Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/134

 90 THli HA.TTLE OF INKEKMAN. CHAP, juiictiou Oil St Geome's Brow, where (being a VI ' 1 L_ good deal later than the forces brought up from Sebastopol) he would liud himself close in rear of Soimoiioff's reserves. These movements accom- plished, the task of placing some 40,000 men and 135 guns ou Mount lukerman would at length be be fulfilled. A body of sappers marching with Soiraonoff's forces was to entrench the ground which should be wrested from the English, and the direction of the work was entrusted to Colonel de Todlebeu. FIRST PERIOD. FROM 5.45 A.M. TO 7.30 A.M. I. stPtriod With his 19,000 infantry and 38 guns. General Soimonors Soimouoff' in darkness and mist, had marched march : ' out from the Karabel Faubourg at five o'clock in the morning, and it may be said that about three- quarters of an hour later he was already begin- ning the battle. In conformity with the orders issued beforehand, a great quietness was main- tained. The road — the West Sapper's Eoad — had been broken by floods ; but, under the hands of engineers sent forward in advance of the troops it was, minute by minute, restored to such a con- dition that, without being gravely delayed, the whole body of troops, with its 29 battalions and all its cannon and tumbrils, could move down to the viaduct, cross over to the opposite steeps of the Careenage Raviiio, and — still following the