Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/207

 THE MAIN FIGHT. 163 During the latter part of their progress these chap. fresh troops were not in reality separated from ^^' the fugitives of the Taroutine and Borodino regi- ^'^ ^*^'' ments by any great interval of either space or time ; but the formation of the ground was such that the routed troops, as we saw, could pour off by ways of their own without either obstructing or discouraging the forces newly brought up ; and indeed it is believed that the advancing battalions had the singular advantage of not even seeing the discomfited soldiery who only a few minutes be- fore had been crowded over the same ground. 11. What force could the English oppose to the Resources 19,000 infantry, supported by nearly ninety guns English. already in battery, which Dannenberg was now wielding against them, and how in particular would they meet the attack of the 10,000 fresh troops thus advancing upon their centre and their right front ? Before coining to the English numbers, it must The be observed that Dannenberg was confining his part of llicir force onsets to a chosen part of the field, that down to the end of the battle he continued to avoid any second attack in the direction of Soimonoff's en- terprise, and that by this exercise of his prero- gative as the attacking commander, he neutralised any bodies of men which our people might keep for defence on ground no longer assailed. It was on Pennefather's left rear and left front that the