The fire of the siege batteries was tremendous beyond all precedent. Five hundred and forty-four great guns bore on the Russian works, and were opposed by a nearly equal number. The effect of the fire of the Allies was soon manifest. The work on the Mamelon was terribly crushed, chiefly, says Todleben, "by the English guns, which made up for some slowness of fire by remarkable precision of aim." The White Works were less considerably damaged, and could keep up a fire till evening. The works of the main line of defence also maintained the struggle, except the Malakoff itself, the right face of which, says Todleben. had been so knocked about by the English guns as to be reduced almost to silence. With dusk the Allied batteries ceased firing,
250 Assault of the White Works.
but their mortars continued to throw their huge shells throughout the night. Nevertheless, the Russians, under the inspiration and the eye of Todleben, had made good their damages by morning.
On the 7th the cannonade was resumed with the same terrible effects as before. The Mamelon was reduced to absolute silence, the parapet of its right face was almost levelled, and after two hours the Malakofif was no longer in a condition to support it. By six in the evening the White Works and their auxiliary battery were ruined, and the parapets thrown into the ditch.
Half-past six was the hour fixed for the assault — a time which would allow daylight enough to secure possession of the works, while darkness would" come soon enough to cover the working parties against the fire of the supporting batteries. The Russians could perceive the troops for the assault crowding into the trenches, and prepared to meet them. But the French had approached so near to the defences before the town that the part of the garrison on that side was still maintained in greater strength than that which defended the suburb. At the appointed hour Bosquet sent two brigades at the White Works, which, encountering only half a battalion in each, captured both so speedily that a reserve battalion, hurrying up from the ravine behind, was too late, and was swept away in its turn. Then two other Russian battalions, crossing the Careenage ravine, ascended to the scene of contest ; but Bosquet, in anticipation, had sent two battalions down the ravine, which, ascending its bank on their right, took these Russian
Assault of the Mamelon. 251
reserves in rear, and captured a great part of them. No further attempt was made to retake the works ; though three other battalions of reserve were despatched by the Russians, they reached no further than to the battery on the point. During the night the French connected these works with their own trenches.
At half-past five the French columns for the attack of the Mamelon were formed at the entrance of the Docks ravine. To each battalion General Bosquet addressed a few words of encouragement. Preceded by their vivandiere, who was well mounted, and wore a white hat and feather, the Algerine Zouaves headed the march, next came the French Zouaves, then the Green Chasseurs, attended by their vivandiere, and several regiments of the line followed, the whole moving down to the point where the trenches in which they were to await the signal to attack were entered from the ravine.
Crowds of spectators from the camps were assembled at points commanding a good view. The Mamelon, always conspicuous, was the cynosure of all eyes. Admiral Nakimoff rode up the rear slope of the hill about six, and leaving his horse at the entrance, passed into the work. Suddenly loud shouts caused him to look over the parapet, when he beheld three French columns advancing to the assault, and driving before them the sharpshooters who had lined the covering trench. The Turcos formed the right column, the 50th regiment of the line the centre, the 3d (French) Zouaves the left. Led by one man, Colonel Brandon, who kept throughout in advance, the centre column
252 The Struggle for the JMamelon.