Meanwhile the centre of our line, where Pennefather stood posted on
the Home Ridge, had been furiously assailed. Gathering their forces
under shelter of a deep ravine, the Russian general sent up column
after column, first against the left and then against the right of the
Ridge. Gravely weakened by his early encounter, Pennefather had only a
handful of his own men to meet this attack. They were now pressed back
indeed, although their general was beginning to wield detachments from
other commands. A portion of the Fourth Division had been put under
his orders.
General Cathcart, just before his death, had come to him with a
battalion of the Rifle Brigade.
"They can do anything," he had said. "Where are they wanted most?"
"Everywhere!" had been old Pennefather's reply.
But now, having at hand this splendid body of infantry, of whom their
leader had been so pardonably proud, he hurled them at the flank of a
column that was forcing back its own men.
The effect of the charge was instantaneous: the Russians could not
withstand it; and, the men of the Second Division again advancing, the
foe was pressed as far as the Barrier, where he was held at bay.
But the left of the ridge was still menaced, although the centre was
cleared. On this flank Pennefather disposed of some new troops, also
of the Fourth Division: the 63rd and part of the 21st.
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