The first battle in the Crimea was fought at the river Alma, as the allies made their way from Eupatoria south towards Sebastopol. They engaged the Russians on the heights above the river: the British advanced across the river and up the steep slope from the left, the French in the centre (above) and the Turks, with a division of French Zouaves, clambered up the rocky coastal paths to the right. After fighting at close-quarters, the Russians were pushed into a retreat.