Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

Part 6

First Expedition to Kertch

(Vide Letter No.41)

My dear Heath,

I am sorry since I received Sir Charles Wood’s last letter that we have sent anything home lately excepting the “Simla” and “Jason.” We must not send anything more without an absolute necessity for so doing.

I can assure you that I am very sensible of the exertions you must have made to equip the expedition so quickly and so well, and I am much obliged to you for it.

Yours faithfully,

E. Lyons.

R.A., May 7^th, 1855

How is war to be carried on if it depends upon Canrobert’s interpretation of telegraphic messages?

Letter No.42.

Balaklava,

May 8^th, 1855

I shall be very glad to get the Sebastopol Blue Book. The dead cows were naturally my business, as I had charge of the harbour, but I agreed with Christie that he should look after them, and I pressed on him that he should make the hospital ships take the whole business of removing them in regular weekly turns. However, he preferred that every ship should tow out those that were near her, and, as what is everybody’s business never is done by anyone, so every ship trusted to the animals drifting away from them before being found out. Commander Gordon might prove how frequently boats were out collecting wood, and Dacres might clearly place the blame of more not having been collected on Lord Raglan’s shoulders, for he officially declined it when Dacres officially offered to collect it. I thought I had mentioned before that it was on the 11^th and not the 13^th I was called in by Dacres to help him in the harbour work.

Letter No.43.

Balaklava,

May 26^th, 1855.

The great event of the day is our change of masters – Pellissier vice Canrobert. Everyone is in spirits about it, and glad to get an energetic man as Commander-in-Chief to do something with the two hundred thousand troops there must now be under him in the Crimea. The strange part of the business is that Canrobert, instead of retiring to his country house, remains out as General of Division under Bosquet, who commands a Corps d’Armee. One cannot conceive the possibility of Lord Raglan changing places with Sir G. Browne, or Sir Edmund Lyons with Admiral Boxer! Greater energy is already shown. The Kertch expedition revived was the first thing -  I got intimation of it on Sunday evening the 20^th, we got it officially the next day and started most of them off on Tuesday evening, and by dint of working all night the last left us on Wednesday morning at 7 o’clock. Three thousand Infantry, six guns, fifty Cavalry, and one thousand horses (which includes Artillery, Cavalry and everything) was the English contingent. Five thousand Turks, and seven thousand French embarked from Kamiesh.*(Vide Page 206) I reckon Sir Edmund Lyons and Sir George Browne worth one or two thousand more but I don’t know who is in command of the expedition. The weather has been very favourable and we expect today to hear of their having landed.

Yesterday at daylight an advance was made by about twenty-five thousand French and Turks to the ground where the battle of Balaklava was fought, in front of Balaklava as far as the Tchernaya. They are regularly encamped and intend to live there. Whether this movement is made merely to make room for newcomers, or whether it is to feel the way for a future advance, I don’t know, I rode out last night to the new lines, every one looked free, and it was pleasant even to me to gallop over a grassy plain that I have only been able to look at for so long. The wild flowers around Balaklava are more beautiful than any I have ever seen, and the new ground is covered with them. You know I am not learned in their names, so I can only tell you that their colours are of the same brilliant and varied hues, and some of them very beautiful and delicate in shape. There are some thistles so elegant in form that the most hungry donkey would pause to admire before he stooped to eat! – I don’t think even a country gentleman with his spud could help sparing them.

Our remounts of Artillery and Cavalry are coming out fast; Sardinians are pouting in; ordnance stores of all sorts, powder, shot, shell, etc., are daily arriving. The troops are fed in the most luxurious manner, except in the article of beef, which is the most wretchedly lean miserable –looking stuff conceivable.  I suppose as the season advances bullocks will get fat. Fresh bread has been brought from Constantinople for some time; a bakery is now established at Kadikoi, and another has been sent out fitted in a small ship.

Mr Soyer is busy organising kitchens. I have seen a good deal of him; he is exceedingly egotistical, but has all the marks of a great man in his own line. His conversation is all about his work, he soars beyond mere sauces and ragouts, but goes into the expense of different markets and different sorts of food, and examines whether fresh vegetables from Constantinople are or are not better than compressed ones from France. He has given me a recipe for making ship’s beef and pork delicious, and says if he could have had his way it would (five or six years ago) have been preserved with far less salt than at present, and would not have cost a bit more or been more liable to decay. There is a little cholera in the camp and there have been a few cases here, but it does not increase.

