With great art the general kept up a fire of musketry from his advanced posts, as though he intended to renew his efforts to regain the Malakhoff. About 12';W the men of the Highland division on duty in the trenches were surprised at the silence in the Redan, and some volunteers SEBASTOPOL IN FLAMES. 1G9 managed to creep into it. i!^othing could they bear but the lieavy breathing and groans of the wounded and dying, who, with the dead, were the sole occupants of the place. As it was thought the Redan was mined, the men came back, and soon afterwards the Russian tactics became apparent. About two o'clock flames were observed to break out in different parts of the town. They spread gradually over the principal buildings.
By two o'clock the fleet, with the exception of the steamers, had been scuttled and sunk. At four o'clock a terrible explosion behind the Redan shook the whole camp; it was followed by four other explosions equally startling. The city was enveloped in fire and smoke, and torn asunder by the tremendous shocks of these volcanoes. At 4'45 the magazine of the Flagstaff and Garden Batteries blew up. At 5'30 two of the southern forts, the Quarantine and Alexander, went up into the air, and the efl'ect of these explosions was immensely increased by the rush of a great number of live shell that followed, and which bui'st in all directions. While this was going on a steady current of infantry was passing in dense masses to the north side over the bridge, and at 6-45 the last battalion had escaped, and the hill sides opposite the city were alive Avith Russian troops.
Several small explosions took place inside the town at 7'10. Columns of black smoke began to rise from the neighbourhood of Fort Paul at 7"12. At 7*15 the connexion of the floating-bridge with the south side Avas severed. At 7"10 flames began to ascend from Fort Nicholas. At 8'7 the last part of the bridge was floated off in portions to the north side. At nine o'clock several violent explosions took place in the works on our left, opposite the French. The town was by this time in a mass of flames, and the pillar of black, grey, and velvety fat smoke ascending from it seemed to support the very heavens. The French continued to fire guns on the left, probably to keep out stragglers, but ere the Russians left the place the Zouaves and sailors had obtained entrance, and were busily engaged in plundering.
Not a shot Avas lii-ed to the front and centre. The Russian steamers were very busy towing boats and stores across. Our cavalry and sentries were sent up to the front of the camps to prevent any one going into the town, but without much success. I visited a good portion of the place. Explosions occurred all through the day, particularly on the left of the position. The following After-Order of the day has been issued:— " General Aftee-Okdee. " Head Quarters, September 0. " The Commander of the Forces congratulates the army on the result of the attack of yesterday. " The brilliant assault and occupation of the Malakhoff by our gallant allies obliged the enemy to abandon the works they have so long held Avith such bravery and determination. " The Commander of the Forces returns his thanks to the general officers and officers and men of the Second and Light Divisions, who advanced and attacked with such gallantry the worlvs of the Redan.
He regrets, from the formidable nature of the flanking defences, that their devotion did not meet with that immediate success which it so well merited. " He condoles and deeply sympathizes with the many brave officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who are now suffering from the wounds they received in the com-se of then* noble exertions of yesterday. " He deeply deplores the death of the many gallant officers and men who have falleii in the final struggle of this long and memorable siege. " Their loss will be severely felt, and their names long remembered in this army and by the British nation. " General Simpson avails himself of this opportunity to congratidate and convey his warmest thanks to the general officers, officers, and soldiers of the several divisions, to the Royal Engineers and Artillery, for their cheerful endurance of almost unparalleled hardships and sufterings, and for the unflinchingcourage and determination which on so many trying occasions thej^ have evinced. " It is with equal satisfaction that the Commander of the Forces thanks the officers and men of the Naval Brigade for the long and uniform course of valuable service rendered by them fi'om the commencement of the siege. " By order, " H.