532 
SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. 
proving a most formidable antagonist, for within half-an-hour, the 
muzzles were knocked off two of the guns in No. 8. In this battery, 
probably from the work having been done hastily and at night, 
the sills of the embrasures had unfortunately not been cut deep enough 
to enable the guns to be correctly laid. This was especially the case 
when efforts where made to fire at the battery at the head of the Creek, 
which covered a bridge, over which the Russians were continually 
passing, and which swept a small cemetery which our troops would 
have occupied in the event of an assault.* * * § It was impossible to alter 
these embrasures, because the fire of the enemy was too hot, and because 
the soil, with which the parapet was made, was so rocky and hard that 
though the shot from the guns impinged on the sill of the embrasures, 
little effect was produced in blowing away the obstructive portion, 
which deflected the shot in their flight, and marred in a great measure 
their effect. It was an untoward circumstance, and the Engineer Officer 
on duty, Lieutenant Charles Gordon,! was extremely distressed. In the 
course of the morning, the Adjutant of the Attack, Lieutenant Ruck 
KeeneJ came down to see how matters were going on. Nothing however 
could be done but to make the best of the situation, and the guns were 
steadily served until the arrival at 3 p.m. of reliefs under 2nd Captain 
Philip Dickson § with Lieutenant Briscoe || for No. 7 battery, and 
2nd Captain Lukin with Lieutenant Harris If for No. 8. As the day 
wore on the Russians in no wise relaxed their exertions, and very 
shortly after the arrival of the reliefs, another gun in the latter battery 
was disabled, Harris, at the moment, being in the act of laying it. In 
spite of all difficulties the fire from the remaining serviceable guns 
was, nevertheless, continued until dark, when they were placed under 
cover, and others mounted to replace those disabled, after which the 
men and officers, thoroughly fatigued and exhausted, returned to camp. 
The fighting in the advanced batteries on the 14th inst., is thus 
reported in Engineer journal of the siege. 
“ Left Attack, April 13th, Night.” 
“ On duty, Captain Hassard and Lieutenant C. Gordon, R.E.’, No. 7 
battery, repaired and armed. No. 8 armed, and six embrasures cut 
through.” 
April 14th, Night. 
“ Battery No. 8 opened fire this morning in company with 
No. 7, but were overpowered by the heavy fire brought against 
them, they however continued a fire from one or two guns 
until dark. It is impossible not to admire the gallant way in 
which the Artillery Captains, Henry and Walcott, and the 
Let this be officers and men under their command, fought these batteries, 
formed un der the very disadvantageous circumstances in which they 
s°d. n Ragian. were placed. 
Sd., Harry D. Jones, Major-General, 
Commdg. R.E., 19th April, 1855.” 
For the casualties in the Left Attack on the 14th, see foot of return 
No. 2. 
* This Cemetery was occupied by General Eyre’s brigade on June 18th. 
f Later, Major General Gordon, killed at Khartoum in 1885. 
! Kane’s List, No. 2837. Now Major-General Ruck Keene. 
§ Kane’s List, No. 2161. Major Philip Dickson, retired, October, 1864. 
|| Kane’s List, No. 2401. Major W. W. Briscoe, died 12th February, 1876. 
% Kane’s List, No. 2399. Now Lieut.-Colonel N. H. Harris. 
