by G. A. Henty
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE BATTLE OF THE TCHERNAYA
On the evening of the 15th of August several Tartars brought in newsthat the Russians were preparing for an attack; but so often hadsimilar rumors been received that little attention was paid to theirstatements. It was known indeed that they had received very largereinforcements, and the troops had been several times called underarms to resist their repeated attacks. These, however, had all passedoff quietly, and when the troops retired to rest none thought that agreat battle was going to take place on the morrow.
The Tchernaya, after leaving the valley of Baidar, flows between anumber of low swells of ground, and formed the front of the alliedarmies on the plains. On the extreme right the Turks were stationed.Next them came the Sardinians, whose position extended from a streamflowing into the Tchernaya at right angles to an eminence known asMount Hasfort. In front, and divided from it by an aqueduct which,too, ran parallel to the river, was another hillock accessible fromthe first by a stone bridge at which the Sardinians had a breastwork.Their outposts extended some distance on the other side of theTchernaya. The French occupied a series of hillocks to the left of theSardinians, guarding the road leading from Balaklava to McKenzie'sfarm. The river and aqueduct both flowed along their front. The roadcrossed the former by a bridge known as the Traktia Bridge, the latterby a stone bridge. In front of the Traktia Bridge was a breastwork.
At dawn a strong body of Russians were seen upon the heights oppositeto those occupied by the Sardinians, and thence, being on groundhigher than that upon our side of the river, they commanded both theSardinian and French positions. The bridge was held by a company ofinfantry and a company of Bersaglieri, and General Della Marmora atonce despatched another company of Bersaglieri to enable the advanceto hold their post until the army got under arms. They mounted theopposite plateau, but this was so swept by the Russian guns, that theywere forced at once to retire to the bridge.
Soon the artillery opened along the whole line on both sides. TheFrench outposts had also been driven in, and before the troops werefairly under arms, the Russians had crossed the bridge, and werecharging forward. The aqueduct, which was nine or ten feet wide andseveral feet deep, now formed the front of the French defence. It ranalong on the face of the hill, with a very steep slope facing theRussians.
In spite of the fire of the French artillery in front, and of theSardinian artillery which swept them in flank, the Russian soldierspressed most gallantly forward, crossed the aqueduct, and tried tostorm the height. The Sardinian fire, however, was too severe, andafter ten minutes the Russians fell back. It met another columnadvancing at the double, and uniting, they again rushed forward. Whilethey forded the river, two guns crossed by the bridge and another by aford, and opened upon the French. The infantry, rushing breast deepthrough the water, began to scale the heights. But the French met themboldly, and after a fierce fight drove them down and across thebridge. On their left another column had attacked the French right,and in spite of the Sardinian guns which ploughed long lanes in theirranks, crossed the aqueduct and scaled the heights. But as theyreached the plateau so terrible a storm of grape and musket-ballsswept upon them, that the bead of the column melted away as itsurmounted the crest. Fresh men took the place of those that fell, butwhen the French infantry, with a mighty cheer, rushed upon them, theRussians broke and ran. So great was the crowd that they could notpass the river in time, and 200 prisoners were taken, while the Frenchand Sardinian artillery swept the remains of the column, as itretreated, with a terrible cross fire.
At the bridge, however, the Russians made one more effort. Thereserves were brought up, and they again crossed the river andaqueduct. The French, however, were now thoroughly prepared, and theattack was, like the preceding one, beaten back with terribleslaughter. The Russians fell back along their whole line, covered bythe fire of their artillery, while five regiments of cavalry took postto oppose that of the allies, should they attempt to harass theretreat.
The loss of the French was nine officers killed and fifty-threewounded, 172 men killed and 1163 wounded. The Sardinians had twoofficers killed and eight wounded; sixty-two men killed, and 135wounded. The Russian loss was twenty-seven officers killed, andeighty-five wounded; 3329 men killed, 4785 wounded. Never were theadvantages of position more clearly shown, for the Russians lostfifteen times as many killed as the allies, four times as manywounded, although they had all the advantages of a surprise on theirside. The English had only a battery of heavy guns under CaptainMowbray engaged. These did good service.
Jack Archer saw but little of this battle. It commenced at daybreakand lasted little over an hour, and when Jack, with hundreds of otherofficers and soldiers, reached points from which a view of the plaincould be commanded, a thick cloud of smoke was drifting across it,through which nothing could be seen until the heavy masses of Russianswere observed making their way back covered by their cavalry, and thedying away of the cannonade told that the battle was over.