Second Expedition to Kertch

R.A. Strait of Kertch,

June 2^nd, 1855

My dear Heath,

I am very much gratified by your hearty congratulations, and so will Jack* be I am very sure. His success has been very great. In four days two hundred and forty-seven vessels employed in carrying supplies to the Crimea captured and destroyed. – Four steamers of war under the command of Rear Admiral Woolf run in here, burnt to the water’s edge and destroyed the enemy.

Arabat’s principal powder magazine blown up. Two immense magazines of corn and flour destroyed  by the squadron at Bormarsand and Gonithreiste, containing two months rations for a hundred thousand men. I have sent him two ship’s launches to enable him to do as much damage as possible to the enemy in the neighbourhood of Taganrog.

Here we find more than a hundred guns, many of them of heavy calibre and beautifully cast. The day of our approach the enemy destroyed here a large magazine of corn and flour, which, taken together with what was destroyed in the Sea of Azof, comprised four months rations for a hundred thousand men.

The firing cases of combustibles in the passages and entrances broken in the Forts with the connecting wires attached; and in the dockyard are fifty-seven more cases quite ready to be sunk. The enemy fired upon our shops, not believing that we had a soldier to spare from the siege.

I am very glad that you have transports to send for Vivian’s and Beaton’s troops. What a blessing that the fire was put out in the “Manilla.”

Yours faithfully,

E. Lyons.

* “Jack” was Sir Edmund’s sailor son. He commanded the “Miranda,” and shorty after this successful raid he was sent in to one of our naval night alerts off Sebastopol, where his leg was shot off, and he died, regretted by all who knew him, in the hospital at Constantinople.

Letter No.44.

Balaklava,

Finished, July 14^th, 1855.

What with writing to Admiralty, Transport Board, Admirals, General, and wife, brothers and sisters have certainly been neglected. I don’t think I even added a page to the book of journals on the sad 18^th June, nor have I mentioned the death of Admiral Boxer of cholera, or that Lord Raglan died on the 28^th June of acute diarrhoea, aggravated probably by grief for the ill-success of the 18^th. Lord Raglan was a perfect specimen of the English gentleman, and a high-minded chivalrous soldier; his rank and courteous bearing did much to maintain the entente cordiale. General Simpson, the Chief of the Staff, became the new Commander-in-Chief. The events of the 18^th June are never spoken of without an accompanying holding up of hands, and an exclamation that “there never was so ill-managed a business.” There are complaints of the want of instruction as to what was intended; want of proper directions to the covering parties and reserves; want of numbers in the assaulting columns; and the absence of all feints or attempts at diversions. That the last would have been useful is evident from the fact (of which I believe there is no doubt) that General Eyres would, if supported, have had the Flagstaff Battery and all that part of the town. He did not go (whether by accident or design I don’t know) to the place to which he was intended to go, and found his way in where away was not suspected; but, however good the arrangements might have been, I fancy success would have ben impossible, for our assaulting columns had to cross seven or eight hundred yards of ground open to crossfire of grape shot from numerous flanking batteries. Drop the curtain!

Since the 18^th enormous quantities of ammunition have been sent up to the front. We have advanced a certain distance towards the Malakoff, and they have nearly completed a battery at the head of the careering creek, from which wonders are expected.

The few criticisms I have heard on the new Commander-in-Chief are all favourable, but today it is reported that the electric telegraph has named some one to succeed him. Admiral Freemantle has not yet appeared, although some letters and newspapers have arrived to his address, nor have I heard a line on the subject from Sir Edmund. Hamilton has gone away on three weeks’ leave of absence, and I am left alone in my glory. I shall find out what my real position in the regular service is, for I find Hamilton has left orders with his senior lieutenant to consider himself the Senior Officer of H.M. Ships. I have made myself so for the present, and referred to Sir Edmund.*

The railroad people are all adrift and are about to return to England, I don’t think they prove much for the Administrative Reformers. The men are very discontented and disorganised. One waggon goes about with – “The driver of this ain’t ‘ad no wages for six months and not much wittals.” There road itself is likely to be very shakey in the winter, and I hope for the harbour of Sebastopol, or else that large stores shall be made beforehand up in front – at which there is as yet not attempt, and July is drawing on. Those knowing French are said to have persuaded Omar Pasha and ourselves to come out of the Baidar valley, “Being too far in the advance and being unhealthy,” and as soon as the ground was clear their own cavalry marched in and are heaping up immense supplies of forage. The story is so characteristic that it is a pity I cannot say I think there is no exaggeration in it. I have no domestic news. I have got a turtle swimming about, tied to the ship, waiting to adorn my dinner to the new Admiral when he comes. My farmyard does not prosper; the hens give me no eggs. My new horse is splendid, but I cannot sell the old one; prices are much fallen.

