[Gratis. 
Vol. IV.— No. 95.] 
Saturday, October 21, 1854. 
THE FIELD OF WAR. 
♦ 
BATTLE OF THE ALMA. 
THANKS TO THE TROOPS. 
Two days after the battle of Alma the regiments were formed up 
in square, and the general order of Lord Raglan, praising them for 
the undaunted courage they had displayed on the bloody field of 
September the 20th. read to them. At the same time the French 
army began moving along our front to take up a position to the left, 
and the vivas and cheers which were exchanged between the armies 
were beyond description. It was a moment of general enthusiasm, 
and the two armies looked like great masses of waving caps and 
shakoes. Afterwards the duke called all the officers of his division 
together, and speaking in a warm, straightforward manner, thanked 
them for the support he had received while storming the redoubt at 
Alma. As the Fusilier Guards had suffered most, and as the colours 
had been an especial mark, he thanked and mentioned by name the 
ensigns who carried them— the Hon. Mr. Lindsey and Mr. Tliistle- 
thwaitc. 
ADVANCE FROM THE KATSCHA TO BELBEK. 
On the 24th of September the French and British rear-guards 
broke up from the encampment at Kutscha. and advanced towards 
the village of Belbek. situate on the river of the same name. The 
heights of Kat-chn. which an energetic foe would have defended, 
were soon scaled by the infantry, to whom a two duys' rest had been 
most beneficial. The artillery and train of commissariat nrabas 
proceeded by a longer and safer road. Several troublesome ravines 
intersected the road, and created a little confusion amongst the 
waggons, in which two or three were overturned. In the pres- nt 
absence of means of transport, this proved to the commissnrint a 
sensible loss. The French rear-guard was composed of light troops, 
Zouaves, I.egion Etrangfere, and Chasseurs d'Afrique fhe quick 
and elastic step of the French soldier is admirable, burdened as he 
is with a heavy loud, and shows what an excellent training school 
Africa has proved to the French army. The route presented the 
usual uninteresting features of the Crimea; not a tree 'o relieve the 
eye, nor a spring to afford refreshment to the wearied soldier In 
the afternoon a cloud of dust in the rear announced a body of 
cavalry, which turned out not to be Cossacks, but the Scots Greys, 
who had just landed. The horses of this magnificent regiment w-re 
in splendid condition, and one could only regret the number of sabres 
being so limited. Towards the eveuiug a few white houses, sur- 
rounded with vineyards nnd gardens, end a flowing stream, were 
distinguished, and proved to be the village of Belbek. where we 
halted for the night. The first rush, after arms were piled, was, of 
course, to the water. The wise then went in search of woo l to 
kindle the bivouac fires, the fooli-h dived into the interminable 
vineyards and gorged themselves with their luscious but dung.-rous 
fruit, whilst the French experienced an irresistible curiosity to ascer- 
tain the nature and respective vulue of the goods contained in the 
houses The latter were most pleasantly built and most comfortnble. 
At the top of the valley id Katscha, to the east, was a very hand- 
some Greek church, which blazed inside with numerous shrines, 
gilt work, and handsome pictures. Before the main body of troops 
entered the ravine the two priests in charge of the church surren- 
dered themselves, and requested protection, not lor themselves, but 
for the sacred object of their charge. As a matter of course, their 
petition was granted, the keys of the church given up to Lord 
Raglan, and a guard mounted round the building, which no one 
was allowed to approach It was only ns a great fuvour that 1 was 
permitted to look in at a small portal to see the beauty of the in- 
terior. The priests were also put into their own house, aud a sentry 
left there to prevent intrusion . , , . 
There were some magnificent houses and villas, furnished in the 
most luxurious style, but abandoned nnd desolate. A description of 
one will suffice for nearly all The house of General Alexis was 
placed in an extensive and beautiful garden, laid out with the most 
exquisite taste, and abounding with fruit and flowers of all descrip- 
tions. The rooms were spacious and lofty, enriched with gold 
mouldings, and with the flours inlaid with coloured woods. I never 
saw such a scene of wreck and desolation a> these rooms present -d. 
