INTRODUCTION. Ar a time when the attention of the whole civilised world is engrossed with the details of one of the most stupendous military expeditions ever undertaken, involving siege operations of unprecedented magnitude and difficulty, it is considered that a collection of memoirs of some of the most Remarkable Sieges which have taken place in modern history will prove acceptable to the public. Independently of the exciting character of the incidents involved in these memorable struggles, their details will serve to illustrate in a striking manner the changes which have from time to time taken place, both in works of fortification and in methods of attack, consequent upon the introduction of gunpowder and artillery. The series of sieges herein given commences with that of Constantinople in 1453, and terminates with that of Sebastopol in 1854. The history of the latter is brought down to the middle of November, when the operations of the besiegers became virtually suspended, awaiting the arrival of necessary and considerable reinforcements. The narrative portion of the work is preceded by some Observations upon Fortification and Siege Operations, which, it is hoped will be found to convey in a popular manner a notion of general principles, accompanied by explanations of the nomenclature employed, sufficient materially to assist the reader to understand the accounts of military operations of the nature in question.* The author takes this opportunity of announcing that he proposes publishing a complete History of the Siege of Sebastopol, in the same form as the present volume, and as a companion to it, immediately after the conclusion of that great expedition. LONDON, Nov. 27, 1845. * These observations are reprinted, with slight additions and alterations, from papers by the author, which lately appeared at various times in the columns of the "Illustrated London News." |