THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 331, 2 January 1856, Page 4

THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL.

The Allied flags ware over the MaiakofF tower, ih«» key of the southern portion of ih<j fortress of Sebastopoi. The heroism of the allied troops have wrested so 'much ot the Crimea from the couched'hands of the Russian troops. » The garrison of Seb.'istopol," wra.es Prince Gortstcliakoft" to the Kmjwrpr of HusHJa, "after susUiiuiug an infernal ih<j, repuLccl the enemy's sis assaults, but conkl

not drive them from the Korniloff Bastion (the Maliikoff Tower). Our brave troops, who resisted to tluj last extremity, are now crossing over to tlu> northern part of Sevastopol." \. A bombardment previously to the gran(s attack commenced on the sth of Septempe r and continued to the Bth, the morning of which ;day opened with au awful conflagia. lion, raging in the heart of the doomed city. Then was made (ho signal for attack. The Allied troops moved simultaneously on the Malakoff, the central bastion, the Careening bay Redan, and the Redan. The English troops aUackud the Redan, and the French the other positions. " Then,"says a Liverpool paper, from which we give the following account, " ensued one of the most fearful scenes in the hideous progress of a war. Thousands of brave and gallant men rushed onwards to on almost certain destruction. To the batteries of the Allies, the Russians replied with a fire almost as heavy and as vigorously sustained. At intervals the explosLns of magazines were heard above the roar of artillery—the blaze of burning ships and buildings outshone the intermittent flashes of the ordnance—the brisk and quick roulade of musketry in fierce succession indicated the almost hand to hand death struggle which was •in progress." The 'British troops, after carrying the salient of the Hedan, were cumpelled to' retire before the enemy's reserves and the fire of her artillery. The loss was heavy, comprising, it is said, 2000 killed and wounded. Of the casualties we have a return from General Simpson, which exhibits thess totals of casualties among the officers engiged in the attack on the Redan. There were 20' officers killed, 17 dangerously wounded, 54 seriously wounded," 2 severely contused, 41 slightly wounded, and.l missing. From (he corrospoml.-ut of the " Miiitlund Mercury." * The latest letters from the camp before ■Sebastopol come no fin ther down than the Ist |jinst., last Sunday week, which was five clays before the terrific bombardment began. It ib interesting now to mark the hopes and fears of the writers, as they sp C'cttlated on thejprobability uPaiuissault and the chances of another repulse^ which, had it taken place, would have been a far'greater '"blow, after so much preparation, than that of the 18th June. A very general belief] seems to have prevailed that General Li.'prandi would make another attempt upon ilie allied lines, but the result has proved how little ground there w;ss for such an anticipation. It was on the sth instant that the bombardment commenced. Prince Gort. scfiakoH", in a despatch of that evt'nin" describes it in the following terms :-—'• This i morning the enemy opened a very sharp fire on our right flank. Afterwards their fire wis (ixteu led to the left. Our batteries replied with vigour. This evening the fire of tin* enemy has blackened." The Russian troops were assembled in large masses in the neighbourhood of the Malakofl'thut (lay. under ilm impression (fiat the assault would take plui-e. Our batteries must have made dreadful havoc among them, but nothing is said about that in (he Russian bulletin. On Friday Prince Gorlschakofl*again telegraphs to St. Petersburg!! that the "feu Wcufe's" us he afterwards described iL, continues without intermission. " The bombardment against, our right and left continues night and day; ami, for the moment, is strong. We repair ourwoiks with success. '!'»;„ £*' as! i -ong cannonade w:is opened by the eftemy at daybreak, ljy cloven o'clock it grew weaker." On Saturday, Bth, at noon precisely, 21 hours after this despatch had been gout off by tin; Human commander, the assault on the- Mnhikoff took place. The Mulwkoff,

Tower, as • our readers are aware is the

highest point of the fortifications which defended Sehastopbl. It is flanked on either side by the Great Itcdan—the object of the English attack—and the Redan of Careening f^?3ay. Behind these forts the Russians had constructed a second line of formidable earthworks, heavily armed,which commanded all the works in front, with the exception of the MalakofF Tower; and this exception was due to the over-care of the Russians, who, in their anxiety to strengthen the MalakofF, had built its works in three tiers, 'he one rising above the other, whereas: the Redan was constructed with only one tier of guns. The consequence of this was, that wheh the French swarmed up to the first tier of the Matnkoff, the second tier saved therr) from being hurt by the tire of the earthworks in the rear of the Tower; and, in like manner, when they attained the second tier the third saved themlin its turn. Consequently, thousands of French soldiers thronged its ramparts, protected from the Russian fire. The combat raged on the flanks, where the enemy could only attack them with his musketry, and their own rifles and impetuosity were too much for him. The assault on the great Redan and the Gentral Bastion, which took place at a later hour on Saturday, was not so successful. It is true that the gallantry of the allied troops carried those works; but they had no Booner done so than they found themselves exposed to a terrific close fire of grape, The forts, built in one exposed tier, were open to the full range of the second line of earthworks, which the Russians had prepared so skillfully ; and in vain our gallant

men—in vain our chivalrous allies—tried to

hoid their position. They' would not retreat, but were swept away by the pitiless storm of grape. The tenacity, of our struggle may be easily conceived when it is known that in carrying and endeavouring to hold the Redan alone, the English loss amounted to 2,000 men killed and wounded.

