Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/291

 A. RETROSPECTIVE GLAi T CE. 261 The 17th of October, a day fraught at one time chap. with glowing hopes, and destined to exhibit not '__ only the spectacle of French and English fleets striving to aid the land-service attacks, but also the ruin of Todleben's defences in the Karabel- naya broken up by our siege-guns ; all turning, however, to naught, because a French magazine had before been blown up by a shell, and Can- robert required a postponement that was only to last two days, yet lasted several months ; The battle of Balaclava, resplendent and tragic, including Scarlett's great charge with the Heavy Dragoons — an achievement still growing in fame — and the wild mistake that laid open a path of self-destruction and glory for the Light Brigade under Lord Cardigan ; The great battle of Inkerman famous for the ascendancy of the resolute few over hugely gross numbers — a battle mightily swayed, and (accord- ing to Mentschikoff) won by a measure which, though called 'impossible,' Lord Baglan proved able to execute ; The storm of the 14th of November and all its distressing results ; The ' winter troubles ' that followed — troubles even comprising the ill conduct of two successive English Governments, and almost, of England her- self, towards their general in the field ; General Canrobert disclosing a spirit that seemed to threaten disunion ; General Airey's negotiation and its results in change of plan, and changed positions of troops;