Before changing to ECW Times, English Civil Wars Notes & Queries would occasionally run a column called "Terribly Obscure Battles" where the writing staff (usually Stuart Reid) would have a look at lesser-known struggles of the English Civil War. Due to the indifference of many British historical writers, in part because the British Army played no significant role in the actual fighting there, the Battle of Tchernaya River receives my nomination for the Crimean War's Most Terribly Obscure Battle. Even the seizure of the Russian fortress on Aaland Island in the Baltic excited more interest amongst British newspapers at the time.

Paradoxically, the engagement at Tchernaya may be the single most decisive battle in the Crimean theatre, with regards to objectives achieved. When Gorchakov's columns came storming out of the early-morning mist, they carried with them the opportunity of striking the pivotal blow of the Crimean War. A Russian victory would serve to contain the Allies, recently joined by Piedmont-Sardinia, to a narrow toe-hold around Balaclava, while an Allied victory would compleat the encirclement of Sebastopol, cut that city's supply lines, and remove Gorchakov's army, the last Russian force in the Crimea capable of maneuver, from the peninsula.

Events leading up to the battle were rife with the incompetence that characterised the general staff. Gorchakov himself, under orders from the Tsar to attack, was less than resolute. His pessimism was manifest in that he failed to explain to his corps commanders what his objectives were beyond carrying the French positions on the Fedoukhine Heights.

On the Allies' part, reports and expectations of a Russian attack had been high since the 12th instant; the immediate result of which was a false alarm in the early morning hours of the 13th. In light of this, when General Herbillion was warned of the impending attack as early at the 15th, by reports of Russian columns moving on Mackenzie Farm he displayed minimal concern; casually mentioning this intelligence to La Marmora, the latter was sufficiently alarmed that he stood the Sardinian army under arms throughout the night.

Historical Battle

Dawn on the 16th saw the Russian corps lurching out of the fog and driving in the Sardinian piquets from the heights above Tchourgun.

This allowed them to establish a strong artillery presence there and to bombard the Hasfort Heights. At the same time, General Liprandi massed his troops (two divisions) behind Tchourgun village.

The French were scrambling to arms when the advance columns of the Russian 12th Division seized the bridgehead on the northern side of the Tchernaya river. The French piquets held out for as long as they could, but were ultimately taken prisoner. Using the newly captured bridge as well as the nearby ford, 12,000 Russian troops crossed to the southern bank and prepared to assault the French on the Fedoukhine Heights.

Lord Raglan's nephew and ADC, S.J.G. Calthorpe remarks in his account of the battle that, had the Russians carried the Fedoukhine, they would have cut the allied forces in two, separating the main body at Sebastapol from the reserve troops in the Baidur Valley.

The assault on the heights was partially confounded by the presence of an aqueduct. This construct was not very large, and compassed no greater dimensions than 4" x 8", yet it served to disrupt the Russian columns, and the French artillery above rained down upon them as they struggled across.

There was a narrow bridge across this obstacle, held by a single French regiment. The French held the bridge for as long as possible, but eventually gave way before mounting Russian pressure. Using this narrow way, along with the nearby ford, twelve battalions of Russians began to ascend the heights.

At the top, General Pelissier took personal command of the Zouaves; holding them in check until the disordered Russians had staggered three-quarters of the way to the top, then unleashing a furious bayonet charge. Meanwhile, a gap opening between the Sardinians on the slopes of Mount Hasfort and the French on the Fedhoukine, through which the road to Balaclava was exposed.

Gortschakoff observed this opening and ordered Liprandi's 17th Division to advance through it and clear a path into the Balaclava Valley. Some 12,000 Russians began to move toward the gap.

La Marmora saw this dangerous development, and he ordered General Monteveccio with his brigade to intercept and plug the gap. Moving along the slope of Mount Hasfort, the Sardinians threw themselves at the Russians, and drove them back with the bayonet.. Monteveccio was killed in one of the first charges, but the Russians were sent spilling back over the aqueduct and over the Tchernaya.

It was approximately 10:00 AM, and the battle had raged for over four hours.

The Russians, many of who had been on the march since the morning formed up on the far side of the river, under cover of their guns. They stood there for perhaps an hour, as their artillery dueled with their allied counterparts, then drew off towards the Mackenzie Heights. The Battle of Traktir Bridge had ended, along with Russia's last hope of victory..

Casualties

Russian 8141
Allied 1761

Bibliography

Calthorpe, Memoirs of the Crimean
The Crimean War

Tchernaya Order of Battle