CHAPTER II. THE CONTEST ON THE LINE OF THE TCHEENATA, The Eussian ships in the harbour of Sebastopol a sourci' of continual annoyance to the Allies — Preparations on botli sides for a struggle — The Malaklioffthe key of Sebastopol — Scarcity of fodder in the Kussian camp — Healthy state of the Knglisli troops — Deaths of Colonel Vico and Mr. Calvert — The plague of Hies — Various stratagems to evade their attacks — Strength of the enemy's position — Probable abandonment by the Russians of the southern side of Sebastopol in case their retreat should be endangered — Kumours respecting the new commander of the English army — Arrangements of the commissariat for the coming winter — Destruction of the battery erected by the French between the Mamelon and the Malakhoff — Perseverance of the Russians.
Camp before Sebastopol, July 10, 1S55. This morning we were roused by a pretty heavy firing from our batteries and from the Redan, which, commencing at daybreak, lasted for nearly four hours, during which it was directed on the advanced works. About eight o'clock this cannonade gradually died away, and for the remainder of the day the occasional booming of the guns was heard, as it has been for many months. The cause of this morning's activity in the Redan was an attempt on the part of the Russians to impede the construction of the heavy battery by which the British hope to reach the shipping, and to be able either to destroy it or force the vessels to leave the position •xvhich has been lield with such obstinacy, and which was used with such effect on the ISth of June.
It will be remembered, that on that day the Russian sliips moored in two lines across the harbour, fired broadsides on the allies as they were advancing, and mowed them down witli more fatal effect than even the works of the Malakhoff and Redan. The French sufiered di'eadfuUy from this terrible fire, which was sustained during the whole action, and General Pelissier, though by no means a cautious commander, is understood to shrink from sending his troops to be a second time exposed to such a reception. The fire on our side was intended to check the Russians in their works on the Redan. The general opinion is, that no new attack on the Malakhoif ought to be hazarded until the fleet has been dislodged from its position, and driven into a part of the liarbour where it cannot be employed against the allies.
Of course I say nothing of the means by which this is to be effected. At present everything betokens on both sides the busy preparation for a determined attack and an equally stern defence. On our part it is only the repetition of what has often been described, the landing of shot and shell on the encumbered wharfs of Balaklava, and the passage of Avagons and of strings of mules along the parched and thirsty road. The wind raises clouds of dust in which whole convoys are enveloped, and rendered invisible for minutes together, or sweeps along in eddies, with a spinning pillar of dust like a water-spout. The monotony of the trenches is relieved by the conviction, that in a few days the efforts which were unsuccessful three weeks ago will be renewed.
The French are making visible progress in their sap towards the Malakhoff. Half way between this stronghold and the Mamelon, in which our allies are firmly established, a long trench is visible, showing how far they have advanced since the last attack. The Russians have made no serious attempt to retake this latter position, although the night before last there was a sortie, on a small scale, in which some sharp fighting took place, the end of it being, that the Russians retired, after having caused some trifling interruption to the French works. But the enemy is, no doubt, much more actively employed in strengthening the Malakhoff' itself, which he must feel to be the key of Sebastopol. Should this now celebrated hillock fall into the hands of the allies, no ingenuity or obstinacy of defence can delay the capture of the southern side beyond a few weeks.
There is every reason to believe that the Russians are day and night at work deepening the ditch and constructing abattis. A very large body of troops is constantly under arms, and every means are used to avoid a surprise like that by which the French obtained such easy possession of the Mamelon. But it seems to be not alone the Malakhoff and Redan which the enemy is strengthening. The Russian engineers are evidently constructing works on a very large scale behind the fortifications with which we have been brought in contact. The harbour swarms with boats. Craft of all shapes and sizes are continually crossing and re-crossing, carrying gabions, fascines, and trunks of trees for the construction of abattis, as well as provisions and ammunition.