Turkey and the Crimean War: a narrative of historical events

Front matter

TURKEY AND THE CRIMEAN WAR. a TURKEY AND THE CRIMEAN WAR: A NARRATIVE OF HISTORICAL EVENTS. BY REAR-ADMIRAL SIR ADOLPHUS SLADE, K.C.B. (MUSHAVER PASHA). "Methisks, the Truth should live from age to age, as 'twebe retailed to all posterity, Even to the general all-ending day." Shakspeare. LONDON: SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL. 1867. [ Tlie right of Translation is reserved ] TO ADMIRAL W. A. BAILLIE HAMILTON, many years secretary of the admiralty WITH HONOUR TO HIMSELF AND ADVANTAGE TO THE SERVICE . tlfjc follotoing Images arc ScDiratrH WITH PLEASANT MEMORIES OF EARLY DAYS, BY HIS OLD MESSMATE, THE AUTHOR.

Preface

. The reforms wrought by Sultan Mahmoud II. — in effect a Moslem social revolution, — disturbed the foundations of the edifice reared by his ancestors, and altered the relations of Turkey with Christendom. Previously isolated, with her hand against everybody and every body's hand against her, Turkey then entered the comity of nations, but on invidious terms, — the terms of a step child in a numerous family. Drawn irresistibly within the sphere of alien influences exercised by diplomatists variously inspired, she gravitated now towards one now towards another centre of attraction, with unstable equilibrium. No longer self-reliant, she viewed apprehen sively the ambition of a neighbour and uneasily the aspirations (encouraged by classic sympathies) of quondam subjects : ill reassured in regard of the former by inter national jealousy, and with respect to the latter by political incapacity.

Irresolute between antagonistic pretensions, the Porte allowed a dispute at Jerusalem between members of the Latin and Oriental churches to ripen into a " question ; "

PREFACE.

. which opened a way for the French ruler to raise the tone of his army and thereby replace France in her natural position, abdicated by his predecessor, in the front rank of nations. Leading England, while seeming led by her, to concur in his policy, and Turkey to believe in his sincerity, he secured their active alliance, and so ably played his cards in the ensuing game of war as to derive from it a maximum of " glory " with a minimum of obloquy. Eussia's ardent foe in the Crimea, France sat at the council table at Paris her genial advocate. A sketch of Sultan Mahmoud's reforms, and — direct consequence — the attitude of diplomacy at Constantinople, preceded, for the sake of comparison, by an outline of the conditions of Turkish power when that power was formidable to Europe, has seemed to the author a fitting commencement of a narrative which embraces, with other topics, remarks on the Crimean war remotely flowing therefrom.

Having briefly touched on those subjects, the author indicates in the following pages the influences brought to bear on the Porte preceding and during the Crimean war, and gives deferentially a qualified Turkish view, essential for the completion of the picture, of some of the events of that war : moved by a legitimate desire to show cause for the untoward action of the Anglo-French alliance on the prestige of the Ottoman power ; and also, by a sense of the moral obligation of every one in a position of observation during that period to contribute, in the

PREFACE.

. IX degree of his lights and opportunities, materials for the elucidation of a probable subject of controversy in later times, the miscarriage in the main of a remarkable league formed for the purpose of depressing one and ostensibly sustaining another empire. Within eight years of the Peace of Paris Eussia dared to irritate her recent vanquishers. Heedless of the urbane remonstrances of one, of the traditional sympa thies of the other, she stamped out Polish nationality with her heel, and, careless about public opinion, plucked, remorseless, Caucasian independence up by the roots. The Khans of Turkistan have since admitted her supremacy, and the Ameer of Bokhara has sued for her graces. Within eleven years of that peace the Eastern question, which enthusiasts fancied had been laid under the Malakof for a century, reappears looming on the horizon, hazy, indistinct, like the genius freed by the fisherman in the Arabian Nights.

Like that curious Arab watching amazed the condensation of the portentous vapour into form and substance, politicians and philo sophers are watching with speculation in their eyes for an outline of the features of the Apparition. In view of a possible menacing aspect, monarchies are arming, cabinets are scheming, nationalities are stirring, and propagandism is active. England alone, the most interested after Turkey, the outwork of her Asiatic Empire, in that question, sits in the chair of self-complacency, fanned by the breeze of commercial prosperity. b

PREFACE.

