General Bosquet had command of all the French troops employed on the
right of the English attack. MacMahon's division was to assault the
Malakoff itself, having De Wimpffen's brigade with Camou's division in
reserve, and with it two battalions of Zouaves of the Guard. On
MacMahon's right La Motterouge's division, composed of the brigades of
Bourbaki and Picard, was to attack the curtain. It was supported by four
regiments, two of grenadiers and two of Voltigeurs of the Guard. Still
farther north was Dulac's division, supported by Marolle's brigade of
Camou's division and one battalion of Chasseurs of the Guard. These were
to attack the Little Redan. Pelissier himself took up his position in
the Mamelon, and to avoid giving warning to the enemy by any system of a
general signal, the watches of the staff and the generals were carefully
compared in order that the assault might be begun at twelve o'clock.
This hour was chosen by Pelissier in consequence of his having
ascertained that the troops on duty in the Russian trenches were
relieved at that hour, and owing to the works being cramped from the
number of traverses and blindages erected to cover their garrisons from
fire, it had become the habit for the old guard of the works to march
out before the relief marched in, and it was thus anticipated that at
twelve o'clock the works would be nearly empty.
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