Battle Of The Tchernaya, Aug.16 1855, The Russians Repulsed At Traktir Bridge

Description

This impressive battle engraving depicts one of the last major land engagements of the Crimean War, the Battle of the Traktir Bridge, which saw the Allies (France and the Kingdom of Sardinia) triumph over Russian forces on 16 August 1855. While the siege of Sevastopol was still ongoing, the Russian army launched a massive counter-attack under the command of General Mikhail Gorchakov to break the siege. The aim was to cross the Chernaya River, break through the Allied lines and end the siege. In the battle, which took place in the valley of the Chernaya River, southeast of Sevastopol, the French under General Aimable Pélissier and the Sardinian (Piedmontese) forces under General Alfonso La Marmora held their defensive positions and repelled the Russian attacks. This was the last major Russian offensive, and its failure hastened the end of Sevastopol. In the engraving, the central stone bridge is the Traktir Bridge, and this point was one of the areas where the fighting was intense. The fierce fighting of the Russian soldiers around the bridge and the defense of the French and Sardinian soldiers against the Russians are shown dramatically. The complex and fierce struggle of the cavalry and infantry is depicted in detail, emphasizing the chaotic and violent atmosphere of the battle.