CHAPTER LVII
SECOND EXPEDITION TO KERTCH
[Sidenote: 1855. May 22.]
I thought this would be a pleasant trip for my yacht friends in the _Enchantress_, and advised Whichcote to be prepared after dark to pick up the end of a hawser with as little noise as possible, which he would find over the stern of the _St. Jean d’ Acre_, and not cast off until he heard from me; and gave _Stella_ the option of doing likewise.
At 8.10 P.M. we were moving in line as slowly as the screw would allow, when we perceived the P. & O. steamer _Colombo_, carrying troops, on starboard bow, creeping out from one of the small inlets, so near that unless she at once stopped she must foul us.
We hailed without effect. We could not stop without fouling next astern: a musket was fired. _Colombo_ stopped, but too late. A crash, and I saw a twelve-foot figurehead drop with a loud splash into the water. My tows astern, not injured. We had quietly embarked 600 Turkish troops.
[Sidenote: Theodosia, May 23.]
Dense fog during the night. Fleet assembled during the day, and I had time to seek the _Colombo_, whose captain found his way on board the _Acre_. Something was wrong with the machinery; he had been unable to stop his ship in time to save her figurehead. The Crimea is to Russia what the Isle of Wight might be to England.
[Sidenote: Kertch, May 24.]
Arrived at Kertch. Army landed during the afternoon and bivouacked on the beach. _Princess Royal_ and _St. Jean d’ Acre_ had similar cargoes of Turkish troops, which we landed without either trouble or complaint. The Russians blew up their magazine, set fire to their stores, ships, etc.
A large open space appeared to be covered with tumuli, varying in size, shaped like the roofs of barns, from which you could not see far without mounting to the top, as Clarence Paget and I did, selecting the highest.
From the top, not more than three miles distant, we saw the Russians evacuating the Citadel. A battery of artillery faced the spot where our troops had landed. In rear of the guns, the Russians, bag and baggage, were retreating.
We returned to the landing-place, and had to pass through a regiment of French Rifles enjoying a rest and sleep in the sun. Paget, who spoke French, told the French officer commanding that there were a thousand Russian troops passing within three miles of him. The officer appeared not to credit the statement, whereupon Paget put his glass into his hand and asked him to mount the nearest tumulus and see for himself.
The officer then drew his sword, calling out, “Aux armes,” in which he was joined by the whole regiment. A mile of fishermen’s nets were soon in a blaze. Later in the afternoon I took young Stephenson, when we mounted on one of these tumuli and noticed a Russian galloping towards us.
The troops of the expedition were now all alive and had formed across the small peninsula in open skirmishing order, and were advancing to capture the small garrison which Paget and I had seen pass out towards Arabat four hours previously. The Russian was unaware of the danger he was galloping into; he pulled up, but, not understanding us, galloped on. It was now time for us to retreat within our own lines. The Russian, too, who had seen our skirmishers, was in full retreat.
[Sidenote: Kertch, May 25.]
The next day I went into Kertch in a steamer with Sir Edmund Lyons and party, and had no difficulty in recognising our Russian friend owner of the fishing nets, as well as other property. In the afternoon joined Paget in a foraging party. Took thirty-five bullocks for the Fleet, and milch cows for ourselves.
[Sidenote: May 27.]
Dundas, Turner, and Peck on board to church. Dined on board _Enchantress_.
[Sidenote: May 29.]
Remained on board, admiring Brierly’s Baltic sketches. Dined with Houston-Stewart.
[Sidenote: May 30.]
Landed abreast of ship and got some green gooseberries, big enough for a tart. Dined with Pasley on board _Agamemnon_.
[Sidenote: May 31.]
Admiral made signal for opportunity to go to Kertch and Yenkali. Visited Sir George Brown and the camp. On return found news from Sea of Azov of smart doings there by squadron. Dined with Commander-in-Chief.
[Sidenote: June 1.]
Launches off at daylight to join force in Sea of Azov. Took cruise in _Stella_ yacht with Frankland. Arrival of 3000 troops from Balaclava. Farewell dinner to Whichcote and party on board _Enchantress_.
