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