2-913-899 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sebastopol, sketched from Fort Constantine, 1854. Crimean War: strategic port on the Black Sea under siege. '[British commander] Lord Raglan, it is said, received a few days ago, a letter from [Russian general] Prince Menschikoff, requesting him to spare the town, which was full of ladies. He replied that he was in no hurry to attack the town; and he advised the ladies to leave it...The steamer moored at the bottom of Sebastopol harbour, proved extremely troublesome during the night. It commenced firing shell and shot at midnight, with such vigour, that the troops of Sir de Lacy Evans' division were turned out, as it was feared that a surprise was intended. The fire soon ceased, however, and the troops were not further disturbed'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.