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wart fellow , 6-feet , 4 iaches an . height , and weighing twenty-two atone ; so that his description of himself as " yous small servaat" must not be taken literally . The Corcjcrs of the Scots Fusilier . Guards . — The coloars of th « Scots Fusilier Guards had twentysix bullets through them . The staff of tie colours was broken ; "but Mr . Lindsay held- fast . A private in . the Guards had a button of his coat struck in the centre by a Hini 6 rifle ball ; the button , partially entering , caused : a severe contusion of the rib , but saved his life . One of our poor fellows was struck by a cannon ball at the moment of raising his band ; the ball drove the hand and arm right through the body .
A Russian Love-Letter . —A medical officer says : * ' A letteT I took from the . pocket of a Russian officer I sent to the admiral , thinking it might contain some useful information , bnt the interpreter las discovered it was only a love-letter from thfe mistress of one of the officers , -wishing him a speedy victory over the enemy , and' a quick return to her arms . This dream , however , will not be realised ; he was slot througli the heart . " The RrjssiAXs after the . Battle . —The Russians who crowded the field in all the contortions of the last
agony were principally soldiers of the 16 th and 32 nd regiments . Beyond the battery was a scene of utter Muscovite rout , very few English having fallen , after its destruction ; the ground was covered with dead , dying , and wounded ; arms and knapsacks lying about in the wildest confusion . The Russians were buried outside the mounds ; the English and French inside . Many of our dead were buried within the lieldwork by the Kev . H . P . Wright , principal chaplain to the expedition , and the remainder will be"buried to-morrow .
The Sailors and the Muscovite Boots .-t-A 11 the Russian soldiers wore loag boots , -which our bluejackets prize , and each man iook a pair . The mode of measuring was somewhat novel . The bailors sat down , and placed the soles of ' their shoes in opposition with those of the dead , -when , jf the length corresponded , the Muscovite was speedily unbooked . Pbince Hapoleon-. —Prin-ce Napoleon , it appears had a narrow escape . While the sharpshooters of his division were endeavouring to dislodge the Russian infantry a cannonball was seen bounding 1 along , aad was about to fall exactly on the group among which the prince was standing . General Thomas , who had seen it fall , and perceived its directioncried out " Take
careMon-, , , Beigneur ! " The prince gave his tiorse the spur ; and succeeded in turning him aside in time to allow the ball to pass , which broke the leg of Military Sub-Intendant Leblane , who was standing close behind the spot from tvhich the prince had removed . M . Leblanc Tras so badly wounded as . to be obliged to suffer amputation . Oar the March toBai , a . rxava . — Tijb Weather . —> It is said , that of all the providential advantages with which the English and French armies have been blessedj none perhaps has fceen greater than the ilne dry weather which has continued , with the exception of the first night , ever since the landing of the forces in the Crimea . The first night seemed as if to show to -what discomfort
, iffering , and sickness the invading army might be qposed by bad -weather alone . Bivouacking in large ) eri plains without any protection , or any means o £ ^ interacting the ill effects of rain and cold , disease tust have spread through tlie ranks and dispirited the hole fdrce . But with the exception of that first night , id temperature has continued warm , the air dry , and * 1 short , the weather haa bean all that could be desired . t is true that cholera has continued among the troops , ut tlio fatigno and continued marching they have ecessarily been exposed to , have rendered the comarative small number of cases a matter of surprise athor thai ! otherwise .
A "VliAA NtoAB . this Bei . bek—In the Valley of the telbek are fine trees , good comfortable houses , hedges nd walls of English neatness , whilo all around appears 0 bo comfort and plenty . On entering one house a nagnlfteent grand piano of Erard ' s is open , the music till upon it , and some fair performer appears to have icon abruptly disturbed , for a recently plucked poach , . nd Home slight articles of female uttiro have fallen close to the musics-stool , , At Bai-. aki . ava , —Bnlnltlava Crook is one of tho most inriotis anchorages Imaginable . Tho shore of tllo Crimea isos gradually eastward , until about Bsiluklava it roaches 1 height of scarcely loss than 1000 feet of perpendicular ihalk rock . Tho crook is bo narrow that it in scarcely ) orcoi > tiblo at a eouplo of milca off . Two ruined Genoese
fortifications crown tho pmtrnnco , which gradually on * largos 1 itself into a space where a hcotc of ahlpn can Uo , with water deop enough for tho largest linc-of-bi » ttlo ship . At tho right-hand side of tho ontranoo is tho village of Balaltlava , a few hundred houses , and at tho bottom of tho bay is another village , near to which Homo French troopn aro now encamped ^ a few hundred of our own men arc ulno distributed in different pi noon , tho rost being eoino milos off , in tho direction of Sobuatonol . Tho inhabitants , who at first lm < 3 loft their houmw , uro gradually returning , Several of tho tninnports carrying tho aioge guns havo already boon towod in and aro discharging . An tho transports H « j qutt . o oloeo to tho shore , the guns ,, lowered on ; barges provided with a kind of drawbridge , havo . only afow yacdu to go , A uoxwu , Bailors
