ssians in the Redan
and elsewhere running about in great haste, and bringing up their
gunners to the guns. They must have lost immensely, as our shot
and shell continued to pour in upon them for hours without a
lull. Never was our fire so successful. Before seven we had
silenced a great many of their guns, while our loss was very
small--only one man killed and four wounded. I was struck
slightly with a stone from a round shot and stunned for a second,
which old Jones has persisted in returning as wounded. [It was,
notwithstanding, a real wound.] However, I am all right, so do
not think otherwise. Our fire was continued all night, and the
next day until four o'clock, when we opened with new batteries
much nearer, and our fire then became truly terrific. Fancy 1000
guns (which is the number of ourselves, the French, and Russians
combined) firing at once shells in every direction. On our side
alone we have thirty-nine 13" mortars. At half-past five three
rockets gave the signal for the French to attack the Mamelon and
the redoubts of Selingkinsk and Volhynia. They rushed up the
slope in full view of the allied armies. The Russians fired one
or two guns when the French were in the embrasures. We then saw
the Russians cut out on the other side, and the French after
them, towards the Malakoff Tower, which they nearly reached, but
were so punished by the guns of this work that they were obliged
to retire, the Russians in their turn chasing them through the
Mamelon into their own trenches. This was dreadful, as it had to
be assaulted again. The French, however, did so immediately, and
carried it splendidly. The redoubts of Volhynia and Selingkinsk
were taken easily on our side. In front of the right attack a
work called the Quarries had to be taken, which was done at the
same time as the Mamelon. The Russians cut out and ran, while our
men made their lodgment for our fellows. We were attacked four
times in the night, but held the work. If we had liked to
assault, I am sure we should have taken the place with little
loss, some of our men being close to the Redan. The French took
twenty guns and 400 prisoners, and found the Mamelon so traversed
as to have no difficulty in making their lodgment. We were driven
from the Quarries three times in the night, t