Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/34

 8 BATTLE OF THE ALMA. Bouiiiouk, there crosses the bridge, then enters the Pass, and ascends by a gentle incline towards the low chain of mounds higher up. After pierc- ing that natural rampart, it bends into the south- erly course which leads it to Sebastopol. 7. To the east of the main Pass there were other roads leading up from the banks of the river; but they need not be specially designated, because, even where no road existed, the hill-side in this part of the field was accessible to the march of artillery. Except at the "West Cliff, every part of the posi- tion can be reached by men on foot. In the rear — Eussian rear — of the hills which form this position, the ground falls, and it lises a^aiu at a distance of two miles. Down to the edge of the vineyards, the whole of the field on the north or right bank of the river is ground tempting to cavalry ; and although the south side of the stream is marked, as we saw, by stronger features, still the summits of the heights spread out broad, like English 'Downs.' Except the sheer sides of the Clilf, and the steeps of the Telegraph Height, there is little on the hiffher o-vound to obstruct the manoeuvres of horsemen. Eroui the sea -shore to the easternmost spot oc- ciipied by liussian troops, the distance for a man going straight was nearly five miles and a half; but if he were to go all the way on the liussian bank of the river he would have to pass over more ground ; for the Alma liere makes a sti'ong bend.