Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/393

 PLAN OF ATTACKING THE NORTH SHDE. 367 In order to prevent the Star Fort from being chap. looked into by the enemy, a great effort was made ' to increase the height of the parapet ; but under the weiglit of the earth laid for this purpose upon one of the old parapets the revetment of the scarp gave way, and a breach was thus made by the defenders themselves. One of Todleben's objects was to throw up works which might pre- vent the enemy from turning the Star Fort on the eastern flank, but for the execution of this part of his plan there was no time. By the morning of the 25th there were alto- ounsavaii- gether twenty-nine guns in battery and available defence. for the defence against the expected attack from the north. Amongst these were the nine pieces which now armed the two new north-western batteries, including the two 24-pounder carronades which commanded the coast towards the mouth of the Belbec. These two batteries, however, were parttiiat liable to be destroyed by the guns of the Anglo- been taken French fleet ;* and the trench connecting one of in attack '^ them with the fort could be enfiladed and taken F..rt. in rear by fire from the same quarter. •j* Indeed, the position of the ground and of the Eussian works was such that in every stage of an attack undertaken against the Star Fort, the seamen and the ships of the Allies would have been able to take a great part.J In order to cover the retreat of the Eussians, some of their ships were placed in such positions • Todleben, 'Defense de Sebastopol,' vol. i. p. 233. + Ibid. J Ibid.