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The Charge of the Light Brigade

The British expeditionary force was camped in Turkish territory and was ordered to the Crimea. The British cavalry distinguished themselves with two astonishing charges. The second of these was the charge of the Light Brigade.

JAMES BRUDENELL, EARL OF CARDIGAN (1797-1868)

• Cavalry officer
• Bought a senior rank in the army in 1824
• Led the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava during the Crimean War in 1854
• During the Crimean winter wore a woolen jacket, hence - the cardigan.

In 1852 the Earl of Aberdeen formed the first Coalition Government in history.

EDWARD COOK'S ACCOUNT OF THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

Our order to charge was brought by a half madman, Captain Nolan, the order was very difficult to understand .... On Lord Lucan asking what he was to charge, the only information was "there is the enemy and there is your order."

There the enemy consisted of fifteen thousand infantry, four thousand cavalry protected by ten guns, to reach them we had to go down a ravine between two hills with ten guns on each besides a host of riflemen. Down we went very steadily, the fire was terrific, it seemed impossible to escape, we were well in range of grapeshot on each side besides the barkers in front.

I got through safe up to the guns, cut down all that came within reach and then at the cavalry behind, but to our horror the heavy brigade had not followed in support and there was alarm that we were cut off in the rear, which was true.

There was nothing left for it, but to cut our way back the same way we came, the Lancers who cut us off made a very mild resistance, they seemed to be astonished at our audacity at charging them in the wretched confusion we were in, we got through them with very little loss. Just after getting though these beggars, I though I heard a rattle behind, and by Jove, I was only just in time, we were pursued and on looking behind a Muscovite had his sword up just in my range and in the act of cutting down, I showed him the point of my sword instantly close to his throat, he pulled his horse almost backwards and gave me an opportunity of getting more forward. I now had nothing to fear being on a good horse except going through those infernal guns again.

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1834	Melbourne becomes Prime Minister Robert Peel becomes Prime Minister Tamworth Manifesto is announced Houses of Parliament are burned down
1835	Melbourne becomes Prime Minister
1837	William IV dies Victoria becomes Queen
1838	The People's Charter is issued
1839	The Opium War breaks out
1840	Victoria marries Prince Albert
1841	Peel becomes Prime Minister
1842	The Opium War ends
1845	The Irish famine starts
1846	The corn laws are repealed Russell becomes Prime Minister
1848	Public Health Act
1851	The Great Exhibition Louis Napoleon seizes power in France
1854	The Crimean War breaks out Florence Nightingale arrives at Scutari
1855	Palmerston becomes Prime Minister
1856	The Treaty of Paris ends the Crimean War