*Sir Edmund decided that having no pendant flying I could not take military command, and Sir Houston Stewart agreed with him.

R.A., June 7^th, 1855

My dear Heath,

I am much shocked at the sudden death of poor Admiral Boxer; but it is a comfort to me to feel that I may have sweetened the last days of his life by promising his son.

I have written to Sir Charles Wood to say that, in my opinion, it would be a mistake to appoint anyone senior to you to Balaklava.

Yours sincerely,

E.Lyons.

Letter No.45.

Finished, Balaklava,

September 11^th, 1855.

Had I begun my journal on the day of the final attack on Sebastopol (the 8^th September) I should have written in a very melancholy mood, and even now that success has crowned the Allied Arms, and that the great prize which has cost so much has become ours, my rejoicing is very very much sobered by the dark cloud which obscures the glories of Alma and Inkerman. However, I had better begin at the beginning. The bombardment was much heavier than usual for a day or two before the 8^th, but it was taken up only occasionally and was not continuous.

On the 7^th the order was confidentially issued that an attack was to be made on the 8^th, and as I heard of it I went to the front to see it. Noon was the appointed hour for the French to attack the Malakoff, and so soon as they had obtained un success assure they were to show an English ensign from the Mamelon and we were to attack the Redan. The day was very windy, so much so that the fleet which was to have helped could not move from their anchors, and it was very dusty, which rather prevented our seeing well, for the wind was in our faces. I went first to Cathcart’s hill, but at half past eleven crossed over to the next hill on the right, whence I saw more of the Malakoff but rather less of the Redan. Almost precisely at noon the French moved out and entered the Malakoff without a check, and from the first moment of their advance one continuous stream of men was poured in for a full half hour or more.

They seem to have taken the Russian quite by surprise, for as far as I can hear there was next to no resistance made to them at that point, which being the highest spot in the place was the key to the whole thing. In the rear of the Malakoff were the ruined huts of part of the town, to which such Russians as were in the place retreated, and where fresh bodies joined them, and sheltered by these ruins they continued the whole afternoon to try and regain their loss, but without success. The French were also engaged until night in attempting what is called the Little Redan, which is to the right (as we look at it) of the Malakoff; but there they were unsuccessful, and of that attack I saw nothing and have not heard much, but the musketry firing was very heavy the whole afternoon.

The signal was made from the Mamelon almost immediately after the French attack began, and our assaulting party went out of the trenches well enough, but although they got into the Redan and were followed by the supports as far as the parapet, the men would go no further and allowed themselves to be driven back again by (I am told) not more than two hundred Russians, who chased them out and pelted them down the parapet with stones. Sir William Codrington and General Markham commanded the assault, and the latter is said to have positively refused to send on the reserves. It must have required some courage to refuse, but I think General Markham was quite right in doing so. After lying about under the cover of the parapet and in the ditch for perhaps an hour, the survivors of the assaulting party and supports made their way back as best they could to the trenches, and thus ended the 8^th September.

During the night some of the men from the advanced trenches were bringing in the wounded, and gradually got nearer and nearer to the Redan, which seeming unusually quiet they at last looked at an embrasure and found the place evacuated. A succession of explosions in the town and a number of fires confirmed the good news, and at daylight the mastheads only of the line of battle ships were to be seen above the water, and the floating bridge was cut in two, whether by accident or design we do not know.

I rode up in the middle of the day and, providing myself with a pass from head quarters, took a walk in Sebastopol. Five squadrons of cavalry had been sent out to prevent anyone going in without passes, but by bye-ways which were unknown to the dragoons, but which to those who had spent the last few months in the trenches were beaten tracks, all sorts of French, Sardinians, and English got it, and there could not have been few than five thousand there when I arrived. I went in by the ravine leading into Dockyard Creek, and walked up a road to the left of the parallel to it, getting thus into the heart of the best part of the town. Between the Dockyard Creek and the sea is another smaller creek called in the maps Artillery Creek. This creek is the mouth of a valley which divides that part of the town into two ridges, so that standing, as I did, on the edge of the higher ridge of the two I could see at one view the greater part of that quarter of the town, and although I looked very carefully I did not see a single roof without a shot hole in it, whilst many were entirely destroyed. Pieces of shells cover the paths in all directions, and I think the total loss suffered by the Russians from beginning to end must have been something unthought of hitherto. There are no really good houses, and the only public building I saw of any pretensions was a stone imitation of the Temple of Theseus at Athens. The other houses are all plastered, and the doors and windows flimsy and thin.

