Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/147

 WIII'X ABANDONED I;Y THE AKMV. 117 tliu robust, sanguine nature of Todleben, and the CiiAP. immense vital forces he had at command, brought ^^' joyousness, nay, even brought mirth, to help the toil of the defenders. The enthusiasm kindled by the Admiral miglit more or less cause men to look for heavenly aid ; but the very presence of Todleben was enough to assure them that even in this world there was something at least to ho])e for, and plainly a great deal to do. The character in which Colonel de Todleben acted, and (till long afterwards) continued to act, was that of a volunteer.* II. On the 24th of September — the day the Allies Komiiofr, . , T-, 11 • 1 1 1 commanding were marching on the Belbec with the then ontheNonii apparent intention of attacking the Star Fort — Duuesun- Korniloff assumed the command of the North xodiebtu.''^ Side, and Colonel de Todleben, whilst still con- tinuing to direct the works there going on, was now also charged to post the troops in the way he deemed to be the best for resisting the ex- pected assault. In the course of the day some Forces additional battalions of sailors were moved from tiieNunu the South to the North Side ; and we have already seen that, on the morning of the 25th, the time strength when the Allies might be expected to begin their theleiu attack, Korniloff had on the North Side two ^'" militia battalions, and so great a number of sea- • This General du Todlebeu himself told lue.