The Gathering Storm: Allied Forces Prepare for Invasion
In the autumn of 1854, the Black Sea bore witness to an extraordinary spectacle as the combined Anglo-French fleet transformed into what one French military doctor described as “a vast industrial city floating on water.” This massive armada, billowing black smoke from its steam engines, carried tens of thousands of soldiers toward an uncertain destination in the Crimean Peninsula. The French troops, relatively well-provisioned with eight days’ rations including rice, sugar, coffee, lard, and biscuits, enjoyed better conditions than their British counterparts, who complained bitterly about the lack of alcohol despite their daily ration of a pound and a half of brown bread and a pound of meat.
The soldiers aboard these ships knew little about their ultimate objective. Rumors swirled among the ranks – some believed they were heading to Circassia, others to Odessa or Crimea itself. This ignorance bred wild imaginings, with some soldiers expecting to encounter bears and lions in Russian “jungles” upon landing. The broader purpose of their mission remained equally obscure beyond vague notions of “defeating the Russians” and “fighting for God’s will.” Even basic facts about their allies seemed unclear to many British soldiers, as evidenced by Private John Rose’s confused reference to “Hasterems” (Austrians) joining their campaign.
The Chaotic Landing at Kalamita Bay
After much deliberation between the ailing French commander Marshal Saint-Arnaud and the one-armed British commander Lord Raglan, the Allies finally settled on Kalamita Bay as their landing site – a long sandy beach approximately 45 kilometers north of Sevastopol. This choice, made through intermediaries due to both commanders’ physical limitations, effectively eliminated any possibility of surprising the Russian defenses at Sevastopol.
The French landing proceeded with remarkable efficiency, their troops establishing colored tents at regular intervals to guide subsequent waves. By nightfall, all French forces and artillery had disembarked, with soldiers even managing to procure chickens, ducks, and wine from nearby farms. In stark contrast, the British landing descended into chaos. Their assumption of potential resistance led to poor planning for an unopposed landing. As infantry landed during calm seas, cavalry struggled ashore later when waves had risen, creating a scene of disarray that frustrated the already ailing Saint-Arnaud, who watched from shore seated in a chair reading newspapers.
British troops suffered further hardships during their five-day landing operation. Many arrived already weakened by cholera, and the lack of transport for baggage and equipment forced requisitions from local Tatar farms. With only three days’ rations and no shelter, soldiers endured nights exposed to rain followed by scorching days. As one British surgeon noted, they had nothing but greatcoats and a single blanket, resorting to drinking from muddy rainwater puddles when fresh water became unavailable.
The First Blood: Battle of the Alma
On September 19, the Allied forces began their march toward Sevastopol, presenting a striking visual contrast with French blue uniforms against British red coats. Their advance, described by one observer as “busy and noisy,” stretched nearly five kilometers wide, accompanied by a motley collection of livestock procured from surrounding countryside.
The first significant engagement occurred at the Bulganak River, where British cavalry encountered Russian Cossacks. The infamous Light Brigade, though outnumbered, prepared to charge until Raglan spotted concealed Russian infantry and ordered a withdrawal. This retreat, accompanied by mocking jeers from Cossacks, embarrassed the normally proud cavalry in front of infantry troops who relished their discomfort.
The main confrontation came at the Alma River, where Russian commander Prince Menshikov had positioned his forces on high ground. Despite numerical inferiority (35,000 Russians against 60,000 Allies), the Russians held the advantage of elevation and over 100 artillery pieces. Menshikov, confident in his defenses, had even invited Sevastopol’s elite to observe the anticipated victory from Telegraph Hill.
The battle revealed stark contrasts in military effectiveness. French Zouaves, experienced in mountain warfare from Algeria, scaled cliffs the Russians considered impassable, establishing positions that allowed accurate rifle fire against Russian artillery. Meanwhile, British forces suffered under Raglan’s indecisive leadership, lying exposed to Russian fire for ninety minutes before advancing. The British eventually succeeded through disciplined volleys from their new Minié rifles, whose range and accuracy devastated Russian formations.
The Russian Collapse and Missed Opportunities
As Allied forces pressed forward, Russian morale collapsed. Drunken commanders like Lieutenant General Kiriakov issued confused orders before disappearing into hiding. Without coherent leadership, Russian troops fled in disorder, abandoning wounded comrades and equipment. The Allied victory came at significant cost – approximately 2,000 British, 1,600 French, and an estimated 5,000 Russian casualties.
The aftermath presented a grim spectacle. British medical services, having forgotten essential supplies in Varna, struggled to evacuate their wounded using grain carts. Russian wounded fared worse, with many left on the field for days before receiving attention. Both sides committed atrocities against wounded enemies, fueled by mutual dehumanization and religious prejudice.
The Road to Sevastopol: Strategic Missteps
Despite their victory, the Allies failed to capitalize on their momentum. Critical delays allowed the Russians to scuttle ships blocking Sevastopol’s harbor and strengthen southern defenses. Intelligence failures led the Allies to abandon their original northern approach in favor of a southern siege, despite the latter’s logistical disadvantages.
As they marched south, discipline broke down among Allied troops who looted abandoned estates. The French particularly distinguished themselves in pillaging, with even Saint-Arnaud accepting stolen goods. Meanwhile, panic spread among Crimea’s Russian population while local Tatars, seeing an opportunity to throw off Russian rule, increasingly supported the invaders.
The Siege Begins
By late September, the Allies established positions on the heights overlooking Sevastopol’s southern approaches. The French chose Kamiesch Bay as their supply base while the British relied on the inadequate port of Balaclava. As autumn chill set in, both armies prepared for what they expected to be a brief siege, unaware that the campaign would stretch for 349 days and claim tens of thousands more lives.
The stage was set for one of history’s most infamous military campaigns – a conflict that would expose the weaknesses of all involved while introducing new technologies and tactics that foreshadowed modern warfare. The Allies’ initial successes at the Alma had given them a false sense of imminent victory, blinding them to the protracted struggle that lay ahead in the Crimean winter.