Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/331

 BATTLE OF THE ALMA. 305 (lay ; but, compared with the troops of the 1st, the CH A P. 2d, aud the Light Division, Sir Eichard England's ^_ Division was fresh. With that force of infantry, mspian. together with the whole of his cavalry and horse- artillery, Lord Eaglan desired to press forward ; * but he required that a portion of the French army should take part in this movement, for he did not understand that the rout of the enemy's forces was so complete and irremediable as to put them in the power of one English division of infantry and a thousand horsemen. Besides he well knew that (even though the aid should be given for mere form's sake and not for actual use) there was a political reason which forbade him from pressing forward without making sure that his advance would be accompanied by a portion of the French army ; for it was nearly certain that an English general advancing on the afternoon of a battle, and leaving his sensitive allies in the rear, would so mortify the French people as to put the alliance, and even the ruler who contrived it, in grievous peril. Accordingly, General Airey proposed to General itispro- jNIartimprey, the Chief of the French Staff, that tiie French, the whole of our cavalry, together with one English division of infantry, and such portion of the French army as the Marshal might think fit, should move forward and press the enemy's retreat. The answer was that any further advance of the They decline French on that day was ' impossible ; ' and the troops) the cliief part of the 4th Division under Cathcart. VOL. IlL U
 * He would then have still had with him (besides his fatigued