Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ...proof or special charge brought against him. This would be most unjust, and an act against which Sir Edmund Lyons would be the first to protest. ' Dundas has behaved with great generosity to Sir Edmund Lyons. He has shown no suspicion of him, but, on the contrary, has had the good sense to give him his entire confidence. ' Had Dundas been lukewarm in the cause, he might easily have found professional reasons for demurring to the request of Lord Raglan that 1,000 marines should be landed at Sebastopol; but he i854 BOMBARDMENT OF SEA DEFENCES 169 you tell me, but appears to wish that if possible all scandal should be avoided. ' I am quite satisfied that this is in the highest degree desirable, and I do not think anything can occur to make it necessary to take any such extreme step as you authorize the adoption of. ' It is, however, very gratifying to me, and I make no doubt it is equally so to Sir Edmund Lyons, that you should place such confidence in us.' A week after it was written, and before it could reach its destination, the Duke's letter to Lord Raglan received a practical answer. On October 17 the combined British and French fleets took up a position outside the harbour and engaged the forts. Their attack, skilfully conducted and resolute as it was, inflicted some damage on the Russian batteries, but failed to silence them, and, after being maintained for some time at the imminent risk of the loss of some of the ships, was discontinued, and the fleets withdrew without having achieved any results to compensate for the loss and damage that they had sustained. In a private letter to Sir Francis Baring, Dundas refers to this action:, H M s YmmaSt ' December 14, 1854. ' The promotion to the junior ranks of the squadron have been..."