Our allies and we ourselves had, there-

fore, to retire- from these points; but the Malakoffwas in the hands of the French, and that was everything. The proof of this is in the result. The Russians set to work at once to burn and destroy. They sunk or burnt their ships, exploded mines in all directions, and raised such havoc, that General Pelissier described Sebastopol as one vast circle of conflagration. The Russians then escaped "en masse," breaking the bridge they had recently constructed, and without time to carry oft* their killed and wounded, for whose removal Prince Gortsehakoff was compelled to solicit an armistice. [650 Russian soldiers, and 27 officers, were taken prisoners by the allies in the Malakhoff.]

We are still without any detailed account of this great victory. The total loss of the Allies is variously reported at from 6000 to 10,000 killed and wounded. We have elsewhere given the names of the English officers killed and wounded, from which it will be seen that the number killed on the Bth was 26, precisely the same as at the Alma. The wounded officers number 114. which is 41 more than on that occasion. The regiments most deeply engaged, so far as the loss of officers may serve as a guide, were—first, the 23rd and 90th, of which the former has lost 2 officers killed and 12 wounded; and the latter 3 killed and 11 wounded. Next comes the 30lh, . which has lost 3 killed and 7 wounded ; the 88th with 1 killed and S wounded; the 07ih, „, with 4 killed and 5 wounded; and the I9th 'with 8 wounded. The 7th and 77th, the 62nd and s!>th, the 4 Ist and 49th, the Ist and 3rd, is will he seen occupied an honourable position. The other regiments engaged were the 11th, 17th, 20th, 33rd, 31th, 47th, G3rd and 95th. The Itiile Brigade has lost as mwv <>» in«'«-<»rs, 2

killed and 8 wounded. The Royal Engineers have lost 2, and the Royal Artillery 3 officers. It was reported that there were three French Generals among the killed during tlie attack on Sebastopol. It is now said that there are four. The death of General de Salles, who made the attack on the Central Bastion, is not confirmed. The names of those killed are Generals Rivet, Le Breton, and Niel; and General de Marolles is missing. This last, it is feared, met his death from the explosion of a mine. Qeneral Couston is severely wounded, and the favourite aide-de-camp of General Pelissier mortally so. [A later report states that Generals M'Mahon and Troeher have died of their wounds, and that General Bosquet is killed. Ten French superior officers were killed in the assault.] The general opinion is that the Russians will not attempt to defend the forts on the north side of the bay, but they will probably blow them up and try to gain Perekop. Two divisions are said to have been sent to Eupatoria to intercept their passage, or to hasten their retreat. On Wednesday morning General Simpson telegraphed that the enemy had destroyed the last few vessels of 'heir Biack Sea fleet, from which it may be inferred that they are likely to leave that quarter as speedily as possible. * The fleet in consequence of a gale of wind from the north were compelled to anchor, and could not cooperate with the troops ; but the gunboats fired about 1200 shells, and did considerable damage. The rank of a Marshal of the Empire has been conferred on General Pelissier. LIST OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. War Dei>aktmbnt, September 12. L'ml Piiiimure bejrs tv forward to ibe Editor of Che Times the accompanying list of officers killed and wouiided at Sevastopol, which he has this day received from Generdl Simpson. Lord PauiiHire thinks it ri-r'nt at the same time to observe that in ihe transmission of the list by telegraph several mistakes occurred in the names of the officers wounded, and he cannot therefore hold himself responsible for its accuracy:— List op officers killed. Lient.-Col. P.«tiiil<>, 30th Keg. Lieut.-CoL Cuddy, 55th Rp<*. Lieut.-C«l. Handcnck, 97th Reg. M;ijor Weisfuru, 97th Resr. Captain J. C. N. Sier>Uenson,3oiu Reg. Captain Evfiv, 41st Heir. Captain G. Roebfort, 49th Repr. Capuiin R. A. Cox, 62nd Rrir. Captain W. B. C A. Parker,"?7th Reg. Captain H. W. Groiran, 88th Reg. Captain 11. Presto t>, 90tl» Reg-. Captain Mutton, 97th Resr. Captain Hammond, R:tle Brigade. Lieut. L. Blakisttm, (>2»d Reg. Lieut. W. Wri«h(, 7ch Reg. * Lieut. 0. Colt, 7ib Re-r. Lien}. H. H. Somtm>ni)!e, -23rd Reg-. Lima, I). "o>uely,23rd R«>tr. Lieut. 11. Donovan, 3:kd Re«j. Lieut. A. D. Swift, 9<>:h Hog". Lieut. F. Wilmer, 90tb Ue-r. Lieut. I). M'Gre'.'or, 97tb IXcs;. Lieut. S. Rvdfjr. Rifle Brigade. ! Ensisin L)t:an,3oth R.-«. " I Deputy-Assistant Cosiunissary W. Hayler. I paxokkoi;si.y woi:xi>Bi>. Lieut.-001. T. 15. (iou<;li, 33r«l Uejr. I LuMit.-001. J. Emnn, 41st Reg. Mttjor F. F. Maude, 3rd Rf jr. MitjorS. R. Channv.uu '20th Re«r. Captain Sedley, 11. K. Captain W. !$. Poole. 23rd Ke«j. Captain C. IL Lnnley, J)7tli liug. Lieut. W. Kevr, 30th" Ue«r. Lieut. W*. M..1 ones, 7t!i XUs;. Lieut. V. GudiVi-y, li)th vest. TiitM.it. A, lioreu, H)th re jr. Lieut. W. Thompson, )7ih veg. ( Lieut. W. <*. !). Maguey, 19th teg. Licit. L. O'Connor, 23rd reg. i Lieut. ('. Ikck, 2Srd r^, Lieut. E. S. lloldeu. 23td reg, Eusign C. Mitchell, 49iU reg %