There was not a house to be seen without its English, or more generally French, ransackers, but there was little left for plunderers beyond a few tables, chairs and wardrobes, some of which were carried off, but most of them wantonly broken up and destroyed for amusement. A splendid brass bell took the fancy of the French, and as one Zouave got tired of pulling at it another succeeded him. They discovered what seem to have been an hotel or club-house with a large store of drinkables, which had the effect of making the mob more noisy whilst I was coming out than when I first went in. I brought away some seeds which I took from some flowers in a garden attached to what we have always called the Admiralty, and also the drawings for building a boat which I found with a great many others of the same sort in a house which must have been that of the Surveyor of the Navy. Fort Paul blew up whilst it was in the town, and several minor explosions took place, at which several plunderers were burnt. I retraced my steps after this, and going round the head of Dockyard Creek climbed up a steep hill into the Redan.

You probably know that the Redan is built on the crest of a spur, on which same spur is our right attack, or twenty-one gun battery. I cannot describe to you the state of the ground behind the parapet; it was dimpled all over by the bursting of our shells – there did not seem over the whole space to be a single square yard untouched. The parapet was enormously thick, and the guns were all or nearly all mounted and in good order, which I was surprised to see, for we have heard so much of their guns being continually dismounted that I expected to see a complete wreck.

I have heard it given as a reason for our discomfiture on the 8^th that another line of works faced our assaulting party as soon as they had surmounted the parapet. There was nothing of the sort. The ditch may originally have been deep, but the constant fire on the parapet has crumbled it away, and there is now nothing for an assailant to do but to go down about four feet into the ditch and then climb up, or rather scramble up, a parapet no steeper than a steep hill. No ladders are requisite. There is nothing behind the parapet at the angle which was assaulted, but there is a massive longitudinal traverse built parallel to the parapet immediately behind the guns on each face of the angle – intended, I presume, to save the gunners from the bursting of shells behind them. I had not time to go on further, but hope to get another day to see the dockyard and the Malakoff.

The evacuation has been well managed. I don’t hear of any prisoners, except those taken by the French on the 8^th, nor of any stores of provisions having been found; indeed, I have heard of nothing but anchors, guns, and shot, of which there are still large numbers quite new and untouched. An allied commission is to take account of the public property, and the police of the town is given over to the French.

Letter No.46.

Finished, Balaklava,

September 14^th, 1855.

Wonders will never cease, and here is the latest in the shape of a second journal letter in one week. But Sebastopol does not fall every day, and my last was written too much in a shamefaced spirit to be allowed to remain alone. I went yesterday to head quarters intended to get a pass, but finding Sir Edmund, Sir Houston, etc., etc., all collected there and about to visit the same places I wished to see, viz., the Malakoff and the dockyard, I joined their party. As might, however, have been expected, when Admirals Bruat and Lyons were in a carriage we equestrians managed to miss them, and Sir Houston and myself were left to ourselves.

We entered the town through the net work of trenches (a roadway having been filled up already) opposite the valley which terminates in Artillery Creek and close to the Russian left of Flagstaff Battery, or the Bastion du Mat. Thence we went rambling through the same part of the town which I had visited the previous time, then round the head of Dockyard Creek, in rear of the Redan into the Malakoff. Here it was lucky I was with the Admiral, for no one was admitted under the rank of a General Officer, and the visit was well worth the trouble. Todleben should have been a railway contractor. The dream of moving such masses of earth as are piled up in all directions, to shelter the soldiers as much as possible from shells, and of digging such ditches and forming so massive a parapet, could hardly have entered any one’s head but that of a Brassy or Peto. The site is quite wonderful, and the more so from the knowledge that it was all done (as I heard a French Officer remark) sous notre nez. The remains of the original White Tower are piled round with earth, and some sixty Russians with an Officer held it and kept all assailants at bay for two hours after the place had been taken. There was but one small door and two or three loopholes from which they shot down all who came near. They ultimately surrendered, otherwise I suppose Pellissier might have tried his old plan upon them.

The French got in to the Malakoff by surprise, and indeed as their advanced trench was quite close up to the ditch they always had that chance open to them, for the continual shelling, with small mortars firing small charges, must have made it quite impossible to keep anything like a mass of troops always there ready to repel an assault – and it strikes me that this faculty of working close up to a fortification, and then choosing your own time for an assault, is the real reason that a fortress even such as the Malakoff must eventually fall. There is a clever article in the Edinburgh Review on Modern Fortification, but the author has left out this fact in his discussion. Although I am very sor, not so much at our own repulse as at the reason of it, there seems no doubt that our attack did good service, and I have heard it stated that Pellissier said, “But for the diversion you made, and the mass of troops the Russians were in consequence obliged to keep in the Redan all the afternoon for fear of a renewal of the assault, I could not have held my ground.” The French were themselves repulsed with great loss at the Little Redan.

