But see, although the Scots Fusiliers are swept down by our pell-mell retreat, the Coldstreams and Grenadiers continue their advance in splendid lines and quite unbroken.
Ah! there is something in bravery and daring that at times leads on to victory against odds too fearful for the mere tactician to contemplate.
CHAPTER IV.
THE KILTED WARRIORS OF THE NORTH—THE TERRIBLE
STRUGGLE FOR KOURGANÉ HILL—THE IMPETUOUS
93RD—VICTORY!
At this stage of the battle all our available forces were being hurried into action.
The three regiments that had remained with Evans were terribly cut up in attempting to hurl back the Russian infantry, supported by batteries that disputed possession of the post-road.
The 41st and 49th were advancing towards the eminence on which Lord Raglan and his staff were situated; while the Third Division, under General England, with six regiments and two field batteries, was crossing the Alma to their support.
But we must leave General Codrington doing his best to rally his regiments and form another division to advance, while we seek adventure farther to the left. Not, however, till I tell you one incident of this heroic fight. As I have already said, then, the centre battalion of the Guards—namely, the Scots Fusiliers—was hurled back with Codrington's beaten men, and with, alas! a loss to the Scots of Lord Clinton and three sergeants killed, ten officers and thirteen sergeants wounded, and 154 rank and file lying dead or wounded on the brae side. This left a gap between the Grenadiers and the Coldstreams. Well, having got together some of his brigade, Codrington sent forward to ask Colonel Hood of the Grenadiers if he should place his newly-formed men between the two battalions to fill up this gap.
One cannot help feeling for Codrington, for the answer from Hood was a snappish one. "No; certainly not," he said.
Colonel Hood, with his now-open left bravely advancing to the attack, was in reality disobeying the last order he had received. This was that he should conform to any movement on his left.