The superb carved rosewood furniture was lying about in heaps, 
mixed with books, vases, costly china, bronzes, pictures, and 
shattered mirrors. Over these the soldiers were trampling reck- 
lessly, searching for such articles as would be of Use to them during 
the march. In anollier room was a handsome and well-selected 
library, containing about 4.000 volumes. The books, which were 
principally in French, English, nnd Italian, were scattered about in 
all directions, and trodden ruthlessly under loot. <*ne smnll and 
beautifully-furnished room had evidently been used ns a kind of 
sitting-room for young ladies. There was a large tambour-frame, 
with some rich embroidered work in it still unfinished ; while 
patterns, crochet, knitting-work, and fashion-books lay close by. 
There was an album on the table, also filled with water-colour 
drawings and sketches, and in the corner of the room a handsome 
piano, guitar, and volumes of music. I was quite disgusted with the 
way in which both English and French soldiers went ransacking 
everything, though it was nrnu-iiig also to see the selections the r 
made. One fellow trould load himself with a handsome table, which 
he certainly could not carry more than a hundred yards, wliil 
another took a glass chandelier and lustres. Zouaves w alked ol 
with gilt curtain poles, or handsomely bound volumes of nm-ic, 
while their companions staggered along under the weight nf large 
gilt arm-chairs. Lord Raglan had issued an express order that 
none of our soldiers were to enter the houses ; but, in spite ol the 
prohibition, stragglers searched every house they came _ to. one 
can hardly be surprised at this, especially when they only follow the 
example set them by their superiors It was quite dark before all 
our troops hud crossed the bridge at Belbek. So precipitate hud 
been the flight of the enemy, that they had neglected to destroy 
anything, even the bridges The destruction of the latter would 
have delayed our advance at least two days. 
An avenue of poplars flanked by vineyards nnd vegetable gar- 
dens, led to most ol the houses, which were chiefly one storey high 
and well furnished. A variety of outhouses extended to the buck 
In the greater number of these houses the furniture and everything 
of the slightest value hud been destroyed by their owners Fr ig 
ments of mirrors, of upholstery, and even ripped-up featherbeds, 
strewed the waxed oak floors. In others, on the contrary, every 
thing remained (though not long) intact.l |One of these houses (say 
the special correspondent of the Morning Chronicle) I entered, nn 
discovered (i pnrty of French comfortably installed. I lie furniture 
of this unfortunate house was even luxurious. The drawing room 
was adorned with a splendid pier-glass, in which a " Man-clml de 
Logis " of the Chasseurs d'Afrique was complacently admiring him- 
self; and inviting his ami Francois, of the “ Legion." to the same 
agreeable occupation. Francois, ot the "Legion, was however, 
half asleep on a stately velvet-covered couch, little dreaming mi 
what a slight thread hung, if not his existence, at least Ins equili- 
brium. for a sly little Zouave was industriously occupied in cmting 
open the mattress of the sofa, no doubt with some very laudable 
aim in view. In another room was discovered a piano, win eh a l- 
forded intense delight to the surrounding soldiers. A jovial-looking 
little " caporal " presided at this harmonic meeting, assisted iiy 
a numerous, if not u select, circle of admirers Ibe pre- 
sident was energetically hammering away at the r renen 
air of " Drin, drin," familiar in England as the Drum 
Polka. The numerous audience gaily accompanied th - classic 
composition by a song iu which the matrimonial misfortunes ot a 
certain "lieutenant " were graphically and elegantly described \u 
enterprising party had discovered, in the meanwhile, the road to the 
cellar, which proved fatal to the comfort of the little as-eiiilily in- 
stalled in this comfortable mansion; for this piece of intelligence 
rapidly spread, nnd very soon reuched the discriminating ears ot (lie 
commanding officer, who very properly considered it an unreason- 
able moment to indulge in any bacchanalian excesses. The edict 
then went forth that the house should be immediately cleared of Its 
visitors and devoted to the flames. Instantly groups tailed from 
all the doors, laden with a startling variety of objects. Some Imd 
chairs in their hands, others articles of bedding, and the slv little 
Zouave, who had completely succeeded in discovering no hi men 
treasures in the sofa, nnd had most effectively aroused Francois of 
the “ Legion," now issued triumphantly from the portal, staggering 
under the immense weight of the drawing-room pier gins* Very 
soon a column of smoke, followed by a vivid flame, issued from the 
devoted house, and brilliantly illuminated tlio darkness of the night. 