From the Malakoff I went to the Mamelon, and then to the dockyard, through a mass of ruins. In this quarter of the town, as in that which I described in my last, not a house can be seen untouched. The fine storehouses which line the Dockyard Creek are the most untouched; these had been turned into hospitals and I am told that a Russian steamer with a flag of truce carried off all that were alive and that there were left only three or four hundred dead – whom we had to bury; the process was going on while I passed.

The famous docks disappointed me much – judging by the eye I don’t think anything larger than a small frigate could get in. there is but one entrance to five docks; the breadth of that entrance of course governs the others. You probably know that to save immense excavations these docks are built above the level of the harbour and are filled with fresh water from the Tchernaya. They are now empty, perhaps the garrison have been living on the water. I believe no stores of any consequence have been found in the place, so that when our prize money is divided amongst two hundred thousand men none of us will get much, unless we see the docks to a joint stock company under the new Limited Liability Act! A Joint Commission has been appointed to look after and take a list of the property – Drummond is our naval commissioner. The Russians are working away at more earth works on the north side, we fire a few shells to disturb them. It is the general opinion that neither the English nor the French armies would make another trench to save their lives; the rejoicing at having done with them for the present is universal.

Appendix

Letter from Lord Raglan

January 20^th, 1855

My dear Captain Heath,

Many thanks for you letter of today.

The mules were certainly bought on the suggestion of Mr Filder and he does not like to give up what he considers his property for the discharge of a particular branch of the publick service; but I think I shall be able to make a satisfactory arrangement.

I have informed Hamilton[?] that you have now [cover?] for eighty will have ninety more tomorrow and will complete the accommodation for the whole number in two or three days more. I have desired Lt Hall and Captain Heath to visit the [necessary Cairne?] and fix upon an eligible spot for a hut hospital. If they find one it would not be difficult to convey huts [the?] short distance.

Should this arrangement be made could the Admiral render carpenters from the ships?

Yours faithfully,

Raglan.

Appendix

Translation of the Facsimile of Admiral Dundas’s Letter.

½ past 5, Thursday.

The French Admiral has asked me to get “Caton” off. I send you to do this, as I am sure it will be done well and quickly. The Launch of “Vengeance” I send with you. Victual them. Remember one thing – Steamers can never pull vessels off shore. Get your anchor out. Lighten her after the cables are taut, and I have no fear of the result.

I do not like to interfere in “Friedland’s” case, but if I am right they are going on a foolish plan of trying all their steam power to get her off. It must be with the anchors in the ground! If you have an opportunity say so to the Vice-Admiral.

When you are done with “Caton” call on board Vice-Admiral Desfosses and offer your services – but don’t press them – but return here.

Yours sincerely

J.W.D. Dundas.

Appendix

Translation of the Facsimile of Sir Edmund Lyons’s Letter

“Royal Albert,”

Off Sebastopol

May 2^nd, 1855

My dear Heath,

I think it very desirable to take the “Witley Park” with me in order that I may have the advantage of the local knowledge of her Commander, so you may take out of her and put into her whatever you may consider best between this and Friday evening, when I hope the French may have embarked all their troops, etc., etc. I am not without hopes of getting way tomorrow evening, but even in that case the next evening would do for the departure of the “Witley Park” if it should be found convenient to retain her.

We are told that there are rockets in the “Orient.” If so we should like to have them. I am going to Head Quarters and intend to remain there until half-past four or a quarter to five o’clock.

Whatever you do look out and send all the brows and gang-boards for the paddle-box boats that you can find, and the steamer should two round five or the Malta flat bottom boats.

Yours faithfully,

Edmund Lyons.

The vessels will all be off the harbour at daylight tomorrow morning and send in their paddle-box boats for the troops.

Appendix

Order of Sailing of the Combined Squadrons.

The Two Squadrons will generally sail in two columns*

The English Column on the Right of the French Squadron. The French Steamers to keep a good distance on the Left of their Squadron, and the English Steamers a good distance on the Right of their Squadron. Thus placed, the Steamers offer a double advantage; they can repeat the signals of the two lines, and be ready immediately to execute the orders of their Admirals: their distance abreast of their squadrons should be such that always following the movements of their columns they may not in any way impede or endanger them. This well be the more easy being always under steam (the French Steamers at least).

Should the Order of Sailing in one line be adopted, the French Admiral, being always at the head of his Squadron, will be in the centre of the line if the English Squadron takes the lead under the direction of its own Admiral.

