Where is balaclava

Hamley reports that the 93 rd fired one volley at extreme range around yards and the Russian cavalry withdrew. Other authorities state that the highlanders fired a second volley, also at considerable range.

The unyielding presence of the single Highland regiment caused the Russians to abandon their intention of taking Balaclava. Now at Balaclava, in the absence of the infantry, the cavalry was required to play a major role. The Heavy Brigade had played its part in full. The opportunity was passing to the Light Brigade and Cardigan refused to act. He claimed that Lucan, the Cavalry Division commander, had forbidden him to take offensive action.

Loss of guns was a clear indicator of success or failure in battle and could not be allowed to go unchallenged. The two British infantry divisions had still not reached the valley floor, so that the only force available to prevent the removal of the guns was the cavalry division.

Troop of horse artillery may accompany. French cavalry is on your left. The authorities agree this was an unfortunate choice. Nolan, a mercurial professional cavalry officer, who had begun his career in an Austrian hussar regiment, entertained a contempt for Lucan and was constantly irked by the failure to use the cavalry decisively.

The text made little sense to Lucan, as the preparations for the removal of the guns from the redoubts could not be seen from the valley floor. Lucan asked Nolan which enemy and which guns Raglan was referring to. There are your guns, My Lord. Lucan was irked at being the butt of criticism for the inaction of the cavalry and was disinclined to have further discussion with the insolent Nolan. Lucan rode over to Cardigan and directed him to charge the Russian cavalry and guns at the end of the North Valley.

After a brief remonstration, Cardigan ordered his brigade to mount and led it forward into the valley. The staff could see the Russians positioned on the Fedioukine Hills, to the north side of the North Valley, with infantry, cavalry and guns, the original force of Russian cavalry attacked by the Heavy Brigade at the end of the North Valley, behind the battery of eight guns and, on the Causeway Heights on the south side of the valley, Russian infantry, cavalry and guns in the redoubts abandoned by the Turks.

All these troops were ready to fire on the Light Brigade as it charged down the North Valley. It was soon after 11am that the Light Brigade set off behind Lord Cardigan. The 13 th Light Dragoons held the right flank of the first line with the 17 th Lancers on the left. In the third line were the 8 th Hussars and the 4 th Light Dragoons. Lord Lucan followed with the Heavy Brigade, but a short distance into the advance, as the scale of fire became apparent, Lucan halted the brigade and left the Light Brigade to continue down the valley alone.

Captain Nolan joined the ranks of the 17 th Lancers, the officer commanding, Captain Morris, being a friend. It is thought Nolan realised the brigade was intended to ascend the Causeway Heights, not to attack down the valley and that a grave mistake was being made. Nolan rode across in front of Cardigan waving his sword.

As he did so, he was struck and killed by a shell splinter, one of the first casualties. The distance the Light Brigade had to cover to reach the guns was a mile and a quarter. Advancing at a trot, the brigade came under fire within a few minutes; shell fire, cannon balls and rifle fire from the flanking Russian forces striking down riders and horses.

After five minutes, the brigade came within range of the eight guns at the end of the valley. These guns had a much easier target, firing at the brigade line, around yards in width, rather than at its flank.

Casualties spiralled, causing the regiments to increase their pace, until the lines were at the gallop and order was being lost. By the time the brigade reached the guns, half of its complement were casualties. Reaching the end of the valley, the Light Brigade plunged into the Russian gun line and cut down those of the crews that had not fled.

The 13 th Light Dragoons, with the right-hand squadron of the 17 th Lancers, struck the Russian battery directly. The left squadron of the 17 th passed the battery and attacked Russian cavalry behind. The 11 th Hussars also passed the battery and attacked the cavalry beyond, driving them back and pursuing them as far as the aqueduct.

They were, in turn, pursued for some distance by a force of Russian cavalry and Cossacks. The charge complete, the Light Brigade returned by the route it had come. The men did this singly or in small groups, other than two larger parties; one led by Colonel Shewell, formed of 70 men of the 8 th Hussars and the 17 th Lancers; the other, led by Lord George Paget, of 4 th Light Dragoons and 11 th Hussars.

Each of these bodies was opposed by Russian cavalry, who emerged from the hills on either side of the valley and which they charged and dispersed. This they did with great success and a loss of only 38 casualties. Their charge relieved the British cavalrymen of the fire from the north side of the valley as they returned from the Russian battery.

