The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-02-22
The "Six Hundred"
GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE TERRI
BILE CHARGE AT BALAKIAya

The following description of the
charge OF the Six Hundred at Balsk-
lava is given in a story III the Scottish
Anserteaa. entitled lone of the Six
Hundred :"
Recoiling before the glorious charge
Of our Heavy Brigade, the Russian horse
and foot had retired into a narrow
gorge at the head Of the long. green
valley. There thirty piece. of cannon
were In position. aud in rear of them
were formed six solid columns cf caval-
ry and six of infantry. while other
dense masses occupied the slopes be-
yond.
Notwithstanding this formidable ar
ray. in sn almost unassailable position,
q message was received by Lord Lucan
from Captain Lewis Edward Nolan, of
the Fifteeath Hussars. undoubtedly one
OF the bravest Of the brave. to the ef-
feet that the Light Brigade was to carry
those thirty pieces of cannon. Another
account says that be simply pointed to
the guns with his sword and SAID: I'VE
should take them" aud that the motion
was taken for an order.
Ere many minutes were passed poor
Nolan had paid the full penalty Of this
misconception or error in Judgment. if
error il was
Perilous. rash and desperate though
the attempt. Lord Lucan reluctantly
ordered the Earl of Cardigan to advance
with his brigade. and cheerfuliy we
obeyed the startling order.
We numbered only six hundred aud
seven hossemen. officers included
Each officer took up the word in sue
cession-''The brigade will advance.
First squadron, march. trot. gallop"
And then for the first time, as led ,uy
squadron on. did l become aware how
thirsty We unconsciously become when
under fire. My lips were quite baked.
yet the morning air was moist and cool.
We had before us a mile and q half to
gallop over, level and open ground. en-
cuml,erod here and there by the dead
and wounded men and horses cf the
previous encounter: but these were
swept over in our advance towards
where the black and grim artillery
stood. with ro@nd and gaping muzzles,
before the solid array Of Russian horce
aud foot-thOse dark columns in long
gray capotes all cross belted. with fixed
bayonets glittering in the sun those
dark and less distinct clouds Of horse
men. whose forest of lances, sword
blades. and brighter appointments gilt
tered and flashed from among their un-
numbered masses
On and on we rode. and faces flushed
red, and hearts beats wild while the
Earl, brave IS every English gentleman
should be. with all his fault Of temper
led us on with brandished sword.
Every hand was firm on the bride.
every grasp was firm on the sword, every
knee was pressed to the ssd1le-lsps,
every rowel WAS tinged with blood; so
holster to holster, boot to boot. the
squadrons were pressing on.
Charge :" escaped me. almost before
time. and then the maddcned horsss
rushed on At almost racing speed, with
long invigorating strides. Our lances
were all unslung, and in the rest, the
banneroies futtered before the horses
heads and outstretched necks, from
which the names were floating back
ward like smoke.
We were soon within line Of fire.
Like the thunder of heaven the park of
artillery shook the air. as cannons,
mortars, and rifles opened like a fiery
hell on front and fianks at once. An
iron shower Of round shot aud grape.
shells and rockets. with q tempest of
conicle rifle bullets. whizzed past our
ears. or tore through horses aud men.
aud down they went on right and left
st every stride.
Struck on the breast by she'll, the
gallant Nolat. fell back on his saddle
with q wild and narrowing cry as his
horse swept round and bore his body
TO the rear. with his feet still in the
s,irrups. vipdicating even in DEATH his
reputation ss one Of Englsads noblest
horsemen.
Man after lnan. horse after horse. are
now going down thick and fast. and
shrieks and prayers and curses rise to-
ge,hsr to Heaven but the rest close in
from the flank, and frmer. denses.
wilder. aud more rcsolute than ever,
We ride the race Of death.
On and on yet. steeds snoTt,ng. lances
rising and falling. pennons huttering,
and sabres flashing IN the sunshine.
STEADY lads. steady :" cried Lionel
Beverley. as another shower of grape
tore through the squadrons. and many
more went down. though some Of the
horses remained riderless in the ranks,
and galloped mechanically on. For a
moment. amid the confusion. saw the
Colonel for the last time, as he led ns
-,ha. noble heart. that polished gen
,lemam and gallant lancer. He WAS
deadly pale. for he was mor'ally
wounded in the left side. His life
blood WAS ebbing; but his sword was
still upiif,cd. and light Was flashing
in his ewes. which a'ready es,usi see
'The glories and terrors Of the unknown
world.
Close up. gentlemen and comrades
Keep ycar herses well In hand; but
spur on-cbarge, and charge home,
Hurrah -
A hall hummei past-a twenty four
pound shot, aprarently-and where Mas
Lionel Beverley
Doubled up. dead and ghas,ly head,
under . dying and mangled charger
The mex, who fell was my friend Vii
ford. III be WAS son,sv hat of . dandy
in Enyland. there Was no wan; OF pluck
in him here. Leading his troop he
fell close by me. and leaped my
{ hn-x> oxar hin, a he r,,IIe,i ,ast clutch.