Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/403

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THE MAIN FIGHT.
359


FOURTH PERIOD.

9.15 A.M. TO 10 A.M.

I.

CHAP. VI.

Limits of the advantage obtained by the Allies Although signal, complete, and extending along the whole front of attack, the repulse thus sustained by the Russians was not in itself such a blow as must needs rule the fate of the battle, No panic ensued; and indeed the retreating masses were in a more collected, more orderly state than the troops which pursued them. From the failure of this his last onset, it resulted, of course, that the enemy's prospect of a victory was again for the time overcast, and that his grounds for going on Math the struggle were more or less weakened; but he quickly began to display his faculty of courageous resistance; and the footing he had gained on Mount Inkerman was unshaken. Still firm on Shell Hill and the Juts, still plying the powerful batteries which had given him his overwhelming ascendant in the artillery arm, and always keeping in hand no less than 9000 foot-soldiery, who had not as yet fired a shot, he was scarce to be swept from a stronghold thus guarded and armed by the few and disordered soldiery now following the retreat of his columns. And the pursuing troops were without support. Lord Raglan had not in hand so much as even one fresh battalion with which he could press the advantage, and the remains of his 2d Division and of the Guards were now