Lord Cardigan, having ridden through the battery, found himself alone, turned and rode back down the valley. He was one of the first to reach British lines, where he met Sir George Cathcart. On its return, the Light Brigade had a mounted strength of officers and men from an original strength of The 13 th Light Dragoons mustered 10 mounted men.

Although the First and Fourth British Infantry Divisions were now in the valley and ready to begin an assault on the Causeway Heights along the Woronzoff Road, no further action was taken. The Russians were left in control of the Heights and the road. The infantry divisions returned to their camps outside Sevastopol. The Heavy Brigade suffered 92 casualties 9 killed in the battle, some of whom were hit at the beginning of the charge down the North Valley.

British Casualties killed, wounded and missing : 4 th Dragoon Guards: 5 men 5 th Dragoon Guards: 2 officers and 13 men 1 st Royal Dragoons: 4 officers and 9 men Royal Scots Greys: 4 officers and 55 men 6 th Inniskilling Dragoons: 15 men 4 th Light Dragoons: 4 officers and 55 men 8 th Hussars: 4 officers and 53 men 11 th Hussars: 3 officers and 55 men 13 th Light Dragoons: 3 officers and 38 men 17 th Lancers: 7 officers and 67 men 93 rd Highlanders: no casualties.

Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Charge for the guns! Not though the soldier knew. Someone had blundered: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. Flashed all their sabres bare,. Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wondered: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right through the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre-stroke Shattered and sundered. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred.

Traditionally, infantry facing a charge would form a square, four lines deep. But the Highlanders took an unconventional approach, making two lines instead. You must die where you stand. The Heavy Brigade, moving up to support the Highlanders, then intercepted the retreating Russian cavalry. The British horsemen were hugely outnumbered by the 3,strong Russian cavalry. But seeing their enemy halted and vulnerable to attack, they charged uphill all the same.

Their advance was little faster than a trot and only lasted 10 minutes, but it sent the Russian horsemen into disorder. To prevent the Russians moving the guns they had captured earlier, Lord Raglan issued an order to the Light Brigade to go and retrieve them. He was still waiting on reinforcements from Sevastopol to arrive, so the light horsemen were the only troops available to him. In response to their orders, the Light Brigade began their charge, but at the wrong gun batteries.

Some of the horsemen succeeded in reaching the Russian guns at the end of the valley, and even drove the men operating them into retreat before charging the Russian cavalry beyond. Sword used by Major Thomas Everard Hutton during the charge, Hutton was shot through both legs and his horse wounded 11 times.

Spurs worn by Private William Sewell, Sewell was so badly injured in the charge that he had to have a plate put in his head. After intense fighting, the remnants of the Light Brigade were forced to retreat from the guns. Fortunately, their return was ensured by the French cavalry, who cleared the Russians from the north side of the valley. Although the reinforcements from Sevastopol had now deployed and were ready to begin an assault on the heights, no further action was taken.

The battle ended in strategic stalemate, with the Russians controlling the heights and the road, but Balaklava still in Allied hands. Unfortunately, Russian possession of the road made supplying the forces besieging Sevastopol during a terrible winter much harder. He was hit by cannon fire and suffered a broken arm during the battle. To treat the wound his coat had to be cut away.

He treasured it for the rest of his life. Like many Crimean veterans, Peake sought charitable support after the war. For the British, the campaign was symbolised by military and logistical incompetence alongside the bravery and endurance of its soldiers. Cavalry charges might win a battle, but with poor leadership they could end in disaster. Many are remembered and celebrated because of the risk involved, whether successful or not.

In Victorian Britain, it was the news of war rather than the antics of minor entertainment celebrities that boosted sales of newspapers. Florence Nightingale was a legend in her own lifetime and one of the most famous women in British history. He later led a relief army with great distinction during the Indian Mutiny of Field Marshal Garnet Wolseley won important victories in several colonial campaigns.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Be the first to hear about our latest events, exhibitions and offers. Simply enter your email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter.

To find out more about how we collect, store and use your personal information, read our Privacy Policy. National Army Museum 10am - 5.

Toggle navigation. View this object. The Charge of the Heavy Brigade, Balaklava,