FIELD OF THE ALMA. 337 CHAPTER III. "We saw that, at the close of the fight on the Alma chap. HI. an unwillingness to lengthen the distance between the French and their knapsacks, then lying in the valley below, was the reason avowed by St Arnaud for withstanding Lord Eaglan's desire to advance at once in pursuit ; but, unless there were some Expediency other and heavier shackle which still held back y loumwng the Allies, there could hardly be room for question vu-ton'. that, on the morrow of the battle at latest, it would be well for them to push forward and follow up their victory. Yet they lingered on the ground they had won for the whole of two clear days. The reason why they thus remained halted must not be kept in concealment.* It had hitherto been taken for granted that the
- Rotli in his official and private correspondence with thi;
Home Government, Lord Raglan is silent as to the causes of the halt on the Alma, and neither records liis endeavours to bring Marshal St Arnaud to march upon the position of the Star Fort, nor the Marshal's refusal to do so. As to the cause of this reserve, I hazard my surmise in another volume — 'Invasion of the Crimea,' vol. iv. chap. vii. of Cabinet Edition. It is fortunate that the silence of the English Commander has been in some measure compensated by other testimony. VOL. in. T
