Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/352

 322 THE CANNONADE OF CHAP, batteries that the attack upon Sebastopol was y TT T _J '_ maintained. I liave spoken of Kovniloff — acting always nnder the counsels of Colonel de Todleben — as the real commander of all the forces besieged in Menfsdii Sebastopol ; but Prince Mentschikoff still held ''o""= a supreme authority in the Crimea over army and navy alike ; and during a part of the morning he iiis presence was personally prcsciit iu the phicc. After visit- i'u's^'bliT ing the batteries in the Karabel faubourg, the "P° • Prince came back into the main town, rode up Ihe Telegraph Hill, and stopping at Korniloffs door, requested the Admiral, then still at his house, to come out and join him. The Admiral accordingly mounted his horse, and accompanied Mentschikoff as far as the Catherine landing- place, for thither the Prince was going with the intention of quitting Sebastopol and crossing over lo the north of the roadstead. iiisron- It seems that the Prince was departing in a wii)n<o.- condition of mind far from hopeful ; * but Korni- loff, who, only some minutes before, had let fall some words indicative of his own despondency, was now, they sa}'-, able to cheer the spirit of his Commander. He made his report to the chief of the sound condition of things along that part of the line which he had already visited ; but also s-iy this in direct terms, but 1 consider that he does so impliedly by the langnaj^e in which lie shows tluit the I'rince was re- assured bv Korniloff nilofl':
 * My autliority (Admiral KornilofTs aide-de-camp) docs not