. X The thesis that no race, whether Christian or Moslem, in the Turkish empire can succeed the Ottomans as the rulers of it, may be disputed by phil-Hellenists and philo- Sclavs, and the theorem that Egypt cannot exist as a sovereign Moslem state is apparently ignored by the actual viceroy : they are, nevertheless, the reality of the Eastern question ; and although in the opinion of some it matters but little to England whether an Othman, a Komanof, or a Hapsburg rule on the banks of the Bosphorus, it does in the opinion of all concern her much whether a Turk or a Frank rule in the valley of the Nile. London, March 1, 1867. PAGE CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Origin of the Ottoman Nation — Othman Founder of the Turkish Monarchy — Sultan Amurath I. defeats the Sclavonic League— Bajazet subjugates Asia Minor — He is defeated and taken Captive by Tamerlane — Mahomet I. and his Descendants consolidate the Empire — Syria and Egypt subdued by Selim I.— Amurath IV. captures Bagdad — Eastern Empire of the Turks — Policy of the House of Othman — Reign of Sultan Mahomet IV. — Power of the Sultans — Policy of Sultan Mahmoud — The Janissaries and their Organization — Their Destruction and its Consequences — The Reforms of Sultan Mahomet II. — Fires in Constantinople — Pertef Pasha — Death and Burial of Sultan Mahmoud 1

Chapter II

Sultan Abdul Medjid — The Tanzimat and its Results — Abrupt Transitions in the Administration — The Army and Conscription — Brigandage — Lenity of the late Sultan — Official Corruption — Redshid Pasha — His Policy — The Medjlises, or Boards — Authority and Power of the old Vizirs — Mode of dealing with rebellious Vizirs — Government without an Army — Decentralization of Finance — The Navy — Effects of Centralization — Conciliation of the Rayahs advisable — Retrospect of an ancient Turk 24

Chapter III

Ambassadors at Constantinople, under the Old and the New Regime — Position of Diplomatists at Constantinople — Effect of Obselete Commercial Legislation — Turkish Manufactures supplanted by cheap foreign Fabrics — Novel Attitude of Diplomacy towards the Divan — Presents to Foreign Diplomatists — Oriental Ideas of Presents — Usury, the Cancer of Turkey and Cause of the Low State of Agriculture — Education — Parish Schools — Colleges — b—2 CONTENTS. XII PAGE Military and Medical Schools— Quarantine — The European Crisis of 1848 — Dilemma of the Porte as to Hungarian Fugitives — The Montenegrin Insurrection — Demands of Austria acceded to — Similarit}- of Turkish and Austrian Policy — Ball given by the French Ambassador in Honour of the Second Empire 46

Chapter IV

Louis Napoleon's Choice of a War Policy — The Rival Christian Powers in the East — The Firman restoring to the Roman Catholics the Holy Places — The Porte summoned to carry it into Effect — Menacing Attitude of France — Weakness ofthe Turkish Policy — The Matter in Dispute — Attitude of England — Question of the Holy Places — Russian Intervention — Mission of Prince Mentchikof — Passive Attitude of the Porte — English View of the Situation 69

Chapter V

Prince Mentchikof's injudicious Conduct — Russian Demands — Position of the Greek Church in Turkey — Russian Objects — Prince Mentchikof's " Note " — European Misconception of its Object — Feelings of the Turks towards Russia — Death of the Sultan's Mother — The Funeral Ceremonies — Her Character and Influence over the Sultan — Change of Ministry — Redshid Pasha's Policy — Antagonistic Feelings of the Ministers — The Russian " Note " rejected by the Council of State — Rupture of Diplomatic Relations with Russia — Departure of Prince Mentchikof and the Russian Legation 79,

Chapter VI

The Porte takes defensive Measures— The Castles on the Bosphorus — The Turkish Fleet — Dangers from the Vicinity of European Merchant Vessels — Harbour-masters of Foreign Consulates Turkish Captains under Restrictions — Fear of the Porte to give Umbrage to Russia— Readiness and Activity of Sailors and Soldiers— Military Preparations of the Porte— Self-devotion of the People— Troops marched to the Frontiers — Influence of the English and French Press — Addresses ofthe Greek and Armenian Patriarchs — Mussulman Distinctions applied to the . Western Potentates — Arrival of the English and French Fleets The Turks supposed them to have been hired by the Sultan Moslem Belief in a special Providence watching over them Foreign Orders and Decorations profusely conferred on Turkish Officials ng CONTENTS. XIII PAGE

