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THE WAE .
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LATEST NEWS . " Berlin , Thursday Morning . " Prince Menschikoff , writing on the 15 th , reports that the siege works of the enemy make no progress . " The bombardment continues , but causes no damage of any importance . " There was a great tempest on the night of the 14 th , during- which -eight of the-enemy ' s transports ¦ were driven on shore , and a frigate and corvette sunk . " Many other vessels lost their masts . " " Brussels , Thursday . " Prince MenschikofF , in . a despatch dated SebastopoJ , Nov . 15 , states that the bombardment continued without doing- any great damage . " In a storm eight transports of the Allies had been stranded , and two had foundered at sea . "
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BATTLE OF INKERMAN
[ XORD BAGLAM ' S DESPATCH . ] IiOIM > Kagian ' s despatch is as follows : — Before Sevastopol , Nov . 8 , 1854 . My ; Lord Duke , —I have the honour to report to your Grace that the army under my command , powerfully aided by the corps of observation , of the French army , under the command of that distinguished officer , General Bosquet , effectually repulsed and defeated a most vigorous and determined attack of the enemy on our position overlooking : the ruins of Inkefman , on the morning of the 5 th instant . . '
In my letter to your Grace of the 3 rd , I informed you that the enemy had considerably increased their force in the valley of the Tchernaya . The following day this augmentation was still further apparent , and large masses of troops had evidently arrived from the northward , and on two several occasions persons of distinguished rank were observed to have joined the Russian camp . I have subsequently learnt that the 4 th corps d ' armee , conveyed in carriages of the country , and in the lightest possible order , had been brought from Moldavia , and were to be immediately followed by the 3 rd corps . It was , therefore , to be expected that an extensive movement would not be long deferred .
Accordingly , shortl y before , dayli ght on the 5 th , strong columns of the enemy came upon , the advanced picquete covering the right of the position . These picquets behaved with admirable gallantry , defending the ground foot by foot against the overwhelming numbers of the enemy , until the 2 d Division , under Major-General Pennefather , - with its field guns , which had immediately been got under arms , was placed in position . The Light Division , under Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown , was also brought to the front without loss of time ; the 1 st Brigade , under Major-General Codrington , occupying tho long slopes to the left towards Sebastopol , and protecting our right battery , and guarding against attack on that side , and the 2 d Brigade , under Brigadier-General Buller , forming on the left of the 2 d Division , with tho 11 th Regiment , under Lieut . - Colonel Jeffreys , thrown in advance .
The Brigade of Guards under his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Major General Bentinck , proceeded likewise to the front , and took up most important ground to the extreme right on tho alignement of the 2 d Division , but separated from it by a deep and precipitous ravine , and posting its guns with those of tho 2 d Division . Tho 4 . th Division , under Lieutenant General Sir George Cathcart , having been brought from their encampment , advanced to the front and right of tho attack ; the 1 st Brigade , under Brigadier General Goldie , proceeded to tho loft of the Inkerman road $ tho 2 d Brigade , under Brigadier General Torrcns , to tho right of it , and on the , ridge ovorhanging tho valloy of tho Tchernayu . live 3 rd
Division , under Lioutenant General Sir Richard England , occupied in part the ground vacated by tho 4 th , Division , and supported tho Light Division by two regiments undor Brigadier General Sir 3 . Campbell , ¦ while Brigadier General Eyre hold , tho command of the troops in tho tronohos . The morning was extremely dark with a drizzling rain , rendering- it almost impossible to discover anything boyond tho Hash and smoko of artillery and heavy musketry uro . It , however , soon beenmo evident that tho enemy undor cover of a vaat cloud of ttkirmiahors , supported by dense columns of infantry , hud advanced numerous batteries of large calibre to tho high ground to tho loft and front of the 2 nd Division , while powerful columns of infantry attacked with groat vigour tl » o Brigade of Guards .
Additional battorioa of heavy artillery were also placed . l > y tho enemy on tho nlopow to our loft i tho jtuuh in the field amounting in tho wholo to J ) 0 piocoH , independently however of tho ohlp { runs and those in tho works of BobnHtopol . Protected by a tremendous ilro of shot , shell , nnd grape , tho RunBian columns advanced in cront force ,
requiring every effort of gallantry on the part of our troops to resist them . At this tune two battalions of French infantry , which had on the first notice been sent by General Bosquet , joined our right , and very materially contributed to the successful resistance to the attack , cheering with our men , and charging the enemy down the hill with great loss . About the same tune a determined assault was made on our extreme left , and for a moment the enemy possessed themselves of four of our guns , three of which were retaken by the 88 th , while the 5 th was speedily recaptured by the 77 th Regiment , under Lieutenant-Colonel Egerton . In the opposite direction the Brigade of Guards , under his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge , was engaged in a severe conflict .