The Steamers will then continue to keep always abreast of their Squadrons, and a much as possible to windward.

• By night the columns will be about two miles apart.

Order of Battle.

The Order of Battle must alike be according to circumstances: The Order in one or two columns.

The following propositions are made to provide for the principal case should a meeting occur with the Enemy’s Forces and to ensure a common action to both Squadrons.

1^st – The Enemy’s Squadron is signalized to Leeward in Line of Battle: the Combined Fleet is ranged to Windward in a Single Line.

On the signal to bear up together, each of the Ships of the Combined Fleet will by degrees, steer, so as to place themselves abreast of the Enemy’s Vessels, or, if it be wished to cut the Line, the leading ships will steer – so as to reach the Enemy’s Line, will employ against them a numerical superiority of force, whether their vessels take a position abreast of the Enemy’s Line, or whether they cut it, and place between two fires its Centre and Rear Ships.

2^nd. – The Enemy’s Squadron is signalized to Windward and in Line of Battle: The Combined Fleet is ranged to Leeward in One Line.

The Fleet is to be beat to Windward so as to steer on the opposite tack towards the centre of the Enemy’s line, or defile towards its extremity, and place its rear “Hors de Combat,” but in general they will not commence action to Leeward except on the opposite Tack.

3^rd. – The Enemy’s Squadron is signalled to Leeward and in Line of Battle: the Combined Fleet is ranged to Windward in two columns.

On the Signal to bear up, each of the Admirals in Chief in the columns steer to cut the Enemy’s Line to place the Centre and Rear between two Fires with so much the  more chance of success that the wind is favourable to them.

4^th. – The Enemy’s Squadron is signalized to Windward and in Line of Battle: the Combined Fleet is ranged to Leeward in two columns, steering on the opposite Tack.

If it be wished to attack in this order, it must beat to Windward so that the column most to Windward may steer to cut the third ship before the centre of the Enemy’s Line; and the column to Leeward, towards the Centre of the Rear. The Action of the two columns will then concentrate with superior force towards a part only of the Enemy’s Squadron; but from a position to Leeward, the attack by two columns is very difficult.

5^th. – If, in conclusion, the Enemy’s Fleet is signalized at Anchor with Springs, on their Cables, and the Combined Fleet decide to attack them there, they will adopt if possible, in engaging them at anchor, the same mode of attack as that which was chosen in engaging them under sail: thus the Combined Fleet will steer so as to envelope if possible, the Centre and Van of the Enemy’s Line, in case the Van and Centre are haed to wind and current;and on the contrary to surround their Centre and Rear, if the rear should be to Windward of the said Line.

It will follow that the part of the Enemy’s Fleet not attacked, finding themselves placed to Leeward of the Group of Combatants, could not without difficulty and great delay render them help.

With regard to the Steamers, their part is to keep under shelter of their Ships, so as to be able to take them in tow if necessary, to man prizes, and carry the orders of the Admirals, and to take a favourable position.

(signed) J.W.D. Dundas

Vice-Admiral.

General After Order.

Head Quarters before Sebastopol.

December 13^th, 1854.

The Commander of the Forces has great satisfaction in publishing copies and extracts of despatches which he has received from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, Minister-at-War, announcing the Queen’s gracious approbation of the conduct of the Army, and the Royal Navy and Marines in co-operation with the Troops; and expressing Her Majesty’s sympathy in the sufferings of the wounded of both Services, and her deep regret for the loss of the Soldiers and Sailors who have fallen in the late operations.

No.152

War Department.

November 20^th, 1854

My Lord,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship’s despatches Nos.83 and 84, of the 18^th and 23^rd of October.

I have submitted to the Queen the interesting reports with which your Lordship has furnished me, in these despatches, of the commencement and subsequent progress of those vast operations in which the Allied Armies and Fleets of Her Majesty and the Emperor of the French, in conjunction with those of the Sultan, are engaged against the stronghold of their common enemy; and I am commanded by Her Majesty to express to your Lordship, and, through you, to the Army under your command, the high satisfaction with which she has received the intelligence, no less of the very effective manner in which the fire of the allied batteries was opened, than of the energy and determination with which the fire was subsequently sustained. The unfortunate occurrences of the explosion of a Magazine in one of the French batteries, which took place at an early stage of the operations, must doubtless have prevented any immediate effect of a decisive nature being produced on the enemy’s works; but Her Majesty rejoices to find that the energetic and persevering efforts of the French Commander enabled him to overcome the temporary check which this disaster appears to have imposed upon the exertions of the forces under his command.

