CHAPTER LXI
AFTER FALL OF SEVASTOPOL
[Sidenote: 1855. Sevastopol, Sept. 16.]
The breaking up for embarkation of our Brigade was a curious scene. First started off 160 mules, with baggage, etc. Such a collection! Then came our men, divided into three divisions, according to their destinations. I go to the _Rodney_ at Kazatch, and officers to the different ships at Balaklava. Two regiments kindly sent their bands: the 14th, in which my brother was at Waterloo, and the 18th Royal Irish with ours. The Naval Brigade went with flags of all descriptions flying, and no end of cheering--with “one more for Captain _Kaple_.”
[Sidenote: Sept. 17.]
The more I visit the Russian works and town of Sevastopol, the more wonderful does everything connected with the siege appear. One hardly knows which is the most extraordinary--the perfect destruction of every building in the town by shot and shell, or the stupendous works erected by the Russians for their defence. The Redan and Malakoff are nothing compared to the Flagstaff and Garden Batteries. The latter were impregnable, and might have held out any length of time. The Malakoff was taken by surprise by the French, as they had done the Mamelon. Of all, the Redan appeared the least difficult to assault--but that is a subject we all try to forget. Of our generals, Colonel, now Brigadier-General Charles Windham, comes out the best. The Russians have left vast stores of guns, etc., they could not, in their haste, carry away.
[Sidenote: Sept. 22.]
Little Harry (Stephenson), with symptoms of fever, on board _Rodney_, despatched at once with Thompson to Serapia Hospital. Dined with Windham as Governor in city of Sevastopol. A shell burst within ten yards as I mounted pony to go home.
[Sidenote: Sept. 23.]
Visited with General Barnard, La Marmora’s look-out houses over the Tchernaya and adjacent country. On Saturday pitched my tent near General Barnard.
[Sidenote: Sept. 24.]
Hugh Rose sent me from French headquarters the two last captured Cossack spears. (The last I saw of them was at Sir Thomas Whichcote’s, Ashwerby Park, to which I afterwards added a link of the chain that formed the slings of the main yard of the _Twelve Apostles_.)
[Sidenote: Sept. 28.]
Having exchanged with Moorsom, Connell found an artillery waggon for my traps, rode down to Balaclava, taking up quarters on board _Læander_. My servant, having left Bury’s much-valued clock in tent, sent him back.
[Sidenote: Sept. 29.]
Like my Admiral, and like having work to do.
[Sidenote: Sept. 30.]
Took Washington and his son a ride on to Balaclava Plain, and round by headquarters.
[Sidenote: Oct. 1.]
Commenced duties as Flag Captain. Dockyard affording amusement, especially erection of stables.
[Sidenote: Oct. 3.]
Sid Skipwith and I dining with Methven, commanding P. and O. _Colombo_.
[Sidenote: Oct. 5.]
Busy embarking Royal Marines, the finest body of men now in the Crimea.
[Sidenote: Oct. 7.]
Embarking troops. Rode in afternoon with the Duberlys, 8th Hussars, to Baidar to hear the Sardinian Band.
[Sidenote: Oct. 8.]
Cavalry and horse artillery embarking for Eupatoria. Lady Paulet on board _Oscar_. Lord William Paulet to stay with Admiral.
[Sidenote: Oct. 13.]
Put box with poor Augustus Fitzroy’s bequests on board _Ripon_ for conveyance to his sister, Hon. Mrs. Keith Stewart.
[Sidenote: Oct. 14.]
Rode over to Kazatch to ascertain means for embarkation of Highland Brigade.
[Sidenote: Oct. 15.]
Dined with the Duberlys, Windham and St. George Foley.
[Sidenote: Oct. 19.]
Dinner at a Kamiesch restaurant--Duberlys, Vansittart, St. George Foley, Charlie Windham, and Lewis and Earle, A.D.C.’s, Prince Victor and Thompson, Sir William Gordon and Lord Dunkellin.
[Sidenote: Oct. 23.]