Chapter VII

Passage of the Pruth by the Russians— The Sultan dismisses his Ministers, but recalls them — Decision of a Council of State — Position of Russia weakened — Dilemma of the Porte — Delusion of the People — The Vienna Note — Advice respecting it — Sir Stratford Canning and Redshid Pasha — The Porte's Refusal of the Vienna Note — Warlike Preparations of Turkey — The Porte in the Meshes of Diplomacy — The Ruling Class of Turkey past and present— Frankish Turks 105

Chapter VIII

An-rival of the Egyptian Contingent — Their close Stowage and scanty Fare — Story of the Egyptian Contingent — Self-mutilation in Mehemet Ali's Time to escape Military Service — Desertion and its Penalty — Their Inspection by the Sultan — His Reception and Largesse — Embarkation of the Egyptian Troops — Their soldierly Spirit — Galata Newsmongers' Canards — Sanguinary Rumours credited by the French and English Ambassadors — Groundless Alarm — Four War Steamers summoned b}' the Ambassadors — Calmness of the Sultan — Protection afforded by the Porte to Foreigners — Governmental Authority in Constan tinople — Loyalty of the Soldiery — Their Isolation from the Civilians 116

Chapter IX

Russia refuses the Porte's Modifications of the Vienna Note — The Porte declares War — Prince Gortchakof invited to evacuate the Principalities — Honours conferred by the Sultan on the Greek Patriarch — A Turkish Squadron sent to the Black Sea returns to the Bosphorus — Condition of the Turkish Navy — The Author's Suggestion to the Capitan Pasha — It is overruled — Sinope, the only safe Roadstead, exposed to Attack — The Navy in a Transition State — Two Parties in the Service — Its low Tone — Forebodings of Disaster — A Russian . Squadron reported — The Frigate Nuzretieh ordered to Sea — Representation of Mushaver Pasha — Strange Order of the Capitan Pasha — The Nuzretieh in the Black Sea — Orders given to the Turkish Squadron — Omar Pasha's Victory at Oltenitza — Successes and Reverses of the Turks in Asia — Valour of the Troops and Misconduct of their Officers — Exultation of the Turks CONTENTS. PAGE

Chapter X

The Turkish Squadron at Sinope — A Russian Squadron in the Offing — Choice of Measures for the Turkish Commander — An Opportunity of Retreat — Reappearance of the Russian Squadron — Position of the Turkish Ships — Shore Batteries of Sinope — The Russian Ships enter the Bay— Flight of the Governor of Sinope and the Moslem Inhabitants — Vacillation of the Turks — The Fire of the Russian Squadron — Total Destruction of the Turkish Ships — Terrible Loss of Life — Gallantry of some Turkish Officers — Indulgence of the Porte — Escape of the Taif — The Captain Pasha reproaches the French and English Governments — Opinions of their Ambassadors — Sinope after the Battle — Pusillanimity of the Governor — Sufferings of the Survivors — Pitiable State of the Wounded — Their Joy at the Prospect of Removal to Constantinople 139

CHAPTER XL

The Turkish Fleet preparing for Sea — The Author summoned to the Porte — Reception by the Divan of the Defeat at Sinope — Report of a Repulse of the Russians — Unwelcome Counsel — The Author's Representations prevail — His Suggestions for the erection of Redoubts at Sinope overruled — Impracticable Suggestions made to the Porte— Turkish Policy in yielding to them — Gradual Progress safest for Nations — Result of Inquiry into the Disaster of Sinope — Blame unjustly thrown on the Porte — The Grand Council ready to treat for Peace — Warlike Demonstration of Softas calmed down — Manifesto of the Porte — R.edshid Pasha's Note to the Four Powers — Lord Clarendon's Reply — Action of the Western Powers — The combined Squadrons enter the Black Sea — Notification of the Allies' Admirals to the Russian Admiral 152