Her Majesty is fully sensible of the motives which induced your Lordship to secure the co-operation of the Combined Fleets in the attack upon the enemy’s works at the mouth of the harbour simultaneously with the fire from the batteries on the land side. The aid which, so far as they were enabled to render it, was thus afforded by the Naval, to the exertions of the Land Forces, is highly appreciated by Her Majesty; and I am further commanded to express the gratification with which Her Majesty has received the intelligence communicated by you of the able and gallant assistance afforded by the Sailors from the Fleet, under the command of Captain Lushington and Captain Peel, in the Land Batteries.

Her Majesty deeply sympathises with those who, during the progress of the operations which form the subject of your present despatches, have been wounded in the service of their Country, and has received with sincere sorrow your report of the loss of those of her gallant Soldiers and Sailors who have been killed. It is impossible that operations of such great magnitude and difficulty – more especially when the vast resources of the enemy and his powerful means  of resistance are taken into consideration – should be unattended by loss; and Her Majesty cannot but rejoice that, under the continued exposure to the incessant fire of an enemy vastly superior in numbers, to which Her Forces, both Naval and Military, have been subjected , that loss, during the period included in the Returns of Casualties enclosed in your despatches, is not so great as might have been anticipated.

I have the honour to be

My Lord,

Your Lordship’s most obedient humble Servant,

Newcastle

Field Marshal – The  Lord Raglan. G.C.B., Etc, Etc.

Extract of a Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to Lord Raglan.

Dated, November 21^st, 1854.

“I take the present opportunity to assure your Lordship of the satisfaction with which I have received the testimony borne by Major-General Sir Colin Campbell, in his report enclosed in your despatch of the 28^th of October, to the assistance rendered by the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marines in opposing the advance of the Enemy’s Cavalry in the Action before Balaklava of the 25^th of that month.”

War Department.

23^rd November, 1854

My Lord,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship’s despatch, No.94, of the 31^st of October, which reached me on the 17^th instant.

I have lost no time in submitting to the Queen the names of those Officers whom Lieutenant-General the Earl of Lucan considers as entitled to be specially mentioned for their services in the Action of the 25^th of October in front of Balaklava, and whom your Lordship commends to my notice; and I have received Her Majesty’s commands to desire that your Lordship will convey to each of the Officers in question the high approbation with which Her Majesty has viewed their valour and excellent conduct in that Acion.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship’s most obedient humble Servant,

Newcastle.

Field Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B.,

By order (Signed) J.B.B. Estcourt Adj.General.

General Orders.

Head Quarters, before Sebastopol,

December 24^th, 1854.

The Commander of the Forces has the greatest satisfaction in publishing to the Army two despatches from the Minister of War, the one expressing the Queen’s entire approbation of the conduct of the Troops at the battle of Inkerman, the other signifying Her Majesty’s gracious intention of conferring a Medal upon all the Officers and Soldiers of the Army who have been engaged in the arduous and brilliant campaign in the Crimea.

The Commander of the Forces congratulates the Army on receiving so distinguished a mark of Her Majesty’s favour and high appreciation of their gallant exertions; and he deems it his duty at the same time to draw the particular attention of all to the following passage in the Duke of Newcastle’s despatch of the 27^th instant:- “Let not any private soldier in the ranks believe that his conduct is unheeded – the Queen thanks him – his Country honours him.”

War Department

November 27^th, 1854.

My Lord,

I received on the 22^nd instant your Lordship’s despatch of the 8^th of this month, communicating the intelligence of the glorious battle of the 5^th, in which a determined attack by vastly superior numbers of the Enemy was completely repulsed by the unfaltering steadiness and gallantry of the Allied Armies. I immediately laid before the Queen the details of this important victory, and it is now my grateful duty to express to your Lordship Her Majesty’s high appreciation of the noble exertions of her Troops in a conflict which is unsurpassed in the annals of war for persevering valour and chivalrous devotion. The strength and fury of the attacks, repeatedly renewed by fresh columns with a desperation which appeared to be irresistible, were spent in vain against the unbroken lines and the matchless intrepidity of the men they had to encounter. Such attacks could only be repulsed by the cool courage, under circumstances the most adverse, and that confidence of victory which have ever animated the British Army.

The banks of the Alma proved that no advantages of position can withstand the impetuous assault of the Army under your command. The heights of Inkerman have now shown that the dense columns of an entire army are unable to force the ranks of less than one-fourth their numbers in the hand-to-hand encounters with the bayonet which characterised this bloody day.

