At 12 30 Lientenant-Colonel Legh, 97th, was ordered to take his men to Colonel Bunbury, 23rd, who was in the open space in advance of tlie new sap. He collected about forty-five rank and file, and telling Lieutenant Preston to advance with the rest, proceeded to the head of the sap, which was knocked to pieces, either by the Russians when they had entered it, or by a battery on the flank of the Malakhofi'. Here Lieutenant Preston was slightly hit, and one man killed. About fifteen yards in front of the sap Colonel Bunbury and a party of the 77th, under Captain Pechell, were stationed; and that party having been relieved by the party of the 97th, Colonel Legh dispersed his men in cover as well as possible, sending out two parties of six each under Sergeants Coleman and O'Grady in advance.
The Russians pushed on and commenced firing sharply from some rifle-pits and large stores in front. All of a sudden they gave a loud cheer, and the men of the 97th at once stood up, expecting a rush. When the Russians saw the effect of their ruse they fired a volley, which killed and wounded several men. Lieutenant Preston, who had stepped in front of Colonel Legh, was mortally wounded, and carried to the rear by Sergeant Coleman; but Sergeant O'Grady fell dead just as he had demanded permission to take the enemy's rifle-pits. Lieutenant Ware and Lieutenant Whitehead were sent down bj' Captain Hutton to assist their comrades, when the Russians again fired and wounded Lieutenant Ware; but Lieutenant Whitehead succeeded in bringing in all the wounded, except Corporal Macks, who was lying close to the rifle-pits with two legs broken.
Lieutenant Brinkley came up in support. The Russians i-enewed their firing, but without result; and tliey retired from the pits before dawn, having put, in this little allair, three officers and twenty-four men hors do combat. The Russians tore down some gabions, and were only driven out after a desperate struggle, in which and during their retreat they lost at least 600 men. The French loss was upwards of 300 men hors de combat; and they also lost some ot their gabions. Our shell practice was beyond all praise, and the Redan suffered severely in the contest, and could not cover the retreat of tlie enemy. Two deserters — daring fellows in their fear— actually swam out last night to one of the French ships on guard off Sebastopol and gave information of great importance.
They declare that most of the heavy guns have been transferred irom Fort Constantine and Fort Nicholas to the defensive works, and that the powder is removed from the works of the harbour and placed in Fort Nicholas. The number of men who stiu'ted on this perilous expedition was five, and as only two arrived safel3% the rest are supposed to have perished. They supported themselves during their long swim by means of bladders. The Sardinians have begun the earthworks for the railway from the Woronzolfroad to Kadikoi. Tuesday, 1 0 a.m. There is really nothing to add to the foregoing even by way of postscript. Our expectations of attack were again disappointed. The subjoined extract from a divisional order will be read with interest: — " The following exti'act of a letter from Lady Georgina Cathcai't is published for the information of the officers and privates of the Fourth Division: — " ' I beg you will yourself accept and convey to the officers and men of the Fourth Division the thanks of all the I'amily, as well as my own, for this touching memorial of their aiiection and esteem for their late Commander, Sir George Cathcart, which is indeed most gratiiying to us.
I think the whole design handsome. The manner in which it has been executed, of solid and durable granite, in the midst of many difficulties and dangers, as well as privations, reflects great credit on all those engaged in it, and for which we feel most grateful.' " The Division are very much pleased with this expression of Lady Cathcart's sentiments. They still remember with afi'ection their late gallant chief.