whose business it was to give timely notice of any important movement on the part of the enemy, were certainly on this occasion very remiss in their duty, for although they could not see far owing to the fog, they plainly heard during a considerable portion of the night vehicles of some sort moving along the road under their posts. This noise, which they took for market carts going into Sebastopol, should have been instantly reported to the headquarters of that Division, and if they had done this, it would probably have been ascertained that these supposed market carts were in reality the enemy's artillery being concentrated for attack in the morning. This neglect was the great fault the pickets committed and which consequently led to our being surprised; in addition to which the sentries' firelocks were so damp with the night's rain that when the enemy was discovered some of the firelocks would not go off, and thus the signal of alarm was not given as quick as it might have been. However, our army was tolerably young at its work then, and had not sufficiently learnt that at night the ear must be trusted more than the eye. Thus the surprise was occasioned by the most unfavourable state of the weather, combined with a certain want of alertness on the part of the 2nd Division pickets. However, I do not think it is at all likely we shall ever fight such another battle, for it is not likely we shall be caught again in such an unprepared state, and, moreover, the Russians have now for a second time learnt what soldiers they have opposed to them. I shall be heartily glad when this siege is over; one begins to feel one has had enough of it, and to hope that these negotiations may turn out successful. We shall at all events be glad of a little novelty in our proceedings which at present are rather monotonous. I understand, between you and me, that our Brigade is for the future to be held in reserve, and not brought to bear the brunt of battle, as we have done on two occasions. Pray thank William very much for his letter.... I cannot tell him how acceptable his political news was — that is just
the news I like to hear, and if not too troublesome of me, pray ask him to send another one very soon.... — Ever your affectionate son,
Fredk. Stephenson.
To Lady Stephenson
Balaclava, February 8, 1855.
My dear Mother, —... I am still for a short time living in my fisherman's cottage at Balaclava, and now there is every reason to believe that the remnant of our poor shattered Brigade will also leave the army of siege on the heights in front of Sebastopol and come down here, not actually into Balaclava, but just outside the town and within the lines. This will be done to save the few men we have left, by relieving them from night work in the trenches, and giving them a little rest in the hope of reorganising the different battalions. Our operations seem about to recommence, and there is a talk of a general attack being made shortly; but there have been so many rumours at different times to that effect that I do not know whether to believe it. I hear that Canrobert assembled his general officers a day or two ago and told them to be prepared for a general attack shortly, and that they would very soon have to send working parties of several thousand men to make further approaches to the town. This will be done from our right, namely, the heights opposite Inkerman, of which the French have now got possession, we being too weak to hold them, and in the direction of the Round Tower, which he told them would have to be taken by the bayonet. But there again Canrobert has been in the habit systematically of making similar announcements to his troops, to allay their spirit of impatience, for they are as eager as we are to put an end to this lingering business. We were all turned out of our beds here last night by the announcement of one of our Tartar spies that Liprandi's army, 3 5,000 strong, had again made its appearance, and was within two hours'
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