Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/244

 214 P&iTSSIER. chap, the effecl that they attempted the enterprise with too small a force;'" but none knew better than he that under the existing conditions, increase of nu- merical strength meant proportionate increase of slaughter ; and I hardly can think he believed, or deliberately intended to say that, if ever moving up in gross numbers beneath the fire from his ramparts, the English remaining unscathed after having passed through such an ordeal could or would have been many enough to storm and carry the Work. Standing with me years after- wards on the site of the Malakoff, he pointed out the strong lineaments — not then yet effaced by Time — of what had been batteries sweeping the north of the Woronzoff Pudge, and showed that under their fire — showed indeed with the air of one pointing to what all might see at a glance that — in numbers great enough for assault at the close of their march, troops approaching the Redan could not live. From the opening of the fire before daybreak until he gave his last order, and abandoned the strife, it can hardly be said that Pelissier brought Mind to bear on the issue with any telling effect. He indeed, as we saw, sent an order directing General d'Angely to aid with four fresh battalions the repulsed troops of Mayran's Division, yet did not by this step prolong, nor even renew, the com- bat; and again at a later time he called for the Zouaves of the Guard to support General d'Au-
 * Todleben, vol. ii. p. 383.