The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1875-10-29

Re- Union Of the .Srvipors oftne CHa,ge a
8dfaktdUa-About tie Men ,cho Rod
INTO "7he Valley Of DEATH"
The soldiers of the Light Cavalry Brio
ade, the men who rode into the "VaIley O
Death on that fatal October morning on,
ana twenty years ago, were invited to attent
meeting last night to make arrangement,
for dinner in celebration of the annivcrsa
ryof the Balaklava charge. The trysting place
was the Prince of Wales Tavern, Villier.
street, Strand, and the hour fixed for the
muster was 9 o'clock, to enable those who
were engaged in business TO put in an appear
ance In consequences Of the disagreeable
dr'xzling rain, not 80 many camessas were
expected, but respectable contingent, in
every sense Of the word, of war-worn vete.
rams, answered to the rollcall all the same.
Hale, hearty men they were, the most of
then but, so portly of build, that they set
one wondering what sort of light cavalry
that must have been where the weight in
the pig skin ran up to eighteen stone of
living flesh in sundry instances. Jovial of
manner and neat of address, they discussed
the matter before them as one might have
expected-in brief. soldierly, and most har-
monious manner. 1t was agreed that din.
ner should be solemnized in the Charinp
Gross Hotels not solemnized the correct
word for has not Charles Lever defined
dinner as a social sacrament-on the 25th
OF October, and it was stated that many
ohcers who had helped to write one of the
most brilliant pages in our military annals
mad promised to give the event the sanction
OF thor presence. The greatest part of
those in the room had belonged to the Elev-
enth Hussars, that distinguished corps hav-
ing been principally recruited in London.
One warrior had served his apprenticeship
to arms under DeLacey Evans in Spain
another was remarkable as having borne the
flag OF truce to the Russian lines the .day
after Balaklava third was never tired of
celebrating the hams faits of his ancient
captain, Sir Roger Palmer, who led the E.
troop or the Eleventh into action, and did
his slaughter with cold steel, having forgot
ten his revolver in the hurry to Jump into
the saddle. After the formal proceedings
were over, there were some rare gossip
over former campaigns, and the non
military observer was enabled to pick up
some interesting "reminiscences.
1t Is curious circumstance that eyery
man but one who won that supremest of all
military distinctions, the Victoria Cross, in
the nagnisciht mad ride, immortalizcd{by
f6s] & vbs biz use AlA laaAssoi q;
Light DEpgoJhs, who stood on the ground
with His charger writhing in the death ago
ny beside him. Trumpet-Major Crawford
flashed by; his good stecd stumbled, the
rider was dismounted, and his naked
sabre sent whirling out of his grasp. A
pair of Cossacks saw their opportunity and
spurred upon the defenceless Crawford but
Parkes confronted them and kept them al
bay. When the retreat came the two
brave fellows followed their comrades and
were pursued by six Russians, but Parkes
with his single sword, held them at arms
length and retired slowly, fighting and de-
Tending the trumpet major until deprived OF
his weapon by shot. This is no rhodo
montade, but plain facts, as recorded in the
Gazette. Lieutenant Alexander Robert
Dunn, of Cardigad's boys, was another here
of that day, fruitful in heroes He saved
the life Of Sergt. Bently, of his own corps
by cutting dowa two or three Russian troop
ers who wereattacking him in the rear, and
afterwards hewed to the chine Russian
hussar who had fallen upon private
Levett. This Dunn, it will be remembered
afterwards commanded the Thirty third
being the youngest man Of his rank in the
army, and perished in the Abyssinian expe.
dition. Riding g-master Joseph Malone had
his horse shot in the charge, but, properly
speaking, his bit of aOrious gun-meta
was gained the day previous when he vol.
unteered with three troopers, ON the march
to Balaklava, and captured ansescort of the
enemy's cavalry and the baggage they were
conveying to Sebastopol. Troop Sergeant.
Major John Bergman, ofthe old Deaths
head and Cross bones," the same sturdy
cavalier who took prisoner three Russians
while they were within reach of their own
guns at Mckenzie's farm, behaved splendid
ly at Balaklava. When his horse was shot
under him he!stopped in the field with Capt
Webb, who was Y6Spded, amid shower OF
shot and shell, and, d,although repeatedly told
by that officer to consult his own safety, and
leave him, he refused to do so. and, Ser
geant John Barrell coming by, the two
faithful fellows carried Capt. Webb out Of
the range Of the guns. The courageous
Irishman Farrell, who lost his horse like
the majority Of his plucky companions, and
had gone near to losing his life, was award
ed the envied honor, but did not long sur
vive to wear it. Charles Wooden now 9
quartermaster in the. One Hundreth and
Fourth foot, was another of the Seventeenth
lancers who earned the cross on the 25th Of
October, 1854, and he, too, had his charge,
kill in the wild melee. Assisted by DR.. Mo
matt, of the Inniskillen dragons, he sue
ceeded in carrying Major Morris, of his owr
regiment, who lay dreadfully wounded, to Q
place Of safety. In chatty recollection.
such as those We have tried to pen and in
tales Of hair-breadths 'scapes in the hard
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