Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/516

 486 APPENDIX. of the whole Black Sea fleet, not only with its ships, but with all the officers and sailors who had been trained by such constant and unremitting exertions. To defend Sebastopol with the forces at our command is impossible The line of defence extends over seven versts, intersected by deep ravines with many approaches, which can only be defended by our artillery and by the simple temporary earthworks. Three columns, each consisting of 15,000 men, might easily, by three diff'erent vays, descend the heights occupied by the enemy's camp, and with no great sacrifice, crush their respective adversaries, however des- perate their resistance might be ; the seamen and reserve soldiers now forming the garrison scarcely amount to 15,000. I therefore consider it indispensable for the security of the town to double this number of the garrison — i.e., to in- crease it by a division. Only then, when we shall have the seamen in reserve and be able to employ them for sapping works, and for keeping up the fortifications as well as strengthening the defences, for which sailors are so eminently suited — then, and only then, can we hope to resist an assault and to save the town. The movement of the army, though useful in diverting the attention of the enemy, may meet with a reverse, and thus open a passage to the enemy for the object of all his efforts ; and besides, considering the small number of our troops, this movement would be anything but formidable. The enemy, having spies, will soon discover the weakness of the garrison, and of the army itself, and, benefiting by the opportune mo- ment, will seize both town and fleet in the very teeth of our army. In conclusion, to secure the defence of Sebas- topol, and to employ the remainder of our troops to watch the I^orth Side, whither the reinforcements coming from Russia should be directed, is our only practical mode of de- fence, and I consider it not only possible, but even certain. Sebastopol, 19^A September {st October) 1854.