and artillerymen put their shoulders to it , and the huge machine is landed . A dozen horses take the place of the sailors , atid the cannon is moved , towards Sebastopol . The greatest difficulty is to get the transports into the bay , on aeeount of the naxro-wness of the entrance . Steamers are towing them in one by one . A dozen are already landed ( 12 o ' clock ) . The shore teems with specimens of nearly every corps of the allied armies , from the colossal Highlanders down to the little vivandieres ,
whose steps Jack is eagerly following with his spyglass . Camels , oxen , mules , and horses of every shape and size help to animate the scene . At tine entrance of Sebastopol the gunboat Arrow , in company with a French and English steamer , has been trying her new guns . She fixed several shots , hut it "was not ascertained whether they weTe successful or not . The northernmost shore battery of Sebastopol , which carries very heavy guns , opened her fire on her , splashed the waters at her bows and stern ^ failed to touch her . The batteries of Fort Constamtine
and the harbour batteries could not be provoked to fire , in spite of the bold approach of the diminutive Arrow . The fortifications of Sebastopol to the north appear to be but a single loopholed and embrasured wall , without any ou . twork& Fkejtch Opinions of the Esglisk Troops . — -Lm Presse says : — " The victory of tie Alma has been sternly gained . These are no longer our African affairs , says General Thomas , it was a battle as in the days of the first empire . For two hours the Russians were immovable . The laail of projectiles that fell on them made no void in their ramks ; tBe moment a man was struck down his place was instantly filled , up . It was the same immovable force oun fathers sustained so often on all the
battle-fields of the-empire , and which made Marshal Ney say , it was not enough to- kill a Euasian , you must give him a push after to make-him fall . But the enemy was obliged to give ground before tie rapidity of our movements and the impetuous dash of our intrepid soldiers . The three aimies rivalled each other in bravery arid boldness , but we must specially mention the 3 rd French division , and particularly the- Zouaves , the regiment of marines , the' English 95 th , the B / ighlanders ; and : the 23 rd Welsh Fusiliers . No language can adequately describe their deeds . If we had in front of us the most formidable position , the English had before them the bulk of the Russian army . They marched at slow time tip to the enemy with a calm , a coolness perfectly heroic , positively just as if . they had filed off before the Queen in Hyde
Park . The sustained and well-direeted fire of the enemy made , therefore , terrible ravages in their ranks , until the moment they rushed on and charged with the bayonet . Our troopsr on the contrary , advanced at double quick pace the moment they came within . musket-range ; many of our soldiers , also , the Zouaves the first , threw oiF their knapsacks , ' that they might get quicker at ; the Russians . It is grievous to " be obliged to add that a large number of the wounded English are in a nearly hopeless state . On the evening of the 20 th the Marshal , with all his staff " , repaired' to the camping ground of the 2 3 rd Welsh Fusiliers and the 93 th of the line . He wished to shake hands with tho bravo officers that survived , and loudly congratulate them on tho glorious part they had taken in the victory of the Alma .
There seems to be some discrepancy in tho various accounts as to whether the British division attacked too early or too late . Both opinions aro stated . On this point a correspondent of the Presse soya : — " The left was composed , as I have already said , of the English . Though starting at tho same time with ourselves , the English did not advance so rapidly as we . Their sangfroid , their natural coolness , did not forsake them even at this solemn moment . They arrived under the firo of the enemy as if they were on parade . Their manoouvres ¦ wore executed with aa much precision and regularity as
if they had been in tho Campo San Floriano , at Malta . But theso movements wcro not made with sufficient rapidity . Our right and centre wore already seriously engaged when the English opened their firo ; and during this time tho artillory of the Kussian right directed a crushing cannonade upon tho Third Division . Tho English army suffered a very honvy loss . There was something really heroic in the steadiness with which our bravo allies marched against tho enemy ; but it is indisputable that they would havo lost fewer men if thoir paco had boon more rapid . "
_ Tho following is given by the Presao from a Constantinople letter : — " An immense number of nets of bravery might bo mentioned ; but at present I will only roluto that of a non-eonnniamoned oftioer of tho English army . An English soldlor had to fix n camp-flag , to indicate to tho diviuion which w « s coming up tUo position to occupy . A Russian loft his rauku , and running up to tho Englishman , shot him , and wa « carrying ofl' tlia ( lag , when a non-couunlasionod English olUccr rushed forward , attacked tho Russian , and with liin rovolvor killed him . IIo then returned to hiu ranks with tho Hug ho had rooovorod , but a lire of musketry from tho ltunnians had boon opened upon him , and nt tho niomont whon ho wn « clone to his comrades with the Hag in his hand , ho Ml doad , pierced with Hovcn hallo .
