Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 8.djvu/100

 68 TODLEBEN'S COUNTER-APPROACHES. chap, the gaze of the French on the morning of the IV • ' 2 2d, marked simply the slight, early rudiments of a new, though fast-growing earth-work — the Selinghinsk Kedoubt, and the firstling of those 'Ouvrages Wanes' — for so our allies always called them — which were destined to play no small part in the subsequent defence of Sebas- topol. Colonel Todleben did not suppose that the French, when seeing his purpose, would brook this counter - approach, and in concert with General Khroustchoff prepared to resist their attacks. So long as day lasted, the troops not busied in working were withdrawn to sheltered ground near at hand ; but, when darkness returned on the 22d, and again on the 23d, the four Volhynia battalions were thrown forward once more to the ground they had held the first night, and they ranged in what, with their people, was the fav- ourite order of battle, that is, with, in front, a line of skirmishers, next, a line of small company columns, and in support to all, a line of three columns each massed, and comprising each one whole battalion. With their muskets at hand, the men of the Selinghinsk battalions still toiled at the new redoubt. II. French Except by distant musketry -fire, producing tack on but little effect, the French did not molest the