Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/508

 464 APPENDIX. name the flay on which it would take its dejmrture from the coast of Bulgaria. ' The enterprise accordingly took place, and it will suffice to say that the landing was effected without opposition, that the battle of the Alma was gained, and the march to Balaclava accomplished in the space of twelve days. The investment of the place on the south side was immediately proceeded with, and all the infantry of the army was employed upon it, with the exception of one battalion. ' In the siege of Sebastopol the British army is still engaged in co-operation with that of France. ' Could I withdraw the troops under my command from the undertaking, leaving the French to continue it alone? What would her Majesty have said ? What would have been the feeling of the country if I had announced that I found it neces- sary to make such a sacrifice, and to risk the continuance of the alliance which has been so happily established between England and France, after ages of strife and rivalry ? And if T had determined upon such a step, could I have acted upon it ? liad T ships to carry off the troops and their material ? Had I cant.onments to put them in, and to provide them with rest and shelter? No such thing. I therefore had but one course to pursue — to persevere through good report and evil report, and to endeavour to overcome the diliiculties by which I was surrounded by every possible exertion. This has been the con- stant and unremitting object and study of my life during the dreary months that have passed since the winter set in ; and if •the efforts I have made have not been successful, or at least have not been appreciated, I have only to regret that the result has been so little in accordance with my anxious wishes. ' I have kept her Majesty's Government as accurately informed of the operations of the army as was possible under the circum- stances, as my despatches and letters to the Duke of Newcastle will show. Latterly there has been little to report. The repair of a battery, the attempt to clear the trenches of snow or mud, are almost all I could have announced. The sickness of the army was too clearly shown in the Morning State, which I have been in the habit of transmitting ; and, moreover, the weekly return of sick, which the Inspector-General has for- warded under instructions from the Duke of Newcastle, affords as much detail upon this painfully interesting subject as I could supply. ' If the Government, on receiving the announcement that the expedition was determined upon, had at once sent out reinforce- ments, it is probable that I might have been able to employ a considerable body of men in converting the track which leads to and along this ridge into a stoned road before the weather