Suddenly three jets of earth and dust sprung into the air.  The French had exploded three mines, and at the signal a stream of fire three miles in length ran from battery to battery, as the whole of their guns opened fire.  The effect of this stupendous volley was terrible.  The iron shower ploughed up the batteries and entrenchments of the Russians, and crashed among the houses far behind.  In a moment the hillside was wreathed with smoke.  With the greatest energy the French worked their guns, and the roar was continuous and terrible.

For a time the Russians seemed paralyzed by this tremendous fire; lying quietly in their sheltered subterranean caves, they had no thought of what was preparing for them, and the storm which burst upon them took them wholly by surprise.  Soon, however, they recovered from their astonishment, and steadily opened fire in return.  The English guns now joined their voices to the concert, and for two hours the storm of fire continued unabating on both sides.

After two hours and a half the din ceased, the French artillery-men waiting to allow their guns to cool.  At ten o’clock the French again exploded some mines, and for two hours renewed their cannonade as hotly as ever.  The Russians could be seen pouring troops across the bridge over the harbor from their camps on the north side, to resist the expected attack.  From twelve to five the firing was slack.  At that hour the French again began their cannonade as vigorously as before.

When darkness came on, and accurate firing at the enemy’s batteries was no longer possible, the mortars and heavy guns opened fire on the place.  The sky was streaked with lines of fire as the heavy shells described their curves, bursting with heavy explosions over the town.  Presently a cheer rose from the spectators who thronged the crest of the bill, for flames were seen bursting out from one of the Russian frigates.  Higher and higher they rose, although by their light the Russians could be perceived working vigorously to extinguish them.  At last they were seen to be leaving the ship.  Soon the flames caught the mast and rigging, and the pillar of fire lit up the whole town and surrounding country.  Not a moment did our fire slacken, but no answering flash now shot out from the Russian lines of defence.  All night the fire continued, to prevent the enemy from repairing damages.

The next morning the English played the principal part in the attack, our batteries commencing at daylight, and continuing their fire all day.  The Russians could be seen to be extremely busy.  Hitherto they had believed that the allies would never be able to take the town; but the tremendous fire which the allies had now opened, and the close approach of the French to the Malakoff, had clearly shaken their confidence at last.

Large quantities of stores were transported during the day to the north side, and on the heights there great numbers of men were seen to be laboring at fortifications.  The Russian army in the field was observed to be moving towards Inkerman, and it was believed that it was about to repeat the experiment of the Tchernaya and to make a desperate effort to relieve the town by defeating the allied armies in the field.