Chapter XII

Unexpected Return of the combined Fleets to Beikos Bay— They are mistaken for the Russian Fleet by the Capitan Pasha — The Russians again Masters of the Black Sea — Consequences of imperfect Accord between the Allies' Ambassadors and Admirals — Turkish Steamers with Troops under Convoy enter the Black Sea — Patience of the Soldiers under their Privations — Distress from Overcrowding— Former Instances — The Turkish Convoy anchor at Sinope, and at Trebizond — Readiness of the Troops — Shiftlessness of Regular Troops when not cared for — Mortality in the Turkish Army — Confidence at Trebizond in the CONTENTS. XV PAGE Allies — A Native Preacher's Prophecy for English Unbelievers — Turkish Ideas of English Protestants — Invalid Troops at Batoom — Georgian Bashi-bazouks and their Leader — Troops under Canvas — Error in adopting European Clothing for Turkish Troops — Advantages of the old Turkish Costume — Re-adoption of Oriental Uniforms by the present Sultan — Foreigners wonder at the Hardihood of Turkish Soldiers — The Secret explained — Habits of the Turkish Peasant fit him for enduring Hardships — Promises of Mohammed to Soldiers — In fluence of patriotic or religious Sentiment — Comforts for Soldiers and Sailors of recent Date — Initiation in England by Royalty — Extent of Improvements in the British Navy — Former Condition of the Sailors — Unhealthiness of Batoom — Turkish Reverses in that District — A Westerly Gale in the Black Sea — Disasters to the Steamer Faisi-bari — No Assistance rendered by other Steamers 104

Chapter XIII

Drifting into War — Insurrection of the Greeks, headed by Karaskaiki — Not supported by Russia — Policy of the Emperor Nicholas and the Empress Catherine — Repressive Measures of the Porte — The Egyptian Contingent — The Greeks calmed by Fuad Efendi — Hellenists banished by the Porte — Impolicy of that Measure — Intervention of the French Ambassador — General Baraguay d'Hilliers threatens to leave Constantinople — The Allies intervene in Greece — Indignation of King Otho and his Queen — The Hellenist Warfare beyond the Frontier of Greece — Successes of the Ottomans at Czetate and Karakal — Turkish Enthusiasm — Call for the Bashi-bazouks — Their Arrival at Scutari — Reviewed by the Seraskir at Constantinople — Their picturesque Costumes — Bashi-bazouks headed by a female Chieftain — Sensation caused by Kara Fatima — She is received by the Seraskir — Popular Delusion as to the Value of the Bashi-bazouk — Their Ideas 181

Chapter XIV

Attitude of Austria — She is invited to arm against Russia — Her ignoble Policy — The Western Powers show no Sign of Earnestness — Sir John Burgoyne arrives at Constantinople — His Measures — Their Effect on the Turks — Russian Policy in War — Best Course for the Western Powers — Military Force of Turkey — How this Force might have been best used — The Turkish Army — Its former Organization — Its recent Alterations — The Soup-Kettles of the Turkish Army in old Times — The ancient Turkish Naval System — Reply of a Mufti on the Question of Foreign Aid — Secret of former Independence of Turkey — Machiavelli on Foreign CONTENTS. XVI TAGE Auxiliaries— The Allied Fleets leave Beikos— A " Benevolence resorted to at Constantinople— Spontaneous Contributions of the Provinces— Sickness in the Army on the Danube— Deficiency of Medical Stores at Schumla, Rudshuk, and other Garrisons- Fraud and Venality— Inferior Quality of the Supplies— Fraudulent Contractory— Tenderness for such Characters immoral— Gravity of their Offences llH°

Chapter XV

The Turkish Fleet eager to enter the Eusine— Employment for it suggested — Enthusiasm in the Caucasus for the Sultan — How to profit by it— Schamyl Ruler of Daghestan— His Naib, Mehemed Emin Efendi, in Circassia— Their opposite Modes of Rule — Their Policy in regard to the War — The Caucasus the vulnerable Part of Russia — Mushaver Pasha's Proposal for employing the Turkish Fleet— How received by the Allied Admirals— An Anglo-French Expedition to the Caucasian Coast projected— Its Futility — The Turks best fitted to deal with the Circassians— A Turkish Steamer asked for to accompany the projected Expedition — Reasons for its Refusal — Views of the Porte 201

