COMMENCED EXPEDITION TO KERTCH. 261 ' mean to establish ourselves in the Peninsula of chap. ' Kertch, but only by a coup de main to destroy '. — ' the defences which prevent the passage of our ' ships, we may fairly believe that 10,000 men ' will achieve this result. The enemy's numbers ' in the Peninsula may be greater, but they are ' not concentrated ; and, to effect a concentration, ' he would need more time than we should require ' for our coup de main.' * Then after showing in detail how great (after landing) would be the advantages of the Allies over the enemy in point of comparative proximity to the batteries which had to be taken, he ended by declaring his opinion that the projected operation might be executed without incurring risks other than the ordinary risks of war, and with chances of success which, considering the importance of the result desired, were sufficient to justify the enterprise ; but always, he said, on condition that it be under- taken ' without the least delay.' t General Canrobert replied : — ' Since your Lord- canrobert ' ship notwithstanding the observations I felt it to Lord 8 ' my duty to make in my letter of yesterday is of ' opinion that this enterprise undertaken with ' the troops before indicated presents itself with ' fair chances of success, I hasten to say that I ' am giving orders for the prompt embarkation of ' the French corps which is to participate in it ' concurrently with the English troops. 'J
- Lord Raglan to Canrobert, 1st May 1855. The original if
in Lord Raglan's always excellent French. + Ibid. t Canrobert to Lord Raglan, 1st May.
