26 SIR WILLIAM FLOWER chap. 



batteries beyond Balaclava, put up to protect the rear of our 

 position, mounted with English guns but manned by Turks, were 

 surprised by the Russians early in the morning and the guns 

 taken; the Light Brigade of Cavalry (4th and 13th Light 

 Dragoons, 8th and 9th Hussars, and 17 th Lancers) were ordered 

 to charge the enemy and drive them out. This they did 

 gallantly, but, pursuing too far, fell into a sort of ambush 

 between three Russian batteries and were literally cut to pieces ; 

 of the last-named regiment I believe there are scarcely a dozen 

 men left, and the others are said to be nearly as badly off. You 

 will see a fuller account of this disastrous affair in the papers, I 

 suppose. Our division were marched out to the scene of action, 

 though too late to be of any use ; the field looked like a second 

 Alma. Yesterday there was another encounter, though it ended 

 more fortunately, a few companies of infantry and artillery having 

 put to flight, with considerable slaughter, a large number of 

 Russians. . . . There are a good many amateurs here, come out 

 to see what is going on ; they live comfortably on board ship, 

 and annoy us by turning out clean with immaculate shirt collars 

 and shining boots, reminding us forcibly of Hotspur's friend with 

 the pouncet-box. There is also a lady, wife of a cavalry officer, 

 who rides about and seems to enjoy the sight of powder and 

 death amazingly. — Your very affectionate brother, 



W. H. Flower. 



Camp near Sebastopol, 

 November 2, 1854. 



Dearest Mother — Another month has come round and we 

 are still in the same position, the only change being that the fine 

 summer weather which we had for so long has turned to weather 

 equally fine but intensely cold, especially at night. There is very 

 little of novelty or interest since my last, though we are expect- 

 ing something more active will be done in a few days. Indeed, 

 if this cold weather continues or increases, as it probably will, we 

 shall hardly be able to go on with the siege operations and tent 

 life. . . . There is no news yet of our baggage. Nearly all the 

 other regiments have got theirs, but the Avon most obstinately 

 keeps out of the way. You will just know from this that I am 



