206 GENERAL EYRE'S
chap, field should be happily crowned with success.
1_ The troops destined to oppose this attack were
all the battalions of the Okhotsk, and some por-
tions of the Tomsk regiment.* Both these regi-
ments had encountered our people at Inkerman,
and might not perhaps now prove disposed to
show themselves much in the open, but rather to
take advantage of shelter.
General Eyre began his march at about half-
past one in the morning. When approaching the
rifle-pits and preparing to attack them in front,
he all at once found himself anticipated by a body
of French Chasseurs posted near, which cleverly
took them in ilank.f Then — as though under
some precise order — the share our Allies were
thus taking in the early part of the onset came
all at once to an end.
General Eyre still however advancing, soon
found in position before him some Eussian troops
strongly posted, their right resting on a Mamelon,
their left on a cemetery, the ground between
being intersected, and the road barricaded with
stone walls. The Kussians were ensconced behind
cover, and General Eyre could not estimate their
number. In rear of the stone walls were houses
occupied by the enemy, and yet further in rear,
troops held in reserve could be seen.
The position was strong, and being under the
guns of the fortress, including those of the Per-
essip, could hardly be taken without incurring
serious loss ; but it seems to have been judged
- Todleben, vol. ii. p. 375. •(• The 10th Chasseurs.
