576 
ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
by some misunderstanding delayed on the river’s bank, and Codring- 
ton’s brigade, unsupported as it was, being assailed by the Vladimir 
column, was driven down the hill again. On the right meanwhile 
Pennefather’s brigade of the second division had pushed forward and 
was actively engaged with the two causeway batteries ” commanding 
the main road. The Russian artillery fire was sweeping the front with 
terrible effect, and hitherto, owing to the nature of the ground, the 
English batteries had done but little to support the advance of the 
infantry. At this juncture Lord Raglan, who with his staff had 
advanced to a knoll actually inside the Russian positiou, perceived that 
a few guns placed where he was would take the “ causeway batteries ” 
in flank, and would also similarly assail the formidable Vladimir column 
which had defeated Codrington. Orders were hastily given to bring 
up two 9-prs. of Turner’s Field Battery, and soon they were hurrying 
forward at the trot. 
In those days, however, field guns had no means of carrying their 
gunners with them, and so when their guns arrived on the scene only 
a single non-commissioned officer was available for their service. The 
officers with them, 1 and those on the staff of General Strangwa}^, who 
commanded the artillery, dismounted, 2 and served the gun to such 
purpose that they forced the two powerful “ causeway batteries ” to 
retire, shook the great Vladimir column likewise and stayed its advance, 
as also that of the Ouglitz battalions which were moving to its support. 
Finally they turned their attention on the Russian reserves, and soon 
they too fell back. Moreover, the unexpected fire coming* apparently 
from the heart of their own position demoralised the column which was 
disputing the ground on the flank of the great redoubt with the 7th 
Fusiliers, and it too began to yield its ground before them. In short, 
the marvellous effect produced by two 9-prs. advantageously placed 
was Such that the whole complexion of the day was altered. The 
Guards advanced on the earthwork where the great battery had stood, 
stalled off the effort of resistance made by the Vladimir columu, and 
captured and finally held the work. The way had been smoothed to 
victory, and the success of the English was now assured. The High¬ 
landers turned the enemy’s right, and Pennefather pressed them back 
on the west of the redoubt. The battle was in fact won. 
While criticism cannot fail to note the small nse to which the Allied 
artillery, which numbered 128 guns, was turned, and how small was 
the assistance they rendered to the infantry, credit can never be refused 
to the performances of the two guns we have alluded to. Their action 
at a moment when the balance swayed between success and failure was 
decisive, and if two guns could exercise so extraordinary an influence 
on a fight, we may well drawanferences to what more skilful handling 
might have effected with the remainder. 
It is thus that the historian of the war has spoken of what these 
guns accomplished for their side :—“ The fire of Lord Raglan’s two 
guns had enforced the withdrawal of the causeway batteries; had laid 
open the entrance to the Pass; had shattered the enemy’s reserves; had 
1 One of whom was the present Sir Collingwood Dickson. 
2 Lieutenant "Walsham, It. A., was killed while in the act of sponging one of these guns. 
