Charge of the Light Brigade
The Charge of the Light Brigade was a significant military engagement that occurred on October 25, 1854, during the Crimean War. It involved light cavalry units of the British Army, commanded by Major General the Earl of Cardigan, who were ordered to charge against Russian artillery positioned in a valley. The order, issued by British commander Baron Raglan, was noted for its lack of clarity and prompted a series of miscommunications among the commanders. As the Light Brigade advanced, they faced heavy fire from multiple Russian batteries, resulting in severe casualties; only about 200 of the original force returned from the charge. Despite the disastrous outcome, the valiant effort of the British cavalry showcased their bravery and skill, creating a narrative that was subsequently amplified by British propaganda. The event has since become emblematic of the mismanagement and chaos often associated with military operations. Understanding the Charge of the Light Brigade offers insight into the complexities of military communication and the human experiences of war.
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Subject Terms
Charge of the Light Brigade
Type of action: Cavalry vs. artillery engagement in the Battle of Balaklava, Crimean War
Date: October 25, 1854
Location: North Valley between Fedioukine Heights and Causeway Heights, Crimean peninsula
Combatants: 675 British vs. 25,000 Russians
Principal commanders:British, Fitzroy James Henry Somerset, Baron Raglan (1788–1855), Brigadier General James Thomas Brudenell, seventh earl of Cardigan (1797–1868)
Result: Suicidal cavalry charge blunted Russian advance
Fitzroy James Henry Somerset, Baron Raglan, the allied commander in chief at Balaklava, routinely deferred tactical decisions to staff and field officers not in communication with one another or with him. Baron Raglan wanted to recover British guns the Russians had captured on Causeway Heights. Colonel Richard Airey wrote Raglan’s order as follows: “Lord Raglan wishes the Cavalry to advance rapidly to the front, follow the Enemy & try to prevent the Enemy carrying away the guns. Troop Horse Attily may accompany. French Cavalry is on yr left. Immediate.” The imprecision of this order has sparked many theories of who was at fault for the disaster.
Captain L. E. Nolan carried the order to General George Charles Bingham, third earl of Lucan, nominal commander of all British cavalry, who gave it to Brigadier General James Thomas Brudenell, seventh earl of Cardigan. Cardigan, believing that Raglan meant the Russian guns, merely obeyed, leading his Light Brigade a mile and a quarter between two large Russian batteries toward a third at the eastern end of the valley. About half the original force reached the objective. Only about 200 returned.
Significance
British skill and valor confused and demoralized the Russians. British propaganda made much of this event.
Bibliography
Adkin, Mark. The Charge: Why the Light Brigade Was Lost. London: Leo Cooper, 1996.
Compton, Piers. Cardigan of Balaclava. London: Hale, 1972.
Harris, John. The Gallant Six Hundred: A Tragedy of Obsessions. London: Hutchinson, 1973.
Mollo, John, and Boris Mollo. Into the Valley of Death: The British Cavalry Division at Balaclava, 1854. London: Windrow & Greene, 1991.
Woodham-Smith, Cecil. Reason Why. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1954.