Life in camp was very cheery now. The troops were in splendid healthand high spirits. Races were got up in each division, for almost allofficers possessed ponies of some kind or other, and great amusementwas caused by these events. Some of the lately-arrived regiments hadbrought their regimental bands with them, and these added to theliveliness of the camps. A good supply of eatables and wine could beobtained from the sutlers, and dinner-parties were constantly takingplace. Altogether life in camp was very enjoyable.
The French, who during the winter had fared much better thanourselves, were now in a very inferior condition. The full publicitywhich had been given to the sufferings of our troops had so roused theBritish public, that not only had they insisted that Government shouldtake all measures for the comfort of the soldiers, but very large sumshad been collected, and ships laden with comforts and luxuries of allkinds despatched to the seat of war. Consequently our troops were nowin every respect well fed and comfortable. Upon the other hand, thedetails of the sufferings of the French troops had been carefullyconcealed from the French people. Consequently nothing was done forthem, and their food was the same now as it had been at Varna in theprevious year. They were consequently exposed to the attacks of thesame illness, and while the British army was enjoying perfect health,the French hospitals were crowded, and many thousands died of choleraand fever.
After the Tchernaya, as there was no probability of a renewal of thebombardment for a short time, Jack asked leave to spend a few days onboard ship, as his services as interpreter were not likely to berequired. This was readily granted. Here he had perfect rest. CaptainHethcote did not put him in a watch, and every day, with some of hismessmates, he rowed out of the harbor, and coasted along at the footof the lofty cliffs, sometimes fishing, sometimes taking a bath in thecool waters. This week's rest and change did Jack a great deal ofgood, for he had been feeling the effects of the long strain ofexcitement. He had had several slight touches of fever, and the navaldoctor had begun to speak of the probability of sending him down tothe hospital-ship at Constantinople. The week's rest, however,completely set him up, and he was delighted with the receipt of abudget of letters from home, written upon the receipt of his letterannouncing his safety.
None but those who have gone through a long and tedious campaign, orwho may be living a struggling life in some young colony, can know howgreat is the delight afforded by letters from home. For a time thereaders forget their surroundings, and all the toil and struggle oftheir existence, and are again in thought among the dear ones at home.Retiring to some quiet place apart from their comrades, they readthrough their letters again and again, and it is not till every littleitem is got by heart, that the letters are folded up and put away, tobe re-read over and over again until the next batch arrive.
Jack, of course, had heard much of his family from his brother, butthe long letters of his father and mother, the large, scrawlinghandwriting of his little brothers and sisters, brought them beforehim far more vividly than any account could have done. Enclos
ed in hisfather's letter was one with a Russian postmark, and this Jack foundwas from Count Preskoff. It had been written six weeks after he hadleft them, and had, curiously enough, arrived in England on the veryday after his own letter had reached home. The count wrote expressingtheir anxiety regarding him, and their earnest hopes that he hadeffected his escape. He said that his wife and daughters diligentlyread every paper they could get from end to end, but having seen nonotice of the capture of two young Englishmen in disguise, theyentertained strong hopes that their friends had effected their escape.The count said he was sure that Jack would be glad to hear that thingsin Russia looked brighter; that it was rumored that the EmperorAlexander intended on the occasion of his coronation to proclaim ageneral emancipation of the serfs, and that other measures of reformwould follow. The party of progress were strong in the councils of thenew monarch. The decree for his own banishment from court had beencancelled, and he was on the point of starting for St. Petersburg withhis wife and daughters. A personal friend of his own had beenappointed commandant of Berislav, and the late deputy commandant hadbeen sent to join his regiment in the Crimea. The countess and hisdaughters were well, and Olga was studying English. He said that whenthe war was over he intended with his family to make a tour throughthe capitals of Europe, and hoped that they should see Jack inEngland. This was very welcome news, and Jack returned to the navalcamp at the front in high glee.
One morning a lieutenant named Myers, asked Jack if he would like toaccompany him on a reconnaissance, which he heard that a party of theSardinian cavalry were going to push some little distance up the BaidaValley. Jack said that he would like it very much if he could borrow apony. Mr. Myers said that he could manage this for him, and at oncewent and obtained the loan of a pony from another officer who was justgoing down into the battery. A quarter of an hour afterwards, havingtaken the precaution to put some biscuits and cold meat into theirhaversacks, and to fill their flasks with rum and water, they startedand rode across the plain to the Sardinian camp.
