All was quiet during the night. On the 11th of October the sun rose unclouded. Odessa looked more beautiful than ever. Clouds of dust were seen rising from its streets, as if large bodies of troops were moving about all over the town. The eternal Cossacks were watching on the cliffs near us, walking up and down to keep themselves warm, or playing with their shaggy little ponies. Wherever there was a good view of the fleet to be had a crowd of people collected, and the esplanades and terraces, and even the housetops and parapets of the batteries, were occupied by spectators. The cavalry on the hill to the north of the town were visible at early dawn, each man dismounted, at the side of his horse. The flagship, at 8.30 A.M., signalled to the fleet to "Prepare three days' provisions for troops to land with." At 11 A.M. the French fleet got up steam, and several of our steamers followed the example. At 11.10 signal was made to gun-boats "to get up steam for slow speed," and officers from each ship, in pursuance of instructions received, repaired on board the Admiral's, where they were made acquainted with the exact duty required of them in connection with the plan of attack, and were subsequently sent in to the Admiral, who examined each of them himself as to their respective tasks. Admiral Bruat went on board the Royal{407} Albert, and remained with Sir E. Lyons for some time. Sir H. Stewart was also present. The following was the plan of attack on Kinburn: —
"No. 1. The line-of-battle ships to engage the Fort Kinburn and two sand batteries on the point, will anchor in about 30 feet, in a line extending northward from fort, bearing E., and about 1,200 yards distant from it.
"No. 2. The four French line-of-battle ships to form the southern division, so that the Montebello will be the fourth ship from the south, and the Royal Albert, as the fifth ship, will be the southern ship of the English division.
"No. 3. The line-of-battle ships are to weigh together and form a line abreast, north and south, at a cable apart. The southern line-of-battle ship is then to steer so as to bring the south end of Kinburn Fort bearing E. by compass; and to shield her from any danger that may not have been discovered, or from approaching too close to the bank to the S., she is to be preceded by two steamers, the —, each at a cable apart, and in advance, on her starboard bow, and showing their soundings. When the south line-of-battle ship brings the south end of Kinburn to bear E., she is to steer for it. The rest of the ships will then steer the same course, keeping one cable apart, and all anchor together in a line nearly north and south, just without the flag buoys that will be placed during the previous night.
"No. 4. The nine ships will then be in position for the first five or six to engage Fort Kinburn at from 1,200 to 1,400 yards, and perhaps less, and the other three to take the sand batteries in flank and rear at about 1,000 yards.
"No. 5. The three French floating batteries are to be placed on a line NNW. and SSE. of each other, to the SW. of Fort Kinburn, at about 600 yards distant from it.
"No. 6. The mortar vessels are to anchor in a line E. and W., at 2,800 yards distant, with the fort bearing NE. from the outer vessel of the line.
"No. 7. The English mortar boats to be towed by the Odin, on a line E. of the French.
"No. 8. If the outer mortar vessel brings Oczakoff telegraph on with the east end of Fort Kinburn, bearing N. 20 E. (magnetic), and steers for it till the Oczakoff telegraph and Odzah Point subtend an angle of 70 degrees, she will be about the requisite distance, of 2,800 yards from Fort Kinburn; the rest can take their stations at a cable distance east of her.
"No. 9. The Sidon, Curaçoa, Tribune, Dauntless, and Terrible to anchor close off the North Sand Battery on Kinburn Spit, or, when ordered, to join the squadron of gun-boats, c., that have previously entered within the straits, should any large ships of the enemy from Nicholaieff appear for the relief of Kinburn.
"No. 10. The disposable paddle steamers can find good positions between the line-of-battle ships for directing their fire with steady aim at the embrasures of the casemates or at any position where{408} the enemy maintains his fire, or off the N. and NW. extremity of the Kinburn Spit, to enfilade the batteries and their approaches.
"No. 11. The gun-boats will attend to protect the army during the landing, and those not ordered to remain to cover their flank to take up position between the other ships as opportunity offers, and by a careful attention to the plan of attack are not to fire in the direction of the other ships.