272 BATTLE OF THE ALMA. C II A r I. Thr onemy's TlPRlect of other meas- ures for covering the retreat. the' gathered masses of their iVllow - couutry- luen giving way to the .slender lines of the red- coats ; and nut bearing to think that their Czar and lii.s famed infantry were to l)e coerced by means so small and delicate, they became in- Ihimed with indignation against their own people for being defeated ; and presently the whole col- umn came down the hill, undertaking nothing less than to stay the ebb of the tide. It thrust itself full against the retreating masses, and angrily strove to drive them back into the fight.* But the Highland Brigade now again opened fire ; and, the enemy being left very helpless, and having no guns in battery wherewith to attempt a stand, the Ouglitz column was ibrced to turn.-f* It went part way up to its old ground in order to be able to cover the retreat of the vanquished masses. The enemy's Ijrave and devoted inl'antiy, already abandoned by their ordnance, were now also left uncovered by the Kussian cavalry. That force, nearly 3000 strong, had been so palsied by orders or want of order.s, or by .some other unexplained
- After speaking (as shown in the former notes) of the defeat
of the Russian columns with which his brigade had been light- ing, Sir Colin Campbell sa3-s that they ' were driven down into ' the valley upon a mass of troops which were placed in reserve ' on the heights in their rear, and an attempt was made by thi.s
- reserve to move in advance, forcing forward the retiring troops.'
The lis. !)}• Sir Colin Campbell, (pioted ante at page 256. t ' But fire being again opened, this reserve returned to its • position, evidently with a view to cover the men ho had been 'driven by the three Iligliland regiments.' — Ibid.
