Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/488

 444 THE liATTLE OF INKERMAN. CHAP, to draw off in two columns, oufe descending to VI. ^ make for Sebastopol by the West Sapper's Eoad, 7th Period, ^j^^ other going down through St George's Ravine, and retreating along the shore of the Roadstead in the direction of Inkerman Bridge. Of the bodies of infantry which had been ordered to commence their retreat there were some which attended the steps of the two artillery columns, but others made off by the Post-road and the bed of the Quarry Ravine. Having first sent away the crippled portions of his ordnance, the enemy proceeded to withdraw his batteries gradually from the front by remov- operation of iug four guus at a time ; and, although taking ihc Russian placc uudcr stroug artillery-fire, the operation artillGrv flora Mount was couductcd throughout with unfailing steadi- Inkerman :. ness. To our artillerymen, as indeed to all others well acquainted with such operations, it has always seemed that the task of withdrawing the enemy's cumbrous and now sliattered artillery from the top of Mount Inkerman to its foot must have been one of extraordinary difficulty. The circum- exploit was one which elicited the admirable per- .stauce /> 1 -r» • favouring severaucc and steadiness of the Russian soldiery the task. "^ in their hour of adversity ; but what, after all, made it possible was the assent of the Allies. In the absence of any pursuit, the task, however immense, could scarce fail to be compassed at last by continued and strenuous efforts. The two last There at length came a time wlien along the Russian ^, batteries ou wholc crcst of Sluill Hill two battciies only re- dlieUmiL 111 mained ; but these, favoured perhaps by some