JOURNAL OF TIIE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.
369
Left Attack.
and laying a platform. On the right of the fourthparallel, building up the parapet with stones, andthickening it. Sappers were blasting, as usual, in thecommunications v and x to the ravine near theCemetery, both in front and rear of the Caves on theright of the 4th parallel, through the road throughthe trench k from No. 4 boyau to No. 14 battery, &c.
I had all the stores in the depot in No. 5 collected,and put under cover.
There appeared to be a fire in the town in rear ofthe lower Garden batteries ; there was a consider-able volume of smoke arising there all the afternoon ;but I am not positive, as I could see no flame.
I have to add that this morning, in No. 13 battery,a heap of carcasses, when firing from the mortars,were set on fire.
Working Party.
Line .... 200 men.
Sappers ... 25 „
OJJicer on duty Lieut . Neville, R.E.
Two Sappers and 30 men excavating trench lead-ing to Cemeteries ; three Sappers and 40 men em-ployed in trench leading from fourth parallel to rifle-pit j, looking over the Creek Battery ; traverse olaid out, and passage p, cut round passage n, madeone gabion in height.
Three Sappers and 150 men in No. 15 battery,earth thrown forward and parapet thickened.
Three Sappers and 50 men, No. 14 battery, thick-ening parapet of left guns of battery, and throwingearth forward of 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 guns.
Two Sappers and 30 men at No. 16 battery, earththrown forward and parapet thickened ; six minersemployed blasting at old roadway between No. 4boyau and 14 battery.
At about 1 a.M., 15th July, there was observed alarge fire, apparently in the buildings in rear of theIledan. The Russians shortly opened a heavy fire onthe Right attack and on the French Right, which firewas answered by three times ns many guns andmortars from the Allies .
There was a good deal of shouting, but althoughthe enemy got outside the Redan, they immediatelyretreated. The gun on the flank of 14 battery madevery good shell practice.
Killed, 1 rank and file. Wounded, G rank and file.
Day very fine. Wind (strong) N.E.
Right Attack.
3. No. 19 battery, 1st relief, 40 men, 2d relief, 70men, improving merlons, building up traverses inapproach on Left, and improving parapet and trenchof approach n in rear.
4. No. 18 battery, 1st relief, 60 men, 2d relief, 30men, completing platform and mngazine, and levellingground for shells ; battery completed.
5. No. 19 battery, 1st relief, ten men, right em-brasure.
6. Approach k, from No. 19 battery to fourthparallel, 100 men in each relief, thickening parapetand digging out trench.
7. Carrying stones, 2d relief, 50 men.
Working Party.
Line .... 60(1 men.
Sappers ... 24 „
Officers on auty E . E .
1. Fifth parallel, filling up behind gabions withwhat earth could be got; soil very bad in manyplaces ; improved parapet in parts with sandbags ;continued wall 50 yards long, two feet wide, and fourfeet high ; 40 yards more will run it into the oldRussian trench crossing the ravine ; 200 men.
2. Left advanced trench, 30 men, making banquetteof stones.
3. No. 19 battery, 50 men building up merlons andtraverses.
4. Approach k from No. 19 battery to fourthparallel, 100 men, laying out a new line of gabions,and filling.
5. New trench n, connecting third parallel withNo. 18 battery, 150 men, laying and filling gabions.
6. Excavating for engineer house and small-armammunition magazine in rear of Quarries, 10 men.
7. Fourth parallel, improving parapet, 60 men,three brigades Sappers superintending.
One sea-service mortar mounted during the nightin No. 18 battery.
Heavy fire kept up by the Russians on the French Mamelon works. Fire on our working parties notheavy, but exceedingly accurate.
About quarter to two, Russians made a sortie onFrench works in front of Mamelon. After a smartfiring of about 20 minutes, they were repulsed, after
3 A
1855.
July 14, might.
S P.M. t<) i A.M.
1855.
July 14, might.
8 P.M. to 2 A.M.