Two days later the army began its advance; the infantry divisions massed in close column, and the cavalry on its skirts--the Seventeenth being in rear of the left flank of the infantry. Early in the afternoon the four squadrons of the advanced guard came upon 2000 of the enemy’s cavalry, a little way on the other side of the Bulganak River. Both parties threw out skirmishers, who fired some ineffectual carbine shots without dismounting, as was the fashion of the day; and then the Seventeenth and 8th Hussars were ordered up in haste to reinforce the advanced squadrons. The Russians, although in overwhelming force, did not attack, and the advanced squadrons then retired by alternate wings. A few artillery shots were exchanged, and with that the first encounter with the Russians was over. The troops bivouacked that night in order of battle, [Sidenote: 20th Sept.] and on the following day attacked and carried the Russian entrenched position on the heights of the Alma. Details of the action of the Alma, wherein the cavalry, from the nature of the case, was little if at all engaged, would be out of place here. It is, however, worth while to remark that the first infantry division and the cavalry division, which occupied the left of the English line, were both under the command of former colonels of the Seventeenth, the Duke of Cambridge and Lord Lucan. During the infantry attack the cavalry, which was on the extreme left, remained perforce inactive; but when the Highland Brigade, which was next to the cavalry, had carried the heights before them, one squadron of the Seventeenth, which was presently joined by the other, moved off without orders from any general officer, and began to ascend the heights. [Sidenote: 1854.] On their way they contrived in some way to cross part of the front of the Highlanders, and were soundly rated by Sir Colin Campbell for their pains. When, finally, on reaching the summit they began to capture Russian prisoners, the pursuit was checked by Lord Raglan’s order; and in consequence little was done. Shortly after the action Colonel Lawrenson went home invalided, leaving to Major Willett the command of the regiment.