Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/49

 STATK (IK TIIK CAMl'AICN. 6 a fortress must exceed by large proportions the chap. strength of those wlio defend it, there was now * — an almost monstrous inversion of what ancient niaxims had taught. The few were besieging the many. III. If only from the fact that the Russians now Motivefor had this great ascendant in numbers, it was to be action on o part or iiift inferred that before long they would put forth Russian fieW their strength ; but, moreover, the state of the siege operations had at length become such as might well make the enemy hasten to assail his assailants ; for when Colonel de Todleben saw that the French were operating against the Flag- staff Bastion by regular approaches with an ap- parent intention to force at that point the Russian line of defence, he judged that they had entered at length upon a right path of action, and that they must surely break into the Work unless their final attack could be averted by an effort of the relieving army. He inferred that the time for an assault of the Flagstaff Bastion must be ripe ; and his conclusion proved sound ; for it was with the prospect of finally arranging their plan of attack before another day should pass by, that General Oanrobert and Lord Raglan, when parting from one another on Saturday the 4th of November, agreed to meet on the morrow.* 1854.— At the meeting, Canrobert was to bring Bisot, Forey, and Bosquet, whilst Lord Raglan was to have with him Bur- goyne, England, and Cathcart.
 * Lord Raglan to Duke of Newcastle, private letter, 8th Nov.