Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 8.djvu/70

38 DISPOSITIONS RESULTING Klto.M CHANGE OF PLAN. CHAP. I. Dispositions consequent upon Can- robert's resolvo to operate against the Malakoff. The Allies commenc- ing works destined to aid a meditated attack on the Mame- lon. General Canrobert entrusted the operations be was going to undertake against the Malakoff to his second corps — the 'Corps of Observation' then still posted, as before, under Bosquet along the Sapoune Heights. With forces thence drawn he relieved our troops theretofore holding the lofty Victoria Eidge, and completed the Work at its summit. This Work was a simple redoubt, but by many — including Lord Eaglan — had been called the Victoria Fort. The works of defence on Mount Inkerman were by this time complete ; and those of them which from the first had remained in charge of the English our people continued to hold ; but the bulk of our troops on the Chersonese lay henceforth compactly disposed between the 2d French Corps on their right, and the 1st French Corps on their left. Acting smoothly in concert, and each, in so far as was possible, making good the other's defici- encies, the French and the English armies began to fulfil the condition laid down on the 1st of January, and accordingly to construct the two batteries which (by means of flanking fires thrown from different and far- parted ridges) were destined to aid our allies in their medi- tated attack on the Malakoff, or rather as their more immediate object on the intervening Mam- elon.( 15 )