Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 8.djvu/330

 298 CANROBERT S REASONS CHAP. XI. Oanrobert's command given up and trans- ferred to Pelissier. Assigned causes of Canrobert's resignation. audacious enough to advise, nay almost, one may say, to enjoin the immediate withdrawal of one man, the immediate raising up of the other ; for he telegraphed thus to the Minister of War: '16th May, 10 a.m. — Accept without hesitation ' the resignation of General Canrobert. He is very ' much fatigued. Answer by telegraph. General ' Pelissier is ready to take the command.' * In reply to Canrobert's letter of resignation, the Minister of War telegraphed : — ' The Emperor ' accepts your resignation. He regrets that your ' health is affected. He felicitates you on the ' sentiment which makes you ask leave to remain ' with the army. You will command in it — not ' a division merely but — General Pelissier 's Corps. General Canrobert accordingly handed over the command of the army to General Pelissier. Per- sisting in his wish to have only the lesser com- mand for which he had asked, he was placed at the head of his old force, that is, the 1st Division. In a letter to his Emperor General Canrobert pointed out several troubles as those which had caused him to give up the command, and he stated them to be these: — 1. The slight relative effect produced on Sebas- topol by the excellent batteries of the Allies. 2. The disappointment of the hopes he had entertained of being attacked by the enemy on the reopening of the bombardment.( 3 ) 3. The arduous difficulties encountered in pre-
 * Give up the command to that general.' t
 * Rousset, vol. ii. + Ibid.