Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/236

206 GENERAL EYRE'S chap, field should be happily crowned with success. 1_ The troops destined to oppose this attack were all the battalions of the Okhotsk, and some por- tions of the Tomsk regiment.* Both these regi- ments had encountered our people at Inkerman, and might not perhaps now prove disposed to show themselves much in the open, but rather to take advantage of shelter. General Eyre began his march at about half- past one in the morning. When approaching the rifle-pits and preparing to attack them in front, he all at once found himself anticipated by a body of French Chasseurs posted near, which cleverly took them in ilank.f Then — as though under some precise order — the share our Allies were thus taking in the early part of the onset came all at once to an end. General Eyre still however advancing, soon found in position before him some Eussian troops strongly posted, their right resting on a Mamelon, their left on a cemetery, the ground between being intersected, and the road barricaded with stone walls. The Kussians were ensconced behind cover, and General Eyre could not estimate their number. In rear of the stone walls were houses occupied by the enemy, and yet further in rear, troops held in reserve could be seen. The position was strong, and being under the guns of the fortress, including those of the Per- essip, could hardly be taken without incurring serious loss ; but it seems to have been judged
 * Todleben, vol. ii. p. 375. •(• The 10th Chasseurs.