SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. 
535 
soon compel the surrender of the place. While such a scheme was in 
contemplation, it was considered unadvisable to risk the loss of life and 
prestige, which such an attack, if unsuccessful, must have entailed. This 
was one of many embarrassing incidents that happened during the war, 
the result of divided command and counsel, which must ever be a 
drawback to the harmonious action of allied armies in the field under 
independent individual control. 
In touching on these incidents in the siege of Sebastopol, it may here 
be remarked, that in most of the numerous wars in which the Royal 
Artillery have participated, the more active, and therefore the most 
distinguished part, has usually devolved on the Field Artillery, but in 
the Crimea, owing to the vast proportions of the siege, it was otherwise, 
and consequently, the most important duties fell to the lot of the officers 
and men of the Garrison Artillery. During the eleven months the 
siege lasted, they were constantly by day and night, in the trenches, 
exposed to the fire of the enemy and the inclemency of the weather, 
and they endured severe hardships from excessive toil, aggravated by bad 
food, insufficient clothing, and scanty shelter. These trials were 
patiently suffered throughout, and further, to their credit be it said, 
their duties were at all times unflinchingly performed. 
When the siege train left England for the East, in April, 1854, only three 
garrison companies, Nos. 6, 7 and 8 of the 11th Battalion, under 
Captains D’Aguilar,* * * § Gambier,| and FitzroyJ respectively, accompanied 
it: but as the siege progressed and grew in magnitude, these were 
continually added to, until, when the place fell, there were present 
with the army, twenty-nine Companies of Garrison Artillery, numbering 
3,300 officers and men, ably assisted in the siege batteries by about 1,100 
officers and men of the Royal Navy. 
The Crimean War having been waged against a powerful European 
State, is the most important campaign in which the British army has 
been engaged since led to uninterrupted victory by the Duke of 
Wellington, who crowned its triumphs by the defeat of Napoleon at 
Waterloo. It is noticeable that the conditions of warfare in 1854, were 
much the same as at the beginning of the century, though the use of 
Minie and Liege rifles and Lancaster guns, and the application of steam as 
a motive power and of armour plates§ for the defence of warships, was 
an indication of the great changes which have since taken place in 
military and naval science. From this point of view, the campaign may 
be regarded as a link between the old and the new order of things. 
Those who served in the war, and reflect on its vicissitudes, will feel 
that a tribute of praise is justly due to the soldiers of the Allied and 
Russian armies, for their patient endurance under many hardships, the 
faithful performance of trying duties, and indomitable courage on 
frequent occasions. All these qualities are deserving, of frank 
acknowledgment. Of our own troops, it can be said without fear of 
* Kane’s List, No. 1911. Now General Sir Charles L. D’Aguilar, g-.c.b. No. 6 
Company, assisted by some men of No. 7, with some horses from the Grey Battery, brought 
up and served the two 18-pr. guns, which rendered such important service at the battle 
of Inkerman. 
f Kane’s List, No. 1783. Lieutenant-Colonel Gloucester Gambier, was severely wounded 
with the 18-pr. guns at Inkerman. He died a Major-General and C.B., March 9th, 1872. 
f Kane’s List, No. 1933. Major A. C. L. Fitzroy, died on September 10th, 1855, from 
wounds received during the Assault of Sebastopol on the 8th. 
§ At the attack on Kinburn in October, 1855, the French had three floating batteries 
protected by armour plates. 
