Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 9.djvu/67

 CONTINUING STBIFB. 37 night, that, supported by not only English and CHAP. Ottoman forces but also by the newly acceding. — Sardinians (whose appearance and bearing seemed excellent), two French divisions under Canrobert (the late commander-in-chief) moved down to the Tractir Bridge, and — after sweeping the enemy from the opposite bank of the Tchernaya — took up a position which, starting from the base of the steep at the right rear of the Inkerman battle- field, extended thence down to the river. And again, when Pelissier saw that imperious words from the Tuileries were condemning the movement to Kertch, he none the less ordered or suffered the denounced expedition to sail, and hold on in its prosperous course. On all the five warlike resolves he had made pussier in the teeth of his Emperor, this stronger, more way. hot-headed man was destined to have his way. Pelissier had a great, mighty will ; but he seem- ingly gathered new strength, as strong-willed men oftentimes do, from what some would call ' the ' dark passions ' — from anger, from hatred, from scorn. In writing to the Minister of War, Pelissier did not even deny himself the luxury of a little sharp satire directed against the Emperor. He contrasted the strategical dreamer in Paris, his 'general maps' and his 'geometric lines/ with the real commander engaged at close quarters against the real enemy and on the real ground. Whilst persevering in absolute, explicit resistance to the Emperor upon every question then raised, '432736