THE BALIKLAVA CHARGE.
[mon A cosaasrounium] MB Leeds banquet and the s.eeches it called forth, more especially the marvellous doctrines of the Inspector-General of Cavalry, have revived the whole subject of the action at Balaklava on the 25th October 1864. If the public had not forgotten the responsible actors in the affair, they were at least not inclined to discuss their conduct, but were disposed to rest satisfied with the remembrance, dear to all Englishmen, of the devo- tion and courage of that rare display of discipline and duty. Since the question has been raised, it may not be amiss to deal with it a little more comprehensively than has been the fashion ; to present some questions for the solution of those who took part in the event ; and to discriminate between the several parts of the action.
It is admitted on all hands, that the charge of the Heavy Brigade was one of the most complete and skilful notions in the war. A handful of British horsemen overthrew a force far exceeding them in number, and were kept so well in hand that they were halted almost in full career. It is here that we meet with the first difficulty- in the conduct of the cavalry. The Earl of Lucan, as General of Division, had under his charge two brigades. What we desire to know is where the Light Brigade was posted when the Russian cavalry columns were met and crushed by the Heavy Brigade ? According to Lord Lucan's plan of the battle, the Light Brigade were stationed at the Western end of the long low ridge whereon stood the line of partially-captured redoubts. Lord Lucan says they had been placed there, out of his reach, by Lord Raglan. Was this so ? The Russian horse are represented as charging dawn towards the encampment ef the Heavy Brigade, so that the Light Brigade is perpendicular to their flank. If this was the case, why was it that, either when the Russians were advancing, or when they were broken and hurled back, the Light Brigade -did not fall upon the exposed flank of the enemy ? Colonel Hamley tells us that the right column of the Russian cavalry was actually disordered and driven back by the fire of three heavy guns on the heights overlooking the scene of action. Under these circumstances, where was the Light Brigade? So far as we can make out, it had been posted somewhere by some one ; and its own immediate commander had no authority to move un- less directed to do so by or through Lord Lucan. Therefore, having no orders, it seems to have stood quite still. We have heard a story, indeed, to the effect that one of the Colonels, thinking he foresaw an approach- ing opportunity, caused his regiment to clear some broken ground in its front, in order that he might be in readiness to charge at a moment's notice ; and that the commander of the brigade was much alarmed at seeing any alteration made in the position of the force, lest he should get into a scrape with the divisional commander. Is it to the quiescence of the Light Brigade that we owe those famous orders wherein Lord Raglan displays his anxiety respecting the conduct of the cavalry ? Be it re- marked, except in one instance, Lord Raglan does not say Light Brigade or Heavy Brigade do this or that, but " Cavalry " to do so and so. It is obvious that Lord Lucan did not understand Lord Raglan's meaning: hence his inattention to orders. The cavalry were to advance. Is it not probable that Lord Raglan, ignorant that Lord Cardigan was pinned to the spot by the orders of his superior officer, may have been amazed that he did netleene, at least on the discomfiture of the foe ?
Thus, while nothing-could have been more brilliant than the charge of Sir James Searlett's Brigade,- There remains the unanswered questions, what was the exact position and wherefore-the-freirseesce.oUerd Car-
ffigan's squadrons ? -
The second act of the drama divides itself into two parts—the order for the charge, and its execution. For the former most unnaitary pro- ceeding the Earl of Lucan stands solely responsible. Reviewing the whole occurrence at this distance, the interpretation put on Lord Raglan's orders seems nothing more nor less than the fruit of passionate excitement or infatuation. But when he had given the order, lord Lucan's respon- sibility ceased. Lord Cardigan alone was responsible for its execution. How did he conduct the charge ? The public is challenged to the considera- tion of this question by the boasting of the Brigadier himself. We are not disposed to doubt an assertion, confirmed by a letter under our own eye, written by an officer who hinulPlf rode in the first line, that "Car- digan was well in front." It may have been excessive courage that brought him there ; it may have been the speed of his horse; but it was not his 44 place " as brigadier. He should, according to his own confes- sion at Leeds, have kept the alignment of the squadrons he led into action. We are not, however, disposed to find fault with an officer for placing himself in front of his line at such a moment. Granted that Lord Cardigan did literally lead his men into the Russian position, it seems perfectly certain that he left them to get out of it as best they could. One chronicler of the campaign says, in so many words, that "Lord Cardigan was the first man who came out safe." Here it is that the Brigadier failed in his duty as a commander. Instead of waiting the issue of the charge, and at least trying to rally the disordered troopers—instead of doing his utmost with the third line to cover the re- treat—he left other officers to rally his men, and Colonel She-well to dis- perse the body of horsemen who strove to cut off the retreat. If ca- valry fafi in a charge, it is no disgrace to them to disperse, if dispersion is the safest course ; but at least the officer in command should see his men in safety before he thinks of his own. It was not with the foremost but the hindermost regiment that Sir Hussey Vivian remained in his masterly retreat from Quatro Bras. The display of soldierly conduct, therefore, on the part of the Com- mander-in-chief of the Cavalry and on that of the Brigadier of the Light Horse, was not such as to entitle either to a high place in the roll of British cavalry officers. Neither can he reckoned with a Le Merchant, a Vivian, or a Cotton. The order was a blunder; the execution on the part of the Brigadier was not soldierly. But the discussion of the merits of either is of small importance except as a lesson to future Governments in the choice of commanders. The Billaklava charge should warn them how -dangerous it is to select officers for staff appointments on any other ground than that of personal fitnesa.
Previous page
