Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-08-22


ing their thoughts in idle moments than the fops
and men about town, with whose attentions they
amuse themselves IF we were to tell him this, he
would only laugh; he has no pride about him, al
though full of vanity; and it matters not to him
what we may broadly affirm or quietly insinuate.
Soft and delicate though he be, he is as imper.
vious to ridicue as bod carrier and as regardless
of honest contempt as city alderman. Were you
to hand him this article, he would take it to some
social party and read it aloud in the most melifu-
ous voice as homage to his own attractions
CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.
Any particulars concerning the famous "charge''
at Balaklava, during the Crimean War, which
Tennyson has so finely immortalized in verse, must
be of general interest, although it is now many
years since the gallant Six Hundred rode up to
their death, while
"Cannon 10 the right of them
Cannon to The left Of them
Cannon In front OF them
Vollsy'd and thundered."
We gladly give place, therefore, to the follow
ing personal and graphic account of the affair,
which has never before been made public 1t
came substantially from the lips of the Earl of Car
digan, the commander of the Eleventh Hussars, at
Balaklava, in 1854, who actually led the celebra-
ted CHARGE" and was related to Mr.. Stephen
Massett, during his recent visit to England, after
he had recited Tennysons stirring epic to Lord and
Lady Cardigan, with an effect which may be easily
imagined by all who have ever heard his recita-
tions.
At about one o'clock on that memorable day,
after the Heavy Brigade had been attacked by the
Russian Cavalry, the whole of the cavalry divis-
ion was considerably advanced towards the enemy,
and the Light Brigade had been ordered tc dis
mount to relieve their horses Suddenly they
were again ordered to mount" and aid-de-camp
Captain holland came forward and told Lord Lu-
can, commanding the cavalry, that the Light Bri-
gade were to attack the Russians in the valley
Lord Lucan rode up to Lord Cardigan, and said i:
1T is Lord Raglan's order that the Light Brigade
is to attack the Russians in the valley Lord
Cardigan replied, saluting with his sword: Ger
tainly my Lord, but you will allow me to inform
you that there is Russian battery in front, and
one on each flank, while the ground on the flank
is covered with Russian rifemen." Lord Lucan
answered. IT cannot help that, it is Lord Rag
Ian positive order that the Light Brigade is to at
tack them"
Lord Cardigan then formed his brigade, of five
with three regiments in the front line,
and two in the second, while Lord Lucan ordered
Lord Cardgan's own regiment, the Eleventh Hus-
sars, back so as to form support on the left rear
of the front line. Lord Cardigan Immediately Or
dered the advance. After going about sixty yards,
Captain Nolan rode obiquely across the front,
when Russian shell fell upon the ground near
him, and not far from Lord Cardigan. Nolan's
horse then wheeled about and carried him to the
rear, and Lord Cardigan led the Brigade down to
the main battery in front, about one mile and q
quarter distant. On arriving at about eighty yards
from the battery, the fire became very severe, and
the officers were considerably excited, and had to
be ordered to be STEADY"
Lord Cardigan, at the head of his brigade, pass
ed close by the muzzle of gun which was fired as
he entered the battery, and rode straight forward
through the Russian timber carriages, until he
came up close to their line Of cavalry His brigade
did not follow him, and he was attacked by two
Cossacks, slightly wounded dand nearly dismounted
but he fenced them off, and gradually retired from
them, and others were attempting to surround
him. When he got back to the battery, his COM
mand had retired and diverged to the left, and he
slowly retreated, until he met Gen. Scarlett, COM
manding the Heavy Brigade of cavalry. He told
him that the Light Brigade was destroyed, and
mentioned the fate of Capt. Nolan, after bringing
the order for the attack, when General Scarlett
said that he had just ridden over Captain Nolan's
body.
Lord Cardigan then had his brigade counted by
his staff officer, and found that there were only
one hundred and ninety-fve men present out Of six
hundred and fifty He then Immediately rode off
to Lord Raglan to report what had taken place.
The first thing that Lord Raglan said, was,
"What sir, could you possibly mean by attacking
battery in 'front.' contrary to all usages of warfare,
and the custom of the service ?" He replied
my Lord, hope you will not blame me-for I
received positive order from my superior officer
in front of the troops, to attack them, although |
was quite well aware Of the unusual course of pro-
ceeding ordered" Lord Raglan then inquired
what he had done, and was told that he had led
Cle DrlgaQ6 llCO lluSSIdu pdtlcIy tudL uC Lou
ridden up to the Russian cavalry, that be was not
followed by the brigade: that he was wounded and
nearly dismounted, and had some difficulty in get
ting away from number of Cossacks; that the
brigade was nearly destroyed there now being only
one hundred and ninety-fve left out of six hun
lred and fifty, and finally that the whole affair had
occupied only the brief space of twenty minutes.
Home Journal
How GEN. SHERIDAN DEposED JUDGE
The St, Louis Republican Of July 24th says:
Yesterday we made reference to Gen. Sheridan's
vulgar pomposity in New Orleans. From the
,ame gentleman who gave us information on the
subjects therein related, we learned of the follow
ing disgraceful and humiliating scene-a scene
which must wound the pride and mo tify the spir-
i of every American citizen who has any regard
or republican institutions and civil liberty.