Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/33

BATTLE OF THE ALMA. 7 the easternmost part of the position the distance char is two miles. '___ To ascend the position from the north there are several frequented ways : — 1. Close to the sea and to the mouth of the river, there is a singular fissure in the rock through which there bends a path leading up to the top of the cliff. 2. From the ford at the viHage of Almata- mack there is a waggon-road which leads up to the top of the plateau. It was difficult hut still practicable for artillery, 3. From the white homestead there is a road which crosses the river and goes up to the plateau ; but, either owing to the want of a good ford, or else to the ruggedness of the ascent beyond it, this road could not be used for artillery. The want of a road for their guns in this part of the field was a circumstance which grievously hampered the advance of the French army. 4. On the western side of the village of Bour- liouk there is a frequented ford across the river, and from that spot two waggon-roads, forking off at no great distance from one another, lead up to the Telegraph and the villages in its rear. The westernmost of these roads was found to be prac- ticable for artillery. 5. Opposite to Bourliouk two almost parallel waggon-roads lead up from the bank of the river to the top of the plateau. 6. The Great Causeway, or post-road leading from Eupatoria, goes through the eastern skirts of