424
JOURNAL OF THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.
Left Attack.
of fourth parallel ; 20 men continuing the centrecommunication to fifth parallel; 20 men improvingnew communication s s 1 from light of third to rightof fourth parallel ; 30 men improving communicationto No. 17 battery.
The covering party for the Woronzoff Road broughtup the clievaux-de-frise from the park to the cuttingin the road, where they were put together by Sappers,and then taken forward to repair the damage donelast night.
From 45 to 50 yards of the chevaux-de-frise hadbeen destroyed by the Russians , apparently withsledge hammers, for one was picked up on the spot.Along the centre, where the recent heavy rains hadcarried down gravel and mud, embedding thechevaux-de-frise to about the centre, and fixing itfirm, the spikes had been all broken ofif at thecentre, and at the flanks the chains had in placesbeen cut, and the different portions moved aside. Itwas all repaired, with the exception of four or fiveyards, which could not be done, in consequence ofits becoming very light, and the Russians keepingup a direct fire of musketry, besides shells and grape.They required considerable time putting together,as they did not fit properly.
Killed, 1 rank and flic. Wounded, 4 rank and file.
Day very fine. Wind N.E. Thermometer in.shade 80°.
Right Attack.
and 6 batteries, 50 men ; throwing over blasted rock,and forming cover in approach from fourth to fifthparallel, and forming parapet of addition to No. 17battery, 40 men ; magazine, No. 20 battery, exca-vating ready for carpenters, 10 men ; forming cesspitfor water in rear of fourth parallel, 20 men ;carrying gabions from No. 1 battery and Rightapproach to fourth parallel to No. 17 battery, 10men ; repairing approach from No. 6 to No. 13battery, 20 men; making traverse and drain inQuarries , 30 men ; draining fifth parallel, 20 men ;forming banquette and cover on extreme right of fifthparallel, 50 men.
The firing of shell and grape during the night wasvery heavy from the “ Redan,” but was scarcely atall returned by our batteries. It would be veryadvisable if the chevaux-de-frise was again laidacross the Woronzoff Road. At present it is entirelyremoved, and up the sides of the ravine muchdestroyed and scattered about. I regret to say thatthe general of the trenches did not think it advisableto push back the Russian sentries behind the screen-wall in front of the fifth parallel ; consequently, about1'30 a.m., they were the cause of making the Colonelon duty in the trenches order my working party of100 men, in the approach m from llie fourth parallel,to stand to their arms.
A party of 30 men without any support is notsufficient in the old large Russian rifle-pit q at end ofapproach to fifth parallel. It should be at least 100strong, and there is capital cover both by day andnight for the whole.
If some general arrangement was come to, bywhich the field officer was to place a certain numberof men in certain places, it would save an infinity oltrouble every night, and the trenches would be moresecurely held ; say 500 men in Quarries and fifthparallel, 100 men about Egerton’s rifle-pit, as areserve to come up, and so on.
Killed, 2 rank and file. Wounded, 5 rauk aud file.
Day very fine. Wind N.E. Thermometer iushade 87°.