Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/177

 "WIIKX ABANDOXHD BY THE ARMY. 147 Prince Alontschikoff. In his ])rivacY Korniloff" chap. VI wrote : ' The troops are longing for adventurous _^ ' deeds, but all this can only increase the carnage ' without preventing the enemy from gaining ' access.'* And again: 'We strengthen our posi- ' tion as much as possible. What, however, but ' defeat can be expected when we have only a ' handful of troops, scattered on an immense ex- ' tent; and what are fortifications which we have ' thrown up in the course of a fortnight? If I ' had foreseen this, I would never have consented ' to sink the ships, but would rather have stood ' out to sea and fought the enemy, though they ' were double our numbers. . . . The catastrophe ' may be enacted to-morrow. Even fighting to the ' last man will hardly advance our cause. The ' ships and all the vessels are ready for sinking. ' Let the enemy have their wrecks. The evening ' passed in gloomy thoughts about the future of ' Russia.' t Still, however, the Allies were giv- ing respite. Tn the course of the day they were seen on the Chersonese, but they undertook no attack. XT. When the morning of the 28th had dawned, it ^sihSer'. .•^till appeared that the Allies M-ere undertaknig ^tm.n,-^ no instant attack. They were afterwards seen ana: t Trivate Journal, l.'^th (27111) September, written at the close of the day when the religious ceremony and the ha- rangues to the troops took i)lace.
 * Private Journal, 14th CZGtli) Septeniber.