GENERAL CAMPBELL'S ATTACK. 175
batteries, the 400 men of what was called the c ^^ p -
' main column ' began to undergo a hard trial. _
For any attempt at formation they needed some
little time. They besides needed firm and swift
guidance not only in order to face the trying con-
ditions to which we now see them exposed, but
also to determine their course ; for on the one
hand men looked towards the re-entering angle
of the Eedan which was understood to be their
true goal, yet at this time it seemed that the
Eifles and ladder-party were operating towards
its salient.*
The decision was one to be taken at a critical
moment, and under a converging fire of grape-
shot and musketry that seemed to threaten de-
struction.
When the young Engineer Gerald Graham re- Campbell's
. , „ , . . previous
ported himself on that morning to the clner now words to
r ° Graham.
commanding this column in person, he had found
General Campbell so glowing with that warlike
ardour that comes with the blood of the Scots as
to be almost impatient of thoughts concerning the
' how,' and the ' where,' and the ' when ' he could
most fitly strike at the foe, and he even in his
usual gay vein spoke joyous words which im-
ported that he ' understood the fighting part best.'
Jjut in face of the Great Eedan, with its batteries His vain
brought once again to a perfect state of repair, ofafig'ht.
and at a distance of 400 yards from the nearest
part of its counterscarp, the pastime of ' fighting '
was one that the enemy's great Engineer did not
- See ante, p. 172.
