Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/103

 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. 81 that they were falling into some ambush ; * and chap. on the other hand, the men of the 93d, with a ' wild impetuosity which was characteristic of the battalion as then constituted, showed a mind to rush forward as though undertaking to charge and exterminate cavalry in the open plain ; but in a moment Sir Colin was heard crying fiercely, ' Ninety-third ! Ninety-third ! damn all that eager- Campbell i wielding ' ness ! ' and the angry voice of the old soldier Ms 93d. quickly steadied the line. The Russian squadrons had come within long musketry range. The Highlanders and the men alongside them delivered their fire ; and although they emptied no saddles, The fire ' o J r from th(ir they wounded some horses and men * The horse- line, men thus met abandoned at once their advance its effect. upon Campbell's front, and wheeled to their left Altered 1 ii i- i- -ini movement as though undertaking to turn his right flank, of the assail . ., ing squad- Sir Colin turned to his aide-de-camp, and — speak- rons. ing of the officer who led the Russian squadrons — said, ' Shadwell ! that man understands his ' business.' To meet his assailant's change of direction, Campbell caused the grenadier company campbeir.s of the 93d, under Captain Ross, to bring the left manoeuvre. shoulder forward, and show a front towards the north-east. Stopped at once by this ready manoeuvre, and its effect. the fire that it brought on their flank, the horse- tnehorse- men. men wheeled again to the left, and retreated. They retreated together, but not in good order; and the fire of our artillery increased their con- fusion. Uommunications from the Russian officers to ours. VOL. V. jr