Above the tide each broadsword bright
Was brandished like a beam of light,
Each targe was dark below;
And with the ocean's mighty swing,
When heaving to the tempest's wing,
They hurled them on the foe.
Scott.
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Passing over much that would be interesting to my young readers, I must
now bring them to the morning of the battle of Balaclava, celebrated for
the most daring cavalry charge that ever was known in the memory of
mankind. The time that had been wasted at Gallipoli, Varna, and Devna,
had not only greatly diminished by death the number of our men, but our
horses were absolutely pined to death for want of forage; not a morsel
of grass could be found, and the hay which had been landed at Balaclava
in compressed trusses as hard as a stone, and bound together with iron
hoops, was much of it musty, while of this not more than a mere handful
(a third of the quantity served out in barracks) was given daily, and
the oats were also served out in corresponding quantities. The
consequence of this bad management was, that our horses soon grew too
weak to carry us; therefore it was no wonder that on the 25th October
not more than six hundred could be mustered in any degree fit for duty.
Our batteries opened fire upon Sebastopol about ten days previously, and
the forts had replied with vigour, therefore the fighting was fairly
begun, and continued night and day, not only with cannon, but between
skirmishers, foraging parties, continual sorties of infantry from the
forts upon the men engaged in the trenches, and between riflemen at long
range, from every imaginable position, and in every attitude where a
cover could be found and a sight of a Russian's head could be obtained.
The cavalry, therefore, were doubly diligent, as to them was principally
confided the defence of Balaclava, and the keeping open of
communications with the camp to obtain supplies from the fleet. Our
tents were situate, as near as I can guess, about three miles from
Balaclava, between the latter place and Sebastopol, and arranged partly
on the slopes of the hills and partly in the valley, which grew nothing
but thistles.
Within a short distance of our encampment were pitched the tents of the
93rd Highlanders, and a little nearer the sea could plainly be seen the
camping-ground of the Marines. On the hill-tops, farther away from
Balaclava, were erected some earthen redoubts which were armed by heavy
ship-guns, and manned by Turks. These redoubts were in tended to hold
in check the enemy, should he advance from Sebastopol by any of the
roads in the direction of Balaclava.
Soon after daybreak on the 25th October, our outlying pickets discovered
a large force of the enemy's horse, artillery and infantry, marching
rapidly along the valley, and extending their artillery and cavalry
within range of the Turkish redoubts before named. Mounted orderlies
were at once despatched to the front for reinforcements. We had not yet
broken our fast, neither had our horses been fed with their scanty
rations, or even watered. There was not a moment to be lost, and in
less time than it takes me to write three or four lines, every available
man had leaped into his saddle--a few from each of the five regiments,
the 8th and 11th Hussars, 4th and 18th Light Dragoons, and 17th Lancers,
or, as they were familiarly styled, "death or glory boys," their
regimental badge being a death's head and cross-bones, and their motto,
"Death or Glory." The badge of the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars is
the "harp and crown," and their motto, _Pristinae Virtutis Memores_,
with "Leswarre, Hindoostan," inscribed on their colours and shabraques--
the latter being the cloth covering of the saddle. The 4th Queen's Own
Light Dragoons had inscribed on their colours and shabraques the names
of the various actions in which they had been engaged--namely,
"Talavera, Albuera, Salamanca, Vittoria, Toulouse, Peninsula,
Afghanistan, Ghuznee." The shabraques and colours of the 11th, Prince
Albert's Own Hussars, bore the inscriptions, "Egypt, with the Sphinx,
Salamanca, Peninsula, Waterloo, Bhurtpore;" and the 13th Light Dragoons
wear the regimental motto, _Viret in aeternum_, with "Peninsula,
Waterloo," on their colours.
