Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/285

BiTTLE OF THE ALMA. 2') 9 liiin. On liis riglit lie had the now empty re- chap, doubt, on his right front the liiglier slopes of the ' Kourgane Hill. Straight before him there was the hollow, or basin, just spoken of, bounded on its farther side by a swelling wave or ridge of ground which he called the 'inner crest.' Be- yond that, whilst he looked straight before him, he could see that the ground fell off into a valley; but when he glanced towards his left front he observed that the hollow before him was, so to speak, bridged over by a bending rib which con- nected the inner with the outer crest — bridged over in such a way that a column on his left front might march to the spot where he stood M'ithout having first to descend into the lower ground. jNIore towards his left, the ground was high, but so undulating and varied that it would not necessarily disclose any troops which might be posted in that part of the field. Confronting Sir Colin Campbell from the other side of the hollow, the enemy had a strong col- umn — the two right battalions of the Kazan corps — and it was towards this body that the Vladimir column, moving off from the line of the redoubt, was all this time making its way. The Paissians saw that they were the subject of a general offi- cer's studies ; and Campbell's horse at this time was twice struck by shot, but not disabled. When the retiring column came abreast of the right Kazan troops it faced about to the front, and took part with them in opposing a strength of four battalions — four battalions hard worked