Battle of Chernaya River

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Crimean War
Sinop – Petropavlovsk – Alma – Sevastopol – Balaclava – Inkerman – Eupatoria – Taganrog – Chernaya River – Kars – Malakhoff – Kinburn

The Battle of Chernaya River (Battle of Tchernaïa, Сражение у Черной речки, Сражение у реки Черной) was a battle by Chernaya River fought during the Crimean War on August 16, 1855 between Russia and a coalition of French and Piedmontese troops.

The battle began as an offensive by the Russians with the goal of regaining Sevastopol. Two Russian army corps under Prince Michael Gorchakov (58,000 soldiers) fought against French and Sardinian troops under General Pélissier (60,000 soldiers). Although the British correspondents were amazed with the courage of Russian soldiers and the impetuosity of their attack, the assault of the Russian army was poorly organized. It is known that Gorchakov sent a note to his generals with the words "Let's start it", meaning that the Russians should start to deploy their forces, while the generals interpreted it as his order to attack and acted accordingly, meeting stiff resistance from the French. The bravery of French soldiers of 50th, 82nd, 95th, 97th of line; 19th Chasseurs at foot; 2nd and 3rd zouaves was especially noted. The battle ended in victory for the French and their allies.

The bad management of the battle was satirized by its participant, Count Leo Tolstoy, in a humorous song, the only piece of verse he is known to have written.