Part 8

He said his views remained the same as always; that to attack without first investing the place would lead to nothing except after bloody struggles; that he could not understand why the Emperor's plan was to be abandoned; and that the persistence of Pelissier in his projects would entail every kind of disaster. Scarcely had Pelissier received this when he telegraphed thus to the Minister of War, for the Emperor's information: " The project of marching two armies, from Aloushta* on Simpheropol, and from Baidar on Bakshisarai, is full of difficulties and risk. Direct investment, by attacking the Mackenzie heights, would cost as dear as the assault of the place, and the result would be very uncertain. I have arranged with Lord Raglan for the storming of the advanced works, the occupation of the Tchernaya, and, finally, for an operation on Kertch.. All these movements are in train." This he explained fully in a letter to Vaillant next day, and asked for complete latitude of action. When we remember that Louis Napoleon was an absolute sovereign, that he had just raised Pelissier to the chief command, that he was the fountain of honours and advancement, and that, if he had set this self-willed general up with one hand, he could pull him down with the other, it must be admitted that, in thus opposing the cherished scheme of his master, Pelissier showed himself an uncommonly strong man.