Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol 6.djvu/141

turned out and stood to their arms ; 1st Period. but, there being then no signs of a coming attack, were soon after dismissed. The 2d Division called to arms as usual before sunrises. The wood and the water fetchers went out to their tasks as usual, and the Division reliefs of the outposts furnished by the Division arms eh took place at the appointed hour. Before day-break, the old pickets, excepting two of them, The relief of their pickets. were all home in camp, and the new pickets all at their posts. Those acting on the right of the Post-road were commanded by Colonel Carpenter, and those on its left by Major Haly.

The new pickets did not remain on the line The new which had been occupied by their comrades at night, but at once pushed forward to their ap- pointed posts on ground more advanced.

The enemy at length discerned and checked by Rowland's picket After this, for a while, all still remained quiet and blank. But presently, when day was beginning by to break, a sentry in advance on Shell Hill discerned through the mist what he judged to be a Russian column approaching, and reported this to Captain Rowlands of the 41st, the officer in command of the picket. Rowlands instantly ran up to the brow ; and, the atmosphere then clearing a little, he was able to detect the approach of two Russian battalions, each seemingly gathered in column. Upon these he soon caused the men of his picket to deliver their fire; and the two battalions, thus suddenly greeted, were taken, it would