Mitchell, of the Queen, was senior officer, and that he
only was aware of our destination. But as it unfortunately
happened, Captain Mitchell was absent at Lord
Raglan's head–quarters, and no one knew in which
direction we were to proceed. In the course of the
afternoon Captain Mitchell returned, and informed all
the vessels then waiting that they were to use all speed,
and repair instantly to the rendezvous in lat. 44'55, long.
36'28. This, at a moment's glance at the map, showed
to be off Kertch, and by no means far off it either, but
well in sight of land. The positive delight that was
manifested by every one on finding that an attack on
Kertch was really intended was almost beyond bounds,
and away we steamed in the direction of the rendezvous.
Towards noon, on the 5th, we came in sight of a dense
smoke bank, amid which the tapering spars of men of
war showed that we were fast approaching the rendezvous.
As we came up all the vessels appeared in motion.
The huge screw three and two deckers were
steaming along in stately rapidity, followed by a train
of vessels of all kinds and sizes, the steamers towing the
sailers. We rejoiced that we had overtaken them
in time, though we were all greatly perplexed at the
direction in which the flotilla was steering. The high
bold land and fertile shores of Kertch were full in
view. Three hours more would have brought us to
the spot selected for our disembarkation, yet beyond
all doubt the fleet was not proceeding in that direction,
but, on the contrary, was retracing its steps, apparently
on the route to Balaklava. For a moment a dismal
gloom fell on all. Had we forgotten all our ammunition?
had the military and medical chests been left behind?
or had Sir George Brown and the French general
quarrelled? were the questions eagerly asked of men
who knew the general tenor of our arrangements far
too well to suppose that any absurdity of the kind was
improbable. Every one could conjecture, but no one
could answer, till some one, who was unwilling to
believe that an expedition the most secret, the most
perfect, and best managed of its kind, would be
abandoned without cause, suggested that Kertch was
a mere ruse, and that we were now proceeding to our
real destination—very likely Nicolaief or Perekop.
The hint was eagerly caught at. Anything rather
than suppose the expedition was abandoned, and so
we closed and followed in the wake of the fleet,
without much murmuring or discontent. Just as
we were about to proceed to the admiral to report
our arrival, and solicit instructions, the Fury steam–
frigate ran alongside and hailed. Our captain
informed the Fury what we were, and what officers and
stores we had on board, but the answer was imperative
—'It does not matter who the devil you are, or what
the devil you have got. The admiral's orders are, that
you return with the rest of the squadron to Balaklava!'
The news came upon us like a thunderbolt. No one
could believe that he had heard aright, and all seemed
marvellously inclined to be insubordinate, and attack
Kertch on their own hook. But the orders were far too
clear to leave any loophole for mistake. They were
given plainly and coolly: they were distinctly heard,
and were evidently said with the most intense disgust
and dissatisfaction. In addition to these orders, the
whole fleet was evidently returning; there could be no
mistake about that, and so with heavy hearts the ship
was put about, and bidding adieu to the shores of Kertch
we followed with the rest."

Another dispatch received from Lord Raglan is dated
the 8th instant. "The enemy assaulted our advanced
parallel on the right attack on the night of the 5th
inst., and some actually got into the trench; but they
were speedily driven out and repulsed with the utmost
gallantry by the detachments occupying it, of the 30th
and 49th Regiments, under Captain Williamson and
Lieutenant Gubbins, of the former, and Lieutenant
Rochfort, of the latter, who, unfortunately, was severely
wounded; and I regret to have to add that several
valuable non–commissioned officers and men were killed
and wounded on the occasion. On the same night
Captain Arnold, of the 4th Foot, was wounded and
taken prisoner, whilst posting the advanced sentries on
the left attack. The loss of the services of this officer
is greatly to be lamented. He had done his duty
unremittingly, and in the most spirited manner, throughout
the operations of the siege. I inclose the return of
casualties to the 6th inst. I have heard that six ships,
having on board Sardinian troops, have arrived in the
Bosphorus.—P.S. I have the satisfaction to announce to you
the arrival of the first detachment of the 12th Lancers."

It is added in a note that intelligence has since been
received of the death of Captain Arnold.

The last despatch from Lord Raglan is dated the 12th.
It is as follows:—"I do myself the honour to acquaint
your lordship that General de la Marmora, with a
portion of the Sardinian contingent, arrived off Balaklava
on the night of the 8th inst., and he came up to
headquarters the following morning. The very unfavourable
state of the weather since the 9th has prevented any
material part of the force being landed; and it has been
found necessary to send the vessels that brought it, and
which could not be got into the harbour, to Kazatch Bay,
until it should moderate. Five troops of the 12th
Lancers landed on the 9th from the Himalaya, which
performed the voyage from Alexandria to Balaklava in
ninety–four hours. The enemy made two serious
assaults upon our most advanced parallel of the right
attack on the night of the 9th, but were on each occasion
most nobly met, and repulsed with considerable
loss. The arrangements of Colonel Trollope, who
had charge of the right attack, and Lieutenant–
Colonel Mundy, the field–officer of the trenches,
were most judicious; and Captain Turner of the
Royal Fusiliers, and Captain Jordan, of the 34th
Regiment, are reported to have done their duty
in the most gallant manner. They opened a powerful
fire on our trenches on the following night, and exposed
their columns to a heavy musketry fire from the troops
on duty. They did not, however, reach the parapets,
nor indeed come very near them. Last night a very
determined sortie was made upon the advance of our
left attack. The enemy moved forward in two columns
from the Woronzow road. Our advanced sentries
having slowly retired, the guard of the trenches was
prepared to receive them, and consequently drove them
back in the most determined manner. A few Russians
only got into the parallel, and five were left dead close
outside. The conduct of both officers and men was
admirable, and it is with deep regret that I have to
report the death of Captain Edwards, of the 68th foot,
and that of five men. I have also the pain of saying
that the wounded amount to thirty. Owing to the
great quantity of rain which has fallen during the last
few days, the service in the trenches has again been
most arduous and severe upon our men, who deserve all
praise for their energy and untiring perseverence. I
enclose the returns of casualties to the 10th inst."

The latest intelligence from Sebastopol is contained in
the following telegraphic despatch from General Pelissier,
dated the 24th inst.:—"A very lively combat,
directed against our important position, has lasted all
night. We obtained a complete success. The enemy's
loss was enormous, and ours sensible."

No intelligence of importance has as yet been received
from the Baltic Fleet. A letter from an officer on board
one of the ships, dated Revel Roads, the 13th of May,
says:—"We have been following the ice all the way
up, and anchored here eight days after the roads were
cleared. Our flying squadron have some time ago
effected a blockade, and I am happy to say 10 to 15
prizes have already been made, chiefly by the Archer
and the Geyser, off Riga. The state of health on board,
I am sorry to say, is very bad. We have all sorts of
illness in the ship, and amongst others small–pox—four
officers and 12 men infected by it; besides 60 to 70 on
the list for other things. At Revel the people are all
on the alert; 30,000 men are quartered in the town.
The ladies and children have taken to the country, and
every house–owner has been compelled to lay in
provisions for six months. There are no men of war here.
The fleet, or at least the greater portion of the division
last year stationed at Sveaborg, has effected a junction
with the one at Cronstadt, evidently after our departure
last November, as the ice still covers the upper part of
the Gulf. The commander–in–chief has already been
beyond Sveaborg, and though we left England a month