1 , 'ho Conatituttcmntf mibliaihQS tho journal of n French officer of the ovents of tho battlo of tho Alnm up to tho 28 th ult . Tho following w an extracts— " It roaultti torn tho pupora foAuul in tho pockotbook or
portfolio of Mensehikoffi ; that he was perfectly well in , - fonned as to all that took place at Varna . He wrote to his master ' that he had allowed us to disembark quietly in order to drive us back into the sea and that in any case the formidable position of the Alma would at least detain us three weeks . ' He added , that if we forced him at onee on the Alma , nothing would remain except to open to us the gates of Sebastopol . But his confidence in the lines of the Alma was extreme . We have spent the day in placing the wounded in the vessels and 1 in burying tho dead . The Russian wounded are treated like ours , and we bury their dead . A Russian havresack or coat alone indicates their graves . It is impossible to be less able than the Russian generals are . It is not the
moment to point out their faults , but they arise from radically false ideas as to the employment of different arms in the field of battle . Left us , however , render justice to their soldiers , there were lines of skirmishers of their 33 rd Regiment who were only separated ; from our Zouaves b y small enclosures . The enemy ' s dead whom I have seen were almost all lying on their muskets . They had that smiling face which death , when it is instantaneous , generally occasions . I saw a dying man with his hands clasped , and praying with such fervour that it caused a tear to spring to my eye . The poor wretch fancied , perhaps ; that he was about to receive the
palm of martyrdom , and he no doubt prayed for his executioner . A sentiment of terror was seen in the eyes of the wounded when we approached , themy and they only recovered their confidence after a- few minutes , and after we had offered them drink . I did not hear a single one complain ; most expired without saying a word . The English , so to speak , fought a separate battle . We do not know the details of it , but we saw then ! far off , ascending with , regular step a glacis in which was an entrenchment full of artillery . In the evening the field of battle was covered with sailors from the fleets ^ and they displayed almost childish , joy . "
Dress of the Russian Pfftcers . —La - Pres . se states : " It has been remarked that not one Russian officer . wore the marks of his rank during the battle ; all had put on the soldier ' s great coat . This measure was ordered by the Emperor himself , - who had seen how his officers were picked off at the Danu . be by the crack marksmen in the Ottoman army . This sort of disguise has given rise to some singular mistakes . The Vulcan had on board General Gonikoff and his nephew , a major , who ; would
have been always treated as * ' a private if a hussar had not revealed his high rank . At the French hospital of Pern an identical circumstance occurred . They discovered an officer among the soldiers , and hastened to place him among his brother omeers in a special room- According to the regulation for distributing the prisoners , General Gonikoff will be surrendered when cured to the French Admiral . The English have on board the Agamemnon General Tchetchanoff , with several other officers , amongst whom there are two Moldavians . "
Sr . Arsaddand the 55 th . —On the 19 th , after a march of an hour , a halt took place for five muiafcea , during which Lord Raglan , accompanied by a very large staff , Marshal St . Arnaud , General Bosquet , Forcy ^ and a number of French officers , rode along the front of the columns . The men spontaneously got up from the ground , rushed forward , and column after column , rent the air with three thundering English cheers . It ^ vna a good omen . As tho Marshal passed the 55 th Regiment he exclaimed , "English , I hope you will fight well today ! " " Hope I" exclaimed a voice from the ranks , H sure you . know wo will I "
Marsh ax . St . Arjhaud . —The death of Marshal St . Arnaud is regretted by every one who knew him , while his heroic struggles against tho illness before which he lias sunk have excited universal admiration . He was dying during tho battlo of Alma ; but remained on horserbaefc . twelve hours , at last being supported by two orderlies . At length , on tho 2 Gth of Soptembor , he reluctantly resigned tho command of the French army , and bade farewell to tho troops in . a few touching words in an order of the day . Every tributo of respect has been paid to him , ancl ho is to havo a public funeral , and will ba buried nt tho Invalided . It is stated that his widow is to bo created Duchess of Alma , Tho Monitetvr , in announcing hi * death , says : — " All Franco will associate itself to the doop regret folt by tho Emperor . This cruel loss mixoa up a national mourning with tho joy caused by tho litut news from tho Eust . Ilaving rendered , such
grout sorvieoH ) Marshal St . Arnaud uueuumbs nt the very niomont ho had acquired , by tho expedition ofi tho Crimea and tho signal victory of tho Aim a , glorious chums to tho gratitude of tho country . " Tho British Government , through Lord Cowloy , has conveyed to tho Emperor a Hlrong exproftHiou of rogrot for hi 3 dontl ) , mid Lord Cowloy , adds his personal regrets , Hinting , tliat " to know Marshal St . Arnaud vn * to love him , for tho courtonuM affability of hia private . Hfo was not , le »» roinnrlcublo than lib intrepid bravery on tho Hold of battlo . " St . Arnaud -was born in Piirw in J « 01 , and wuh in tho army under Louis XVIII . oncl Charlcn X ., but ho ronignoil , « nc 3 ciimo to England , wli « ro ho resided till tho ru-volution of 18 U 0 , whon ho returned to Franco , and ngnin entered tlio army . Ho wan with hi « regiment . at Fort do JBlnyo vvhoro tho DudhottHo duBorri wn ., 1 iinprlaonod , and attracted tho notice of Marshal Uugtiuud , tho conunanduut of tho fortress . In 18 U 7 ho wont to
Untitled Article
966 THE LEAD E R . [ Saturday ,
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 14, 1854, page 966, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2060/page/6/
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