Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/243

 BATTLE OF TIIIC A1,MA. 217 At the forcniost point (ir apex llms f'oi'ined, cilAP. Lindsay was carrying the Queen's colour ; and . the swiftness of liis onward movement, coupled with the eagerness of those who were near him to keep up with the colour, may have been the cause which refracted the line. There was a good deal of impetuosity at this time, and it would seem that the conception of what was the needful thing to do was — not so much to labour after the re- storation of complete order, but rather — to carry the redoubt, and break down the great column by a rush ; for in the midst of such shouts as ' For- ' ward Guards! Forward Guards' — Hugh Annesley was heard cheering thus — the bent and irregular line pressed on ; and at length it had moved so far up the slope as to be within some thirty or forty yards of the AVork. Then numbers of the Russians burst out over the parapet, and some, it is said, came straight on, with their bayonets down ' at the charge.' The Queen's colour seemed to be in danger ; for it was difficult to imagine that these imperfectly formed companies of the Fusilier Guards could maintain themselves long against the overwhelming weight of the column in their front. But the immediate cause which brought about the retreat was, after all, the word of command. I believe that the order to retire which now reached the battalion was given by the authority of General Henry Eentinck, the officer commanding the brigade. It was delivered to the line by the Adjutant of the Fusilier Guards. With pistol in hand — for some of the Eussiau