and the Redan wall. Though the battery was some 300 yards distant, such a watchful eye was kept upon it that hardly a man could show but at the risk of getting a bullet through his brain. As we now seldom fire from the trenches, it was not of great consequence, but from the way in which the enemy reinforced the riflemen before nightfall, an attack upon the Green-mound battery was anticipated. Accordingly, last night it was determined to dislodge these skirmishers, and two parties from the 1st brigade of Rifles and 68th Regt. making altogether a little over 400, were told off for this purpose. They remained in the Green-mound battery till after one o’clock, when, all being quiet, and the night sufficiently dark and rainy, the party creeped cautiously among the broken ground and loose stones, intending to take the enemy by surprise. The wind and rain – both of which are now every night extremely violent – favoured our design, so that we were enabled to approach the enemy within fifty yards without being discovered. At that distance unfortunately! one of our fellows made a slight stumble. The noise was slight but it was sufficient. Instantly eight or ten Russian sentries started up almost among our men, and, firing their pieces to alarm, ran in, of course. Concealment now was useless, and the attacking party with a loud cheer, dashed after the sentries. As they came up to the place where the enemy was posted among the stones, they received a tremendous volley from about 500 rifles. Had the shots been properly aimed , not a man of ours would have returned; but the surprise had been effected, and 90 per cent of the balls whistled over the heads of our men harmless. With a loud cheer the 68th and Rifles dashed in with the bayonet. In charging the enemy our officers in command showed consummate tact. Had they returned the Russian fire while their enemies still remained under cover, they would have disarmed themselves, pointed out their own position and have done no injury to the enemy. As it was, they cheered and rushed on with the bayonet. The enemy were dismayed, and, rising from their concealment, tried to form. The instant they showed our men halted, and within twenty yards, poured in a deadly volley which killed and wounded nearly 100. The Russians saw their fault and attempted to break up in skirmishing order, but the manoeuvre was too late, and before they could affect it our men were among them with the bayonet, and pursued them up to the very houses which are round the dockyard on the north of the harbour. In this affair we lost one officer (Capt. Tryon) and ten men killed and about 40 wounded. The captain thus killed had the reputation of being one of the best shots in the British army. It is said that no fewer than seven of the enemy were shot dead during the skirmish by Capt. Tryon. He was speaking to a brother officer, pointing out -
