CRIMEAN SERVICES OE “ I ” TROOP, NOW “ 0 ” BATTERY, R.H.A. 347 
round shot through the chest, and eleven horses killed and wounded. 
Whilst retreating out of fire, Captain Shakespear, who had been on 
duty elsewhere, arrived and took the command for the remainder of the 
day. As our Troop and Cavalry retired, the Eussian cavalry advanced 
into the plain in two bodies of about 3000 men, one portion sweeping 
down on Kadikoi advanced against the 93rd Highlanders and Turks. 
The Turks fired a volley and bolted to the rear of our troops into the 
town, and commenced pillaging everything, even our tents, whilst the 
93rd waited quietly until the enemy arrived within 200 yards of them, 
and poured in a withering volley. However, they still advanced, 
encouraged by the flight of the Turks, and then the Highlanders gave 
them another volley, which completely broke them, and they retired 
torn up by the fire of Barker’s Battery and those on the heights. At 
the same time the other portion of the Eussian cavalry (Blue Hussars) 
advanced against our Cavalry, when the Greys and Inniskillings, sup¬ 
ported by the 4th and 5th Dragoon Guards, made their magnificent 
charge, and turning round again, charged through them, thus com¬ 
pletely routing the enemy. They must have been 10 to 1 of our 
Cavalry. 1 From this period the Eussians commenced retiring, and 
additional troops were coming up to our assistance. The Eussians had 
been busy removing some guns from the redoubts abandoned by the 
Turks, our infantry regained two of them by the bayonet, but we had 
to leave the others in the hands of the enemy. All would thus have 
ended well, were it not that now took place, that unfortunate charge of 
the Light Cavalry, in which, well and nobly as it was made, they left 
400 of their companions dead behind them. The Troop had been ordered 
to accompany the charge, but Captain Shakespear, finding that his 
light guns would be unserviceable long before they could be brought 
within range, halted, soon after the Light Brigade returned, and 
mustered but 156 out of 600 that had made the charge : this ended the 
battle of Balaclava. I leave it to Lords Lucan and Cardigan to settle 
between them on whom the blame rests. 
26th of October.—Moved the sick and stores of troop to the heights 
of Sebastopol, but the Troop continued in the plain with the Cavalry, a 
few days after the whole were brought within the lines, the weather 
now became cold, damp, and very trying to the feelings, as we were all 
in great want of warm clothing. 
5th of November.—At daybreak, which was hazy with a heavy mist, 
the Eussians made a demonstration against Balaclava, and we got under 
arms; soon after we heard heavy firing in front, which was the com¬ 
mencement of the battle of Inkerman. The Troop was not actually 
engaged, as it was watching the Eussian force that threatened but did 
not advance on Balaclava. I therefore went to the front to assist the 
wounded, and returned to my tent after a severe day’s work, both in 
operating myself and assisting others. Of the many cases of that day, 
the only one connected in any way with the Troop was the death of 
Brigadier-General Strangways, killed by a round shot, we buried him 
next evening. On the 7th I was again engaged operating, and this 
1 Dr. Thornton may not have witnessed this part of the battle, being with Captain Maude, 
which acconnts for some of his details being incorrect.— F.A.TF. - 
