THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue VIII, 22 February 1896, Page 219

THE BATTLE OF INKERMAN.

As every urchin knows, ‘Guy Fawkes’ Day,’ is also the anniversary of the battle of Inkerman which was fought forty-one years ago. Inkerman has often been called a soldier’s victory, and this is the ‘ true story ’of the battle as told by a soldier. When the historian of the Russian War was collecting materials for his great work, he interviewed both officers and privates in his desire to obtain at first hand, from every available source, the most reliable information. On one occasion he was assisted by a guardsman, who claimed to have fought in the ranks at the ever-memorable victory. ‘Do I know anything about the battle ?’ this hero is reported to have exclaimed in reply to a question, ' I should rather think I did ! It was like this, sir. We were ordered to advance, and did. Then I got lost in the fog. Then I came across a dead Russian wearing a very good pair of boots. Then I thought to myself, as he won’t want those boots any more, I may as well have them. Then, as I was taking up his foot, he sat up, suddenly like, and said —so far as I could understand hislingo—" What the mischief are you doing with my muddy boots ?” Then I dropped his foot like a hot potato ; and that, sir, is the true story of the Battle of Inkerman.* Strange to say Kinglake doesn’t mention it.