bulances were in waiting to convey them to camp; but their removal was counter-ordered, as the Russians were to send over a steamer, under a flag of truce, to convey them to the north side, which was done. I was unable to stay long enough to see her, but was told that the steamer sent was the Vladimir; and that her captain, while talking to some of our officers, said that, although Sebastopol was taken, we were by no means to expect that Russia would make peace; and in this I think he was candid.

Some of the Russian sailors attempted to carry off muskets and bread from the storehouses, but were prevented by our policesergeants, for we had no military guard present. I remained a considerable time in these hospitals; for I felt a horrid sort of fascination, and was unwilling to leave. English soldiers, both dead and wounded, were found here, but they had been removed before I arrived. It was said that the bodies of two or three hundred Russian officers were discovered in one room.

Captain Vaughan, of the 90th regiment,

278

CAPTAIN VAUGHAN.

was found in one of these places. He was delirious at the time, and would speak nothing but French. He was taken up to camp, and there died; but previous to his death became coherent, and said that he was wounded and taken prisoner inside the Redan. At first he was ill-treated by the Russian soldiers, and the officers took no notice of him, until he discovered one of them to be a brother Freemason. This officer immediately gave him nourishment, and sent him down to the hospital on a stretcher carried by two bearers-apologising for not giving more, by saying that there was a strict order that no greater number should be allowed for any one, even for their own officers.

After he arrived at the hospital, he was deprived of his uniform; and from the time the Russians evacuated the town, up to the time he was brought to camp, he, in common with the rest, received no nourishment; for the Russians left no one to attend to the wounded they were unable to remove.

He said that the French were the first to

CAPTAIN VAUGHAN.

279

enter after the Russians had left; that he spoke to them and told them who he was; but they took no notice either of him or the wounded of their own nation, who were also in the hospital.

I cannot vouch for the accuracy of all the details of this story, as I heard them second-hand; but, as several persons agreed in their account, I imagine it to be very near the truth.

CHAPTER XIX.

SEBASTOPOL.

September 11th.-A REGULAR Crimean wet day. High wind all night, and a dust-storm in the morning, penetrating the tent, and covering everything with a fine powder. Then heavy rain came on, and lasted during the day; and the water poured in torrents down the ravines.

Even up to this time, I do not know who were killed and wounded on the 8th; nor shall I, until the lists come out from England. One might find out by going to the AdjutantGeneral's office; but no one takes the trouble.

Of course I know what has happened to those with whom I was acquainted. It is those who are strangers to me of whom I am speaking.

Agreeably with the order of yesterday, the French are in possession of the town to-day. 'On ne passe pas,' is their word; and no one goes by them without a pass.

Their pickets are very consistent in carrying out their orders. Our cavalry sentries were out as usual. There was some firing going on across the harbour-probably at the Russian steamers.

12th.-Cold day and a good deal of wind in the morning, but a great improvement upon yesterday. The Russians burnt all their steamers last night.

It is said that the Vladimir had her steam up yesterday ready for a start, and that she would have endeavoured to run out of the harbour and try to get into Odessa or Nicholaieff, only the weather was so bad that escape was impossible. I think all on shore would have been glad to see her get

away.