Neither plan was fully carried out.

The column of General Bosquet turned the Russian left and decided his retreat; but no strategic advantage was taken of the victory.

The battle was fought on the 20th of September, and by noon of the 26th the allies had only advanced to the Balbeck, a distance of a little more than ten miles in six days! On the 27th they regained their communication with the fleet at Balaklava, without attempting to occupy Sebastopol, and having exposed themselves to destruction by an ill-conducted flank march.

Fortunately for the allies, the Russians failed to avail themselves of the advantages which the enemy had thus gratuitously afforded.

The fleet having entered the open harbor of Balaklava, the allies now commenced the labor of landing and moving up their siege material and of opening their trenches, while the Russians prepared their fortifications on the south of Sebastopol for resisting the operations of that gigantic siege which stands without a parallel in history.
NOTE TO CHAPTER III .-- FORTIFICATIONS.
In the war between the United States and Mexico, the latter had no fortifications on her land frontiers, and, with the single exception of Vera Cruz, her harbors were entirely destitute of defensive works.