Leaving the town, then, under cover from a heavy fire from their batteries, they approached the lines of the Second Division, which defended the right of our position, with a force consisting of several columns of infantry, supported by artillery, large bodies of skirmishers being thrown out to the front. To resist this attack the Second Division was formed up in line in front of their camp, the left under General Pennefather, and the right under BrigadierGeneral Adams, while the Brigade of Guards, under General Bentinck, was soon brought up by the Duke of Cambridge in support, and, aided by a field battery, took post on the right of Sir De Lacy Evans's Division. Five French battalions were promptly moved up by General Bosquet, and Sir George Cathcart and Sir George Brown each contributed the assistance of a small force indeed, but doubtless larger than they could well spare. The enemy advanced at first rapidly and with much confidence, protected by guns posted on a hill in their rear, but were received with the greatest determination and firmness by the English pickets, principally belonging to the 49th and 30th regiments. Lieutenant Conolly of the 49th, Captain Bayly of the 30th, and Captain Atcherley, who were all severely wounded, and Serjeant Sullivan, are particularly mentioned by Sir De Lacy Evans, as having greatly distinguished themselves in this perilous and trying service, which demands the possession of unflinching courage equally with the exercise of the coolest discretion. Captain Conolly was shot heading a few men of his company, fighting hand to hand with the Russians, who wanted to take him alive; but he defended himself with his sword, wounded one, and was immediately shot by another, who was a yard from him. Lord Raglan, who witnessed the affair, is stated to have sent down to inquire who was the officer who was defending himself so gallantly against such odds. The pickets, after contesting every inch of ground, now retired steadily upon the main body, and a tremendous fire was opened upon the Russians from the batteries under Colonels Fitzmayer and Dacres, which were served with the utmost energy, and in half an hour had compelled the enemy's artillery to retire from the field. " Our fire," continues the Despatch from which these details are derived, "was now directed with equal accuracy. and vigour upon the enemy's columns, which (exposed also to the close fire of our advanced infantry) soon fell into complete disorder and flight. They were then literally chased by the 30th and 95th regiments over the ridges and down towards the head of the bay, and
SO eager was the pursuit that it was with difficulty Major -General Pennefatlier eventually effected the recall of our men." The other regiments of the Division joined in the pursuit with equal ardour and gallantry, and the enemy, who had thus had another opportunity of testing the adamantine nature of the resistance they would have to encounter ere they could hope to drive the audacious invader from the holy Russian soil, were foi'ced back into Sebastopol with a loss esti* mated to exceed 600 men.
Sir De Lacy Evans, whose skilful handling of his Division on this occasion elicited from Lord Raglan the warmest expressions of admiration, had been suffering from indisposition for some days before the battle, and a severe fall from his horse shortly after caused a relapse, which compelled him to seek repose on board ship. The battle of Inkermann roused him for a moment from a bed of sickness, and while actually under medical treatment, to witness the severe struggle; the old chivalric spirit was too strong to allow him to remain inactive while such a momentous question was being decided; but, though he remained on the field until the close of the battle, he felt too ill to take the command out of the hands of General Pennefather, whose judicious arrangements and steady intrepidity made the loss of his immediate superior less severely felt. Sir De Lacy Evans soon afterwards resigned his appointment on the Staff of the Army, and returned home invalided. He received the thanks of the House of Commons for services which, even among the most distinguished, are eminent, and is now, we trust, recruiting that health which had been so greatly impaired by his zealous service in his country's cause, and which was too much shattered to enable him to hope to return and share in active operations again.