430 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period v. 



squadrons of his brigade upon both flanks of the Russian 

 horsemen at the crisis of the fight. 



The result was that the Russians were obliged to 

 withdraw, their retreat being safely effected, and without 

 being followed by the English horsemen. The conduct 

 of Lord Cardigan, who, with the Light Brigade under 

 his orders, was an idle spectator of the fight, in neglecting 

 to charge upon the flank of the opposing horsemen, was 

 very faulty, and an evidence of the depressing effect 

 of the routine and regularity of a lifetime of peace 

 service. 



About an hour or two after this fight, the celebrated 

 charge of " the Six Hundred " took place. It arose 

 through a misunderstanding of the order directing the 

 advance, and consequently Lord Cardigan led an attack 

 for a mile and a quarter down an open valley, where his 

 troops were exposed to the fire of artillery and riflemen 

 in front, and on both flanks for the whole distance. 

 The charge was most gallantly made, the whole force 

 displaying the most astounding bravery, but it was all 

 in vain. The fire of cannon and small arms almost 

 destroyed the brigade, 195 men only returning from the 

 disastrous ride. 



This action teaches little to the cavalry officer, and is 

 only to be noted on account of the dashing and gallant 

 manner in which these English horsemen obeyed their 

 orders, and rushed on to what seemed certain death. 



To cover their retreat, the French 4th Chasseurs 

 d'Afrique, under General D'AUonville, charged some 

 Russian artillery on the Fedoukine hills. This charge 

 was made in the scattered formation called " en foura- 

 geurs," and was successful in forcing the withdrawal of 

 some Russian batteries, which had been firing upon the 

 English horsemen. The charge was well timed, and 

 conducted with boldness and skill. 



The losses of the Light Brigade are said to have been 

 considerably augmented by the fire of riflemen who 

 were posted upon the range of hills which skirted the 

 North Valley. This was the only instance of the use 

 of the rifle in this affair. Here, however, we first see in 



