Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 7.djvu/169

VI. STATE BEFORE THE HUERICANE. 125 dragging up all this timber to the heights of the chap. Chersonese, and converting it into huts, was destined to be long retarded by the two great wants oppressing the English army — that is, want of land-transport, and want of ' hands.' III. Lord Kaglan's demands for warm clothing had warm been not only urgent, but made in good time, "^^ '*'* and the Home Government had responded so well to his instances, that before the rigours of winter began, there was lying on board vessels anchored off Balaclava an immense supply of all the thick woollen coverings that seemed best adapted for the comfort of our soldiery ; and, although we shall have to learn that this welcome supply was destroyed by the fury of a tempest, we shall also discover that by an instant and well- applied act of energy, Loi-d Eaglan proved able to replace in great measure the treasure thus snatched from his people. It will soon appear only too plain that for want of Innd-transport our soldiery did not quickly possess themselves of the means of comfort awaiting them in their port of supply ; but from the moment when Lord Kagian succeeded in partly counteracting the tempest by obtaining warm clothes from Con- stantinople, the obstacle which prevented the soldiers from appropriating these things was simply want of land-transport between Balaclava and the camp.