Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 8.djvu/301

 COMMENCED EXPEDITION TO KERTCH. 2C9 by Canrobert ; and, though not of course wish- CH Ap- ing or meaning that, when they should see the L_ Expedition deprived of three-fourths of its sol- diery, the Admiral and the General should — in anger — go on, spite of all, with aims and plans wholly unchanged, he yet dwelt with evident wistfulness on a lurking idea that the two gallant men, upon learning the orders sent out to the French, might become passionately eager to re- connoitre the coast with a mind to seize any fair opening for the action of the truncated force which still would remain under Brown. The force numbered less than 3000, but these were prime troops : the Highland Brigade, some Eifles, some skilled engineers, 700 of the Royal Marines; and, considering that to the very utmost of naval competence, they would be eagerly supported by Lyons with his ships close at hand, what might not be done by such troops ? It is true that Baron Wrangel was supposed to be holding the district with forces about 9000 strong, of whom some 3000 (consisting mainly of Fencibles) were believed to be in or near Kertch ; but according to the latest Beports, his troops — far from having been concentrated — were established at distant posts. Was it not there- fore possible, or even within the range of fair likelihood, that Sir George being stronger im- measurably than all the troops about Kertch, might complete the destruction of the coast batteries without being even molested by any force brought from a distance except perhaps