I own that the whole enterprise did seem, to me, to be absolute madness, but the result has justified it.

That sudden snowstorm was the real cause of our victory, and, had it not been for that, I still think that we could not have succeeded.

The Russian cannon certainly continued to fire, but it was wholly at random, and they were taken by surprise when we suddenly appeared at the side of the ditch, while we were across before they could gather any force sufficient to defend it.
"After that, panic did the rest.

The commander in chief fell early into our hands.

There was no one to give orders, no one to rally them, and I expect the Russian soldiers gave us credit for having brought on that storm, to cover our assault, by the aid of malign spirits.
"Well, lads, and how did you feel when the shots were whistling about ?" "I did not like it at all, major," Charlie said.