160
JOURNAL OF THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.
Left Attack.
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Right Attack.
party employed in it and in the communication thismorning.
This service was effected under a destructive firefrom the enemy’s galleries in the quarries underthe Redan, as well as constant discharges of grapeand canister from field pieces and heavy artilleryfrom the batteries in rear, and the casualties wereconsequently severe.
A reinforcement of 600 men under Colonel Egerton,commanding the 77th Regiment, were added to theusual strength of the guard of the trenches, for theespecial object proposed.
Having explained to Brigadier General Loekyerand to this officer the value and extent of theintended lodgment, and the manner in which Ithought it might be most safely effected, it wasarranged that the nearest rifle-pit e, and one f, imme-diately beyond it, should be turned on their rightflank, and that both should be occupied, and about loOmen pushed forward in double sentries to cover theworking party.
The advance upon the rifle-pits was conducted byColonel Egerton himself, about half past 9 r.M. Theenemy were immediately driven from them, althoughnot without resistance, which caused the loss of twoofficers and several men, Colonel Egerton himselfreceiving a severe contusion on the thigh.
Immediately that the pits were cleared and thecovering sentries were posted, I brought forward theworking party, consisting of one sergeant, a brigadeof Sappers, and 160 men, under Gaptain Owen andLieut . Baines, Royal Engineers. Gabions were placedon our right flank of the rifle-pit e, and in communi-cation from the left flank to the boyau in rear. Thiswas effected under heavy fire in a very short time,and without the slighest confusion, owing to thegallant exertions of the officers above named.
I regret to state that at this period Captain Owenand Lieut . Baines were within a few minutes veryseverely wounded, and I had therefore only SergeantM‘Donald, Royal Sappers and Miners, to assist me inthe direction of the work. The gallant and steadyconduct of this non-commissioned officer, who wassoon after wounded in the right side, attracted thenotice of Colonel Egerton. The enemy’s fire wasconstant and well directed, and a considerable number