Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/363

 THE LANDING. 333 result that the immense advantatje of haviiii? two chap XXTI extended landing-places instead of one, was not .* counterbalanced by any evil resulting from the severance of the two armies. In point of security from molestation on the part of the enemy, both of the two landing-places were happily chosen. Both of them were on shores which allowed the near approach of the fleets, and placed the whole operation under cover of their guns. Also both landing - places were protected on the inland side by the salt lakes, which interposed a physical obstacle in the way of any front attack by the enemy ; and the access to the flanks of the disembarking armies was by strips of land so narrow that they could be easily defended against any force of infantry or cav- alry. It is true that the line of disembarkation of either army could have been enfiladed by artillery placed on the heights ; but then those heights could be more or less searched by a fire from the ships ; and the enemy had not attempted to ' in tli£ centre of it to mark the left of the French, and the ' right of the English.' The order ran thus : — ' Light Division to be actually under weigh at 1 o'clock. ' 4th Division at 2 ,, '1st ,, ,, 3 „ '2d „ „ 4 „ ' within 8 fathoms. Those vessels v hich iiave cast off are to ' make fast their hawsers the moment they receive this note. (Signed) Edmund Lyons. Rear- Admiral.^ This order was received liy Armytage at 3 a.m. Tiie as- signed latitude is 11' ][)" S. of Eupatoria. — Note to bth Edition.
 * Steer SSE. 8 miles. Rendezvous Lat. 45°. Not to go