Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/139

 THE LUNETTK ATTACK I'D. 109 The chosen assailants of the Lunette had been en a r QOt many mi miles ensconced in the Third Parallel riio Lund tc when at half-past seven o'clock the rocket-signal nttackodW unleashed them, and with a vigour and evident fcl intentness of purpose observed and admired by Lord Raglan they sprang at once out to the front. To reach the Kamtchatka Lunette, General Wimpfen's brigade would have to traverse a space of some 500 yards; but the formation of the ground made it possible by choosing right paths to compass most of the distance without incurring strong fire. The fast advancing brigade swept easily over the rifle-pits with which the great Engineer had striven to screen his Lunette, and pushed on in three columns. The one on the right was a regi- ment of Algerine Tirailleurs under Colonel Rose, the one in the centre was the 50th Line Regiment commanded by Colonel de Brancion, the one on the left was the 3d Zouave Regiment commanded by Colonel I'olhes. The Tirailleurs stormed and carried at once Their firsi i / v capl two of the collateral batteries on the (proper) the Work; left Hank of the Lunette; and the other two columns advanced against the Lunette itself. When emerging from the shelter afforded by a dip in the ground, these troops gained the top of the steep leading up to the Work, they at once became fully exposed to grape-shot and musketry-lire, and at the same time began to learn something of the strength of the Lunette.