I have already spoken in general terms of the great services rendered by the ironclads in moving the troops about, but I feel that, in justice to the gallant crews of the squadron I had the honour to command during the war, I ought not to bring this portion of my narrative to a close without mentioning more particularly a piece of work of that nature executed under my immediate direction.

The capture of Soukhoum-Kaleh had been followed up by the despatch of an expedition of some 4,000 men of all arms to a place some thirty miles down the coast, called Tchamchira.  The military commander at Soukhoum had some idea, I believe, that this force would be able to make its way inland, and thus encourage risings amongst the tribes against the detested Muscovite rule.  The country, however, was too unfavourable for the advance of invading troops, being swampy ground with thick bush where it was not an impenetrable forest.  The Russians also got wind of the intended movement, and to make a long story short, had managed to collect a large opposing force.  The expedition was landed, but that is all.  Before much could be done to secure the position as a base—­whilst the men in fact were making entrenchments—­the Russians, who under cover of the forest that extended right down to the beach on either side had been stealthily making their preparations, attacked them on all sides, and but for the covering fire of the ironclads, fortunately still at anchor there, would undoubtedly have driven them into the sea.

The result of this action enabled the force to establish itself in the village, and hold possession of the small belt of cleared ground around it, the extreme limit of which was still within the range of the guns of the ironclads.

The position of this force, however, daily grew worse.  The Russians had captured the fords, by which their retreat to Soukhoum was cut off.  They were completely surrounded, and only owed their preservation to the continual presence of an ironclad.  Under these circumstances it was thought advisable to withdraw the men, and Dervish Pasha entrusted me with the task.  To give an idea of the precarious position of this force, I may mention that, as I approached the place in my flagship, we heard the sound of smart cannonading, and I found the guard-ship engaged with a battery of field-pieces.  The Russians had recently received a large accession of force, and several field-guns of large calibre; and so, not content with troubling the camp daily with an enfilading fire, had thought to try conclusions with the heavy guns afloat.  On our appearance the action ceased, the Russians withdrawing their battery into the safe shelter of the forest.  The Russian fire had been well directed, and had the guns been heavier calibre, considerable damage would have been inflicted.  As it was, the upper works and rigging were cut about a great deal, and two men killed and four wounded on board the ironclad.  After a conference with the general