The Battle of Inkerman Part 3 - Sandbagged!
The time was now around 7.30 and with the death of General Soimonov, the participation of his army in the battle was virtually over. But Paulov's force was now coming into battle, and was likely to pose the greatest threat so far. Battle Map Update.
Brigadier Adams, an imposingly lanky figure in bedraggled plumes on a huge horse, was in spite of appearances a worried man. Commanding a force now reduced to less than 700, mainly of the 41st and 49th, he couldn't hold much longer. So when he got news that the Guards were on their way, he lifted his hat, cheered, and shouted the news to his battle-weary command. At once four young subalterns from the 41st leapt up shouting 'up men, let's beat the Guards to it" and charged at the Russians - alone. They were instantly shot down and killed. 'All right' came a voice from the ranks 'so the bloody Guards are coming. Let them do some fighting for a change.' Whether for a change or not, they would certainly do just that.
The Borodinsky had now completed their ascent onto the mountain and arrived in the vicinity of the Barrier on the Post Road. This area was the fief of Colonel Mauleverer and 200 men of his 30th Foot. Their rifles were too damp to fire so they climbed over the Barrier wall and hit the column with the bayonet. The resultant shock was felt earthquake-like throughout the close packed column and totally destabilised it. The Russians reeled back, then came on again and the same process was repeated several times as the dead piled up on both sides. Unexpected help to the British came from the Ekaterinsky, who opened up across the Quarry Ravine with concentrated 'friendly' rifle fire on the Tarutinsky and the Borodinsky, effectively neutralising their attacks. Apart from the elements in the Sandbag Battery, most remnants of both regiments retired from the battle.
As Dannenberg now took command of the Russian attack, the British were holding firm on their left and centre - the only fluid area was around the Kitspur. By this stage the artillery battle was fairly even as the British now had about 30 x 9 pounders facing 38 Russian guns. Paulov's artillery was still strung out along the Sapper road. He would eventually get 32 of his guns up, but with Paulov's left wing effectively spent he judged he would now have to commit elements from Paulov's right wing without waiting for additional artillery support.
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