The British troops, as well as the French, were soon engaged in 
preparing their evening meal, and gradually the din and hustle of 
the camp was hushed. At length nothing broke the calm stillness 
of the night, save the “ All's well” of the sentinels, pronounced in 
every brogue and pnlois of our fair and distnnt homes. 
SKIRMISH AT KUTOR MF.KENZIA. 
The morning of .September 20th dawned grey and cold. The men 
of the 4th Division were early under arms, and t lie march commenced. 
It soon became unfortunately apparent that many of our poor 
fellows had been seized In the niglit with diarrhoea. A* the sun 
became warm, these gradually lagged behind, and finally had to bo 
laid on the waggons. They all struggled manfully, nnd intense 
weakness alone induced them to quit the ranks and fall across the 
road. During this duy two men were buried, nnd the French lost 
three or four. 
Towards mid-day, after several halts, we arrived in sight of a 
. moking pile, which turned out to have been a Russian barrack. 
Here a good rest, was iriven to the men, who instantly dispersed in 
search ot water, of which the poor fallows stood greatly in need 
None had tasted a drop since tiie preceding evening. Fortunately 
a little well wus discovered, which yielded a very smnll nnd nasty 
supply. Below the barrack, which had been set fire to the day 
before, lay a sinnll deserted farm, from which the surrounding space 
had derived its name. Kutor Mekenzla, or, as we have christened 
it, " Mackenzie's Farm," figures on Arrowamith’s admirable map of 
the southern portion of the Crimea, and was on the 2&thot September 
the scene of a very smart skirmish. 
As the 8th Hussars, the 17th Lancers, nnd the Scots Greys, under 
Lord Lucan, with Captain Maude's troop ot Horse Artillery escort- 
ing the commander-in-chief, Lord Raglan, were quietly proceeding 
through the wood of stunted oak which surrounds Kutor Mekenzia, 
an aide-de-camp galloped up from the front with the following 
astounding report : - From an opening in the wood he hud described 
a Russian army, at least 25,000 strong, marching some ten miles a 
head, whilst the baggage of the rear guard was slowly proceeding 
at a mile's distance. Lord Raglan, whose life is too valuable to he 
exposed in a skirmish, joined an approaching infantry division, 
whilst the cavalry and artillery dashed forward ut an exciting 
pace. By Kutor Mekenzia the wood opens, and a considerable 
barren space extends. Along this space runs the road which con- 
nects Simferopol and Bakclu Serai with the harbour of Bahiklava. 
Here the enemy's force, probably exaggerated in number, had 
marched, bound, I presume, towards Bakchi Serai, from whence it 
could have threatened the left flank of the allied army, hud it 
ndvnnced against Fort Con-tantine as was imagined. On 
perceiving the approach of the little British force, the carts 
instantly started off ut a rapid pace, by which many were 
overtimed, and arrested the progress <>1 the remainder. A bat- 
talion of infantry (800 strong) nnd 50n sabres protected this baggage 
of the Russian re ir-guurd. Captain Maude, with Ins four guns, gal- 
lantlv galloped up abreast of the farm and took the road, while 
Captain Shakspeare, with two howitzers belonging to the same 
troop, advanced in front. The guns were quickly unlimbcred, but 
here the Russian infantry formed with kneeling rank, and poured a 
discharge at the artillery. So inaccurate was the aim, caused evi- 
dently by trepidation, that not one of our men was hurt, I he nth 
Hussars were ordered to the front, and the 500 Russian cavalry 
wheeled and disappeared iu the wood. Our guns then opened with 
case shot into the Russian infantry, and above twenty men fell. 1 lie 
whole battalion instantly broke and fled also towards the wood. 
