THE RUSSIAN FLIGHT FROM SEBASTOPOL

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 6, 30 June 1856, Page 9

THE RUSSIAN FLIGHT FROM SEBASTOPOL

"Sebastopol, September 10. "My last letter breathed no presentiment of the deep and universal grief that has come over us. You know that we have abandoned Sebastopol to the enemy; but how? The whole town was turned into a sea of flame ; all the batteries and bastions are blown up. It was a horror of desolation—a chaos—more dreadful than hell. That is all I can tell you about it. As yet I can give no account of all we have gone through, nor can I comprehend haw we have borne such terrors, how survived such agony. lam hardly able to write to you, my thoughts are so confused ; but, by God's grace, my strength of will is preserved. You will easily conceive how much we are suffering iu our hearts anil souls. 1 would rather have died than have witnessed that terrible moment —those scenes so bloody, such as no war has ever yet produced. As far as ray powers enable ma I will describe everything to you in full.

*' At four o'clock (September 7,) I visited the different stations ; the bombardment was still going on, and by the time I reached the MichailoiT battery it was half-past six. I put some provisions into my boat, and had myself rowed across the bay by our sailor. Bombs were flying about, and so near that we got thoroughly splashed, but we gained the opposite shore in safely. From the landing place I ran without slopping to Jhe Michailoff battery ; it was getting dark, and the Sisters screamed with fright when they saw ids. Of the wounded, all I can say is, that there was a great many, so that the Sisters worked day and night; all, without exception,laboured with their whole heart, and human words cannot utter the gratitude they have earned by their devotedness. The Lord has seen their zeal and the sorrow of their souls over the events that His holy will has ordained. I had hardly been there half an hour—wo were taking our tea—when a bomb fell on the roof of the powder cellar. Happily Ihe roof was covered with sandbags, and these saved it from the explosion of the bomb that instautly ensued. Imagine the universal fright. Wd all thought we should hd blown up. They begged me to leave the battery as fast as 1 could, and so, being accompanied by Sister K., who came here from the Caucasus, 1 hurried to the shore. Before we reached the landing-place of the Michailoff bat-

fcty we twice ran the risk or being struck by the balls. At 9 o'clock we got borne uninjured. " Next morning (September 8.) we were all of us ready by five o'clock. I gave orders to have everything prepared that was requisite at the different stations, and went myself (o our hospital. At ten o'clock I drove out, but our horses were so exhausted thai it was it before I arrived at the hospital, which, stands upon a hill From there we perceived that a heavy cannonade was going on, but 1 could not imagine it to be actually the storming; the wind wafted the sound to another quarter. They told me in the hospital that the attack bad begun. } begged good and active sister J.—she was a Miss B. before marriage—(o neglect none of my arrangements, and then I left her in all haste, to alleud to my duty in all directions. On my way to the city I saw a strong body of mounted men riding at full gallop towards Sebastopol • it was the Commander-in-Chief with bis suite.' I wade the coachman to drive as fast as possible after them, going first of all to the barracks on the north side. Bere I beard that a Sister had been wounded, not mortally, but severely, at the Michailoff battery. The entire left wing and the Malakhoff tower were in a blaze with the firing of artillery. I found (he space about the Michailoff battery covered with troops, who wanted to cross the bridge, and the enemy directed bis fire more especially against that spot. All thesisters or the Michailoff battery were well. From here I wished to be accompanied across the bridge by raother Seraphine, a nun, you must know, from Ivor, who joined our sisterhood at its foundation Just as we were going, however, to step upon the bridge m order to fallow the troops, General Buchmeier held us back, and advised us to return, for it was too dangerous, he said. I begged bim to let me go, made the sign of the cross, and ran across the bridge. The troops hastened at a running pace over (o the south side. The wind was so strong that the waves washed over the bridge, but, independent or that, the weight of the troops pressed it down under the water fne shots from the enemys' batteries were very frequent in this direction ; but God was gracious to us. Balls fell close bes.de us or went over our heads, and often so near that we all stooped low --they missed. I bad strength enough to run as far as the Nicholaieff bittery, but I had no sooner reached the Sister's room, than i fell giddy, and had to take some drops as a restorative 1 was wet through up to my waist, for my dress and ray feet had been all liie lime in the water I asked after Sister S. She cams to me with her eye bandaged up, but, thank Heaven, her wound m a slight one—not like that or poor Sister W Then I wnt to see Count Oslen-Sacken. I had to pass along a gallery, on which many spectators were standing: as soon as a bomb or a ball came near, we hid ourselves under the arch-

