The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-08-07
The CHARGE OF THE LIGHT RRr.
GADE,
A Page from History,

- !he story of the Charge of the Light
brigade of Balaklava, has been told
often. A writer in magazine gives ms
the story again as follows:
AS IL was, matters stood TINS when
Nolan left Raglan, bearing the "fourth
order. The Russians were clustered
on the two hills, the English and French
cavalry stood looking on, Lucan was in
ms usualinervous irritable state. when
1ne gallop of horse was heard. A tall.
slender youg officer. with trim figure
ana black moustache, was coming down
steep descent at full speed, with
wnlee envelope stuck in his belt and
every eye was on him in moment.
IL was Captain Nolan, in his scarlet
shell-Jacket, little forage cap set on
one side of his dark curls, his face full
OF Joy and eagerness.
AN audible murmur went through the
ranks: VIA Il 'i''
Orders come Nolan's the bow
thatll show us the way to move" For
Nolan was well known and universally
beloved.
In another moment he dashed up and
saluted; then handed his letter to
Lord Lucan. The cavalry general tore
IL open with the nervous haste charac-
terlstlc of every movement of his lord
snip. When he read it over his coun-
tenapce changed. Then his lordship
DfoAe out, something in this style:
e., Why, good heavens, sir what can
he mean? With the little force at our
command we can barely hold our own,
much less advance. 1t is perfectly sui
cldal. How can we advance 2"
Nolan's eye began to blaze. He had
INST R0nnn from, thn hif,b
the whole Russian position could be
seen at a glance. knowing that his
order contemplated the doubling back
of the Russian columns and saving the
guns in the redoubts, he was impatient
OF the pragmatical objection of this cap
tlous old man.
In stern distinct tone he spoke to
Lord Lucan
Lord Raglan's orders are, that the
cavalry should attack Immediately"
'Attack SIR" cried Lucan angrily.
"Attack what ? What guns, sir ?"
Nolan threw his head back indig-
nantly, and pointed to the Causeway
Ridge, where the Russians were busily
at work trying to haul away the cap
tured guns. The group was standing
at the right of the entrance to the nert6
valley.
."There, my lord, is your enemy" he
SAID, and there are your guns"
Tne captain forgot that he was talk
ing to an excited and impracticable
man. Wrongheaded 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.
very well, sir, very well, he said
annri1xr &c Tlo ban L.
1 wash my hands of it,"
He wheeled hishorse, and trotted offto
where Lord Cardigan sat in front of his
brilliant lines, gnawing his gray NOUS
tache and chatting over his inaction.
Then said Lucan
"Lord Cardigan, you will attack the
Russians in the valley"
The carl dropped his sword in salute.
Certainly, my lord but allow me
to point out to you that there is a bat
terry in front, battery on each flank,
and the ground is covered with Russian |
rifemen."
ST can't help it." said Lucan snap
pishly sit is Lord Raglan's positive
order that the Light Brigade is to at
tack the enemy. We have no choice
but to obey"
lhCh SuiulSdl pOWtu HIS ucdu.
"Verv well, my lord" was all he
said. Then turning to his staff, "The
brigade will advance" he said quietly.
Meantime Nolan, after his sharp pas
sage of arms with the division commans
der, had ridden off to the Light Brigade
himself, where he was cheerfully talk
ing to his sworn comrade and friend,
Captain Morris, of the 18th Lancers.
Now that he had maintained his posi-
tion as mouth-piece of the commander
in-chief, against the impudent fault
finding of Lucan, he felt happy. His
beloved cavalry was to be launched at
last on it's glorious mission against the
Causeway Ridge, and already D'Allon-
vile was preparing to assault the other
flank of the Russians.
Who can wonder that 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 pig-headed
stupidity natural to the two members
of the English aristocracy who re-
spectively commanded and led that
charge.