The enemy , under cover of thick brushwood , advanced in two heavy bodies , and assaulted with great determination a small redoubt which had been constructed for two guns , but was not armed . The combat was most arduous , and the brigade , after displaying the utmost steadiness and gaUantry , was obliged to retire before very superior numbers , until supported by a ¦ wing of the 20 th Regiment of the 4 th Division , when they again advanced and retook the redoubt . This ground was afterwards occupied in gallant style by French troops , and the Guards speedily re-formed in rear of the right flank of the 2 nd Division .
In the meanwhile , Lieutenant-General the Hon . Sir George Cathcart with a few companies of the 68 th Regiment , considering that he might make a strong impression by descending into , the valley , and taking the enemy in flank , moved rapidly forward , but finding the heights above him in full occupation of the Russians , he suddenly discovered that he was entangled with a superior force , and while endeavouring to re-form his men , he received a mortal wound , shortly previously to which Brigadier-General Torrens , When leading the 68 th , was likewise severely wounded .
Subsequently to this , the battle continued with unabated vigour and with , no positive result—the enemy bringing upon our line not only the fire of all their fieldbatteries , but those in front of the works of the place , and the ship guns—till the afternoon , when the symptoms of giving way first became apparent ; and shortly after , although tne fire did not Cease , the retreat became general , and heavy masses were observed retiring over the bridge of the Inkerman , and ascending the opposite heights , abandoning on the field of battle five or six thousand dead and wounded , multitudes of the latter laving already been carried off by them . I never before witnessed such a spectacle as the field presented , but upon this I will not dwell . Having submitted to your Grace this imperfect description of this most severe "battle , I have still two duties to discharge—the one most gratifying , the last most painful , to my feelings .
I have the greatest satisfaction m drawing your Grace ' s attention to the brilliant conduct of the allied troops . French and English vied with each other in displaying their gallantry and manifesting their zealous devotion to duty , notwithstanding that they had to contend against an infinitely superior force , and were exposed for many hours to a most galling fire . It should be borne in mind that they have daily for several weeks undergone the most constant labour , and that many of them passed tie previous night in the trenches .
I will not attempt to enteT into the dctml of the movements of tho French troops , lest I should not state them correctly , but I am proud of the opportunity of bearing testimony to their valour and energetic services , and of paying a tribute of admiration to the distinguished conduct of their immediate commander , General Bosquet , while it is in tho higliest degree pleasing to mo to placo upon record my deep sense of tho valuable assistance I received from the Commander-in-Chief , General Canrobcrt , who wns himself on tho ground and in constant communication with mo , and whoso cordial co-operation on all occasions I cannot too highly extol . Your Graco will recollect that he was wounded at the Alma . Ho was again wounded on tho 5 th , but I should hope that ho will not long feel tho effects of it .
I will in a subsequent despatch lay before your Grace tho names of tho oflicors whose services have been brought to my notice . I will not detain tho mail for that purpose now , but I cannot delay to report tho admirable behaviour of Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown , who wna unfortunately shot through tho arm , but is doing well ; of Lioutonant-Gonoral his Royal Highness tho Puko of Cambridge , who particularly distinguished himsolf ; and of Major-Gonoral Ponncfathor , in command of the Second . Division , which Tecoivcd tho first attack , and gallantly maintained itself undor tho great out difficulties throughout thu ? protracted conflict ; of Major-Gonoral Bentinek , who itf sovoroly wounded ; Major-Gonoral Codrington , BrigaduV-Goneral Adams , and Brigndier-Gouoral Torrons , who flro Boveroly wounded ; and Brlpjadior-Goncral Duller , -who ia alao wouuded , but not ho seriously .
