In October 1853, Buller's battalion was again ordered home, and in spite of Sir George Cathcart's entreaties that he would remain as a brigadier at the Cape, he insisted on accompanying it. When it was decided to send an expeditionary army to the East in 1854, Buller was appointed brigadier-general, and took the command of the 2nd Brigade of the Light Division, consisting of the 19th, 88th, and 77th Regiments. His conduct at the Battle of the Alma was severely criticised at the time, but was approved by military writers looking back at the war.