CHAP. I.
Afterwards—but not, it seems, by any formal order to halt—the advance of the 1st Division was again stopped for a time; The division again stopped for a time yet Codrington's brigade had then begun to rush forward. Step taken by Evans. From the ground on which he was riding, Sir De Lacy Evans could see in profile the swift disordered advance of Codrington's brigade, and the stop to which the 1st Division had come. He understood the danger; and, comprehending at once that the advance of Codrington's brigade was a movement requiring instant support, he took upon himself to send a message conveying his opinion to the Duke of Cambridge.[1] The 1st Division resumes its advance The Division went forward, and, breaking into the enclosures, began to work its difficult way through the vineyards.
Want of free communication along a line passing through enclosures But when a division of infantry extended it, line is marched through gardens and walled enclosures, the power of the general commanding it must always be more or less thrown into abeyance, because the want of an unobstructed view and of free lateral communication makes it impossible for him to know what is going on along the whole line, or to send swift orders to the more distant companies. For a time his authority is necessarily dispersed among many; and if the force is moving deliberately and in the face
of an enemy, numbers of little councils of war- ↑ Evans sent the message by Colonel Steel, who chanced to he near him at the time. Steel was Military Secretary, and he seems to have fulfilled his mission in a way which caused it to be understood that the message he brought was an order from Lord Raglan.—Note to 3rd Edition.
