GIFT OF MICHAEL REE&E
THE
WAR IN THE CRIMEA
GENERAL SIR EDWARD HAMLEY, K.C B.
With Portraits and Plans
LONDON
SEELEY AND CO., LIMITED
ESSEX STREET, STRAND
CONTENTS.
EVENTS WHICH LED TO THE WAR IN THE CRIMEA.
Why Russia covets Constantinople — Why other Powers oppose her Desire — Why the Time seemed Favourable— The Czar's Confidence in his Design— The Quarrel of the Churches — The Sultan accedes to the Czar's Claim — Russia puts forth Fresh Pretensions— The Vienna Note — Turkey declares War with Russia — How England was drawn into War — How the Czar was misled into War— His False View of the English Spirit— England supports Turkey — Why Louis Napoleon joined with England— Result of sending Allied Fleets to the Bosphorus — Russia chafes the Western Nations — France and England declare War — The War at first on the Danube — Austria's Summons to the Czar — The Russians leave the Danube — The Allies turn their Designs to the Crimea — Feeling excited in England, . i
THE LANDING IN THE CRIMEA.
Prospects of the Invasion — Instructions to the British Commander — A Siege contemplated— Preparations for Invasion — The Cholera — The Fleets and Flotillas — Composition of the English Army — Its Commanders — The French Generals — Description of the Crimea — Its Products and Population — The Coast reconnoitered — The Landing Place — The Troops landed— Transport obtained, . 24
BATTLE OF THE ALMA.
Operations open to the Russians — The Bulganak reached — The Valley of the Alma — The Russian Bank — Omissions of the Russian Commanders — The French ascend the Heights — Position in Front of the British — Russian Forces there — Delay to allow French to gain Heights— English ordered to advance — First Onset of the English — The Light and Second Divisions — The Russian Heavy Guns withdrawn — Our First Onset fails — Advance of the Guards and Highlanders — English Artillery in the Action — General Retreat of the Russians — The Losses — Tactical Views of the Battle — General Advance wanting in ensemble — The Cavalry-, .......... 42
iv Contents.
CHAPTER IV.
THE MARCH ROUND SEBASTOPOL TO BALAKLAVA.
March to the Belbec — Question of attacking the North Side — Menschikoff bars the Harbour — Reasons against Attack of North Side — Todleben's Strange Contention— Impolicy of moving Allies Inland — The Flank March begun — Rencontre with Menschikoff s Rear — The English reach the Tchernaya — First View of Balaklava— Question of Bases for the Two Armies — Lord Raglan chooses Balaklava — Features of the South Side — Positions of the Allies, . 66
CHAPTER V.
BEGINNING OF THE SIEGE.
Sir John Burgoyne— Our First Siege Batteries — Chapman's and Gordon's — The First French Batteries — Co-operation of the Fleets demanded — The Fleets to join in the Cannonade— Ships versus Forts — Risk to no Purpose— Positions of the Fleets — The Cannonade begins— French Fire silenced — English Fire successful — Losses on both Sides — Action of the Fleets — English Batteries still efficient, ' 91
CHAPTER VI.
ATTACKED AT BALAKLAVA AND ON THE UPLAND.
Outworks before Balaklava— Russians capture Them — Movements of the Heavy Brigade — Charge of the Heavy Brigade — Russian Cavalry defeated — The Orders to the Light Brigade — Russians both sides of Valley — Nolan and Lord Lucan — Charge of the Light Brigade — Charge of the Chasseurs — Return of the Light Brigade — Close of the Action — No Attempt at Recapture— Weak Point in Allied Defences — French Measures too exclusive — First Action of Inkerman — Object of it — The Sandbag Battery — Preparation for an Assault — Assembly of Russian Forces, ... .... 109
CHAPTER VII.
BATTLE OF INKERMAN.