Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/328

 298 TIIH CANNONADE OP CHAP, trained and pointed beforehand from the waters XIII 1_ below, but also the fire of as many as 160 guns established in land batteries which swept the approaches of the place ; and that, even aftei traversing the approaches thus guarded, and coin- ing at last to close quarters, the still surviving assailants might be encountered in front or in flank by the blasts of yet G3 more pieces of can- non delivering grape-shot and canister.* Their great It must also be bomc in mind that potentially, ■.rtillcry resources, the orduauce arm of the Eussians had a much greater ascendant than is indicated by giving the number and calibre of their guns already in bat- tery. To an extent which, for a long time to come, must enable them to outdo their assailants in artillery conflict, the garrison could not only command endless supplies of guns and ammuni- tion, but (because of their strength in workmen as well as in material) could ceaselessly repair and re-arin, or shift or improve their batteries and augment them in numbers and power. Distribution In distributing his batteries along the lines of teries. defence. Colonel de Todleben had not apportioned them rateably to the strength of the respective systems of 'Attack' which they were destined to encounter. Whilst he ventured to meet the 73 guns and mortars of the English with so few Guns sweeping the approaclics,. . . 160 Guns for taking the besiegers when at close quarters in front or flank, ... 63 Total (being the numbers, given ame,), 341
 * Guns opposed to the batteries of the Allies, . 118