The lieutenant had obtained the news of the proposed reconnaissancefrom an officer with whom he was acquainted on the Sardinian staff.The news, however, had been kept secret, as upon previous occasions somany officers off duty had accompanied these reconnaissances as toconstitute an inconvenience. On the present occasion the secret hadbeen so well kept that only some four or five pleasure-seekers hadassembled when the column, consisting of 400 cavalry, started.
Jack, accustomed only to the flat plains of southern and westernRussia, was delighted with the beauty of the valley through which theynow rode. It was beautifully wooded, and here and there Tartarvillages nestled among the trees. These had long since been desertedby the inhabitants, and had been looted by successive parties offriends and foes, of everything portable.
Presently they turned out of the valley they had first passed throughand followed a road over a slope into another valley, similar to thefirst. For an hour they rode on, and then some distance ahead of thecolumn they heard the report of a shot.
"The Cossacks have got sight of us," Mr. Myers said. "We shall soonlearn if the Russians have any troops in the neighborhood."
Presently a scattered fire was opened from the walls of a countryhouse, standing embowered in trees on an eminence near what appearedto be the mouth of the valley. The officer in command of the partydismounted one of the squadrons, and sent the men up in skirmishingorder against the house. Two other squadrons trotted down the valley,and the rest remained in reserve. A sharp musketry conflict went onfor a short time around the chateau. Then the Sardinians made a rush,and their shouts of triumph and the cessation of musketry proclaimedtheir victory.
At the same moment a soldier rode back from the cavalry that had goneup the valley, to say that a strong body of the enemy's horse wereapproaching across the plain. The order was given for a generaladvance, and the cavalry trotted down the valley to join the party inadvance.
"Now, Mr. Archer," Lieutenant Myers said, "the best thing for us to dowill be to ride forward to that house up there. See, the attackingparty are coming back to their horses. We ought to have a good viewover the plain, and shall see the fight between the Sardinians and theenemy. Besides, we may pick up some loot."
They soon reached the house, and, tying up their horses, entered. Itwas a fine chateau, handsomely furnished, but short as was the timethat the Sardinians had held possession, they had already tumbledeverything into confusion in their search for plunder. Tables andcouches had been upset, closets and chiffoniers burst open with thebutt-ends of the swords or with the discharge of a pistol into thelock. Looking-glasses had been smashed, valuable vases lay infragments on the floor, bottles of wine whose necks had been hastilyknocked off stood on the table. In the courtyard were signs of strife.Three or four Cossacks and two Sardinian horsemen lay dead.
"We will go out to the terrace in front of the house," Mr. Myers said."From that we ought to have a view over the country."
Owing, however, to the trees which grew around, they were obliged toadvance 100 yards or so from the house before they could see theplain. Then some half-mile out they saw the blue mass of Sardiniancavalry advancing by squadrons. Still farther two bodies of Russianhorse, each nearly equal in strength to the Italians, were seen. Therewas a movement among the Sardinian horse. They formed into two bodiesand dashed at the Russians. There was a cloud of dust, swords could beseen flashing in the sun, a confused melee for a minute or two, andthen the Russians broke and rode across the plain, pursued by theSardinians.
"A very pretty charge," Mr. Myers said. "Now we'll go in and look atthe house. It will be fully half an hour before they return again."
They went in and wandered from room to room. The place had evidentlybeen tenanted until quite lately. Articles of woman's work lay uponthe table. A canary bird was singing in his cage. A fire burnt in thekitchen, and a meal was evidently in course of preparation when thefirst alarm had been given. The officers wandered from room to room,and collected a number of little trifles to take home as remembrances,small pictures of the Greek saints, such as are found in every Russianhouse, a little bronze statuette, two or three small but handsomelybound books, a couple of curious old plates; and Jack took possession,as a present for his elder sister, of a small work-box beautifullyfitted up. Having made two bundles of their plunder, they prepared togo out again to see if the Sardinians were returning, when Jack,looking out of the window, uttered an exclamation of surprise andalarm. One of the thick fogs which are so common in the Black Sea, andon the surrounding coasts, had suddenly rolled down upon them, and itwas difficult to see five yards from the window. Jack's exclamationwas echoed by Mr. Myers.
"This is a nice business!" the latter exclaimed. "We had better findour ponies and make our way down into the valley at once. Seeing howthick the fog has come on, the Sardinians may not return here at all."
So saying, they hurried to the spot where they had tied up theirponies, and, leading them by the reins, descended into the valley.
"The fog is getting thicker and thicker," Mr. Myers said. "I cannotsee three yards before me. We must listen for them as they pass, andthen join them, although it's by no means impossible that we may bereceived with a shot."
Half an hour passed, and they grew more and more anxious. Anotherhalf-hour, and still no sound was heard.