Dined on board _Belgravia_ with Lady Paulet, Mrs. Mitchell and Lady Manson.
[Sidenote: Oct. 24.]
Review of cavalry and horse artillery: none like them in the world: near 3000 strong.
[Sidenote: Oct. 28.]
Picnic at Baidar--_Belgravian_ ladies, Prince Victor, T. Duberly, etc. Former lost their way coming back.
[Sidenote: Oct. 29.]
Started with Thompson for Kazatch. My “Rajah” kicking him in play, had him carried off on stretcher to Connell’s camp.
[Sidenote: Nov. 3.]
We formed a cheery party for a ride towards Bilbek, consisting of Prince Victor, the Duberlys, Mark Kerr, Coleraine, Vansittart, and self, about 13 miles distant. The country hilly, grassy, and bushy; weather perfect. The attendants had arranged our picnic on a flat space on a hilly point. We had arranged ourselves to feed, when one of our party found we had disturbed a cavalry vedette of our own countrymen on an adjacent point. A ravine between, they could not conveniently get at us.
[Illustration: _Sketched from life by Hon. Col. W. Colville. 1855._
_A Vidette of Cossacks._]
While things were getting ready rode to the western edge of our selected spot and found we had likewise disturbed a nest of Cossacks. Our small party were not long in packing up this nice little picnic. Being well mounted, I waited to take a farewell peep, and from my position saw a greasy Cossack, about 30 feet below me, looking about with his carbine across his saddle, I suppose for something to eat. Being hungry myself, I overtook our party about to picnic a quarter of a mile off, Mark Kerr riding, as usual, without his hat.
[Sidenote: Nov 4.]
Accompanied Lady Paulet to breakfast with Windham. Rode afterwards to Kazatch; dined with Beauchamp Seymour.
[Sidenote: Nov 5.]
Breakfast with Sir E. Lyons. Transacted business, rode back to Balaclava, putting up a large covey of partridges by the way.
[Sidenote: Nov 6.]
8th Hussars embarking. Shall miss them and Mrs. Duberly.
[Sidenote: Nov 8.]
With Wenny Coke to look after covey of partridges seen by me. While preparing luncheon, observed a French soldier stalking a bird that flew from bush to bush. Asked Wenny to shoot the bird for him while I prepared luncheon. When he came back I asked if the man was pleased. He replied, “I don’t know! I have the bird in my pocket.” I said “What a brute you are,” when he produced a woodcock, which we at once cooked.
[Sidenote: Nov 11.]
With my Admiral to headquarters. Took leave of General Sir James Simpson, also Willy Colville, who accompanies him to England. Mark Kerr was there. Admiral and I dined with Dupuis.
[Sidenote: Nov 15.]
A fearful explosion between 3 and 4 P.M. in French Artillery Park, near the Mill. Rode over, sad sight. Loaded shells bursting, contents flying in a horizontal direction about seven feet from the ground, killing almost every horse that was on its legs. It being dinner hour most officers escaped. There was a large windmill used as a powder magazine. It was a sight to see the gallant engineers mounting ladders with wet blankets to nail on the outside of the Mill, to prevent falling fire igniting powder. I got so excited that I found myself letting go the reins to clasp my hands over my cap, as if that could preserve my brain box from falling fragments of shell. There was no distinction of nationality. It is fortunate that the first horizontal explosion took place while officers were dining. I was still looking on, when a working party of the 18th Royal Irish came rushing and formed up. I asked the sergeant what they were waiting for. He answered “Orders.” I said, “That was not your form when we were in China, and danger in sight.” They were off at once, officers and all, into the igniting shells. Nearly the last wounded I saw was a young officer carried on a stretcher, the boots on his legs heels uppermost. I think his name was Dashwood: a more painful sight than any fight. Thirty tons of powder lately arrived from England were destroyed.
[Sidenote: Nov. 18.]
Rode with my Admiral over to Kazatch to visit Commander-in-Chief; with him to take last look at Sevastopol Docks before destruction. Russians still numerous on north side.
