Fifty Years Ago.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 261, 8 November 1904, Page 4

Fifty Years Ago.

BATTLE OF INKERMA.W. "THE SOLDIERS' BATTLE." Fifty, years ago on Saturday, at the village of Inkermaran, Russian and British soldiers met in one of the most memorable conflicts of last century. There is a double interest | in recalling the circumstances of. the battle, for it was boliovod until 1 a few hours ago that there was dan- | ger of the two great nations of ths north coming again to blows. The Emperor Nicholas, who had told bis soldiers that where tho Russian flag had flown it must never be hauled down, took up the mantle at a crusader and hurled hjs battalions into the Danubian prineippjities against tho Turks. The interference was so uncalled for and ovenbearing that France and Britain joined in alliance against the Czar, and sent armies to the Crimea to assist the Sultan. On Sept. 14 the Allies landed at Kalamita Bay, and five days later 27,000 British', 30,000 French and 7000 Turkish troops began the march on Sevastopol. The Alma was fought and won, and tlhe fortress of Sebastopol wais invested. A month later a Russian afmy of 30,000, hoping to cut off the allies from their supplies, marched against the British position. The fighting concentrated on the village of Balaklava, where the Six Hundred gained undying fame 'in the -abortive charge against the Russian army. A sorti# of 6000 Russians reached the village of Inkermann, but was repulsed by the allies before entrenchments could be thrown up. Early on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 5, when the British position was still hidden in dairkncss, theßueisian army was heard approachingthrough the mist. It had be® greatly re-inforeed, and every precaution had been taken, by stimulating beverage and inspiring exhortation, to encourage the men to sujjferhuman effort. There were 40,000 Russians, and the Grand Dukes Michael and Nicholas bore arms. The British army of 8000 men was OUTNUMBERED FIVE IX) ONE. The mist and darkness prevented the generals of the allies from tiering the attack developing, and the whole fury of the Russian onslaught fell upon tho British position. TWere was confusion on both sides, for the Russians themselves could not clearly grasp -the position. It was a "soldiers'battle," "fought pelhnell, man against man, and regiment against regiment, with very little guidance or direction from the commanding officers, and consequently one in which UA' superior skill' of the British gave them little advantage." The principal point of tiie attack was the plateau of InKermann, occupied by tho Guards and a few other British regiments. For six hours they repelled attack after attack of the overwhelming forces oi Russia, but they must inevitably have suceffcded if the unequal contest had been much further prolonged. The allies came to the rescue. General Bosquet, who commanded the French troops, that the Russian attack was chiefly levelled against the British position. Therefore, leaving a portion of his force to defend his own position, he marched with 6000 men t 0 Inkermann. Without stopping, to form up, he charged the Russians with such fury that they fell back down the hill and the day Vas saved. The Russians in their retreat are said to have left 9000 killed and wounded on the iield, a number exceeded: at Shaho a few days ago. The British lost four g|eiu?rals—Sir George Cathcai't and Generals Strongways, Goldie, and Torrens—and the total losses of the allies were 462 killed, 1952 wounded, and 191 missing—casualties that teem trumpery when compared with those reported from Manchuria.