By this time the fifth parallel on the right was completed, lying in almost a straight line across the hill from crest to crest, leaving an opening in a fall of the ground near the small quarry next the middle ravine. It was judged best not to touch the hollow as the sacrifice of life in attempting it would then have been enormous. But even this resolve was afterwards given up and the cavity trenched to finish the parallel. In connection with this parallel was an abandoned Russian white rifle pit, which was converted into a commanding post with parapets and banquettes. Smart Minié practice was carried on from that screen by lynx-eyed musketeers, who drew upon themselves showers of grape and canister that considerably damaged the parapets and lessened the number of the marksmen. All repairs however were rapidly executed, which kept the post in constant efficiency.

On the night of the 22nd was commenced a new approach from the fifth parallel on the right attack towards the salient of the Redan. It jutted out from an angle about the centre of the trench. Four or five of the old sappers, indomitable men, with a party of the 1st Royals, worked remarkably well in its execution. Captain Cooke of the engineers had the honour of opening this boyau, and eighty-seven gabions set by flying sap were filled with earth brought from the remote rear in breadbags. Partial cover was obtained without interruption for fifty-eight yards, during which only one of the working party was wounded.

Next night one hundred men in two reliefs with four sappers under corporal John Ross were pushed into this trench. The corporal marched the working party into the fifth parallel and awaited orders. Captain Wolseley of the 90th regiment, assistant engineer, was on duty in charge of the advance works. From him the corporal received directions to distribute the men to the best advantage. Half the party he detailed to fill bags to be carried by the other half to the sap as required. After these preliminary arrangements he sought the field officer of the trenches and obtained a covering party of twenty men. Eight of the number he kept as sentries in the approach and with the others crept onwards, posting them individually a short distance apart in front of the trace where the sap was to be extended. Having instructed them how to act should the slightest movement of the Russians be heard, and cautioned them, should a light-ball come over, to roll themselves up a short distance from it and lie quiet, he reappeared among his men. With his four sappers he moved to the vent of the zigzag. Gabions and earth were carried to them by the fifty men. The corporal himself placed the gabions and the sappers emptied the earth into them. Grape and musketry from the Malakoff and the Redan made the task very laborious, for frequently the staked gabions were capsized and had to be renewed. However, they succeeded in placing and filling twenty-five, despite the blazing of light-balls which pitched at times around them and exposed their work. Thus far had the corporal proceeded when he moved the whole party forward, and leading the way with lance-corporal William Baker in opening a trench by the side of the newly-laid gabions, the work had good cover before the morning, and that also which had been executed the night before was strengthened and improved. So interesting and exciting was the work that Captain Wolseley was constant in his visits to the sap and encouraged its progress by his praises. The lance-corporal was wounded a few minutes before the relief arrived. For the “extremely creditable” manner in which corporal Ross performed his duty, he received a present from General Simpson of three sovereigns. This was the second instance of his being rewarded by the commander-in-chief for distinguished services.

Four men of the 77th were wounded and two killed in this zigzag. Two also of the five sappers were wounded, viz., lance-corporal William Baker, seventh company, slightly in the head with stones thrown at him by a round shot, and private James Colquhoun slightly in the right leg. Spare in person like a lean boy, ready apparently to snap at any pressure, Baker stood up in singular contrast to his comrade Jenkins; but few possessed more spirit than Baker; few more of that solid dash indispensable to the stormer. Signalised by his calmness and qualifications in the open embrasures his name was once brought before Lord Raglan, and promotion was given him in appreciation of his soldierly merits.

During the night of the 24th, sergeant Benjamin Castledine was slightly wounded in the head by a rifle ball—the second stroke he had received during the siege. He was giving instructions at the time with respect to the revetment of No. 21 battery, situated on the central boyau between the third and fourth parallels of the right attack, and though the wound was such as would have sent most men to the rear, he remained in the trenches after receiving the blow for seven hours visiting his parties.

The new sap on the Redan was the absorbing work on the right attack. Ninety men were told off for it this night; but as the moon had risen, a portion of the men only were permitted to enter the zigzag, who toiled by reliefs an hour at a time. A few experienced sappers acquainted with the incidents and chances of advanced trench duty, pushed spiritedly ahead, and placed eighteen gabions. These were filled in part by the Grenadier Guards, and the former night’s work was strengthened by earth thrown over the parapet from sacks passed from hand to hand. The operation was a confined one, for the brightness of the night made it hazardous to send them forward on the reverse of the trench. Sergeant Hale of the Guards kept a small detachment of his regiment so well at work and in such perfect discipline that he was rewarded by General Simpson with a gift of three sovereigns, one of which he retained for himself, generously distributing the remainder among his comrades. Corporal Joseph J. Stanton was in charge of the front saps that night, and amid defections in some of his parties, which it seemed impossible by any amount of example and daring to overcome, the conduct of Hale and his men was so marked that the corporal felt proud to name the sergeant to the engineer officer on duty. Of Stanton, it may be added, that no soldier in the army perhaps, quitted the Crimea with so many decorations. He had medals for the Danube and Crimea with three clasps, a medal for “distinguished service in the field,” and the French Legion of Honour. He also became a colour sergeant and was offered a commission, but the war, closing before it could be consummated, the rank was consequently lost.

In the night of the 25th, was begun a prolongation of the fifth parallel on the right, down a small ravine towards a screened wall where the Russians had a picket in ambuscade. When the moon had gone down, the ground was quickly opened and forty-seven gabions were planted and tolerably filled by five sappers and one hundred men. Three sappers and seventy men were also driving as far as they dare between the small ravine and the white pit connected with the fifth parallel. By these means the entrenched “hollow,” commenced with fatal anticipations, was gradually united to the French line of works.

This day lance-corporal William Monds on the right attack was dangerously wounded in the back by a rifle ball, while laying a bridge of planks for the passage of artillery into Nos. 18 and 19 batteries. Strangely enough he was struck a little above the same spot on the 7th June by a sand-bag thrown at him by a shot; and though this injury did not fall into the category of wounds, it caused him much more suffering than the rifle wound which threatened his life.

1855.
26th August-5th September.
SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL.

State of the works—Russian floating-bridge across the harbour—Gallantry of corporal McMurphy and his sappers—The sailors—Advance from fifth parallel on salient of Redan—And on its extreme left flank—Defection of the workmen in the latter sap and firmness of the two sappers in charge—Valour of sergeant Castledine and private McKellar—Intrepid continuance of the right sap—The double sap, left attack—Fifth parallel of the same attack; corporal Paul its overseer—Experienced hands selected for the front; charge of the non-commissioned officers—Casualties—Fresh details—Trench from fifth parallel to cemetery—Unsuccessful attempt to open a screen in advance of white rifle-pit—Notice of corporal Phillips—A sapper guides his party along the open or part of fifth parallel in preference to taking a longer route though a covered one—Perseverance of sappers in the front saps—Sixth bombardment—The works and repairs proceed steadily—Results of the cannonading—Fatal meeting of friends—Siege career of sergeant Wilson.