Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/465

TflE MAIN FIGHT. 421 people could hardly be other than an appalling chap. disaster. Thus, by all the strongest motives that ' could actuate a commander, General Dannenberg ^<' ^^^'^^^■ was impelled to desire that he might not only be able to keep for some hours the footing he had gained on Shell Hill, but that also by some happy chance he might be suffered to hold his ground without having to light in defence of it. General Ganrobert commanded two - thirds of Camobeifs course of the troops opposing General Dannenberg; and, action in . accordance so tar as concerned that large i)urLiun oi the wuii Dan- whole Ailed force, he fulfilled the heart's desire of wishes!' his adversary, by abandoning the offensive against him. III. For our ijeople to agree with General Cani-obert Non-con- ^ ^ "^ currence of in abandoniii the offensive against Dannenberg the English ° ^ in Oanro- whilst he held seven-eighths of Mount Inkerman twrt'si.ian ^ of aban- would have been to make a final resolve, con- Zoning tiie ' orTeusive. ceding to him the victory ; but in this truce, if so one may call it, between the French and the Russians, Lord Eaglan did not concur, and within those contracted proportions to which the contiict had now been reduced, it was destined to last two hours more. The French thus standing apart, we shall have to follow the conflict betwixt the Eussians and the English alone ; but before going on, it seems right to mention an occurrence which, however trifling in itself, is still a subject of interest to tlsf Czar's loyal people.