Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/415

 THE MAIN FIGHT. 371 obtained yet one more reinforcement, comprising chap. a few score of men ; for it chanced that, by the ' course of the fioht, Colonel Horsibrd, with the ^^^p^"^ remaininfj fraction of his Rifle battalion, had been of uorsfoid with a few gradually drawn from our right to this fore-central score of n J o men. ]iart of the field, where he found himself along- side of Colonel Haines, who was his senior officer. Haines at once claimed the right to command him, and Horsford lost his independence, but gained the advantage of acting in a sphere where every man's help was precious. General Goldie came to visit his people at the General . ., . GoMie Barrier, and there, before many minutes — having siain. first had his charter shot under him — he was struck down mortally wounded. Nowhere else on that day could a general fall with more lustre; for to be holding this singular post under the fire of Shell Hill, and in very contact with the jaws of the Quarry Ravine doubly garnished with infantry columns, was to stand grappling with Danneuberg's army, and that, too, on the central ground where its main strength always stood gathered. In the absence of Haines, Major Rooper, of the 1st Rifle battalion, was for the moment in charge at the Barrier, but he also presently fell, and his wound proved mortal. From the moment when Goldie fell, Haines Haineain exercised an undivided command m this tore- maud. central part of the field. Again and again as- His con- sailed, he so .surely beat l)ack all the masses fence of thf, , . . „ ... Banifr. surging up to attack him m iront, or striving to