14 TUK IJATTLE OF INKKKMAN. CHAP. I. The defence of Mount liikcrmaii wliy left ill Hrst instance to a Kinall body of men enemy who chooses to threaten them ; aiul at last, wlien they see through his feints, it is only by lateral movements (which may be lengthy and even precarious) that they can hope to transfer themselves to the real seat of dauger. It is evident that a reinforcing power which has to be exerted under such conditions must always differ widely from that which belongs to a well-placed reserve. Against all attacks on the Chersonese from the plain of Balaclava, the ground, very strong by nature, had been made altogether secure by suffi- cient works of defence and the presence of su- perabundant forces.* Elsewhere, the positions of the Allies had weak points, and especially it was possible that a formidable attack might be ven- tured upon the north-eastern angle of the Cher- sonese. There, indeed, the danger was great. From Lord Raglan's exceeding eagerness to [)ress the siege with the very utmost of his means, and from the opinion which led General Can- robert to accumulate troops along the eastern crests, it resulted that there was a cruel impover- ishment of the resources with which the English were left to defend Mount Inkerman. Caurobert evidently placed an extraordinary reliance upon the English troops, and especially, it is believed, upon the ' bonnets de poil ' — for so, and in tones of an almost affectionate enthusiasm, he used to call the Guards ; but, supposing that he knew
- Both Sir John Burgoync and General ile Todleben con.
sideied the position inipiegnable on that side.
