The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-11-27
THE LIGHT BRIGADE.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FAMOUS CHARGE
"INTo THE MOUTH OF HE'LL"

1 lcISC Oh Il UTuSC NLOSO h"hIO he~'
been under cloud. 1t has been popularly
decided that Captain Louis Nolan, Of lord
Raglan's staff being an impetuous soldier,
nurposely misconstrucd the actual meaning
of an order which he carried into an au-
thorization of the senseless sacrifice of the
Light Brigade, and that his only excuse was
that he was the first man killed in the
charge Iaunce Polytz in the Galaxy, at
ter reviewing the topography of the battle
field and the position Of the forces, says:
As It was. matters stood thus when Nolan
left Raglan bearing the ''fourth order
The Russians were clustered on two hills,
tho English and French cavalry stood look
ing on; Lucan was in his usual nervous, If
.ritable state, when the gallop of horse was
heard A tall, slender young officer, with
trim figure and black mustache, was coming
down a deep descent at full speed, with a
white envelope stuck IN. his belt; ana every
eye was on him in moment.
It was Captain Nolan, in his scarlet shell,
Jacket, a little forage cap set on one side Of
his dark curls, his face full Of JOY and eager
ness. .,
An audible murmur went through the
ranks. -,
"Orders come! Nolan's the 10y that'll
show us the way to move" For Nolan was
we'll known and universally beloved.
Tn another moment he had dashed up and
saluted; then handed his lettar to Lord Lu-
can. The cavalry general tore it open with
the nervous haste characteristic OF every
movement of his lordship. When he read
it over. his countenaace changed. Then his
lordship broke out, something in this style
"Why. good heavens, sir; what can ne
mean? With the little force at our COM
mand we can hardly hold our own, much
less advance It's perfectly suicidal How
can we advance
Nolan's eye began to blaze. lie had Just
come from the high ground, whence the
whole Russian position could be seen at a
glance. Knowing that his order cOntem-
plated the doubling back of the Russian
columns and saving the guns in the re-
doubts, he was impatient Of the pragmatical
objections of this captious old man.
In stern, distinct tone he spoke to Lord
Lucan
"Lord Raglan's orders are that the caval-
nv should attack immediately
tack Wfatg what guns, SIR ''-'''''' :
Nolan threw his head back Indignantly,
and pointed to the Causeway Ridge, where
the Russians were busily at work trying to
haul away the captured guns. Inc group
was standing at the right of the entrance OF
the north valley.
"There, my Lord, is your enemy" he
said, "and there are your guns"
The Captain forgot that he was talking
to an excited and impracticable old man -
Wrong-headed Lucan chose to fancy that he
: Ipointed to the end Of the valley, and with
all the obstinacy of his nature, kept to the
error, .,
"Very we'll sir, very we'll" he said angri-
" "Thc order shall be obeyed. | wash
my hands of it.
lie wheeled his hprsc and trotted oft to
where Cardigan sat in front Of his brilliant
lines gnawing his gray mnstaehe and chafne
over his inaction.
Then said the wrong headed Lucan:
'aLord Cardigan, you will attack the Rus
slams in the valley"
The earl dropped his sword in salute.
Ccrtainly. my lord but allow me topolnt
out to you that there is battery on eaei
flank, and the ground is covered with h"S
sian rihcmen." .,,
II can't help it." said Lucan, snapplshly
1T is Lord Raglan's positive order that th'
light brigade is to attack the enemy W.
have no choice but to obey
Then Cardigan bowed his head.
Every we'll, my lord, was all he said.
Then turning to his staff: "Tho brigade vii
advance" he said quietly.
Meantime Nolan, after his sharp passag
. of arms with the division commander, ha'
ridden off to the right brigade himself, wher
he was cheerfully talking to his sworn com
rade and friend, Capt. Morris, of the sever
ieenth ancers Now that he had MAINTAIN
, cd his position as mouth piece of commander
iu.chief against the impudent., fault-hndln
of Lucan, he felt happy. His beloved cavalr
f was to be launched at last on this gorlou
mission against the Causcway Ridge, and a
, ready DAllonville was preparing to assau
the other flank of the Russians.
, Who can wonder that enthusiastic Nola
told Morris that he was going to see th
, brigade through the charge? 1t was his PRIV
= iie.e to do so, and his heart beat high wit
G hope. Little did he know of the extent
i the pis-headed stupidity natural to the tW
! members Of the English aristocracy who r
spectiyely commanded and led the charge
r \ clear, sharp voice was soon heard
c front of the brigade now formed in thr'
n lines. Lord Lucan rode away to the Gle
}. yics." and Nolan galopcd round the rear
;. the left of the brigade, as the sharp vol
It cried
Y Light brigade forward, trot, march "
q IN a moment the front line was away,