Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/154

 CH A 1'. V. Con ditlons und cr which our troops fouj 124 SUCCESSIVK ATTACKS. then wounded, and fresh troops reinforcing oui people, the enemy was again driven hack and lied once more to find shelter behind the works of the fortress. Maintained on each side with valour and ob- stinacy, these several infantry conflicts must needs have involved serious loss; yet the periods of time that they occupied were those perhaps when our men suffered less than they did dur- ing all the other hours of darkness ; for, whilst mingled in fight with the enemy's troops, they were spared from the fire of the place, but always underwent it again (without having yet obtained cover) so soon as they had defeated their assail- ants and thrust them back into the fortress. colonel Of course under such conditions there was need Shirley. of the ability with which, as we know, Colonel Shirley conducted the fight, and especially of the moderation and judgment with which he brought up reinforcements, neither suffering the conlliet to end for want of men to sustain it, nor pouring in heavy masses — to fall in proportionate numbers — beneath the guns of the fortress. Lord Eaglan declared that the manner in which Colonel Shirley conducted 'this arduous service ' entitled him to the highest praise.* Another Not long before daybreak, and when indeed Russian ° J edumn some observed the first faint glimmer of twilight. ndvkncing ° ° toaitempt the enemy launched a fresh column against our the reca] J ° 1 ■■"■- wearied soldiery, and once more challenged their hold of the long disputed field-work. The column
 * ht.
 * To Secretary of State, 9t.li June 1855.