Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/390

 3G8 COMBAT OF THE 20TH OF OCTOBFK. CHAP. II. npon other Russian troops : upon the garrison of Sebastopo) Object of the attack there planned still prolonged hesitation in front of Balaclava ; but, on the other hand, the facts were such that, — by means of a partial suppression, and a little of the usual embroidery — they could be narrated in a way highly gratifying to any of the Eussians who were not themselves on the field ; for Lord Cardigan's brigade had plainly purchased renown at the cost of huge, ruinous losses, and Liprandi, after all, was still in the unchallenged possession of the ground, the redoubts, and the trophies he had wrenched from the grasp of the Turks. Thus, whilst such of the Russians as had taken part in the battle or witnessed its most famous incidents had good reason for being disheartened, those of their fellow-countrymen who had only heard of the conflict through rumour and official reports might well be transported with joy. To this last category the whole garrison of Sebastopol belonged ; and on the morning of the 26th of October, their blood was so heated by a one-sided version of the yesterday's battle, by a public display of its trophies, and finally by an exulting ' Te Deum,' that they rose at last into the mood for warlike enterprise ; and, as though to furnish an outlet for all this exuberant zeal, it was determined that, soon after divine service, a sortie should be directed against our 2d Division — the force which stood guard over the southern part of Mount Inkerman. Whilst in this way diverting attention from Liprandi, the enemy was not unwilling to feel his way upon ground which perhaps might become the arena of a not distant