Captain Maude galloped to a hill which commanded the entrance to 
the wood, and poured in case shot with terrible effect. I lie Scots 
Greys dashed into the thicket, carbine in hand, and picked off many 
of the fugitives The 17th Lancers galloped up the road to some 
distance, but with no effect. Above fifty dead bodies were found on 
the ground, and many must have died wounded in the wood 1 welvc 
ammunition-waggons fell intoour hands, and were blown up Many 
carts were captured, containing chiefly hussar uniforms, hut also 
..ome cases of champagne, which proved n most acceptable and un- 
expected prize. 
Our rations are only salt beef and biscuit-such things as potatoes 
or vegetables of any description are of course unknown. Tchaika 
was the first place which supplied our warns in this respect, lor the 
gardens were full, nnd it was quite ridiculous to see our men leaving 
them on their march laden with cabbages melons, grapes, figs, apples, 
onions, pears, &c., stuck on their bayonets, or hung round them on 
strings. 
near the town by our engineer* ; but that step will have no imme- 
diate Influence on the town, which contain* vast cisterns nnd wells 
sufficient to resist a siege of three month*. The henvv guns and 
British bayonets will prove more speedy and effective. Wince Na- 
poleon, with ft large stnrt", has galloped past us. Towards nine 
o'clock the divison resumed its march and oy three arrived In sight 
of Bahiklava. Here the sick were taken from the urubos, aud 
conducted to the hospitals established la that town. 
ROUTE ACROSS THE TCHKRNAYA TO BALAKLAVA. 
Having halted two hours at Kutor Mekenzia. the 4th Division 
resumed its weary march. Along the roucl flanked by tin* shady 
wood it was not unpleasant, but soon the trees became more scarce, 
nnd a steep hill led to a vast dusty ro ol below. The artillery 
attached to the division and the nrabas experienced considerable 
difficulty in ascending the bill, which was strewn with broken 
waggons. No accident happily occurred. Had the Russians cut ui. 
this steep and narrow roa«i. dominated by a long bushy ridge, much 
delay would have been caused to the allied army, but the detent of 
Alma has decidedly deprived the enemy of hi* vaunted pluck mid 
energy.. This hill once safely descended, all went oil smoothly 
enough. We were now on the high road to Balaklavn, nnd a mag- 
nificent road it is. A whole regiment might have deployed in its 
immense breadth. Hie dust, however, proved most annoying, and 
the carts were soon filled with men knocked up by the fatigue of the 
day. After a four hours’ march along the road we arrived, towards 
dusk, ut the Chernaya or Black River. On the heights beyond the 
Stream, along which the itli Division bivouacked, the whole T roach 
army had encamped. We here found excellent water, a great 
quantity of forage, which was equally acceptable, and wine 
magnificent fruit. An immediate rush at the latter was made by 
men of both camps, in spite ot the terrible lessons daily given to 
them l*y cholera and diurilnza. The gardens were situated » ine 
distance to the right of the camp, and suddenly ft most amusing 
spectacle presented itself. A cry of •; Russians are coming I was 
uttered by some ill-conditioned individual, who quietly remained 
gorging himself with peaches, whilst a complete panic spread 
amongst the hundreds ol French and English lurking about tla 
vineyards. Every mini instantly darted ml a* if twenty Loss uk* 
were at his rear, and the alarm was sounded in the french cum 
TORT OF BALAKLAVA. 
