LORD RAGLAN. 165
forcing their comrades, but moved forward slowly, chap.
when moving forward at all ; and, if speaking 1_
in general terms applicable to a somewhat ex-
tended period, one might say that the column
hung back.
VII.
The check thus sustained by the bulk of d'Aute- Thebear-
- . _, . . . ing of the
marre's Division was seen by the Lnglish com- hindrance
-n- i encountered
mander from his place on the Woronzori ladge ; by d'Autc-
. n marre on
and having forces in readiness for the attack ot Lord itag-
° . . , , lan s course
that very Eedan which was dealing its blows on of action,
the French, he could not loyally hesitate to inter-
pose in the action. He indeed had a choice. He
might either relieve the French by pouring a
crushing fire of great guns on the eastern face
of the Eedan; or again he might aid them by
assaulting the work with his columns of infantry
already prepared for the task, and this last, he
well knew, was the kind of support that Pelissier
yearned to receive.
' I always,' wrote Lord Eaglan to the Secretary Motives
r» • • tending to
of War, ' guarded myself from being tied down to govern Lor i
' ° ^ tit Ra gi a "' s
' attack at the same moment as the 1 rench, and 1 decision.
• felt that I ought to have some hope of their suc-
' cess before I committed our troops ; but, when I
' saw how stoutly they were opposed, I considered
' it was my duty to assist them by attacking my-
' self.' *
In the light of the past we can see that Lord
- Private letter to Lord Panuiure, 19th Juue 1855.
