Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-09-06
THE LIGHT BRIGADE


Captain Louis Nolan, of Lord Raglan's
staff, being an impetuous soldier purpose
ly misconstrued the actual meaning of an
order which he carried into an authoriza-
ton of the senseless sacrifice of the Light
Brigade at Balaklava, and that his only
excuse was that he was the first man
killed in the charge. Launee Poyntz, in
the GaldEy, after reviewing the topogra-
ply of the battle field and the position of
the forces, says:
As it was, matters stood thus when No
Ian left Raglan, bearing the fourth order,
The Russians were clustered on two hills,
the French and English cavalry stood
looking on, Lucan was in his usual ner-
vous, irritable state. when the gallop of q
horse was heard. A tall, slender young
officer, with trim figure and black mus
tache, was coming down the steep des-
cent at full speed, with white envelope
stuck in his belt, and every eye was upon
him in moment.
1t was Captain Nolan, in his scarlet
shell jacket, little forage cap on one
side of his dark curls, his face full of joy
and eagerness.
An audible murmur went through the
ranks.
"Orders come. Nolan's the boy that
will show us the way to move" For
Nolan was we'll known, and n universal
tavorte with the Light Brigade.
In another moment he had dashed up
and saluted then handed his letter to
Lord Lucan. The cavalry General tore
it open with the nervous haste character
istic of every movement of his Lordship
When he read it over his countenance
changed. Then his Lordship broke out
something in this style:
" Why, good heavens, sir, what does
he mean ? With the little force at our
command we can hardly hold our own,
much less advance. 1t is perfectly sui
cdal."
Nolan's eye began to blaze. He had
just come from the high ground where he
could see the whole Russian position at
glance. knowing that his order contem-
plated the doubling back the Russian col
umns and saving the guns in the redoubts
he was impatient Of the pragmatcal OBJ
lection Of this captious old man.
In a stern, distinct tone he spoke to
Lord Lucan
" Lord RNglan's orders are that the
cavalry should attack Immediately"
"Attack, sir" cried Lucan, angriy.-
" Attack what? What guns, sir ?"
Nolan threw his head back indignant
ly, and pointed to the Causeway Ridge,
where the Russians were busily at work
trying to haul away the captured guns
The group was standing at tho right of
the entrance to the north valley.
"There, my Lord, is your enemy, and
there are your guns"
The Captain forgot that he was talking
to an excited and impracticable man,
Wrong headed Lucan chose to fancy
that he pointed to the end of the valley,
and with all the obstinacy of his nature
kept to the error.
Every well, sir, very WELL" he said
angrily. "The order shall be obeyed.-
wash my hands of it,"
He wheeled his horse and trotted off to
where Cardigan sat in front Of his brill
liant lines, gnawing his gray mustache
and chadng over his inaction.
Then said the wrong headed Lucan:
" Lord Cardigan, you will attack the
Russians in the valley"
The Earl dropped his sword in salute.
Certainly, my lord but allow me to
point out to you that there is battery in
front, battery on each flank, and the
ground is covered with Russian rifle
men,"
can't help it," said Lucan, snap
pishly, it is Lord Raglan's positive or
der that the Light Brigade is to attack
the enemy. We have no choice but to
obey"
Every well, my lord" was all that he
said. Then turning to his staff, 1.-The
brigade will advance" he said quietly.
Meantime Nolan, after his sharp pass
at arms with the division commander,
had ridden off to the Light Brigade him
self, where he was cheerfully talking to
his sworn comrade, Captain Morris, of
the Seventeenth Lancers. Now that he
had maintained his position as the mouth
piece Of the commander-in-ch chief, against
the impudent fault-fnding of Lucan. he
felt happy. His beloved cavalry we're to
be launched against the Causeway Ridge,
and already D'Allonville was preparing
to assault the other flank of the Russians.
Who can wonder that the enthusiastic
Nolan told Morris that he was going to
see the brigade through the charge. 1t
was his privilege to do so, and his heart
beat high with hope. Little did he know
of the extent Of the pig-headed stupidity
natural to the English aristocracy who
respectively commanded and led that
charge.
A clear, sharp voice was soon heard in
front of the brigade, now formed in three
lines. Lord Luean rode away to the
" Heaves" and Nolan galloped around
to the rear Of the left of the brigade, as
the sharp voice cried
Light Brigade, forward - trot -
march !"
In moment the front line was away,
steady as if on parade, at rapid trot,