525 
AN EPISODE 
IN THE 
SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. 
THE CONTEST BETWEEN THE LEFT ATTACK ADVANCED 
BATTERIES AND THE RUSSIAN BATTERIES, ON 
THE 13th & 14th OF APRIL, 1855. 
BY 
COLONEL F. A. WHINYATES, Late R.H.A. 
The stirring events of the Crimean war, more than forty years ago, have 
been lately recalled to our minds by several recent publications.* It 
would therefore not seem inopportune to draw attention to a remarkable 
incident which occurred in the siege batteries before Sebastopol during 
the second bombardment in April, 1855, which reflects distinction not 
only on the Royal Artillery immediately concerned, but also on their 
Regiment. There need therefore be no apology for publishing the 
particulars of the incident referred to in the Proceedings of the R.A. 
Institution. Before however giving the details, it will be as well briefly 
to relate what had happened in the siege operations previous to the 
opening of the second bombardment. 
After the battle of Alma, and the flank march by which the Allies 
placed themselves before the south side of Sebastopol, it was decided, 
before attempting to assault the place, to land the siege train and to 
bombard the Russian defensive works. The necessary preparations 
were all completed by October 17th, and on that morning the siege 
batteries of the Allies opened fire. 
* “ The Highland Brigade in the Crimea,” by Sir Anthony Sterling, k.c.b. ; “ Letters 
from the Crimea,” by Colonel Colin Campbell, 46th Regt.; “ The Crimea in 1854 and 
1894,” by General Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., G.C.B. ; “ Letters and Diary, Crimea and India,” 
by Sir Charles A. Windham, k.c.b. 