"I do not think they can possibly have passed without our seeing them,Mr. Archer. The valley is a quarter of a mile wide, but we should besure to hear the trampling of the horses and the jingling of thesabres."
"Yes, sir, I'm sure they have not passed since we got here. But theymay possibly have seen the fog coming on and have ridden rapidly back,and passed before we came down, or they may have gone round by themouth of the valley parallel to this, which we left to cross into thisone."
"That is just what I have been thinking." Mr. Myers said. "What do youthink we had better do? It is quite impossible that we can find ourway back through such a fog as this."
"Quite impossible, sir,
" Jack said. "If we were to move from where weare, we should lose all idea of our bearings in three minutes, andshould be as likely to go into the plain as up the valley."
"It's a most awkward position," Mr. Myers said anxiously. "Now, Mr.Archer, you have had some sort of experience of this kind before. Tellme frankly what you think is the best thing to be done."
"I have been thinking it over, sir, for the last half, hour," Jacksaid, "and it appears to me that the best thing to do would be for meto find my way up to the house again. I can't well miss that, as wecame straight down hill. I will bring back two of those Cossacks'cloaks and lances. Then we had better move about till we come on aclump of trees, and make ourselves as comfortable there as we can.These fogs last, as you know, sometimes for two or three days. When itgets clear, whether it is to-day or to-morrow, we will look out andsee whether there are any of the enemy about. Of course, as they knowthe way, they can come back in the fog. If we see any of them, we mustput on the Cossack's cloaks, take their lances, and boldly ride off.They are always galloping about in pairs all over the country; so thatwe shall attract no attention."
"But if they catch us," the lieutenant said, "we shall be liable to beshot as spies."
"I suppose we shall, sir," Jack answered; "but I would rather run therisk of being shot as a spy than the certainty of being caught as anaval officer, and imprisoned till the war is over."
"Well, Mr Archer, I certainly can suggest nothing better," thelieutenant said. "Will you go up, then, and, get the cloaks you speakof?"
Leaving his pony with the lieutenant, Jack made his way up the hill.Fortunately, in their descent they had followed a small track worn bypersons going to and from the chateau from the valley, and he had,therefore, but little difficulty in finding the house. He paused whenhe reached the courtyard, for he heard voices in the chateau.Listening attentively, he discovered that they were Russians, no doubtsome of the party who had been driven thence by the Sardinians, andwho had, upon the retirement of the latter, ridden straight back fromthe plain. Fortunately, the fog was so thick that there was noprobability whatever of his movements being discovered, and hetherefore proceeded to strip off two of the long coats, reachingalmost down to the heels, which form the distinctive Cossack dress,from the dead men. He took possession also of their caps, theirbandoliers for cartridges, worn over one shoulder, and of theircarbines and lances, and then retraced his steps down the hill to hiscompanion. Leading their ponies, they wandered aimlessly through thefog for a considerable time before they came to some trees.
"If you will hold my horse, sir," Jack said, "I will just look round,and see if this is a small wood. I shall lose you before I have gone ayard, so when you hear me whistle, please whistle back, but not loud,for there may be enemies close by for aught I know. I thought I heardvoices just now."
Searching about, Jack found that the clump of trees extended for somelittle distance. Returning to the lieutenant, they entered the wood,and moved a little way among the trees, so as to be out of sight ifthe fog lifted suddenly. Then they loosened the saddle-girths,gathered some sticks and lit a fire, and using the Cossack coats forrugs, began to discuss the meal they had brought with them.
"If the Russians really advance again, and get between us andBalaklava, I do not see how on earth we are to pass through them," Mr.Myers said.
"No, sir, I don't think we could," Jack answered. "I should proposethat we make a wide sweep round so as to come down upon the shore somedistance away. As you know, boats from the ships often land at some ofthe deserted places along there in search of loot; so that we ought tobe able to be taken off. If, when we are riding, we come upon anyRussian troops suddenly, so that we cannot move away in any otherdirection without exciting suspicion, you must put a good face on it.My Russian is good enough to pass muster as a Cossack. All we have todo is to avoid any of these fellows, for they would detect at oncethat I did not belong to them."
"Well, Mr. Archer, you take things very coolly, and I hope you willget us out of the scrape we have got into. If I had been by myself, Ishould have ridden up and surrendered to the first Russians I saw."
"That would have been the best way, sir, had it not been for thosepoor beggars having been killed up above there; for in our naval dresswe could not have hoped to have escaped. As it is, if we have anyluck, we shall soon be back at Balaklava again."
