Battle of the Chernaya
Traktir Bridge, Chernaya River, near Sevastopol, Crimea
What happened
Russian troops attacked in the morning fog near the Traktir Bridge, hoping to surprise the allies besieging Sevastopol. A short note from Gorchakov, 'Let's start it', was taken as an order to attack, so the Russian generals advanced without a shared plan. French troops held the Fedyukhin Heights, and by about 10 a.m. Gorchakov ordered a retreat.
Why it matters
The Russians had hoped to force the allies to give up the siege of Sevastopol, and that hope was gone. Sardinia's part in the battle helped it win a place at the peace talks, where it began seeking support for uniting Italy.
What came next
The fall of Sevastopol was now only a matter of time; French troops took the Malakoff three weeks later.
Did you know?
Leo Tolstoy fought in the battle and wrote a joking song about the generals' mistakes, and a line from it became a catchphrase among Russian soldiers.
Timeline
- 17 Oct 1854The siege of Sevastopol begins.
- 16 Aug 1855Battle of the Chernaya.
- 8 Sep 1855French troops take the Malakoff.
- 30 Mar 1856The Treaty of Paris ends the Crimean War.