Bulaklava is n wonderful place. Nature, in one of her freaks, 
has endowed it with an admirable little harbour, deep enough to 
contain the largest man-of-war. The entrance i* very narrow, and 
dominated by oliffs some son feet high. A little channel winds to 
the widest part of the harbour, which i* completely shut in on all 
sides by the bills. The town appear* to have been thriving, as 
several houses and a church are in course of construction A very 
respectable quay run* along the water side, and here the \gniuem- 
non, the Sans l’areil, and some forty or fifty of our largo*! transports, 
ships nnd steamers, arc safely moored, fhe magnificent Agamem- 
non lies the nearest inland nnd 300 yards beyond her the harbour 
terminates In a mud-puddle. A ruined 061R|eso fort of large extent 
ill olden times domineered the entrance to DulnUavn: but u small 
earth work was the only work of defence established by the 
Russians. The latter have displayed a great absence .4 foresight 
in not having rendered the entrance to the harbour, so indispensa- 
ble to u*. more formidable. A single ship, artfully sunk, would 
apparently have rendered the entrance Impossible. 
The best houses of the place are now ocouplcd by the allied 
generals, or converted into offices for the necessary departments. 
The ndjulnnt-gcncml occupies u pleasant house, shaded by poplars. 
In the nigh street arc Lord Raglan's quarters, the various hospitals, 
and the post-office The Duke of Cambridge occupies a hou*o out- 
side the town. The bazaar Is closed, but several of the inhabitant* 
have remained behind. 1 remarked one old gentleman, whose con- 
stant occupation appeared to consist in walking up and down the 
street, ana bowing most humbly to every officer or soldier who 
passed, The urbanity of manner nnd uaturnl politeness of the 
British soldier are both well known, and the monotonous obel.-anccs 
of the old gentleman wero rewarded by a patronising nod, and a 
" Bono Johnny." 
Some of the largest houses have been turned Into hospital* . but I 
doubt if the air of the town he healthy. Compb tely shut in by 
hills, scarcely a breath of fresh ulr cun penetrate, and the water has 
a most offensive smell. Outside of the town stand* a village, called 
Kadikoi, which possesses some large house* nnd a church, which 
might be emploved without desecration in the oharltnble -ervice of 
covering the stele. 
The quay at Bulaklava presents nn exciting nppenranco. strings 
of soldier* lino the slio'c. passing the cuimon-unll* trom hand I to 
hand, ns they are landed from the ships' barges, lhe heavy ship 
32-pounders are being swung by cranes from the sam launches, 
constructed nt Constantinople, which landed our arull ry and 
cavalry in Kalamita Boy. A* ••iich gun touches the earth, titty 
blue Jackets dart forward and drag it up the steep ro d with the 
noisy cheers peculiar to Jack. The gunpowder stores will be landed 
at once, and five farm-houses on the heights have already been 
destined ns magazines. 
This is a most beautiful, romantic little spot ; the inhabitants, 
descended from Greeks, wero quite unaware ot our propinquity, and 
astonished at our approach. However, they made wlmt resistance 
they could, and then surrendered ; there wus no one except a tew 
prisoner soldiers (Russians) in the town on our advent. The women 
and children had been sent awnv to a hillopposite, but have returned 
tolerably numerously since. They have much confidence In the 
Fii^LhIi, and do not seem uhashod ordilfldent in the umuiu'd degree 
when walking among the soldiers. , , . 
BALAKLAVA, Oct. 2 - The day before yesterday the whole of the 
French and Turkish troops left here with the English artillery. 
