Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/195

LORD RAGLAN. 165 forcing their comrades, but moved forward slowly, chap. when moving forward at all ; and, if speaking 1_ in general terms applicable to a somewhat ex- tended period, one might say that the column hung back. VII. The check thus sustained by the bulk of d'Aute- Thebear- - . _, . . . ing of the marre's Division was seen by the Lnglish com- hindrance -n- i encountered mander from his place on the Woronzori ladge ; by d'Autc- . n marre on and having forces in readiness for the attack ot Lord itag- ° . ., , lan s course that very Eedan which was dealing its blows on of action, the French, he could not loyally hesitate to inter- pose in the action. He indeed had a choice. He might either relieve the French by pouring a crushing fire of great guns on the eastern face of the Eedan; or again he might aid them by assaulting the work with his columns of infantry already prepared for the task, and this last, he well knew, was the kind of support that Pelissier yearned to receive. ' I always,' wrote Lord Eaglan to the Secretary Motives r» • • tending to of War, ' guarded myself from being tied down to govern Lor i ' ° ^ tit Ra gi a "' s ' attack at the same moment as the 1 rench, and 1 decision. • felt that I ought to have some hope of their suc- ' cess before I committed our troops ; but, when I ' saw how stoutly they were opposed, I considered ' it was my duty to assist them by attacking my- ' self.' * In the light of the past we can see that Lord
 * Private letter to Lord Panuiure, 19th Juue 1855.