ARTILLERY OPERATIONS.

189

A few men were placed upon the magazines, and the remaining gunnersand sailors were withdrawn from the trenches. Their labours were at anend.

On Tuesday evening, the 11th September, a Battery was commenced tothe right front of St. Paul’s Fort, on the edge of the water with the inten-tion of firing at seven Russian steamers which, headed by the “ St. Vladimir,”had anchored in the stream.

On Wednesday, the 12th, the “Vladimir” got her steam up, and as it wasthought just possible that she might be meditating an attempt at escape,permission was obtained to fire at her.

Two 8-inch guns were dragged down from the Redan to the Esplanade infront of the White Buildings; one was manned by the Royal Artillery, theother by the Naval Brigade.

Some difficulty was experienced in unspiking these guns, and there wereno tangent scales attached to them ; however, after two or three trial shotsone gun hulled the steamer four times, and the other twice, the darknesscompelling us to desist.

The steamer replied without effect.

The construction of the Battery was continued at night by the sailors ; hutthe following morning the whole of the steamers having been burnt to thewater’s edge and sunk, the work was discontinued.

FourthPeriod.June—Sept.1855 .

Captureof the Place.

The labours of the Naval Brigade and Siege Train being ended, the formerembarked on board their respective ships, on which occasion the Commander-in-Chief issued the following Order :—

General Order.

Head Quarters, Sebastopol,

(Extract. ) 17th September 1855.

“No. 1. The services for which the Naval Brigade was attached to this“ Army having been completed by the fall of Sebastopol, the Force has been“ ordered to rejoin the Fleet.

“ The Commander of the Forces heartily thanks the officers, petty-officers,“ and seamen for the very efficient services they have rendered in the“ Batteries, and on all occasions when their aid against the enemy was“ required ; and he has to notice the patience and courage with which, side by“ side with the soldiers of this Army , they have endured the dangers and“ hardships of nearly a year’s duty in the trenches.