Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/521

SEQUEL TO INKERMAN NARRATIVE. 477 this part of his enterprise should be defeated chap. with ruinous slaughter by scanty bodies of sol- diery coming up by degrees to resist them — here was certainly a chain of circumstances which might well rouse the interest of Europe, excit- ing — not only a popular, but — also a scientific curiosity to learn why the many were worsted ; and any good or plausible explanation that might be tendered at an opportune moment, was sure to have that ready welcome which ' supply ' receives from 'demand.' Prince Mentschikoft' was inex- plicit and brief General Soimonoff, who would have been otherwise looked to as the natural delender of the course he took in the action, had fallen mortally wounded. On the other hand, General Dannenberg outlived his defeat, and — bespeaking assent through Berlin, where inquir- ers were keen and painstaking, and eager to find a solution — he gained the public ear. From the impulse thus given, and the absence of any counteracting power then ready to meet it, there resulted an opinion which fastened itself upon men's minds with a strong hold. From that time to this, people rarely have made any comment upon the battle of Inkerman with- out asking what would have happened, if — accordins]; to Dannenberg's wishes — General Soi- wTiatif ... , , ^y. . -p.. . Soimnnoff monoff had made his attack by the Victoria Kidue, haa as- cended bv leaving Pauloff's forces alone to deliver their theVictoVu '^ Ridge? assault on Mount Inkerman ; and most commonly the inquirer answers his own question by saying that in such case the Allies must have succumbed.