We had indeed hard work in maintaining our hold of the quarries, which were commanded by several batteries, whose position placed them outside the range of our guns.

Our loss was very heavy, as also was that of the French in the Mamelon, which was made a centre for the Russian fire.
On the nights of the 16th and 17th some of the British and French ships stood in close to Sebastopol, and kept up a heavy fire upon the town.

On the 16th it was decided by Marshal Pelissier and Lord Raglan that the assault should take place on the morning of the 18th of June, and every arrangement was made for the attack.

The British force told off for the work consisted of detachments of the light, second, and third divisions, and was divided into three columns.

Sir John Campbell had charge of the left, Colonel Shadforth of the right, and Colonel Lacy Yea of the centre column.