Chapter XVI

Arrival of the Vanguard of the British Army in the Bosphorus — Turkish and English Sentries at the Barracks in Scutari — rrince Napoleon and the Duke of Cambridge — Gloomy Presages in Constantinople—Reception ofthe Troops by the People and Authorities— Ai-rival of the Fury in the Bosphorus — Attack on Odessa by the Allied Fleets — Grounds for this Proceeding — Resemblance of Odessa to Brighton — What constitutes a Flag of Truce — Ultimatum ofthe Allied Admirals* —Admiral Dundas's View of the Bombardment of Odessa — His Desire to Bombard Odessa more effectually — Odessa of no strategic Importance — War never aided by needless Severity — Moral and Physical Effects of wanton Aggression — Instances in Point — Popular Feeling in Russia and England excited by the War — Vicarious Retaliation — Blockade ofthe Danube by the Allied Admirals 211

Chapter XVII

The Allied Fleets sail for Sevastopol, and an Anglo-French Steam Squadron for the Coast of Circassia — The Capitan Pasha proposes the Junction of the Turkish Squadron — Its Instructions — Presentation of the Turkish Admirals to the Sultan — Sefer Pasha and Behchet Pasha — Equipment of the Turco-Egyptian Squadron — Vice-Admiral Dundas counsels Delay — The Author's Opinion CONTENTS. XVII PAGE ■l-l-l aud Advice — Achmet Pasha's Objections — Mushaver Pasha requested to mediate with the Allied Admirals — His Memorandum for their Consideration — He joins the Anglo-French Fleet in the Faisi-bari — His Reception by Admiral Dundas and Admiral Hamelin — Objections of the French Admiral — Letter of Admiral Dundas to Ahmed Pasha — Dismay of the Circassian Pashas

Chapter XVIII

The Allies' Fleets at Baltchik — How they watched Sevastopol — The Turkish Fleet kept at Out-post Duty — What might have been done in the Summer of 1854 — Powerful Force of the Fleets — Discourtesy to Mushaver Pasha — Conciliatory Compliments unacknowledged — Tidings of the Anglo-French Squadron on the Circassian Coast — Turkish E11V03-S and Munitions of War transhipped to Circassia — Precipitancy of the Measure — Indignation of the Turks — Disappointment of the Circassians — Admiral Sir Edmund Lyon's Report of the Circassians— Motives of the Allies' Admirals — Articles in the Daily News — Mortality in the Turkish Fleet — Its Cause — The Allies' Admirals object to its Cruising, and order it to he at Varna — Remonstrance of the Turkish and Egyptian Admirals — Recall of the Fleet by the Porte — Views of the Allies' Admirals as to the Turkish Fleet carried out — Results of then- Proceedings — Effect on the Circassians — The Allies' Admirals secure for Russia in War what she had not ventured to ask in Peace 237

Chapter XIX

The Russian Army crosses the Danube — Prince Paskievitch lays siege to Silistria — Its Governor, Musa Pasha, is killed — Gallantly of the British Officers Butler and Nasmyth — The Allies aroused to Activity — Conference with Omar Pasha at Schumla — Duke of Cambridge embarks with Iris Division for Varna — Quiescence of Omar Pasha — The Russians raise the Siege of Silistria — What the Allies might have done — Todleben joins the Russian Camp — Prince Gortchakof's Advice — The allied Armies ordered to the Crimea — Proposals of Austria — Her " Material Guarantee " — Plans of France and England — Reasonable Hopes of Success — Sevastopol no longer "a standing Menace "■ — Position of Constantinople — What is wanting to make it Predominant — Results of such Consummation — Feelings of the Turkish Navy — Exploit of a Russian War Steamer — The Turkish Fleet at Varna — The Town occupied by the Allies— Unceremonious Proceedings of the French — Disgust of the Inhabitants —Danger from Fire — Neglect of Precautions against it — Outbreak of Fire — Losses of the British Commissariat — No one to direct Operations — Conduct of European and Turkish Soldiers CONTENTS.

