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The
2 November 1854, was an active day, 312 rank and file marched off
from the heights of Balaklava, for the Light Division, under the
command of Captain Hopkins, RMLI, the detachment was divided into
four companies, taking turn in the trenches. On the morning of the
5th, the relief, which had just returned, were preparing their
rude breakfast; the firing from Sebastopol was gradually
increased, and then commenced in our rear. Nothing could be
distinguished but fog and smoke from where we were.
The
bugle sounded the ‘Fall-in’ at the double, and officers were
flying about giving orders, saying vast columns of the enemy were
moving up to our rear. The roll of musketry was terrific; we were
advanced cautiously until bullets began to fall in amongst us, the
Sergeant-Major was the first man killed; order given to lay (sic)
down; it was well we did so; a rush of bullets passed over us:
then we gave them three rounds, kneeling, into their close
columns.
At
the same time some seamen opened fire from some heavy guns into
their left flank, and this drove them back into the fog and smoke. Our Commanding Officer received several orders from mounted
officers at this critical time; first it was ‘advance’, then
it was ‘hold your ground and prevent a junction or communication
with the town’.
The
Inkermann Caves were occupied by the enemy’s sharpshooters, who
were picking off our officers and gunners; between us and these
men was an open space exposed to the broadside fire of a frigate
in the harbour under shelter of the wall, but she had been heeled
over so as to clear the muzzles of her guns, when fired, from
striking the wall; thus, her fire raked the open part. The Caves
were to be cleared, and the Marines ordered to do it; as soon as
we showed ourselves in the open, a broadside from the frigate
thinned our ranks; Captain March fell wounded. Captain Hopkins
ordered his men to lie down under a bit of rising ground, and
ordered two privates, Pat Sullivan and another man to take the
Captain back, and there he stood amidst a shower of shot and
shell, seeing him removed.
A
division under Sergeant Richards and Corporal Prettyjohns, was
then thrown out to clear the caves, what became of the Commanding
Officer and the others I never knew, so many statements have been
made.
We,
under Richards and Prettyjohns, soon cleared the caves, but found
our ammunition nearly all expended, and a new batch of the foe
were creeping up the hillside in single file, at the back. Prettyjohns, a muscular West Countryman, said, ‘Well lads, we
are just in for a warming, and it will be every man for himself in
a few minutes. Look alive, my hearties, and collect all the stones
handy, and pile them on the ridge in front of you. When I grip the
front man you let go the biggest stones upon those fellows
behind’.
As
soon as the first man stood on the level, Prettyjohns gripped him
and gave him a Westcountry buttock, threw him over upon the men
following, and a shower of stones from the others knocked the
leaders over. Away they went, tumbling one over the other, down
the incline; we gave them a parting volley, and retired out of
sight to load; they made off and left us, although there was
sufficient to have eaten us up.
Later
in the day we were recalled, and to keep clear of the frigate’s
fire had to keep to our left, passing over the field of slaughter.
On
being mustered, if my memory is not at fault, twenty-one had been
killed and disabled, and we felt proud of our own Commanding
Officer, who stood fine, like a hero, helping Captain March.
Corporal
Prettyjohns received the VC, Colour Sergeant Jordan the Medal and
£20 for Distinguished Conduct in the Field, Captain Hopkins a C.B.,
others were recommended.’
--a report by Sergeant
Turner RM |