BRVXRBI.T tVO»St»KJ>. T,ieutenant-Colonel D. Lysons, 23rd regiment t» Lindesay, 63rd regiment „ L. B. Tvler, t>2nd regt, D. S. F". Beylanri, 7th do. „. ' F. Maxwell,*Bßth do. „ J. Uneit, lmb do. Major W, Rooke, 47th da. „ A. Cure, 55th do. „ J-H. King, 49th do. Captain Pocock, 30th do. „ K. Hume, 55th do. „ H. Hibbert, 7th do. „ J. Hickie, 7th dn, „ F. Vane, 23rl do. „ J. Butts, 77th do. „ B. Mauleverer, 88th do. - „ .G. B. Beresford, 88lh do. „ R, Grove, 90th do. „ W. Tinlinjr, 90th do. „ J. Wade, 90th do. „ R. Sibthorpe, 97th do. „ A. C. L. Fitz lt.»y, Royal Artillery „ H. Vattghan, 90th regU Lieutenant H. C. Efphinslone, Royal Engrs. „ G. A. Morgan, 55th regt. „ R. Williams, Ist do. „ 11. Caton, Ist do. M. Field, 30th do.l „ G. Sanders, 30th do. „ W. Johnson, 55th do. ...i3 „ F. KiiiiTSCote, 41st do. „ W. Davennort, t>2«d do. „ R. Molesworth, 29tb do. „ S. C. Milieu, 23rd do. „ J. Willijimson, 23rd do. : , F. M. Dare, 23rd do. „ J. Tapper, 9.3rd do. „ J. Trent, 33rd do. „ J. Laurie, 34th do. „ K. Harris, 34th do. „ W. Limbert, SSth do. „ E. Hopton, SSth do. „ L. Scoit, SSth reg, „ Watson, SSCu reg1. „ J. Rattray, 90tii reg. „ Sir C, Piiiotu Bin* 90th reg. „ I. J. Deverill, UOth reg. „ H. Goodriehe, 90e1i reg. „ R. G»oiieniHi»h, 97th reg. „ R. Champion, R. A. „ Tyler, R. A. , Ensign A. Lens 3rd reg. Ensign A. Murtin, 11 eh reg-. Ensign G. Walker. BSlh refr. SF-TEUKLY COSXCSEIX. Lieut. M. Waters, 77th reg. Lieut. C. Kiunvles, 77tit rt-fj. SLIGHTLY WOCNDEIX . * •General Van Sfruubeiizee. General Shirley. General Warrt'n. Col. Hon. P. Herbert. Lient.-Colonel MauJeverer, 30lh reg. M;ijor Campbell, 30ih reg. Major Pratt, 4 1-t rt% Major Turner, 7'A\ reg. Major Warden. 10th reg. Major Woixlfoni, Rile Brigade. Captain 0. Hood, oat reg. Captain Dnniuir, "3ni reg. Captain Rowlands, 41m do. „ Hunter, (>2mi <n>. „ Chippei'sijiJ!, I9;hdo. „ Elli«, 33r»i tii». „ Perrin, 90th .ii>. „ Woods, i>7ih »it>, "*: „ the il.'Si, li. iVHevv, Rifie Brigade Major J. H. Kit-..:, 491h regt. Lieutenant Fa»ke;-, 17«h do. „ IL«n. W, Pattiketf, Ist do. " , „ Cox, on! do. „ Au-ti», ov>ih th>. „ F-.uksus.ui, Oash do. „ Matuh', 41>t tto. „ }J;»yW-y, lt):h do. „ l Ju>Vi.s«. 2:^-.l ifo. „ U ulvUfl"'. SAiii do. Wailis. 33rd iU». „ l.f^-; tt, 77ih ilo. „ 11-iyaork, O'Jih do. , } (Jr,*.h:um\ i)i>lh d<». „ Brown-:, t*7t'U «10, „ Fitz.:cniU!,97Hj do. „ Kml\ iv;il-.« Urigudd „ Rilt'-y, do. „ , Ev.-cU\-, do. „ Mtmrt', (si>. "*; '•" „ I>,-rough, iht. M Fuiyne, uo. MIvMXU. L\eutcwaut 11. i'aUiur, o^ud regt