XVIII PAGE contrasted— Groundless Suspicions of Greek Treachery — Too late Precautions— Stormy Meeting of Turkish Notables— Angry Complaints against the European Commanders— Accessibility of Turkish Officials— Indignant Speech of an Efendi— Danger to the Shipping in the Bay — No Guard-vessels — Outbreak of the Cholera at Varna — Observations of the Disease — Inferences and Proofs — Assistance safely rendered by the Healthy and Well fed — Danger of Mental Depression — Treatment of Cholera by the Turks — Danger from checked Perspiration — Why the Turkish Crews suffered less from Cholera — Superstitious Panic of Turkish Sailors — Heavy Losses of French Troops from Disease — Mortality at Kustenge — Sickness in the British Army —Its Causes 250

Chapter XX

Embarkation of the allied Armies — Rations of Turkish Troops — ■ Quality of the Men — The Conscription in Turkey — Suleyman Pasha — The Turks averse from the Service — The Esnan — Their Losses at Varna — Nostalgia a real Disease — Tone of the Allies — Marshal St. Arnaud and General Caurobert — Lord Raglan — Criticism of the Naval Commanders — The three allied Fleets at Baltchik — The French and Turkish Fleets weigh Anchor — Ai-rival of the English Transports at Baltcliik — The Covering Fleet — An Opportunity lost bjthe Russians — Influence of British Naval Renown — The Russian Fleet at Sevastopol — Appearance of the English Fleet — Advantages of Katcha Bay as a Landing- Place — Two Modes of attacking Sevastopol — Error in choosing the Point of Attack — Probability of Success from the opposite Coast — Sevastopol exposed to a Surprise — The Flank March — The combined Fleets anchor at Eupatoria — Estimate of the Forces — Bat Horses of British Cavalry left behind — Newspaper Correspondents — The Question considered in relation to War — The French Press tongue-tied 272

Chapter XXI

The Fleets anchor off " Old Fort " — Aspeet of the Shore — Prompt Disembarkation of French Troops — Their Alertness — Prince Napoleon — French Soldiers under Canvas — Disembarkation of the British Forces — The Soldiers landed without Tents or Knapsacks — Their Bivouac under heavy Rain — Defective Organization — Results of needless Exposure — Altered Conditions of Invasions created by Steam— Landing of Cavalry — Tartars come into Camp — Their Joy at Sight of Moslem troops — Their Account of the Force of Sevastopol — A Spy — Complaint against the Zouaves by a Tartar — How disposed of — Combined Forces of the CONTENTS. XIX PAGE 286 Allied Armies — Characteristics of each Army — The Turkish Commander returns to Constantinople and is banished — The English Tents re-embarked, and the Army bivouacked for three -weeks — 111 Effects of this Exposure — Prince Mentchikof's Forces — His Aim to create Delay — His Position liable to be turned on both Flanks— March of the French— The British storm the Hill-side of the Alma — Steady Calmness of their Advance — " Forward! " the only Order — The Crisis — Victory

Chapter XXII

The Battle of the Alma fruitless — A Victory without Trophies — The Victors sleep on their Laurels — Their pleasant Despatches — Aged Officers — Few Troops in Sevastopol — Ineffective Fire of the Forts — The Object of the Crimean Expedition frustrated by Delay — Military Council in Sevastopol decides to obstruct the Entrance of the Harbour by smiting a Squadron of Ships — Review of the Position of Affairs — English Troops suffer from Diarrhœa — The allied Armies march to the Balbec — The Russians sink their Ships — An English Officer of Engineers — Capture of Russian Baggage — The Allied Army reaches Balaclava — Its Dependence on the Sea disadvantageous — Artillery Engagement between Steamers and Batteries — Bad Practice of Russian Gunners — Death of Marshal St. Arnaud 208

Chapter XXIII

Harbour of Balaclava — Neglect, Confusion, and Waste — Mistaken Confidence in the speedy Fall of Sevastopol — Bird's-eye View of Sevastopol — The Malakof — Fortune's Favours disregarded — Talk with some English Soldiers — Corporal Wheeler's Bravery at the Alma — Soldiers should judge of their Comrades' Deserts — Partial Allotment of Good-Conduct Badges — Honorary Awards should be made on the Instant — Practice in the French Army — Colonel Todleben's Promptitude and Energy — Leisurely Proceedings of the Allies — Confidence of the Engineers — Comment of a Moslem — The Cossacks regain Sway over the Tartar Inhabitants — Russian Cavalry reconnoitre — The Allies' Siegeworks completed — Guns in Position — First day's Attack by Land and Sea — The Enemy's Fire — Advance of the allied Fleets — Firing ineffective because of the Smoke — The Aim at long Ranges uncertain — Nelson's Maxim — The Agamemnon and Sans Pared — Effective Fire of the Wasp Battery — Low earthen Redoubts with heavy Guns very formidable — Tactics of the French and English Admirals CONTENTS. XX PAGE

