New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-19
THE CASE OF LORD LUCAN.

Lord Lucsn arrived in London on the let inst. ffon
the Ciuea The following particulars respecting the
recall Of the noble lord may be relied on:
ION the 18th February Lord Lucan received,
through Lord Raglan, aleter from the Ddke of New
casile to cay that her Majesty desired he wond
reign the command Of the cavalry, and return 70 En-
GLAND. Lord Lucan had had dis ,ute with Lord
RsPlsn about the charge at Balsklavs. Lord Rag
Lab bad said in bis dispatch that " the charge had
isk place in consequence of the mlsconstruction
OF biz order by The officer commanding the civairy."
or WORDS to that effect Lord Lucsn, when the dis
psfch came out here 10 the ne sspspers, wrote to
LORD Raglan strong letter TO prove That he did not
miscoI strue the order, and that he conld not act
oherw than he did, and begging that his letter. in
his ow oefepse might have the 'ane publicity as the
original dispatch. They wanted Lord Lucau 10 with
draw the leiter-he would not; 50 Lord Ragla fJr-
wsrdeo it to the Duke of Newcastle. WHAT COM
mel he made en- il we do no. know. Tbs Dake of
Nea castle wrote 10 Lord srdinget0 have his opinion
as being more versed in military matters; but saying
that his opinion was that il would not do to have
general commanding the cavalry division dis
agreeing 20 seriously with his immediate Co nnanier-
Dcief and that he thought It would be necessary 10
recall Lord Lncan. Lord Hsrdiuge took the same
view Of the case and Lord Lucsn is recalled"
The following is copy of the letter addressed by
Lord LucaD to Lord kselan complaining of the ex-
preston used in Lord Rsslsn dispatch describing
L The charge at Balaklava:
BALAKLAvA, Nov. 80, 1854.
MY LORD: lnyour Lor iebips report OF the cavalry
action OF Balsklsva of the 25th ut given in the pa
pers which have Just arrived from England you oo-
serve "that from some mscoDcepton of the iostruc-
"ton 10 advance, the Lieutenant General considered
"ihht he bound to alta TX at all hazards and he,
ACCORDINGLY, ordered Lord Cardigan to move for
"wsrd with the Light Brigade Sarely, my Lord
this is grave charge and an imputation rejecting
seriously on my professional character. cannot re-
main silent Ii is, fesl, incumbent me 10 state
those facts which, cam II doubt, must clear fro N
what respectfully submit, is atOge her unmerited
The cavsry vas formed tosupport an iotende move
nebt Of the infantry when Captain Nolan, the Aide.
do Camp of the Quartz rmaster General came up to
me at speed, and placed in my hands this written in
structiop:
Lord Raglan wishes the cavalry to advance rap
idly TO the 'front.' follow the enemy, aud try TO pre-
vent the enemy carrying away the guns. Troop Of
Hone ARTILLERY may accompany. French cavalry is
on your left. Immediate. X. AIREY."
After carefully reading this order hestated and
urged the useessness of such attack and the dan
gers attending it, The aid.de camp, in a most
authoritative tone, stated that they we're Lord Rag
lan's orders that the cavalry should attack immed-
stely. asked him Where, and wha, to ~ as
neither enemy nor guns we're within sight. He re-
Piled in most disrespectul but significant manner,
pointing TO the further end Of the valley There my
lord Is your enemy; there are your guns" So dis
tinct, in my opinion, was your written instruction,
and so positive and urgent were the orders delivered
by the aid de camp, that felt 1t was imperative
me to obey, and informed Lord Cardigan that be
10 advance; and TO the objections he sde and
In which entirely agreed-I replied that the order
was from your lordship. Having decided, against my
consiotioD, TO make the movement, l did all ia my
power TO render it as little perious possible. l
formed the brigade liz two lines and led 10 Us support
two regiments OF heavy cavalry the Scots Greys aud
Royals and only halted them when they had re sched
the spot from which they could protec. the retreat
Of the light cavalry In the event Of their being
pursued by the enemy and when, having already lost
many officers and men by the fire from the batteries
and fort any further advance would have exposed
them 10 destruction.
My lord, considered at the tims-I an still of the
came opiniop-tbst followed the only course open
to me- AS Lieutenant General, doubtless l have
Discretionary power but to take upon myself to dis.
obey an order written by my Commander. in. Chief
within few minutes of It's delivery, and given from
an elevated position commanding an entire view OF
all he batteries andthe position of tue enemy would
have been Iohipg iess than direct disohecience Of
orders without any other reason IN that preferred
instance must have exposed me and the cavalry TO
aepersions sgsnst which it might have been difficult
20 defend ourselves.
II should also be remembered that the aide de-csmp
well informed OF the intentions Of bis general and tue
obe its be had in VIEW after first insisting on an in
meciate charge then placed himself in front OF one
Of the leading Equadrons, where fell the tst victim
did rot dare to disobey your Lordship, and it is
the opinion of every officer Of rank 10 this army to
whom have shown your Instructions, that 1t vas
not possible for me to do so.
hope, my Lord, that have stated the facts tenn
persttiy and In becoming and respectful manner,
~ II has been my wish 10 do. am confident that II
sill be your desire to do justice will only ask
Il ct your Lordsbip should kindly give the same pub
city 10 this letter tina, hss been given TO your re-
port ss sensitively anxious TO satisfy ny soy.
ire 20, my military superiors and the putle ibx |
AVE rot, On tbs plnspPy occasion, sS~' @yse1 J