r Charles Russell, Bart., of the Grenadier Guards.
The Sandbag battery, the scene of so many bloody encounters during that
eventful day, had been at length entered by a strong party of Russians,
its previous defenders having been killed or driven out by overwhelming
numbers. Sir Charles Russell, seeing what had occurred, offered to
dislodge the enemy, if any men would accompany him. The undertaking
seemed desperate; but notwithstanding this, Sergeant Norman and Privates
Anthony Palmer and Bailey immediately volunteered; others afterwards
followed their example. On they went, following the gallant Sir Charles
at furious speed, and into the battery they rushed. Bailey was killed,
but Palmer escaped, and was the means of saving his brave leader's life.
The Russians were driven out, and the battery was held by the British.

Sir Charles Russell received the Victoria Cross. We now give an extract
from a letter he wrote to his mother after the battle: "After the brave
band had been some time in the battery, our ammunition began to fail us,
and the men, armed with stones, flung them into the masses of Russians,
who caught the idea, and the air was thick with huge stones flying in
all directions; but we were too much for them, and once more a _melee_
of Grenadiers, Coldstreams, and Fusiliers held the battery their own,
and from it, on the solid masses of the Russians, still poured as good a
fire as our ammunition would permit. There were repeated cries of
`Charge!' and some man near me said, `If any officer will lead us, we
will charge'; and as I was the only one just there, I could not refuse
such an appeal, so I jumped into the embrasure, and waving my revolver,
said, `Come on, my lads; who will follow me?' I then rushed on, fired
my revolver at a fellow close to me, but it missed fire. I pulled
again, and think I killed him. Just then a man touched me on the
shoulder, and said, `You was near done for.' I said, `Oh no, he was
some way from me.' He answered, `His bayonet was all but into you when
I clouted him over the head.' And sure enough, a fellow had got behind
me and nearly settled me. I must add, that the grenadier who
accompanied me was publicly made a corporal on parade next morning. His
name is Palmer. I did not know it, but I said, `What's your name?
Well, if I live through this, you shall not be forgotten.'"

Corporal Shields, 23rd Regiment Royal Welsh Fusiliers, among many brave
men especially distin