comrades with that sentiment of duty and honour which constitutes the unshakeable foundation of the throne and country . May the union upon this same medal of the name of my fathei-, of imperishable memory , and myself , be a pledge to you of our sentiments , which are equally devoted to you , aud may it perpetuate with you the inseparable memory of the Emperor Nicholas and of myself ! I am proud of you , as ho was . Like him , I place full confidence in your tried devotiou aud in your zeal in the accomplishment of your duty . In his name and in my own , I once more thank the brave defenders of Sebastopo ]—I thank the whole army . "
The Emperor Alexander has addressed the following letter to Prince Gortsc . hakoff . It is dated November 12 : — " During my sojourn with the army of the Crimea , I obsorved with great satisfaction , that tho soldiei-s maintained their vigorous and contented appearance despite tho unheard-of hardships they had to suffer during the siege of Sebastopol , and that in every department that order upon which the good organisation of au army rosta had not boon iu the least disturbed . This excellent state of tho army is a proof of tho solicitude and indefatigable labour by which alone it was possible for you to attain that object , and that at a moment when all your activity , all your thoughts ,
wore directed upon a powerful and bravo enemy , sparing no sncrifhio , and who had to bo fought . Considering the position given to Sobastopol by nature , in falling back before the enemy step by step , and adopting those wise views which ought to bo tho guide of an experienced loader , you have only loft to the onomy ruins clearly bought at the price of tho blood that hitH been shod . Having withdrawn the ( roo | H by a road hitherto unknown , you are again ready to moot tho enemy and to light him with that coura ^ o which you have al w ay s displayed in loading your regiments under fire . In rendering full justice to your signal service .- ) , it givos inu pleasure , after having already dono ho personally , to express to you again niy sincere gratitude .
' 1 beg of you , I ' rinco , to boliovo in my invariable kindly fooling towards you . —Yours , Hiuecroly attached , " Al . EXANDKH . " CAMI' ( JO 8 HIT . In rospoct of winter clothing , hutting , and feeding , our uiun are hninouHurably btjttur off than our allied , and it in not unuuual to moo the latter eatiug in tho English camp of tho oxoos . s of our soldiers' cooking kcittloB , Preparation )! for tho winter are evident on every t-ido . Duoombor will ho inaugurated with a ntoo |) le-chaHO of English dimensions in stakeH , jumps , and foiioos . Theatricals are looking up ; and nearly every Division will have a theatre open during the Christmas wook ; aud Home daring spirits are oven talking of ft pantomime , and of essaying a repetition of
the bold experiment of an amateur performance in Quy Fawhcs , or a Match for a , King , with which it is hoped the author will not interfere by any question of copyright . Pictures of saints , the erotic scripture pieces , in which the Muscovites delight , fat Potiphar's ' wives and garmentless Josephs , very plump Susannahs and very withered elders , and " subjec ' s" of the kiud , as well as str . iight-backed , uncomfortable armchairs of walnut , heavy tables aud chests of drawers , are riot uncommon iu the officers' huts .. Cats from Sebastopol abound iu camp , and are very useful , inasmuch as tho huts arc overrun with rats aud mice , not to speak of other small doer , now disappearing before the march of King Frost . Dogs have come ia from the deserted city , aud domesticate themselves whether you will or not . There are always an odd
half-dozen about my hut and tent , which make night hideous with their quarrels—greyhounds , mastiffs , and sheep-dogs , and their descendants , of very mixed and indistinct types ; aud for two whole days our peace was menaced by a huge double humped Bactriau camel , which took a fancy to the space beforo the door , and lay there constantly , so that our legs as we went out and in were within easy reach of his prodigious teeth . But he was ji good-natured brute , and never attempted to bte unless one tided to mount him , when he disgorged his food , and spat it out at the assailant , or snapped his jaws at him in terrorem . However , no one was sorry when . he heard that the " ship of the desert " had got under way in the night , and had sivile 1 off on a piratical excursion against other infidel habitations . — Times Correspondent .
