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Updated: June 12, 2025
The daring Skobeleff strove in vain to launch his troops over Osman's walls. At length General Todleben undertook the siege, adopting the slow but safe method of starving out the defenders. Osman Pasha now showed his courage, as he had already shown his endurance. When hunger and disease began to reduce the strength of his men, he resolved on a final desperate effort.
If Canrobert with his fresh troops had followed in pursuit, the Russian's retreat must have been turned into a rout and his artillery captured; if on the following day he had assaulted the Flagstaff Bastion, Sebastopol, Todleben owned, must have fallen.
Yet McKay was glad when they marched him in before the generals, who were seated at the open window of the topmost look-out, scanning the besiegers' operations with their telescopes. "What is the meaning of this fire? Have you any idea?" It was Todleben who asked the question. "Does it prelude a general attack?" "I cannot tell you," replied McKay.
I appeal to you, a Russian officer of high rank, of whose name I am ignorant " "My name is Todleben, of the Imperial Engineers." McKay started, and, notwithstanding the imminent peril of his position, looked with interest upon the man who was known, even in the British lines, as the heart and soul of the defence.
Prince Menschikoff, defeated at Alma, seized the opportunity which the delay gave him to render the harbour of Sebastopol impassable to hostile ships; and General Todleben brought his skill as an engineer to the task of strengthening by earthworks the fortifications of the Russian stronghold.
I knew we could do nothing until they had taken the Malakoff. That is the key of the position." "You are right, sir. I myself heard Todleben say those very words." "Did you? That is important intelligence. It must not be forgotten when the time comes to organise a fresh attack." "I shall be well then, I hope, sir, and able to go in with the first column. I think I could show the way."
"They will never take the place; Father Todleben will see to that. Why do they not go, and leave us in peace?" "It is killing work: in the batteries day and night; always in danger under this hellish fire. This is the best place. "He has dangers of his own to face," said the under-officer in charge of the barrack, grimly. "Do not envy him till after to-morrow."
The battle of Inkerman was fought in the early morning of 5th November, and again the brunt of the fighting fell on the English army. The Russian General, Todleben, subsequently stated that he reluctantly decided to attack the English camp instead of the French, because "the English position seemed to be so very weak."
Generous and eloquent are the notices of Korniloff and Todleben, the great sailor and the great engineer, the soul and the brain of the Sebastopol defence.
The prompt sagacity and tremendous energy of Todleben repaired every breach as fast as it was made; and by his concentration of great numbers of laborers at the needed points, huge earthworks arose like magic before the astonished allies. They made no headway; their efforts were in vain; the enterprise had failed.
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