Читать книгу The Battles of the World or, cyclopedia of battles, sieges, and important military events онлайн

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The plan of attack had originally included the co-operation of the fleet, but a brisk gale from the north-west forbade them to leave their anchorage; and except some French and English gunboats, which did good service in throwing shells and rockets into the forts, the sailors were unwillingly mere spectators of the fray.

Precisely at twelve o’clock General MacMahon’s division left the French trenches, which were within a few yards of the Malakoff tower, and advanced rapidly up the rugged and steep ascent. It proved that very great damage had been inflicted on the tower, and nearly all the guns dismounted. In a few minutes, with the loss of only one man, the French had leaped into the work, and the tricolor waved triumphantly on the summit of this great fort—the key to the town. The Russians contested their ground with great bravery, renewing again and again their attacks, but every time repulsed with enormous loss. General Bosquet was early wounded, and retired from the field.

The signal was now given by General Pelissier for the commencement of the English assault on the Redan; and the first stormers, led by Major Welsford of the 97th, and Captain Grove of the 90th, dashed from the trenches, followed by the remainder of the troops. The great work was distant about 250 yards, and the ground was so broken that it was impossible to preserve order. The enemy, who had been taken by surprise by the suddenness of the French attack upon the Malakoff, were now thoroughly aroused and manned every gun. Showers of grape and shell poured among our men as they struggled across the open space; General Shirley, the brigadier of the Light Division, was compelled to retire, and hundreds were shot down. When the foremost men reached the Redan, the ladders were too short to reach the breach; but spite of every obstacle our brave fellows climbed the broken walls, and poured into the salient angle of the work. Major Welsford was shot down as he entered the Redan. Colonel Windham, with his brigade of the Second Division, followed quickly after, and in a few moments the triangular apex of the work was thronged with men. Then a now obstacle presented itself. An inner work commanded the position, and a terrible array of embrasures frowned upon the assailers. For the first time English troops quailed before an enemy’s fire, and notwithstanding the daring courage of Colonel Windham and the other officers, retreated to such cover as they could obtain, maintaining an ineffective fire from their muskets. In vain Colonel Windham hurried from side to side, crossing with amazing courage the line of fire, and endeavored to form his men for another assault. The few who answered his appeal were swept away by the terrible fire of the enemy. For nearly two hours was the little band exposed to such a fearful risk; and from some unaccountable remissness no reinforcements were sent. Three messengers were sent by Colonel Windham, but all were wounded in the attempt to reach General Codrington. At length the dauntless Colonel resolved to go himself; and passing across the open space, succeeded in obtaining the desired help. It was too late; the men inside the work, unable longer to hold their position, were in full retreat; and the Russians, pouring out of their cover, charged them with the bayonet, till the ditch was filled with the bodies of the English soldiers.