CHAPTER XT. THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM. False alarms — Preparations for a Eussian attack — Supineness of the Turks — Immense consumption of gabions — Measures taken to keep up the commuuications during the winter — New lines of railway — Position on the Tchcrnaya — Crowded state of the town and harbour of Balaklava — Collection of stores — New store-houses — Dissatisfaction caused by Sir Vj. Lyon's promotions — Arrival of the 5(ith Kegimcnt at Balaklava — Apprehensions of another attack by the Russians. Camp on the Tchernaya, August 24. Since I last wrote we have been kept in a state of continual suspense. Nearly every night there has been an alarm, and for every morning an attack has been predicted. Now suspicious lights, construed into signals, were seen on the heights occupied by the Eussians; over the Tchernaya now unusual and inexplicable movements and concentrations of troops in large numbers were observed; now a deserter gave most minute information about an attack to take place the next day; and again a Tartar came in in hot haste, warning the allies to be on their guard against the formidable preparations of the enemy.
The consequence of all this was, that we had to sleep with only one eye shut, in order not to be caught napping as we were last time. Even this evening, while I am writing, the usual warning has again been given with more positiveness than ever. The information about the intended attack goes into the minutest particulars. The Eussians are said to be expecting the arrival of two divisions of the Grenadier corps to-night, and it is positively asserted that the latter arrived yesterday at Bakshiserai. Preparations have been made accordingly, and, if the Eussians should venture upon another attack, they will meet at the oittset with a resistance which will soon convince them that they have far less chance now than last time, when their first fary was successfully encountered by only 6000 French soldiers, and when it was not even necessary to employ the reserves wbich came up during the action.
But other preparations besides these are made for the reception of the Eussians. Their last attack seems to have convmced our gallant allies that, in a permanent position, in face of a strong force of the enemy, who may come down with his battalions in a few hours during the night, slight field fortifications are never de trop, as they afford a guarantee against a surprise. The position of the French is for the most part of great strength, and would joer se offer formidable obstacles to the advance of the enemy. The steep hillocks which they occupy, with the aqueduct at the foot of them, could scarcely be carried by surprise; but the bridge of Traktir is easily accessible, and the open space through which the road to it leads, is w^eak on account of the pi'esent shallow state of the Tchernaya, which is nearly (^veiywhere fordable.
Already where the line of the river was occupied, and where it would still have formed a serious obstacle to an advancing force, a small epaulement has been constructed in front of the bridge, but this, under present circumstances, is of no use to the defenders, as it may be taken in rear by the enemy's infantry, which can effect a passage at any point. Consequently, since the late attack three redoubts have been constructed, one on each side, and a third behind to enfilade them; all three are to be armed with guns. Their names are Eaglan Redoubt, Bizot Redoubt (in honour of the fiiUen general of Engineers), and La Eussoniere Redoubt (in honour of the colonel of Artillery of that name, who fell on the 18th of June).
These three new redoubts are not the only additional fieldwoi-ks thrown up for the defence of the Tchernaya line. The Sardinians have been likewise briskly occupied during the last few days in strengthening their position on the right of the French. Their works assume more and more the shape of an intrenched camp, and every variation in the ground has been taken advantage of to render them as strong as possible. The hills about Kamara are particularly suited for fortified lines, as they form down to the Tchernaya a chain of heights opening on both sides in a basin towards the plain. The Turks alone, who occupy the extreme right of our position, and who have to guard the two roads leading from the valley of Varnutka, have done nothing in the tahia line.