3-003-688 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Gallant Act of Commander W. N. Hewlett before Sebastopol", by Desanges, in the Victoria Cross Gallery, 1861. Engraving of a painting. 'M. Desanges has reopened his Victoria Cross Gallery at the Egyptian Hall, illustrating the acts of heroism which have won the Victoria Cross, with several new subjects of considerable historic interest...On the occasion of a repulse of a sortie of Russians by Sir De Lacy Evans's division on 26 Oct. 1854, Mr. Hewett, then acting Mate of her Majesty's ship Beagle, was in charge of the right Lancaster Battery...The advance of the Russians placed the gun in great jeopardy, their skirmishers advancing within 300 yards of the battery, and pouring in a sharp fire...By some misapprehension the word was passed to spike the gun and retreat; but Mr. Hewett, taking upon himself the responsibility of disregarding the order, replied that "Such orders did not come from Captain Lushington, and he would not do it till it did." Hewett then pulled down the parapet of the battery, and, with the assistance of some soldiers, got his gun round, and poured upon the advancing column of Russians a most destructive and effective fire. For the gallantry exhibited on this occasion the Board of Admiralty promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.