Despatches and Papers, relative to the campaign in Turkey, Asia Minor, and the Crimea, during the war with Russia in 1854, 1855, 1856

449 Pages·1857·15.526 MB·English

by  Frederick Sayer

1207
#
DESPATCHES AND PAPERS
RELATIVE TO THE
CAMPAIGN IN TURKEY, ASIA MINOR,
AND
THE CRIMEA,
DURING THE WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854, 1855, 1856,
ILLUSTRATEDWITH
ORIGINAL PLANS AND DRAWINGS,
EXECUTED ATTHE
TopographicalBranchofthe War Department,
UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF COLONEL JERVIS, DIRECTOR.
COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY
Freder
CAPTAIN SAYER,
DEPUTY-ASSISTANT UTANT GENERAL, HORSE GUARDS.
TO WHICH 15 ADDED
A COPIOUS APPENDIX,
CONTAINING NUMEROUS VALUABLE AND INTERESTING RETURNS AND STATISTICS CONNECTED WITH THE
CAMPAIGN,MANYOFWHICH WERE PREPARED BY AUTHORITY, AND ARE NOW
FOR THE FIRST TIME PUBLISHED.
XMONDROIT.
LONDON :
HARRISON, 59, PALL MALL,
1857.
Ott 630.18
HARVARD COLLEGE
MAR 10 1904
LIBRARY
Wolcott Fund
LONDON:
PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS, ST. MARTIN'S LANE.
PREFACE.
THE object in arranging this volume has been to
compile from various sources a work which may be
ofinterest to the military profession.
The plans which have been selected illustrate the
various positions occupied by the British Army
during the most important portion of the campaign.
Theaccuracy ofthe Returns may be relied on.
The Despatches from Lord Raglan commence
from the period at which the Army embarked from
Varna Bay, and embrace the whole of the subse
quent operations to the first assault on Sebastopol,
on the 18th June, 1855.
On the 25th June, Lord Raglan wrote his last
Despatch, announcing the death of Major-General
Estcourt, Adjutant-General to the Army.
iv PREFACE.
At nine o'clock, on the evening of 28th June,
the Field Marshal Commanding the British Army
ofthe East, breathed his last.
A telegraphic message fromthe Government at
home, appointed Major-General Simpson, then serv
ing as Chief of the Staff, to the command of the
Troops.
His Despatches describe all the principal opera
tions, from the 30th June, 1855, to the beginning
ofNovember, including the Battle of the Tchernaya
and the Fall ofSebastopol.
When Major-General Simpson retired from the
Crimea, Major-General Codrington, who previously
had charge of the Light Division, was directed to
take command of the Army, and he retained that
position till the Declaration of Peace and the final
evacuation ofthe Crimea.

1
8
P
"
N
GalataBu
A
1
"
1
9
9
!
.
soaPaces
DESPATCHES AND PAPERS
RELATIVE TO THE
CAMPAIGN IN TURKEY,
ASIA MINOR,
AND
THE CRIMEA,
DURING THE WAR WITH RUSSIA IN 1854, 1855 & 1856.
No. 1.-Lord Raglan to the Duke ofNewcastle.—
(Received September 30.)
(Extract.) Varna, August29, 1854.
THE embarkation is proceeding rapidly and successfully,
thanks to the able arrangements of Rear-Admiral Sir
Edmund Lyons, and the unceasing exertions of the officers
and men under his orders. It is impossible for me to
express in adequate terms my sense ofthe value of the
assistance the Army under my command derives fromthe
RoyalNavy.
Thesamefeeling prevails fromthe highest tothe lowest;
from Vice-Admiral Dundas to theyoungest sailor, an ardent
desire to co-operate by every possible means is manifest
throughout; and I am proud of being associated with men
who are animated by such a spirit, and are so entirely
devoted tothe service oftheir country.
No. 2.-Lord Raglan to the Duke ofNewcastle.
(Received September 30.)
Campabove Old Fort Bay,
MYLORDDUKE, September 18, 1854.
I DO myself the honour to acquaint your Grace, that
thecombined fleets and their convoys appeared in the Bay
of Eupatoria on the 13th instant, and inthe courseofthe
B
2 EASTERN CAMPAIGN. [September23,
following night proceeded some miles to the southward,
wherethe Allied Armies commenced disembarking early in
the morning of the 14th,-the French in the bay below
Old Fort, the English in the next bay nearer to Eupatoria,
-and before dark the whole of the British infantry, and
some artillery,andmostoftheFrench troops, wereon shore.
Shortlybefore dark, the weather unfortunately changed,
and it became hazardous to attempt to continue landing
eithertroops orguns.
The surf on the beach impeded the operation the fol
lowing morning; and since, on more than one occasion;
but thanks to the great exertions of the Navy, under the
able and active superintendence of Rear-Admiral Sir
Edmund Lyons, who was charged with the whole arrange
ment, every obstacle has been overcome, and I am now
enabled to report to your Grace that the disembarkations
have been completed.
I should not do justice to my own feelings, or to those
of the troops I have the honour to command, if I did not
prominentlybring to the knowledge of yourGrace, the deep
sense entertained by all, of the invaluable services ren
deredbyHer Majesty's Navy.
The spiritbywhich both officers and men were animated,
madethem regardless of danger, of fatigue, and indeed of
every consideration but that of performing an arduous and
important duty; and that duty they discharged to the
admiration of allwho hadthe good fortune to witness their
unceasing efforts to land horses and carriages, with the
utmost expedition and safety, under frequently the most
trying circumstances. I have, &c.
(Signed) RAGLAN.
No.3.-ViscountStratforddeRedcliffetotheEarlofClarendon.
(Received September 30.)
(Telegraphic.) Constantinople, September 23, 1854.
THE entrenched camp of the Russians, containing
50,000 men, witha numerous artillery and cavalry, on the
ELBY
FMJewis
Lt.Col. Dir."
19
"