[Sidenote: Nov. 24.]
Took leave of Wenny Coke.--homeward bound. Party to dine: Steele and Rose.
[Sidenote: Nov. 28.]
Vansittart, taking his departure, leaves me his horse to forward to his mother.
[Sidenote: Nov. 30.]
Young Dalyell makes his appearance from Constantinople.
* * * * *
From prisoners that had been exchanged, it appeared that the Russians made a difference in their treatment of those they took prisoners and those who allowed themselves to be taken. They treated the latter with great contempt, and used them ill. The _Times_ paid a just tribute to the manly bearing of the officers of the Russian army. The naval officers--some of them--were fine fellows.
[Sidenote: Dec. 3.]
Dirty appearance of weather. My Admiral agreeing to remain on shore another day, took two youngsters, Wellesley and Molyneux, to see steeple chase. Weather turning fine. Sport very good. Rode back with boys to dine with Sir Edmund Lyons.
[Sidenote: Dec. 8.]
Accompanied my Admiral to headquarters, then to Kazatch to stay with Sir E. Lyons, and meet Curzon and St. George Foley and Beauchamp Seymour. Jolly dinner.
* * * * *
St. George Foley, Lord Raglan’s A.D.C., died whilst Governor of Gibraltar.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Dec. 10.]
Function on board French ships in memory of Admiral Bruat, _Royal Albert_ firing 59 guns.
[Sidenote: Dec. 11.]
Visit from Cecil Rice--6 feet 2.
[Sidenote: Dec. 12.]
Rode to front. Young Willy Barnard ill. Mail in. Sir E. Lyons a full Admiral: am so glad. Confidential despatch summoning him to a conference in Paris, also Pellissier and La Marmora.
[Sidenote: Dec. 14.]
Accompanied my Admiral to headquarters. Admiral and I dined with Hardinge, meeting Generals Barnard and Dupuis.
[Sidenote: Dec. 15.]
My Admiral, Prince Victor, and self to Kazatch, on a visit to Sir E. Lyons. Brigadier Spencer and large party to dinner.
[Sidenote: Dec. 16.]
Across to Kaimesch to see Inglefield’s sketches and walk with him. Hugh Rose joined dinner party.
[Sidenote: Dec. 17.]
Snow and frost, slippery riding. Returned to Balaklava.
[Sidenote: Dec. 19.]
Thousands upon thousands of that beautiful bird the bustard (there are two sorts, one much larger), continually passing over to the northward. Several of them shot from the heights in time for Christmas.
[Sidenote: Dec. 23.]
Rode to headquarters. George Cadogan and I to Kazatch on visit to Beauchamp Seymour. Found Fitz Berkeley. We making jolly quartette on board _Meteor_.
[Sidenote: Dec. 25.]
Ate my Christmas dinner with Charlie Windham: jolly party. Letter from Sir Charles Wood, offering me division of gunboats: the thing of all others I most coveted! Took passage in _Orinoco_.
[Sidenote: Dec. 27.]
Rode up with my Admiral to headquarters to take leave: uncommon good luncheon.
[Sidenote: Dec. 28.]
Mail in from England. My name in papers as Commodore!
[Sidenote: Dec. 29.]
Took leave of my kind chief and Seymour, the latter agreeing to go as my captain in case of my being a real Commodore. Embarked on board _Orinoco_ at 1 P.M. from Balaklava.
[Sidenote: Dec. 30.]
Came to, in afternoon, in the entrance to the Golden Horn. Dined with Borlase on board _Melapus_, 42, to meet the Admiral, Sir Houston-Stewart.
[Sidenote: Constantinople, Dec. 31.]
No end of friends going both ways. Misseri’s full; H. de Bathe on way to Crimea. At Embassy found Lady George Paget; Lady Powlett at Misseri’s. Dined with Admiral on board _Hannibal_. Met there the Turkish Admiral, our Adolphus Slade.