Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-01-21
The Charge of the Light Brigade.

mortar verse. All the NoiAd "oh-
dered then, and many still wonder
why the fruitless, useless charge was
made The following explanation, by
zone of the immortal six hundred,
was furnished the Daily Graphic by
officer Charles II. Mckenzie, of the
New York Police, the modest possessor
Of testimonials for gallant conduct in
the British armyat the relief of Luck
now and throughout the Crimean and
British Indian wars
In the charge of the Light Brigade
Mckenzie rode in the second troop,
center squadron, rear rank. The half
league over which the Light Brigade
passed was rolling country, no part of
which, however, was so much de-
pressed as to be sheltered from the
iron hail of the Russian batteries
The entire force of light cavalry at
hand were ordered to the charge The
French lay to the right, and it was ex-
pected that troop Of French cavalry
at least equal in number would be
ready to join in the assault. But they
had not received orders and did not
come. Some one had blundered.
Behind the guns the Russian infant
ry was drawn up six ranks in depth,
and numbering along the line in all
10000 men, and behind this strong
line was very large force of Cossack
cavalry. From the moment the bugle
sounded for the charge, Mckenzie says
that, like those who rode with him, he
knew nothing except that he was gal
Looping in a cloud of dust and smoke
toward the enemy.
The Earl of Cardigan, who com
manded the brigade, Mckenzie Gays,
was far in advance Of his men, encour-
aging them by bis voice as well as by
his example, although, with every IN
tellgent man in his command, he must
have known by this time at least
that the charge was perfect madness.
Scarcely pause was made at the guns.
The gunners were cut down or over
run in their flight. Then the foremost
horses were driven forward against
the Russian infantry. Mckenzie says
they were brave men, and appeared
to scorn to form in squares against
such HANDFUL Of the enemy. 1t was
afterwards reported that the squares
were formed but be says that he saw
none. The force of the charge broke
through the six lines without pause.
The bayoneted horses fell forward with
the impetus they had gained, and their
weight made way for those that fol-
lowed. Those in the center Of the
brigade had only dead and wounded
men and horses to ride over. The
six ranks had been broken through
like shocks of corn.
Then came the unexpected hand-to-
hand fight with Cossack cavalry. This
was a terrible moment 1t was expected
at the very least, that after the Russian
line had been broken through there
would be opportunity to form even
under fire. A countercharge Of cav
airy on their weakened and disordered
mass was the climax Of their misfor-
tunes. In this bloody melee Mckenzie
received sabre stroke on the left side
of his head, which cut through his
tough shake, and made deep cash,
the scar of which is still plainly yisible'
after the lapse Of tweDty-one years.
He says he knows be gave the Cossack
one stroke in return, but whether it
was fatal or not be could net tell. The
next moment he was carried on by his
horse. He struck where he could, and !
was compelled to guard himself on all |
sides.
1t was wild maze Of struggling |
horses and hostile riders. The Cos
sack, fought bravely, and had the adj
vantage of superior numbers. The
English had found themselves attack
ed before the last Of the troop had
passed through the gap in the Russian
lines. 1t might have been minute !
or FIVE minutes that they were thus
engaged. Then they heard the bugle !
sound for a retreat. Hitherto the guns
had been silent, but as the shattered |
column broke again through the CEN
ter Of the semi-circular battery the
guns at either end began to open up
on it. The slaughter was terrific in
retreat as well as in advance.
1t is history that of the GOO who rode
in the charge only 1913 returned. There
was indeed terrible blupder. Lord
Raglan. who commanded the English
army. denied that he gave the order.
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