village of Bouliouk, immediately opposite the centre,
was fired by the enemy at all points, creating a continuous
blaze for three hundred yards, obscuring their
position, and rendering a passage through it impracticable.
Two regiments of Brigadier-General Adams's
brigade, part of Sir De Lacy Evans's division, had, in
consequence, to pass the river at a deep and difficult ford
to the right, under a sharp fire; whilst his first brigade,
under Major-General Pennefather, and the remaining
regiment of Brigadier-General Adams, crossed to the
left of the conflagration, opposed by the enemy's artillery
from the heights above, and pressed on towards the
left of their position, with the utmost gallantry and
steadiness.

"In the meanwhile, the Light Division under Sir
George Brown effected the passage of the Alma in his
immediate front. The banks of the river itself were,
from their rugged and broken nature, most serious
obstacles; and the vineyards through which the troops
had to pass, and the trees which the enemy had felled,
created additional impediments, rendering every species
of formation under a galling fire nearly an impossibility.
Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown advanced against
the enemy under great disadvantages.

"In this difficult operation he nevertheless persevered,
and the First Brigade, under Major-General Codrington,
succeeded in carrying a redoubt, materially aided by the
judicious and steady manner in which Brigadier-General
Buller moved on the left flank, and by the advance of
four companies of the Rifle Brigade, under Major Norcott,
who promises to be a distinguished officer of light
troops.

"The heavy fire of grape and musketry, however, to
which the troops were exposed, and the losses
consequently sustained by the Seventh, Twenty-third, and
Thirty-third Regiments, obliged this brigade partially
to relinquish its hold.

"By this time, however, the Duke of Cambridge had
succeeded in crossing the river, and had moved up in
support; and a brilliant advance of the brigade of Foot
Guards under Major-General Bentinck, drove the enemy
back, and secured the final possession of the work.

"The Highland Brigade, under Major-General Sir
Colin Campbell, advanced in admirable order and
steadiness up the high ground to the left, and in
cooperation with the Guards; and Major General
Pennefather's brigade, which had been connected with the
right of the Light Division, forced the enemy completely
to abandon the position they had taken such pains to
defend and secure.

"The Ninety-fifth Regiment, immediately on the
right of the Royal Fusiliers in the advance, suffered
equally with that corps an immense loss.

"The aid of the Royal Artillery in all these operations
was most effectual. The exertions of the field-
officers and the captains of the troops and batteries to
get the guns into action were unceasing, and the
precision of their fire materially contributed to the great
results of the day.

"Lieutenant-General Sir Richard England brought
his division to the immediate support of the troops in
advance, and Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir
George Cathcart was actively engaged in watching the
left flank.

"The nature of the ground did not admit the employment
of the Cavalry under the Earl of Lucan; but they
succeeded in taking some prisoners at the close of the
battle.

"In the detail of these operations, which I have gone
into as far as the space of the despatch would allow,
your Grace will perceive that the services in which the
general and other officers of the army were engaged
were of no ordinary character; and I have great
pleasure in submitting them for your Grace's most
favourable consideration.

"The mode in which Lieutenant-General Sir George
Brown conducted his division, under the most trying
circumstances, demands the expression of my warmest
approbation. The fire to which his division was
subjected, and the difficulties he had to contend against,
afford no small proof that his best energies were applied
to the successful discharge of his duty. I must speak
in corresponding terms of Lieutenant-General Sir De
Lacy Evans, who likewise conducted his division to my
perfect satisfaction, and exhibited equal coolness and
judgment in carrying out a most difficult operation.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge brought
his division into action in support of the Light Division
with great ability, and had for the first time an
opportunity of showing the enemy his devotion to her
Majesty and to the profession of which he is so
distinguished a member. My best thanks are due to
Lieutenant-General Sir R. England, Lieutenant-General
the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, and Lieutenant-
General the Earl of Lucan, for their cordial assistance
wherever it could be afforded; and I feel it my duty
especially to recommend to your Grace's notice the
distinguished conduct of Major-General Bentinck, Major-
General Sir Colin Campbell, Major-General Pennefather,
Major-General Codrington, Brigadier-General Adams,
and Brigadier-General Buller. In the affair of the
previous day, Major-General the Earl of Cardigan
exhibited the utmost spirit and coolness, and kept his
brigade under perfect command. The manner in which
Brigadier-General Strangeways directed the Artillery,
and exerted himself to bring it forwards met my entire
satisfaction. Lieutenant-General Sir John Burgoyne
was constantly by my side, and rendered me, by his
counsel and advice, the most valuable assistance; and
the Commanding Royal Engineer, Brigadier-General
Tylden, was always at hand to carry out any service I
might direct him to undertake.

"I deeply regret to say that he has since fallen a
victim to cholera; as has Major Wellesley, who was
present in the affair of the previous day, notwithstanding
that he was then suffering from serious illness. He
had, during the illness of Major-General Lord de Ros,
acted for him in the most efficient manner. I cannot
speak too highly of Brigadier-General Estcourt,
Adjutant-General, or of Brigadier-General Airey, who, in the
short time he has conducted the duties of the Quartermaster-
General, has displayed the greatest ability, as
well as aptitude for the office.

"I am much indebted to my military secretary,
Lieutenant-Colonel Steele, Major Lord Burghersh, and
the officers of my personal staff, for the zeal, intelligence,
and gallantry they all, without exception, displayed.
Lieutenant Derriman, R.N., the Commander of the
Caradoc, accompanied me during the whole of the
operation, and rendered me an essential service, by a
close observation of the enemy's movements, which his
practised eye enabled him accurately to watch.

"I lament to say that Lieutenant-Colonel Lagondie,
who was attached to my head-quarters by the Emperor
of the French, fell into the enemy's hands on the 19th,
on his return from Prince Napoleon's division, where
he had obligingly gone at my request, with a communication
to his Imperial Highness. This misfortune is
deeply regretted both by myself and the officers of my
personal staff.

"The other officer placed with me under similar
circumstances, Major Vico, afforded me all the assistance
in his power, sparing no exertion to be of use.

"I cannot omit to make known to your Grace the
cheerfulness with which the regimental officers of the
army have submitted to most unusual privations. My
anxiety to bring into the country every cavalry and
infantry soldier who was available, prevented me from
embarking their baggage-animals; and these officers
have with them at this moment nothing but what they
can carry; and they, equally with the men, are without
tents or covering of any kind. I have not heard a
single murmur. All seem impressed with the necessity
of the arrangement; and they feel, I trust, satisfied
that I shall bring up their bat horses at the earliest
moment.

"The conduct of the troops has been admirable.
When it is considered that they have suffered severely
from sickness during the last two months; that since
they landed in the Crimea they have been exposed to
the extremes of wet, cold, and heat; that the daily toil
to provide themselves with water has been excessive;
and that they have been pursued with cholera to the
very battle-field,—I do not go beyond the truth in
declaring, that they merit the highest commendation.
In the ardour of attack they forgot all they had endured,