This column was the head, so to speak, of the second attack on the lines, and emerging through the flying mass, another body of Eussian infantiy, with levelled bayonets, advanced with great steadiness towards the aqueduct once more. As far as the eye could see towards the right, the flat caps and grey coats were marching towards the allied position, or detaching themselves from the distant reserves, which were visible here and there concealed amid the hills. As the French battery opened, a Eussian battery was detached to answer it, and to draw off their fire; but cur gallant allies took their pounding with great gallantry and coolness, and were not diverted for a moment from their business of dealing with the infantry column, the head of wlrkii was completely Icnocked to pieces in two minutes.
Then the officers halted it, and tried in vain to deplo}' th(?m — the column, wavering and wriirglinf^ like a great serpent, began to spread out from the farther extremity like a fan, and to retreat towards the rear. Another crashing volley of grape, and they are Hying over the plain. And now there breaks liigh over all the roar of battle, some new thunder. Those are the deep angry voices of the great English heavy battery of 18-pounders and 32-pounder howitzers, under Mowbra}^ wliich search out the reserves. These guns were placed far away on my right, near the Sardinians, and it is acknowledged by all that they did good service this eventful day. The advance I had just witnessed was the last effort of the enemy.
Their infantry rolled in confused masses over the plain on the other side of the Tchernaj'a, was pursued by the whole fire of the French batteries and of the 8-inch English howitzers in the Sardinian redoubt, and by a continuous and well-directed fusillade, till they were out of range. Their defeat was announced by the advance of their cavalry, and by the angry volleys of their artillery against the positions of the allies. Their cavalry, keeping out of range, made a very fair show, with lances, and standards, aud sabres shining brightly — but beyond that they did nothing — and, indeed, they could do nothing, as we did not give them a chance of action. The Russians were supported by guns, but they did not seem well placed, nor did they occupy a good position at any time of the fight.
Tho infantry formed in square blocks in the reai* of this force, and then began to file otf towards the Mackenzie-road, and the Prench rocket battery opened on them from the plateau, and, strange to say, reached them several times. It was about eight o'clock when their regular retreat commenced, and the English cavalry and artillery began to retire also at that hour -to their camps, much discontented, because they had had no larger share in the honours of the day. The march of the Russians continued till late in the day — their last column gained the plateau about two o'clock. It must have been a terrible march for them — not a drop of water to be had; and even when they gained their arid camp it is only too probable that they had nothing to drink; indeed, the prisoners told us, the men were encouraged to the attack by being told that if they gained the Tchernaya they would have abundance of water — the greatest inducement that could be held out to them.
I rode down towards the tctc-de-pont. In order to get a good view of the retreat, I descended to the bridge, v;hich was covered with wounded men. Just as I gained tlie centre of it, a volley of shells was pitched right upon it, and amid the French, who, with their usual humanity, were helping the wounded. Some burst in the shallow stream, the sides of which were crowded with wounded men — others killed poor wretches who were crawling towards the water — one in particular, to whom I had just an instant before thrown a sandwich; others knocked pieces out of the bridge or tore up the causeway. As the road was right in the line of fire, I at once turned off the bridge, and pulling sharp round, dashed under an arch just as the battery opened on us a second time, and there I remained for about ten minutes, when the Russians seemed ashamed of themselves, and gave us a respite for a few moments.