[Sidenote: June 2.]
Lieutenant H.S.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe joined. Party to dinner, Pasley, Paget, Talbot, Prince Victor, Frankland from _Stella_, and Jackson.
[Sidenote: June 3.]
Dined self and youngsters, Prince Victor, Graham, Stephenson, and Campbell, with Admiral Houston-Stewart.
[Sidenote: June 4.]
A cruise with Frankland and Jackson in _Stella_ to Yenkali; council of war being held there. Spoony decision not to go to Anapa: younger blood required in council.
[Sidenote: June 5.]
Dined with Commander-in-Chief to meet the French and Turkish Admirals.
[Sidenote: June 6.]
News of energetic proceedings in the Sea of Azov; proof of the advantage of employing young men.
[Sidenote: June 7.]
Cruise in _Stella_. Landed on sandy spit, Asiatic side; tried to stalk a Cossack. Picked up some sea-birds eggs much the same as plovers. Signal from flag, “Obstacles removed and free to be attacked.”
[Sidenote: June 9.]
Mamelon taken by the French. Kertch Government buildings on fire. War, a terrible thing!
[Sidenote: June 11.]
Accompanied Commander-in-Chief on farewell visit to Kertch. Dined with him; got permission to go in _Stella_ to Anapa. Took Prince Victor, and weighed before turning in.
[Sidenote: June 12.]
Arrived off Anapa by breakfast time. Place in ruins; picturesque Circassians moving about.
[Sidenote: June 13.]
After breakfast returned to Kertch Straits. Not sorry to find our allies had already started.
[Sidenote: June 14.]
Fleet weighed at daylight to visit the deserted Anapa; remained a couple of hours there. Ice the only thing worth bringing away. 8 P.M.--Picked up _Stella_ and took her in tow.
[Sidenote: June 15.]
In running in, ship grounded off Sevastopol. Not my fault this time! Got off, too, without damage.
[Sidenote: June 16.]
Brierly mounted on “Bashi,” self on “Princess,” rode up to camp. Dined with Admiral Houston-Stewart after hot ride to headquarters. Champagne iced.
[Sidenote: June 17.]
All in high force at the idea of entering Sevastopol to-morrow.
[Sidenote: Off Sevastopol, June 18.]
Got under weigh at 2.30 A.M. Strongly impressed that this would be the anniversary of another glorious victory. But it was not to be. The French attack on the Malakoff and the English on the Redan repulsed with loss. Sad! Sad! _We_ cruising off the harbour.
There was no particular order of sailing. _St. Jean d’ Acre_ drifted near enough to tempt a fire from the northern entrance to the harbour, and for us to see our troops retreat from the Redan!
[Sidenote: June 19.]
Landed in Italiska Bay, and rode part of the way to headquarters with Maitland Lennox; returned in time for Admiral Houston-Stewart’s dinner to meet Commander-in-Chief.
[Sidenote: June 20.]
Brierly back from camp, and with him William Colville to stay a few days.
[Sidenote: June 21.]
On examination of mids, passed three: young Graham first class.
[Sidenote: June 23.]
Preparation by Quartermaster John Shepherd to destroy, alone, a Russian three-decker. Called with Clarence Paget on newly-made French Admirals. On return found St. George Foley from camp, attached to General Pellissier.
[Sidenote: June 24.]
Took John Shepherd to Admiral. Landed St. George Foley at Streletska. Received General Codrington on board _Acre_. He with self and friends dined in Wardroom.
[Sidenote: June 25.]
Arthur Williams and his charming wife on board, he returning to camp after dinner.
[Sidenote: June 27.]
Firing from batteries slack. Colonel Campbell and Colonel Pereira of 90th. Phipps and Kingston to dinner.
[Sidenote: June 29.]
Telegraphic signal announcing the sad intelligence of Lord Raglan’s death. A leader not to be replaced. Friend Lord Mark Kerr arrived at Balaclava from Gibraltar in command of 13th Regiment.