major@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Mike Schmitt) (04/06/89)
From: ssc-vax!shuksan!major@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Mike Schmitt)
Someone asked about orders and getting orders confused - and used the
charge of the light brigade at Balaclava 1854 as an example:
"Lord Raglan wishes the Cavalry to Advance rapidly to the Front,
Following the enemy and try to prevent the enemy carrying away
the guns. Troop of Horse Artillery May accompany. French Cavalry
is on your left. Immediate."
R. Airey
R. Airey was Raglan's Quartermaster-General who wrote down Raglans'
order. It was carried by Captain Nolan to Lord Lucan who was
commanding the Cavalry Division. Raglan sent an unclear order - which
got garbled. Lucan interpreted it to charge down the valley. Actually,
Raglan wanted to capture the redoubts on the heights and support and
exploit the success of the Heavy Brigade.
Moments before the light brigade's charge, the Heavy Cavalry Brigade
(heavy dragoon guards), commanded by General Scarlett, made a dumb
but successsful charge against Russian Horse (800 sabres vs 3,000
Russian Cavalry). The Russians stupidly received the charge standing
still - and retreated.
The Light Brigade stood 500 yards away - observed the whole thing -
and did nothing. The Light Cavalry Brigade, commanded by the Earl of
Cardigan, consisted of the 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, 8th and 11th
Hussars and the 17th Lancers - received Lucan's orders to charge down
the valley flanked by Russian artillery and riflemen against a 12-gun
battery supported by cavalry.
673 men charged - it took about 20 minutes. 113 killed, 134 wounded,
56 prisoners, 231 unhorsed, 463 horses lost.
It was the blunder of command and staff vs gallantry and discipline
of the regimental officers and men.
The only thing that came out of it was the 'raglan coat sleeve', the
'cardigan sweater', and the 'balaclava helmet'.
Of Lucan, Scarlett, and Cardigan the following quotes were made:
Lord Welseley (CINC):
"If they had been private soldiers, no colonel would be stupid
enough to promote them to the rank of corporal."
French General:
"They were brave because they were too dim to discern an alternative."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
mike
"Into the valley of death, rode the 600........"
creps@silver.bacs.indiana.edu (Steve Creps) (04/07/89)
From: creps@silver.bacs.indiana.edu (Steve Creps)
For interesting reading, try _The_Reason_Why_. I'm sorry I can't remember
the name of the author. It gives a detailed history of the Crimean War,
including the battle in which the Charge occurred.
From what I remember, the British commanders had an excellent view from
the hills, and _just_couldn't_imagine_ why their officers (on lower ground)
were so unable to react to what the enemy near them was doing.
- - - - - - - - - -
Steve Creps, Indiana University, Bloomington, home of the "Hoosiers"
creps@silver.bacs.indiana.edu (129.79.1.6)
{inuxc,rutgers,uunet!uiucdcs,pur-ee}!iuvax!silver!creps