The Russians took advantage of the capture of the guns in the redoubts, some of which they were enabled to carry off, and of the severe loss suffered by the Light Cavalry, to claim a victory; and on the following day the Garrison of Sebastopol, emboldened by this fancied success, determined to make a sortie in force, which, if successful, would seriously embarrass the Allies, and which would, in any case, give them information which might be turned to account on a future occasion. Leaving the town, then, under cover from a heavy fire from their batteries, they approached the lines of the Second Division, which defended the right of our position, with a force consisting of several columns of infantry, supported by artillery, large bodies of skirmishers being thrown out to the front. To resist this attack the Second Division was formed u]) in line in front of their camp, the left under General Pennefather, and the right under Brigadier-General Adams, while the Brigade of Guards, under General Bentinck, was soon brought up by the Duke of Cambridge in support, and, aided by a field battery, took post on the right of Sir De Lacy Evans's Division. Five French battalions were promptly moved up by General Bosquet, and Sir George Cathcart and Sir George Brown each contributed the assistance of a small force indeed, but doubtless larger than they could well spare. The enemy advanced at first rapidly and with much confidence, protected by guns posted on a hill in their rear, but were received with the greatest determination and firmness by the English pickets, principally belonging to the 49th and 30th regiments. Lieutenant ConoUy of the 49th, Captain Bayly of the 30th, and Captain Atcherley, who were all severely wounded, and Serjeant Sullivan, are particularly mentioned by Sir De Lacy Evans, as having greatly distinguished themselves in this perilous and trying service, which demands the possession of unflinching courage equally with the exercise of the coolest discretion. Captain ConoUy was shot heading a few men of his company, fighting hand to hand with the Russians, who wanted to take him alive; but he defended himself with his sword, wounded one, and was immediately shot by another, who was a yard from him. Lord Raglan, who witnessed the affair, is stated to have sent down to inquire who was the officer who was defending himself so gallantly against such odds. The pickets, after contesting every inch of ground, now retired steadily upon the main body, and a tremendous fire was opened upon the
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THE EAST.
Russians from the batteries under Colonels Fitzmayer and Dacres, which were served with the utmost energy, and in half an hour had compelled the enemy's artillery to retire from the field. " Our fire," continues the Despatch from which these details are derived, " was now directed with equal accuracy and vigour upon the enemy's columns, which (exposed also to the close fire of our advanced infantry) soon fell into comjjlete disorder and flight. They were then literally chased by the 30th and 95th regiments over the ridges and down towards the head of the bay, and so eager was the pursuit that it was with difficulty Major-General Pennefather eventually effected the recall of our men." The other regiments of the Division joined in the pursuit with equal ardour and gallantry, and the enemy, who had thus had another opi^ortunity of testing the adamantine nature of the resistance the}' would have to encounter ere they could hope to drive the audacious invader from the holy Eussian soil, were forced back into Sebastopol with a loss estimated to exceed 600 men.