THE EXPLOSION AT INKERMANH . I was riding from head-quarters , reading my letters , when the explosion took place , aud had just reached the hill , or elevated part of the plateau , at the time , and ha | jpened to be looking in the very direction of the park . The phenomena were so startling that they took away one ' s breath . Neither pen nor penoil could describe them . The rush of fire , smoke , and . iron , attuiucd a height I dare not estimate in one great pillar , and then seemed to shoot out like a tree , which overshadowed half the camp on the right , and rained down missiles upon it . The colour of the pillar was dark grey , flushed with red ; but it was
pitted all over with white j > uffs of smoke , which marked the explosions of the shells . It retained the shape of it , fir tive for nearly a minute , and then the sides began to swell out and tho overhanging canopy to expaud and twist about in prodigious wreaths of " smoke , which flew out to the right and left , and let drop , as it were from solution in its embrace , a precipitate of shells , carcasses , and iron projectiles . I clapped spurs to my horse and rode off an hazm' as I could towards the spot as soon as my ears had recovered the shock . The noise was horrible ; and , when the shells bogau to explode , the din was like the opening crash of one of tho great cannonades or bombardments .
The escapes that day were astounding . Clothes were torn olF men ' s backs ; the chairs oi- bed « on which they Ha ' , the tublos at which they were eating , the earth where they stood , were broken and torn by shot , shell , rocket irons , shrapnel , grape , canister , ana inuskut balls , which literally rained down upon thorn . It was fully two minutes ere tho heavy volleys of bursting shells ceased , nnd then sullen explosion * for an hour afterwards warned the spectator from the scone . Some of tho balls and pieces of shrapnel , which must have been projected a prodigious height into tho air , did not fall to tlio ground for a minute find ii-half after tliei last of tho explosions . For two > minutes , which Kcemed as many hours , the terrible Hhovvor endured , and descended on tho oump . Tho distance to which fragments flow excoodH belief . It ia difficult to oxpiain it by inoro nami-s of localities . One piece of slmll flow ovor Cathcart's-liill ; another killed a horse in New Kadikoi . Some struck men
Mid horses iu tho Guards camp . One How over my hut ; another Htruck tho ground cIoho to it ; another went into the camp of tho Land Transport Corps behind it . Mrs . Soacolo , who keeps a restaurant near tho Col , avers that a piece of Hfcuno s < ruck hor door , which is tliroo-imd-a-half or four inilos from tlw I Mirk . Jn tho Land Transport Corps of tho Light Division I ' ourioen horses were killod and i-. evontocn wore wounded . Pieces Htruck and damaged tho luitw in New Itadikoi . Appalling as was tho shook to fchowe who wore near , the effect was littlo djiniiiislioci by ditttunco . Tho roar and concussion worn n <> /^ roiil in
Uulakiava Unit tho nliipn in harbour nn I outside at anchor trembled and quivered , and Urn houses shook to their foundations . Tlio whips a t , Kamiosch ftu < i rUsatoh reeled and rolJ . ul from nUU > tv mdo . Mulea and horses huvoii mi « l ol /? lit milcm away liroko looue , aud galloppod iMM-. MM Llio country wilil with fright . The noise \ , oul « . l tl , ro .. « li tl . o ,. « w « oh , at "'"^ JJf tho Icm . lost UiUii'Jw . Jn fact , tho ofl . wL loHemblod B 0 . no imml convulsion <> f nature . Many thought it w ITJ earthquake ; others fancied t whh the ^ outburst of a voIc . uk , ; other * that tho HuHsmns hud gob h ., 1 . 1 of Lord Dundonuld ' s invention , uud that they h «< l juut givun it a first trial . Indeed , one officer
December 8, 1855.1 T H E L E A D E E. 11...
December 8 , 1855 . 1 T H E L E A D E E . 11 « 7
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 8, 1855, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_08121855/page/3/
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