War Diaries (October 31) (nonfiction)
War Diary entries for October 31
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Diaries
Leopold Heath: October 31, 1854
we were disturbed as usual last night and kept up in the cold from eleven to one; it was not, however, this time an alarm on our side, but on that of the Russians, they suddenly commenced firing both great guns and musketry and kept at it for an hour. We cannot understand it; for one can hardly suppose them to go on so long firing at nobody, without discovering it – particularly as there was good moonshine all the time. Shortly after daylight this morning five Cossacks came prowling about between the two lines, apparently looking for the killed and wounded enemy! The best of the joke is that General Bosquet, who is near the Russians, had intended when the moon went down to give them an “Alerte” by sending in one company to fire, and run away. He must, however, have forgotten that unless he sends us previous warning an alerte for the Russians is also an alerte for us, and that we should be quite as much harassed by his amusements as the enemy.
- Diary of Leopold Heath - Vice-Admiral Sir Leopold George Heath, KCB (18 November 1817 – 7 May 1907) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station from 1867 to 1870.
