Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/368

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

34G THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. UHAP. Yet by arraying his powerful cavalry, with its L attendant batteries, across the North Valley, he not only showed a good front to the troops coining down from the Chersonese, but connec- ted himself by his right with the slopes of the Fedioukine Hills ; and as Jabrokritsky was there establishing himself, it might be said that the Russians at this time were an army taking up a position. Their array was apparently meant to be the commencing stage of a deliberate, well-conducted retreat. Since the Russians were attempting nothing against Balaclava, and the Allies had as yet no division of infantry far advanced on the plain, there resulted a pause in the battle. The Russian cavalry however, having before it a great tract of unoccupied ground, was — without any very large purpose — induced to advance up the valley ; and (after detaching on its way the few squadrons which descended towards Sir Colin Campbell and quickly turned aside from his fire) tliis great body of horse continued to move for- ward till it came within range of the Chersonese batteries ; when, after incurring two shots, it turned aside to its left and gained the top of the Causeway ridge. Then ended that part of the battle which was •4',verned by design, and Chance began to have sway. ft happened that whilst countermarching to- wards Kadikoi, in obedience to the order last