eleven
o'clock
Now and then a party of horsemen could be made out . When the sun rose , its rays glittered for a moment on the helmets and breastplates of the heavy cavalry as they moved off to protect the left flank of the invading forces . The hours went slowly by ; they were of intense interest to the spectators , and much more so must they have been to those who had to take an active part in the coming strife . Not , however , till eleven o'clock were the armies seen to be advancing . The ships near the cliffs began the action by throwing shot and shell among the Russians posted on the heights . The light infantry regiments could be seen moving in advance , throwing out skirmishers ; then came the heavy infantry battalions , with firm tread pressing the ground . At length the blue coats of the French , who had crossed the Alma at its mouth , were observed climbing the rugged heights , the summit of which being gained , they rapidly formed , greatly to the astonishment , apparently , of the Russians , who had not perceived their approach .