[28] Captain Hugh Burgoyne, V.C., lost in H.M.S. Captain, 1871.
[29] Sir W. Howard Russell, K.C.B.
[30] This consists in stopping with the thumb all currents of air in the gun, which if allowed to pass up the vent would cause sparks remaining in the chamber to ignite the fresh cartridge.
[31] We learned later they were awaiting the arrival of the Emperor, who was then expected.
[32] For the sake of civilian readers, I explain. A mortar-shell is fired from a short, squat piece, at an angle of 45°, and having attained its greatest altitude over the spot where it is intended to fall, it descends vertically to the ground, the range being regulated by the charge of powder which throws the shell into the air. The Russians used a wooden fuse to explode the bursting charge; it was roughly made, and protruded a couple of inches outside the shell, and thus when the shell, having attained its greatest height, commenced to descend, the projecting fuse end, caught by the wind with each revolution, produced a peculiar sound, which gave rise to its name. If a mortar-shell does not explode until it reaches the ground, as is intended, the whole force of concussion is upwards, owing to the resistance of the surface of the earth, and thus men may be close to the shell and yet incur little danger from its lateral spread, if they are lying at a lower level, when the only danger is from falling fragments.
[33] Opening at the rear of the work.
[34] He was anxious that I should be saved from the fire we were about to encounter. This I only knew afterwards, from a letter written to his brother the following day, and at the time I was greatly irritated.
[35] An imaginary straight line, bisecting the salient angle.
[36] i.e. unfurled, by a jerk of the other lanyard.
[37] Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, K.P., G.C.B., etc. etc.