Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/444

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4 U APPENDIX. too far to the southward ; upon which a conversation en- sued between Sir Edmund Lyons and the French Admiral from the poops of thviir respective ships nntil the onward movement of the French ship terminated it, whereupon a French naval officer came on board immediately Avith a message from his Admiral to Sir E. Lyons to say that Ave were too far to the southward, the Point off which we then Avere being the line of demarcation between the armies. During this short suspense I called the attention of Sir Edmund to the approach of the transports, and pointed out that they Avould fall into confusion if ho did not quickly decide upon his anchorage, as the Spitfire and Triton, the two steamers told off to anchor as the points Avithin Avhich our flotilla had been instructed to bring up, Avere looking to the Agamemnon for position. Sir Edmund instantly gave me orders to steer back to the nortliAvard of the Point, and close in Avith the beach as near as possible. ^Eean- Avhile the Agamemnon's boats had been hoisted out and the artillery rafts put together, so that on the moment of anchoring, Avhich we did about half-past six, Ave Avere ready to commence the operation of landing, Avhich Sir E. Lyons desired to do at once, but Sir George BroAvn, avIio Avas on board the Agamemnon, Avished to await the decision of Lord Eaglan, Avho was approaching on board the Caradoc. The French had by this time many men landed, for seeing no prospect of opposition they began to disembark tis fast us their ships got to the anchorage. As soon as the Cara- doc closed. Lord Kaglan came on board the Agamemnon, and flfter a short consultation Sir Edmund Lyons desired me to make the signal to land, and we commenced imme- diately.* Thus it Avill be seen that the French were the • A careful reader will observe that all the movements backwards and forwanls, and the conferences hero described, are exactly such as might have been expected to occur upon the su])position that Lord Rjiglan'i account, as jjivcn in the next page but one, is strictly accural^.