In 1854, Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire were at war with Russia. As most of the action took place in the Crimea Peninsula, people called the conflict the Crimean War. The opening battle in the Crimea occurred at the River Alma, where the British and French forded the river against a powerful Russian position. The Russian commander, Prince Menschikoff, was confident of victory and invited local dignitaries and women to watch the battle.
However, the allied attack completely shattered the Russian defence, and their army retreated. The French captured Prince Menschikoff’s private carriage.
Sergeant Timothy Gowing of the Royal Fusiliers mentioned the incident in his memoirs:
“Prince Menchikoff quitted the field in a hurry, for he left his carriage behind and all his state papers.”
