Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/205

GENERAL CAMPBELL'S ATTACK. 175 batteries, the 400 men of what was called the c ^^ p - ' main column ' began to undergo a hard trial. _ For any attempt at formation they needed some little time. They besides needed firm and swift guidance not only in order to face the trying con- ditions to which we now see them exposed, but also to determine their course ; for on the one hand men looked towards the re-entering angle of the Eedan which was understood to be their true goal, yet at this time it seemed that the Eifles and ladder-party were operating towards its salient.* The decision was one to be taken at a critical moment, and under a converging fire of grape- shot and musketry that seemed to threaten de- struction. When the young Engineer Gerald Graham re- Campbell's ., „ ,. . previous ported himself on that morning to the clner now words to r ° Graham. commanding this column in person, he had found General Campbell so glowing with that warlike ardour that comes with the blood of the Scots as to be almost impatient of thoughts concerning the ' how,' and the ' where,' and the ' when ' he could most fitly strike at the foe, and he even in his usual gay vein spoke joyous words which im- ported that he ' understood the fighting part best.' Jjut in face of the Great Eedan, with its batteries His vain brought once again to a perfect state of repair, ofafig'ht. and at a distance of 400 yards from the nearest part of its counterscarp, the pastime of ' fighting ' was one that the enemy's great Engineer did not
 * See ante, p. 172.