The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-09-03
The CHARGE OF the Six Hundred.

rCorrespondence of the Chicago Times.l
In looking at the sergeant-malor's uni
form observed the Crimean and Turkish
medals on his breast. BE rode with the
seat OF tire old British Dragon, when it was
deemed necessary that every soldier should
{" bump the saddle 1.-THE top OF his big toe
alone in the stirrup-at the risk or rup-
ture.
What" said I, ga Crimean seldier?"
eyes" he answered. -..-
I read on the clasps, "Alma," " Balak-
lava,'' Inkermann," SebastOpol."
.sYou have been Hussar?" imputed.
Precisely, responded the gallant vete-
ran, whose hair and moustache are now
almost snowy in their whiteneSs. Gone OF
the old Thirteenth"
"What!" exclaimed; Gone Of the regi-
ment that charged with the Six Hundred ?"
Fright into the Valley OF DEATH" said
the old man, kindling up.
"Into the mouth of hell," followed on.
by CAD, you know it all !" cried he.
81 was young fellow then-eniisted in
'52-an English lad, wild as the devil. We
were all wild in the noble Thirteenth Hus-
sars! How we longed for war! We got
enough Of it afterwards"
al wish you'd tell me all about it,
mean that glorious CHARGE" said l.
"Then will, although have told it a
thousand times to the young fellows" said
he proudly.
$50 ahead-you are about the first gen.
uine Six-Hun dred maa I have ne: since I
was boy"
"Can ever forget it?" be said. "Can
I ever forget Balakasva? Its rush, and
clash, and thunder are still in my ears as
that bracing 25th OF October, 1854, comes
surging back on the tide of memory! We
had been skirmishing all the merning-my
regiment, the Eighth Royal Irish, the
Fsurth light dragons, and the reSt-wher
I'LL at once Ras riding behind the Earl Of
Cardigan. Captain Nolan dashed down.
aad, as near As can remember, as T heard
afterward, WHICH may nave liked it in my
miEd, in ringing Voice cried out: My
Lond, the Light Brigade9oeS forward Yon-
der are the Russian gnss, and you are TO
take sbem -"
ca hat did yoAl think then?7 4 asked.
81 didn't think ut all There were the
Russian guns extending clear :aeross the
valley far in Que front aHd fank1g US on
both Sides from the hills, so that when, we
rode on short distance we were exposed 70
n eross-Sre, After q few seconds We re-
covered from the shock OF the order. The
hnmblest soldier could see something was
wrong. Tennyson struck it about right
when he said some one had blundered.'
But what could we do?
80 Cardigan wheeled his horse, rs bis sabre
flashed for Q moment, and gaYe the W0rd.
Closing up, osr men, stirred by the splen-
did peril Of the situation. uttered shriIl
cheer. Our walk became trot, our trst
q canter. our caster a gallop, at last a mad
race right on The Russian cannon! The
astonished enemy did not seem to under
stand for little time. At last they did un.
c1erstand, and with an appalling peal their
batteries opened full upon US. saw, even
IN the excitement Of that moment, Nolan
reel from his saddle and fall to the ground.
Every thing SWAN aroundme, for Nolan was
q iayorfte with the cavalry. / felt q mad
impulse 20 kill. and could see nothing
bnt the smoke oil the Russian Bate
ries, and through the smoke dimly the tail
figure Of eallaat Cardigan at. the head OF
bis thin brigade. Right and LETT my COM