Chapter X

Embarkation for the East--The 2nd Battalion in Turkey and
Bulgaria--Disembarkation in the Crimea--Kindness of Sir George
Cathcart--Advance to Kentúgan and Kamishli--Popularity of the
Riflemen with the inhabitants--False alarms--Advance to the
Búlganak--Battle of the Alma--March to the Katchka and the
Belbek--Russian baggage captured at Mackenzie’s farm--Attack
on Balaklava--Both Battalions before Sebastopol--Wheatley
disposes of a live shell--Remarkable shot by a Rifleman--Attack
on Fyers’ picquet--Hugh Hannan’s single combat--Battle of
Balaklava--Markham’s picquet at the Magazine Grotto--Wing of 2nd
Battalion sent to the heights of Balaklava--Battle of Inkerman--
Exploit at the Ovens--General Canrobert’s ‘Ordre Général’--
Severe duty--Sufferings and sickness--Russian attempt to retake
the Ovens--Reconnaissance on Kamara--Increased suffering and
disease--Huts erected--Death of Sir Andrew Barnard--Second
reconnaissance on Kamara--A 3rd Battalion added--Attacks and
volunteers--Victoria Cross won by three Riflemen--New clothing--
Wing of the 2nd Battalion embark for Kertch, but return
countermanded--Queen Victoria distributes the Crimean Medal to
24 Riflemen (officers and men)--Capture of the Quarries--Attack
on the Redan--Death of Lord Raglan--Thirteen Riflemen shot down
coming off picquet--Captain Balfour’s affair in the trenches--
Final attack on Sebastopol--Captain Hammond--Explosion in French
lines--The armistice--Reviews by French and Russian Generals--
Embarkation for England--Corunna in 1809 and 1856--Both
Battalions at Aldershot--Reviewed by the Queen--Formation of
the 3rd Battalion--The 1st Battalion proceeds to Scotland--Fire
and riots--2nd Battalion reviewed by the Queen in Hyde Park,
when Her Majesty gave the Victoria Cross to eight Riflemen
(officers and others)--Afterwards proceeds to Dublin--A 4th
Battalion added to the Regiment 298