JOURNAL OF THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.

33

During the first few hours the English batteries obtained a decidedsuperiority over those of the enemy, and this superiority they maintainedthoroughout the day. Little damage was done to their own batteries, whereasthey almost silenced those of the enemy. By 10 o’clock the guns on thetower of Malakoff had been all either damaged or dismounted, the tower hadbecome untenable, and the earthen battery round it had slackened its fire.

At about 3 r.ai. a tremendous explosion in rear of the Redan injured thatwork so considerably that only three guns were left standing; and later inthe afternoon several minor but not unimportant explosions took place inthe Russian lines.

The English batteries, although injured, remained firm throughout theday; their magazines remained uninjured; and the only accident was theexplosion of a small ammunition tumbril, left accidently in a hollow, somedistance in rear of Gordon’s Battery, but which did no injury whatever. TheFrench , on the contrary, were not so fortunate. Their guns, of smaller calibre,Were unequal to contend with the heavy metal of those of the enemy, andfheir large magazines were necessarily more exposed than the small compactones in the British lines. Two of them exploded in the early part of the day,and completely disabled two of their batteries, and at 1 p.m. the French batteries ceased firing entirely.

The whole attention of the Russians was now directed to the English lines,and the guns relieved from the French bombardment, which could bebrought to bear on the English batteries were turned against them, butnotwithstanding this increased and unexpected fire, the English batteriescontinued in action uninterruptedly until nightfall.

At 1 p.m. the allied fleets engaged the batteries on the sea-front, theiradvance having been delayed until this late hour from circumstances explainedin Admiral Dundas’ letter.*

The firing on both sides, by land as well as by sea, now became rapid andincessant, and the Russians replied most vigorously, although sufferinggreatly. At half-past four they made a sortie against the extreme left ofthe French , and driving in the picquets they advanced in the most gallantmanner to within 50 or 60 yards of the French batteries, and maintainedthat position until their heavy loss and the superior forces opposed to themobliged them to retire.

Towards dusk the fleet retired, having suffered considerably, and donecomparatively little injury, j- notwithstanding the most gallant exertions.

* Vide Appendix No. 16.

t Little effect was produced on Fort Constantine by the fire of the allied fleet. Major GeorgeBent , R.E., who subsequently inspected this fort, states, “Fort Constantine does not seem to have

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