I must likewise express niy obligations to Lioutennnt-Gonoral Sir Richard England for tho excellent disposition ho maclo of hia < Uvlsli ? tt > and tho UHHintanco he rendered to tho loft of tho LigiH Division , whom Bjrlgadlor-Genornl 3 hr Joh : n Campbell ^ V « b Judiciously
placed , and efifectively supported Major-General Codring ton ; and 1 Share great pleasure in stating that Brigadier-Genenu Eyre was employed in the important duty of guarding the trenches from any assault from the town . Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans , who had been obliged "by severe indisposition to go on board ship a few days previously , left his bed as soon as he received intelligence of the attack , and was promptly at his post and though he did not feel well enough to take the command of the division out of the hands of Major-General Pennefather , he did not fail to give him his best advice and assistance .
It is deeply distressing to me to have to submit to your Grace the list of the killed , -wounded , and missing on this memorable occasion . It is indeed heavy , and . very many valuable officers and men have been lost to her Majesty ' s service . Among the killed your Grace will find the names of Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir G . Cathcart , Brigadier-General Strangways , and Brigadier-General Goldie . Of the services of the first it is almost unnecessary to speak . They are known throughout the British empire , and have wathin a short space of time been brought conspicuously "before the country by his achievements at the Cape of Good Hope , whence he had only just returned wheai he was ordered to this army .
By his death her Majesty has been deprived of a most devoted servant , an officer of the highest merit , while I personally have to- deplore the loss of an attached and faithful friend . Brigadier-General Strangways was known to have distinguished himself in early life ; and in , mature age , throughout a long service , he maintained the same character . The mode in which he had conducted the command of the Artillery , since it was placed in his hands by the departure through illness of Major-General Cator , is entitled to my entire approbation , and was equally agreeable to those -who were confided to his care . Brigadier-General Goldie was an officer of considerable promise , and gave great satisfaction to all under whom , he has served .
It is difficult to arrive at any positive conclusion as to the actual numbers brought into the field by theenemy . The configuration of the ground did not admit of any g ? eat development of their force , the attack , consisting ; of a system of repeated assaults in heavy masses of columns ; but judging from the numbers that ¦ were seen in the plains after they had withdrawn in retreat , I am led to suppose that they could not have been less than sixty thousand men . Their loss was excessive , and it is calculated that they left on the field near five thousand dead , and that their casualties amount in the wbole , -in billed , wounded , and prisoners , to not less than 15 , 000 .
Your Grace will be surprised to learn that the number of British troops actually engaged little exceeded 800 O men , whilst those of General Bosquet ' s division only amounted to 6000 > , the remaining available French troops on tho spot having been kept in reserve , I ought to mention , that while the enemy was attacking cur right , they assailed the left of the French trenches , and actually got into two of their batteries ; but they -were quickly driven out in tho most gallant manner , with considerable loss , and hotly pursued to the very walls of Sebastopol . I have , &c , Raglan . His Grace the Duke of Newcastle , &c . &c . &c .
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[ OENEnjVr , CANROIJBJtT ' s DESPATCH . ] Tho Minister of War has just received from tho Goncro . 1 Commanding- in-Chief of tlio army cf tho East the following report : — Ilea-d Quarters before Sebastopol , Nov . 7 . Monsieur lo Mardchul , —I have the honour to confirm my telegraphic despatch of tho Gth of November , couuhcil hi thcH « terms : — " Tlio Russian army , increased by reinforcements from tho Danube , nnd tho reserves in tho southern provinces , and animated by tho presence of tho Grand Dukes Michael and NioholuH , yesterday attacked the right of tho EnclJHh position before tho place .
' Ttio English army sustained tho combat with tho most remarkable solidity . I caused it to bo supported by a portion of tho Bosquet division , which fought with admirable vigour , nnd by tho troops which woro tho moHt easily available Tho oncmy , nioro numorouH than wo wore , boat -a rotroat with enormous losses , OHtimatcil at from 8000 to 0000 men . " This obHtinato struggle lusted tho wholo of tho < lny . On my loft General Foroy had at tho snme time to repulse a sortlo of the garriwm . Tho troops , energetically loci on by him , drove tho enemy from tho place , with the losH ' of 1000 men . " This brilliant day , which wns not finished without looH to the AUioB , < 1 o « h tho greatest honour to our anna . " Tho action , of wliich tho above telegraphic dowpacth forms tho aunininry , was most animated and warmly contented .
At tho first gunshot tho dcflcrtora who came ( . 0 u . i revonled tho real aituation of tho Rueninn army In regard to numbers , and enabled us to caloulato tho reinforce-
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1106 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,
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Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 25, 1854, page 1106, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2066/page/2/
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