ways. In Ihe innercourt of (he battery I found several genllemenof the commandant's suite, and inquired of them where I should find the Count. They told im he was up ia the battery, with the Commandanl-in-£hief. I went up a narrow wooden flight of steps, but could only crawl up very painfully, and when I was up my senses were all but leaving me. I could just ask the Count what his commands were for the Sisters in the Nicholaieff battery. He answered : ' Take them all away. God knows what may happen in a few hours/ Somebody said the enemy's Hag was already waving on the Malakoff. A horrid depression seized on my soul. I wept without tears, and I don't know how I get down again. I ran to the Sisters, begged them to let everything alone and follow me to the Mich?iloff battery. We set off, hoping that we might be able to return to the hospital as soon as it became more tranquil- The rumour spread that our troops had cut down the enemy's flag—what great, what a universal joy that was! For all that I begged the Sisters to follow me, left the care of our property to the surgeons and inspectors, and walked as far as our strength would let us. At the same lime the sick were carried across to the north side. A few hours later and all were safe. On the bridge we again met troops running; one ball hissed after another and fell into the bay. Halfway across the bridge, Sister B. fainted away through fright; a ball flew by us so close that it all but struck the bridge; I recomended myself to God and looked about me to see if all the Sisters followed. Behind me came Father Benjamin (the confessor of the sisterhood, and who had long been a monk at Mount Athos,) and the priest to the fleet, concerning whom I have often written to you. When I saw him I stopped, that I might go by his side ; for he is not alone a pious and learned monk, but has a calm, courageous mind. At (bat very instant a bomb fell close beside us. Sister B. could walk no further ? Father Benjamin held her up by one arm, our soldier did the same by the other and they half dragged her along. I dipped my handkerchief into the bay to revive her with it. By God's help we came safe and sound to the Michailoff battery, and there I left the Sisters. Ct Here they were making ready to fire, and the men were running about. The commandant assured me there was no danger as yet. I stepped into the area. Our reserve: troops were marchins over the bridge, and behind them cameacolnmnof militia. Bombs and balls kept fallingincessantly—dead horses lay here and there. I squeezed my way through the troops to get to my conveyance; suddenly a bull passed slantingly through Ihe column of militia, about ten steps in front of me. Horror and compassion rushed in a burning eddy through my breast, and I could move atong no further. The wind nearly blew me down; ray feet were perfectly Miff with the wet and the cold wind. A soldier

stepped Cowards me and helped me lo walk; the soldier who regularly escorted me sought in the meantime for the horses, and had just come back with them, when a bomb burst over our heads in the air; a splinter from it broke a soldier's head into fragments, and his brains were scattered over the cloak of the man who was supporting me. I stepped into the car, and (he cold somewhat recovered me. On the way I traced out a plan of what I had to do. I drove to the market, and bought some bread of (he good market man, Alexander Ivanovilch. He is the alderman of the market, who tad already done us good service, on the 16th of August, on the heights of Mackenzie. Many sacrifices he has made, and zealously helped us whenever he could. Several other tradesmen were faithfully standing near him. I had as much bread put into the car as it would hold, and Alexander Ivanovitch sent up 100 large loaves with his own horses to the heights. Having returned to the barracks, I commissioned Sister G. lo go the rounds, and give directions. I did not know yet where we should be sent to. The battle lasted still on the left wing, and the rumour was general that we were being worsted. Oh, that made our hearts bleed! "In the twilight I drove back again to the Michailoff battery. The enemy's balls flew and fell without ceasing hard by, and the Sisters, trastingin Providence, kept going across the courtyard into the flour magazine, where the wounded soldiers lay. Wonderful I Not one of them was touched as they went and cams. An officer came across from the north side, and begged to have a Sister for General Martineau, who had been taken into the northern forts. 1 took two Sisters with me, and drove to the north 6ide. That was a drive I A violent windclouds of dust were whirled into our eyes. The coachman no longer knew where he was driving to: it was dark, and be could not find the way lo the fortifications. I was fearful of not being admitted, it was so late; the horses would not move a step further, We tried to walk, but ray legs were so benumbed that I could not. I was in despair. At last we stood, by some means or other, before the gate. On answering who we "were and why we came, il was opened directly. We found the General severely wounded; he was not a young man. His arm was fractured at the shoulder, and he suffered much, but with the patience of an angel. He was very glad when I gave him Sister Bar for a nurse, and apologised for the want of comfort she would have in his quarters. 'We are used to il all. 1 I took my leave, wishing from my whole heart that the Lord may give him strength. In the dark we drove on lo Battery No. 4, where Sister L. is the elder. I brought her Sister S. as a helpmale. I found her overwhelmed with work; so many wounded and sick men were there that four of the wounded men were even lying out in the yard. Luckily I had brought plenty of bread