Her Majesty has noticed with liveliest feelings of gratification the manner in which the Troops of her Ally the Emperor of the French came to the aid of the Divisions of the British Army engaged in this numerically unequal contest. The Queen is deeply sensible of the cordial co-operation of the French Commander-in-Chief, General Canrobert, and the gallant conduct of that distinguished Officer, General Bosquet, and Her Majesty recognises in the cheers with which the men of both Nations encouraged each other in their united charge proofs of the esteem and admiration mutually engendered by the Campaign, and the deeds of heroism it has produced.

The Queen desires that your Lordship will receive her thanks for your conduct throughout this noble and successful struggle, and that you will take measures for making known her no less warm approval of the services of all the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Soldiers who have so gloriously won by their blood, freely shed, fresh honours for the Army of a Country which sympathises as deeply with their privations and exertions, as it glories in their victories and exults in their fame. Let not any private soldier in those ranks believe that his conduct is unheeded – the Queen thanks him – his Country honours him .

Her Majesty will anxiously expect the further despatch in which your Lordship propose to name those Officers whose services have been especially worthy of notice. In the meantime, I am commanded by Her Majesty to signify her approbation of the admirable behaviour of Lieutenant-General Sir George Browne, and her regret that he has been wounded in Action. Her Majesty has received with feelings of no ordinary pleasure your Lordship’s report of the matter in which Lieutenant-General His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge distinguished himself. That one of the Illustrious Members of Her Royal House should be associated with the toils and glories of such an Army is to the Queen a source of pride and congratulation.

To Major-General Bentinck, Major-General Codrington, Brigadier-Generals Adams, Torrens, and Buller, your Lordship will be pleased to convey the Queen’s sympathy in their wounds, and thanks for their services.

To the other Officers named by your Lordship, I am directed to express Her Majesty’s approbation. The gallant conduct of Lieutenant-General Sir De Lacy Evans has attracted the Queen’s especial thanks. Weak from a bed of sickness, he rose at the sound of the battle – not to claim his share in prominent command, but to aid with his veteran counsel and assistance the Junior Officer upon whom, in his absence, he devolved the duty of leading his Division.

Proud of the victory won by her brave Army – grateful to those who wear the laurels of this great conflict – the Queen is painfully affected by the heavy loss which has been incurred, and deeply sensible of what is owing to the dead. Those illustrious men cannot indeed receive the thanks of their Sovereign, which have so often cheered the Soldier in his severest trials, but their blood has not been shed in vain. Laid low in their grave of victory, their names will be cherished for ever by a grateful Country, and posterity will look upon the list of Officers who have fallen, as a proof of ardent courage and zeal with which they pointed out the path of honour to no less willing followers.

The loss of Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart is to the Queen and to her People a cause of sorrow which even dims the triumph of this great occasion. His loyalty, his patriotism, and self-devotion were not less conspicuous than his high military reputation. One of a family of warriors, he was an honour to them and an ornament to his profession. Arrived in his native land from a Colony to which he had succeeded in restoring peace and contentment, he obeyed at a moment’s notice the call of duty, and hastened to join that Army in which the Queen and the Country fondly hoped he would have lived to win increased renown.

The death of Brigadier-General Strangways and Brigadier-General Goldie has added to the sorrow which mingles in the rejoicing of this memorable battle.

The Queen sympathises in the loss sustained by the Families both of her Officers and Soldiers, but Her Majesty bids them reflect with her, and derive consolation from the thought, that they fell in the sacred cause of Justice and in the ranks of a Noble Army.

I have the honour to be

My Lord,

Your Lordship’s obedient humble Servant,

Newcastle.

Field Marshal the Lord Raglan, G.C.B., etc., etc.

Major-General Codrington is erroneously stated to have been wounded.

War Department.

2^nd December, 1854

My Lord,

I have received the Queen’s Commands to signify to your Lordship Her Majesty’s gracious intention to confer a Medal upon all the Officers and Soldiers of the Army who have been engaged in the arduous and brilliant Campaign in the Crimea.

This Medal will bear on it the work “Crimea” with and appropriate device – a design for which has been ordered to be prepared.

It is also Her Majesty’s desire that Clasps, with the names of “Alma” and “Inkerman” inscribed upon them, shall be accorded to those who have been in either, or both, of those hard fought battles, and that the same names shall in future be borne on the Colours of all the Regiments which were engaged on those bloody and glorious days.

Your Lordship will be pleased to convey to the Army this Royal Command, an additional proof of Her Majesty’s appreciation of its noble services, and Her sympathy with its valour and renown.

I have the honour to be, My Lord,

Your Lordship’s obedient humble Servant,

Newcastle.

Field-Marshal The Lord Raglan, G.C.B., etc., etc.

By order (Signed) J.B.B. Estcourt, Adj.-General.