Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/46

 If, NEW COUNTElt-AITllOACIIES. CHAPTER If. NKW COUNTER- Al'l'KOACtlES AND CONSEQUENT FIGHT3 ON THE WESTERN FLANK OF 8EBAST0P0L. I. chap. TfiE march of the siege where it threatened the ' western front of Sebastopol was all at once brought to a crisis which called on the new French commander to open his reign with some fights. TheCime- General Todleben had already established a chain of lodgments extending along the Cimetiere Ridge ; and the French on their part by this time had brought their approaches close up to the southernmost wall of the graveyard from which the Ridge took its name. Now, because having relative height, and be- sides running parallel with the enceinte of Sebas- topol at a distance of but 500 yards, the Cimetiere Ridge thus held lightly by the enemy's lodgments, and thus approached by the French, was a posi- tion of great military value. If seized by the French, it would enable them to operate formid- ably against the Central Bastion; whilst again, if i he fortune of war should leave it in Todleben's