"With me, and a keg Fall of red wine. I gave it all over to her. Looking ronnd I saw Count Wielhorsky, who takes such pains in behalf of the wounded officers. Nothing keeps him backneither fear, nor darkness, nor danger. His vans were just arriving; he himself carried out the wounded officers, put them inside, and sent them off to the barracks. I drove there also. Everywhere crowds of wounded—every room was occupied, and two barracks quite filled with officers. The sisters carried round tea to the seriously wounded, but gave wine and brandy tothe others. I again met Count Wielhorsky; it was 11 o'clock at night. All the Sisters were in barracks. Father Benjamin, too, he is occupied day and night. I say nothing to you about the groaning and shrieks of the wounded ; that rends the soul. I left with the Sisters two vehicles, and begged Sister G., in case of danger, to look to the safety of the rest. I then went myself back to the Belbek. The way was strewed with the wounded ; whoever was strong enough walked ; immense vans were conveying others, and their cries, their wailings, were to listen to. As soon as I reached our hospital I had all the camp kettles made hot, and then made lea for the wounded. This was about 2 in the morning. At length I went to bed. " Next morn : ng my feet were so sore and bad that tears came unbidden into my eyes. Gradually, however, I made shift to use them. I gave Mr. Philopoff orders to get together the bread, and eatables of all sorts slowed into my carriage, and off I set. During the night Mother Seraphine had sent the two wounded Sisters on to me at Belbek, and begged for horses, as she was in danger, I ordered two vehicles out immediately, and sent them to the Michailoff battery, meaning to go there myself as well. What a sight met

my eyes! One huge cloud, black, but yet glowing, shrouded Sebastopol; our troops had set the town on fire—they themselves were on the march to the Tchernaya. Everywhere wounded men were walking or being transported, the regiments were returning from the city. The Lord now sent me tears—it Is seldom I cry—and this relieved my heart. When I came to the barracks I handed to the Sisters, who came to meet me, what they wanted, and I hastened on to Sister B.; to her sick officers I brought clean linen, soap-tablets, tea, sugar, bread—all that was left, in short—some Klukwa juice, bandages and brandy. Sister B. deserves all praise. When I told her she was in danger and must leave since in caie they blew up the Nicholaieff battery, the battery No. 4 would be quite buried by the stones—she begged me as a petitioner, that 1 would leave her with her wounded, most of whom are grievously so, if it was impossible to remove them. She wns resigned to whatever might happen, even to being blown up, for she would share the late of those the was nursing. She begged me, on leaving, to bless them with the sign of the holy cross, for life or death. This I did, and did not venture to oppose her sacred resolution, but il cost me a great effort. I begged her to bless me also, and deeply honoured in my heart her love for the Lord and her neighbour. Without losing time I placed all my stock upon the ground, and drove off to the Michailoff battery. On theplace there was a chaotic mass; the bridge was broken away, theships of the line and the frigates were sunk, the city was in flames, black smoke mounted to the clouds, and explosions of powder made the earth tremble on every side. How hard il is to bear these trials, and how heartrending to be a witness of all this j misery. I met Count Oslen-Sacken ;he begged , me to leave the Sister with his friend Ceneral I

Marlineau, and then he asked me bow I myself got on, for he perceived I could hardly crawl. Looking intently at the inscription on my cross, he said— 4 Truly now art thou, Lord, our strong lower V Not one of the Sisters had slept a wink, so much have they had to do. May the Lord himself strengthen them. lam not able to praise sufficiently their zeal and sacrifice of self. " FRAU VON B."