It had been arranged that detachments from the Light, 2nd, and 4th Divisions, which I placed for the occasion undr the command of Lieuteuant-General Sir G. Brown, should be formel into three columns; that the right one should attack the left face of the Redan between the Hanking batteries; that the centre should advance upon the salient angle; and that the left should move upon the re-entering angle formed by the right face and flank of the work; the first and last preceding the centre column.
The flank columns at once obeyed the signal to advance, preceded by covering parties of the Rifle Brigade, and by sailors carrying ladders and soldiers carrying wool-bags; but they had no sooner shown themselves beyond the trenches than they were assailed by a most murderous fire of grape and musketry. Those in advance were either killed or wounded, iind the remainder found it impossible to proceed. I never before witnessed such a continued and heavy fire of grape combined with musketry irom the enemy's works, which appeared to be fully manned; and the long list of killed and wounded in the Light and 4th Divisions, and the seamen of the Naval Brigade, under Captain Peel, who was unfortunately wounded, though not severely, will show that a very large proportion of those that went forward fell. Major-General Sir John Campbell, who led the left attack, and Colonel Shadlorth, of the 57th, who commanded the storming party under his direction, were both killed, as was also £Monel Yea, of the Ro^al Fusiliers, who led the right column.
I cannot say too much in praise of these officers. Major- General Sir
J. Campbell had commanded the 4th Division from tho period of the battle of Inkerman, till the arrival very recently of Lieutenant- General Bentinck. He had devoted himself to his duty without any intermission, and had acquired the confidence and respect of all; I most deeply lament his loss.
Colonel Shadforth had maintained the efficiency of his regiment by constant attention to all the details of his command, and Colonel Yea was. not only distinguished for his gallantry, but had exercised his control of the Royal Fusiliers in such a manner as to win the affections of the soldiers under his orders, and to secure to them every comfort and accommodation which his personal exertions could procure for them.
I shall not be able to send your Lordship correct lists of the killed and wounded by this opportunity, but I will forward them by telegraph as soon as they are made out.
I have not any definite information upon the movements of the French columns, and the atmosphere became so obscured by the smoke from the guns and musketry, that it was not possible by personal observation to ascertain their progress, though I was particularly well situated for the purpose; but I understand that their left column, under General d'Autemarre, passed the advanced works of the enemy, and threatened the gorge of the Malakoff Tower; and that the two other columns, under Generals Mayran and Brunet, who both, I regret to say, were killed, met with obstacles equal to those we encountered, and were obliged in consequence to abandon the attack.
The superiority of our fire on the day we opened, led both General Pelissier and myself, and the officers of the Artillery and Engineers of the two services, and the Armies in general, to conclude that the Russian Artillery fire was, in a great measure, subdued, and that the operation we projected could be undertaken with every prospect of success. The result has shown that the resources of the enemy were not exhausted, and that they had still the power, either from their ships or their batteries, to bring an overwhelming tire upon their assailants.
Whilst the direct attack on the Redan was proceeding, Lieutenant- General Sir R. England was directed to send one of the brigades of the 3rd Division, under the command of Major- General Barnard, down the Woronzow Ravine, with a view to give support to the attacking columnson his right; and the other brigade, under Major- General Eyre, still further to the left, to threaten the works at the head of the Dockyard Creek.
I have not yet received their reports, and shall not be able to send them to your Lordship to-day; but General Eyre was very seriously engaged, and he himself wounded, though I am happy to say not severely, and he possessed himself of a churchyard, which the enemy had hitherto carefully watched, and some houses within the place; but as the town front was not attacked, it became necessary to withdraw his brigade at night.
I shall make a special report upon this by the next mail, and I shall avail myself of the same opportunity to name to you the officers who havebeen particularly mentioned to me.