Video: What the Americans did in Crimea in the 19th century, and what they learned from the Russians
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
The Crimean War became one of the most controversial confrontations in the history of the 19th century. The events unfolding near Sevastopol were followed in the literal sense of the word by the whole world. In order to receive operational information about what is happening, the Americans sent their observers to the Crimea, including the famous commander George McClellan.
During the Crimean War, the Ottoman Empire acted against the Russian Empire with the support of Britain, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The main task of the observers who arrived at the scene of the clash was to draw up reports on the course of hostilities, analyze the tactics of the parties and report on potential threats that could be directed to their home countries.
The decision to send observers to Crimea was made in 1855 by Secretary of War Jefferson Davis and approved by the President. It was decided to send a group of three. McClellan at that time was not even 30 years old, two more experienced comrades went with him.
The British willingly agreed to have American observers watch the siege of Sevastopol. The French, in turn, refused, fearing that the Americans might pass on strategically important information to their enemies. Then the observers sent a petition to the Russian troops. It took two months to settle all the issues, the bureaucratic system was too slow. The Russians set the same condition as the French: you can watch the troops only if there is no cooperation with their enemies.
By the time this reply was received, Sevastopol had already been captured. American observers decided that it was still better to cooperate with the French, and for their reports, the information they had collected about the fallen city would be enough. On October 8, 1855, the observers reached Balaklava. Most of their report was devoted to the troops of the Europeans, but McClellan also wrote a lot about the Russians in the reports. Despite the fact that the city was surrendered, the presence of the Russians was still felt, from time to time shelling began from distant positions.
Particular attention in McClellan's reports was paid to the Battle of Alma, which predetermined the beginning of the siege of Sevastopol. The observer praised the tactics of the Russians: to enter from the left flank to begin a multi-day defense of the city. Despite the fact that they could not survive, McClellan wrote with delight: "The Russians were attacked as hard as never before, and they held the defense as firmly as no one had done before." The American admitted that the ramparts perfectly fulfilled the function of fortifications under competent command.
Studying military operations in the Crimea, McClellan borrowed a lot and later used it during the civil war. Unfortunately, the American observer stayed with the European troops not until the end of the Crimean War, and these lessons could be valuable for his further military career in America.
In Balaklava, in addition to military observers, photojournalists also worked. Crimean War in photographs by British photographer James Robertson.
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