Chapter XXIV

Partial Failure of the Expedition— Feelings of the allied Generals- Hints of Whiter unwelcome — Illusory Hopes of speedy Success — Castrametation neglected — The British Lines — Turks driven out of Redoubts — The Russians repulsed by Highlanders and routed by Heavy Cavalry — The Balaclava Charge — Russian Sortie from Sevastopol repulsed — Wreck of an Egyptian Ship and Frigate — Sufferings of the Turkish Troops — Neglect of them by the Allies — Turkish Hospital at Balaclava — Deaths from Dysentery and Overtoil — Oriental Indifference to unseen Sufferings — Fatahsm and Selfishness — Lord Raglan interposes — A Ship Hospital fitted out for Turkish Sick — Lord Raglan's Appreciation thereof — The Hospital Ship sent back to Constantinople — Rations of Pork and Rum not available by Mohammedans — Other Supplies not regularly issued — The Turks destitute of Money 325

Chapter XXV

Russian Reinforcements — Prince Mentchikof tries to raise the Siege — His Choice between two Courses — Russian Plan of Attack — Conflict at Inkerman — Merits of the respective Troops — Perilous Position of the British — Timely Aid of the French — Russian Retreat — Loss of the Assailants — A Prisoner shot by his Captor — Temptation to a British Sentry — Medals for Balaclava and Inkerman — Theory of Distribution of War Medals — " Urgent Private Affairs " — A noble Example — Violent Hurricane — Loss of Transports — Force of the Tempest — Cossacks come to the Rescue — Damage to Ships of War — Captain Christie, R.N. — Court- Martial ordered upon him — The Case of the Prince Transport Ship — State of Anchorage at Balaclava — Rear-Adniiral Boxer and Captain Christie yielded to Clamour — Posthumous Honours awarded them 336

Chapter XXVI

Dispersion of the Fleets — Preparations for Winter — Helplessness of English Soldiers — Obvious Precautions neglected — Available Resources of Constantinople — JL. Filder, the Commissary- General — EngUsh Sympathy and Aid — Evils of Routine — The Army pampered — State of Tilings at Constantinople — Turks Amazed and Disgusted, but Powerless — Capitulations — Paralysis of Justice — Consular Privileges abused — Gibbon's Picture of St. Jean d'Acre realized at Pera — British Subjects abandoned — Turkish Jails — Public Buildings of Constantinople occupied by the Allies — -The French dominate the City — -Aspect and Bearhi" CONTENTS. XXI PAGE of the Ottomans— Separation of Turks and Europeans — Excep tional Cases — Russian Military Schools — Fate of Turkish Invalids — Turkish Naval Hospital — The Dockyard occupied by the Allies — Solicitude of a noble Eltchee for Russian Prisoners — An Ambassador at Constantinople — Military Hospital at Scutari — Sympathies of Miss Nightingale and Lady Stratford de Redcliffe — Soyer's Cookery — Sick Officers lodged in the Imperial Kiosk — Exertions of Colonel Moore's Widow — British Cemetery — French Hospitals at Constantinople — Mortality of French Surgeons — Boy Soldiers — Scurvy and Dysentery rife — Visitors — Invaluable Services of Sisters of Charity 350

Chapter XXVII

Result of the Battle of Inkerman — Council of War— The Army of the Danube transferred to the Crimea — The Russians attack Omer Pasha at Eupatoria and are defeated — Death of the Egyptian Selini Pasha — Omar Pasha's Tactics — What the Army of Eupatoria might have done — Omar Pasha with his Brigade at Sevastopol — Comment of the Turks on the Death of the Czar — The Porte ill able to bear the Absence of their Army in the Crimea — The Anglo-Turkish Contingent — Its European Officers — Proposal of the Porte rejected — Head-quarters of the Contingent at Buyukdereh — Life of Officers and Men — The Contingent transferred to Kertch — Skirmish with Cossacks — The Bashi-bazouks — Their Cost 374