JOURNAL OF THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.

333

It must be evident that it would not be possible to move a column to the attack of the right face of theRedan while the batteries in the Bastion du Mat should be allowed to fire upon it unmolested.

If the fire of the batteries in the Bastion du Mat can be silenced, and one or two guns in the French attackdirected to the enfilade of the entrenchment running to the edge of the Woronzoff Ravine from the rightflank of the Redan, the attack would bo greatly facilitated, even if no assault should be made on the Garden batteries.

It appears to be of very great importance that a battery should be constructed on the side of the hill onwhich the redoubt Biancion stands, to fire, in conjunction with the English battery No. 18, upon the enemy’sworks between the Redan and Malakoff. This appears to be most important, and would conduce greatly tothe success of any attack to be made on that part of the enemy’s line of works.

It is not desired to abandon the attack of the Redan, if it can he done with a chance of success, and withoutsacrificing the lives of men uselessly. It is therefore desirable to know whether the French will give anyaid by directing a heavy and steady fire upon the batteries in the Jardin du Mat and Garden batteries ; whilstthe English batteries in the Left attack will assist in that important object, and at the same time bring aheavy fire to bear upon the works on the right of the Redan and Barrack Battery ; or in what way the French and English attacks can be combined for the success of the one grand object each have in view.

(Signed) Harry U. Jones,

Major-General,

Comdg. Royal Engineers.

Memorandum.

Ilead-Quarters before Sebastopol, 30th June 1855.

It is submitted for consideration whether it would not be better to open a moderate fire of artillery uponthe town and working parties of the enemy at once, instead of acting, as heretofore, by bringing a heavyfire on his works alone, leaving his workmen unmolested, and allowed quietly to raise up works which in theend must be taken with a considerable loss of life.

It is therefore respectfully proposed that the officers commanding the artillery and engineers of both armiesshould meet to consider the proposition, and if agreed as to the advantages to be derived by adopting it, theyshould then determine the works or buildings to which the fire of the artillery should be directed.

The undersigned is of opinion that by following such a course the siege operations would be rendered mucheasier of execution, the enemy would be retarded as regards the completion of his works, and wouldexperience great interruption and loss ; by thus opening our fire he would be kept in a state of anxietyand incertitude as to the moment when the real attack would be made, which heretofore has been known tohim by the opening of all our batteries.

(Signed) Harry D. Jones,

Lieut.-General Simpson, &c. Major-General,

Comdg. in Chief. Comdg. Royal Engineers.