Suppers and Minors, and Light, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Divisions lor 
Sebastopol, Balakhivu is to be the head-quarters during the siege; 
first, because it is the most convenient place for landing stores ; and 
next, because it commands the high road to Sebastopol, from which 
it is only six miles distant The French arc to occupy the lulls of 
Kherson, which command the outworks and fortress on the south ; 
the English storm the outworks und detached forts which cover the 
town and shipping at the end of the harbour A* yet it seems that 
the north side i* to remain untouched. Directly the till Division 
came in sight of the fortress, a tremendous fire was opened on it trom 
shot and shell. Our men, howover. were completely out ot range, 
yet the enemy kept up their lire almost the whole day. tiring some 
1000 rounds of ammunition. Sir John Burgoyne, who was present, 
seemed delighted He laughed and said. " I Id* Is what I like; they 
show us their range, mid waste their ammunition. A perfeot 
cordon has been established ronnd three part* ot the fortifications. 
Lord Raglan entered Bahiklava about twelve o clock m the (lav. 
As he came towards the principal street the inhabitants came out to 
meet him, bearing tray* laden with fruit and flowers >,aucot t hem 
bore loaves of bread cut up In pieces and placed on dishe* covered 
with salt, in token of good will and submission. lie assured 
them of In* protection, mid rode down to the beach und soon after 
mi Fnglixli steamer cunu* in und anchored. I ho fleet and arm/ 
were thus once more united, and Lord Raglan had seen id lils baso 
of operations. The above bread and salt incident t* called t o 
toil- re/i rckmwk Ii'ikln. n* we learn from " Knight • shilling \ ocnhu- 
Inry," with which many of our officers aud men provided them- 
selves before leaving England. 
ARRIVAL AT SEBASTOPOL. 
Having sent on the greater number ol carts, laden ' vlt >8ick,tO 
Bulaklava. In order to return on the morrow with provisions from 
the commissariat ships, the itl, Division quitted th.- ii.rect rosd and 
took to that leading to Sebastopol. At Kadikoi lay the Light 
Division, and wo encountered on our route the three otl.- r 
and the cavalry, bivouacking on several heights I he ■ -t 0 bj« U on 
the road was u little farm-house, skirted by a beautiful little vi.ie- 
Beinir overpowered with thirst, 1 forgot all prudence, and 
tasted here, for the first time, the Crimea grape. Imagine to your- 
- oh! sober matter-of-fact people at home, cluster* .d m*cimis 
blue transparent grape*, such a* would honour even i Imtsworth. 
and Lnnce would have delighted to poiirtray. Butlmagme.nlso. the 
dark, dismul sentiment of remorso nnd dread which haunted me tor 
hour* utter 1 had swallowed some half-a-dozen immense bunche*. i 
could now understand with what delight and Imprudence our soldiers 
actually gorge themselves w itli tin* delicious fruit, lor the palate onco 
excited craves, as in my instance, to he satiated 
By the farm-house a beehive wus discovered, and after a ditt o 
hesitation, one heroic individual, I regret not to have his name, 
dashed ut It, and completely knocked it to pieces. 
*1. .1 til rvsw.lt » ttli.lt f 111 M I IM1* WOT t 1 1 V tf 6Dt K Hlllll 
away there* fingdom 1 s” a iid"l uring the remainder of the day 
were favoured with that magnificent, cloudless sky of the < nnu. . 
At hull-past six the itli Division commenced the day * mu. ; 
owing to the position of the French army hud. after ten minutes 
Sturdy utviv luiun „.,s» , , / | ■. , ■ 
which h held under In* arm*, wlnl-t another had s ung across hi 
buck a venerable old ram, who wus violently resenting Ins torcil-f 
abduction Beyond the bridge was a deserted inn. turned Into a 
French corps ile garde; and not fur from this building runs the 
aqueduct which, comm, ncmaat Karlovka-pus. furnishes fSebnstopol 
with water. This aqueduct bus, I have heard since, been cut oil 
Two m..» Mow r'K!J.rK„“!no“tr. p ,H.omo of 
Stood calmly the town, to re«c ™ " ( an(1 », ulier forgot 
her best blood; but at *l li , VI / t j 0 „ ■ which hml been the common lot. 
*!£?!£ X™ ulh 2 September, all, except the 
