for the trenches, but during the night I heard
terrible explosions, and going down to the trenches at 4 A.M. I
saw a splendid sight--the whole town in flames, and every now and
then a terrific explosion. The rising sun shining on the scene of
destruction produced a beautiful effect. The last of the Russians
were leaving the town over the bridge. All the three-deckers,
etc., were sunk, the steamers alone remaining. Tons and tons of
powder must have been blown up.

"About eight o'clock I got an order to commence a plan of the
works, for which purpose I went to the Redan, where a dreadful
sight was presented. The dead were buried in the ditch--the
Russians with the English--Mr Wright reading the Service over
them. About ten o'clock Fort Paul was blown up--a beautiful
sight. The town was not safe to be entered on account of the fire
and the few Russians who still prowled about. The latter cut off
the hands and feet of one Frenchman. They also caught and took
away a sapper who would go _trying_ to plunder--for as to plunder
there was and is literally nothing but rubbish and fleas, the
Russians having carried off everything else. I have got the lock
and sight off a gun (which used to try and deposit its contents
very often in my carcass, in which I am grateful to say it
failed) for my father, and some other rubbish (a Russian cup,
etc.) for you and my sisters. But you would be surprised at the
extraordinary rarity of knick-knacks. They left their pictures in
the churches, which form consequently the only spoil, and which I
do not care about buying. I will do my best to get some better
things if it is possible. On the 10th we got down to the docks,
and a flag of truce came over to ask permission to take away
their wounded from the hospital, which we had only found out that
day contained 3000 wounded men. These unfortunate men had been
for a day and a half without attendance. A fourth of them were
dead, and the rest were in a bad way. I will not dwell any more
on it, but could not imagine a more dreadful sight.

"We have now got into the town, the conflagration being out, and
it seems quite strange to hear no firing. It has been a splendid
city, and the harbour is magnificent. We have taken more than
4000 guns, destroyed their fleet, immense stores o