Thus it will be seen that each regiment, though so very slenderly
represented, had to sustain the well-earned honours which had previously
been bestowed upon it. For the sake of illustration, I may state that
the 17th Lancers wore a blue coatee and trousers with white facings, and
a square-topped shako with black plume. The 8th Hussars were at that
time attired in blue jackets and overalls, with a blue "pelisse" or
loose jacket hanging over the left shoulder and fastened round the neck
with a loop. The head-dress was a fur busby and white hackle. The
uniform of the 11th was precisely the same as the 8th, with this
difference, that their overalls were of crimson cloth; the colours of
both regimental facings being yellow, with a profusion of lace running
in lines across the breast, and each wore sashes of scarlet and yellow
silk and worsted around their waists. The saddles of the men were
covered with the "shabraque" before named, and over that was a black
sheep-skin; tiger skins being substituted for the latter on officers'
saddles, the tiger's head being cured with glass eyes substituted for
natural ones, and the tusks revealed as if the beast was in the act of
growling. The 4th wore blue coatees and overalls, with scarlet facings,
shakos and plumes of horse-hair; and the 13th Light Dragoons were
attired in blue coatees and buff facings, shako, and horse-hair plume.
Thus attired and thus mounted, we were formed up to await our summons
for battle, six hundred of us, all told.
By the time Sir Colin Campbell had his Highlanders under arms, the
marines on the hill-tops were forming, and the sailors were rushing to
their guns on the heights that commanded the road to the beach. The
first glimpse we had of the enemy was a couple of batteries (one behind
the other) of field-guns, marching direct upon the Turkish redoubts.
About half-a-mile in the rear of the hindmost of these two batteries was
another line of heavier guns, reaching right across the valley. Behind
these, again, appeared an immense number of cavalry, enough to eat up
our brigade, horses and all. After these marched very many squares of
infantry, while extended on each flank, and far out to the front, were
parties of mounted skirmishers, already firing, although they were not
within range. Gradually the leading field-battery nears the Number 1
Turkish redoubt. A puff of white smoke rises from the approaching
battery, then a report, followed by another and another. Now the heavy
ship-guns boom from the redoubt, but the fire from the approaching enemy
becomes too hot, and the Turks take to their heels: the enemy's light
cavalry were soon upon them, a flash of steel in the air, and a sweeping
cut or lance-thrust laid many of them low; while redoubt after redoubt
with the guns were taken, and immediately manned by Russian gunners, and
the guns turned against us. The Turks ran direct to the lines of the
Highlanders, and in this direction literally swarmed the enemy's
cavalry, but they advanced in good order. By this time our heavy
cavalry brigade had joined us under General Scarlett, and were at first
held in reserve. These were the Scots Greys, the 4th Royal Irish
Dragoon Guards, the 6th Enniskillens, the 1st Royal Dragoons and the 5th
Dragoon Guards. The light brigade were formed on the left of the
"heavys," and the whole in two ranks, Lord Cardigan, the Earl of Lucan,
and General Scarlett were in earnest conversation, while the men were
looking anxious at a numerous column of cavalry in the very act of
charging the Highlanders, who, much to our surprise, never formed
square, as is customary to receive cavalry. The Turks formed on each
flank, fired on the first approach of the Russian horse, when far enough
out of range, and ran away, leaving the Scots to take care of
themselves.
A cloud of dust almost hides the Highland infantry from view; we had
seen them fight at Alma, and knew they would stand, but oh, how we
longed to dash between them and their foes! The result showed us,
however, that they needed no such assistance. Nearer and nearer the
horsemen swept, and still undaunted the kilted heroes stood like rocks.
Now the Russians appear to be within 800 yards of their line, and quick
as lightning the front rank kneel and fire: not more than one or two
saddles are emptied, however, the distance was too great. A brief
interval, during which the horsemen unchecked ride on until within about
100 yards of the line, when the rear-rank men, over their kneeling
comrades in front, each having singled out his advancing foe, and
covered his breast with the minie muzzle, pulls the trigger, and down in
a confused mass tumble numerous horses and men; the remainder turn
"files about," and gallop back under cover of their guns.
It was now our turn, for during the previous events thousands of the
enemy's cavalry were moving up the hill, and without halting at the top,
they descended first at a gallop, then a canter, then a trot, then a
walk, and soon afterwards they halted, probably surprised that we did
not scamper off at their approach. They were at least ten to one of us,
and their front rank far outflanked us both right and left. Our
trumpets sounded the "advance," followed by "charge," and at them dashed
the heavy brigade in succession of squadrons. Full tilt at their centre
galloped Greys and Enniskillens, shooting through their line as if it
were made of rotten sticks. Such a crash, and a cheer, a flash of
sabres for an instant, and they are clean through the first Russian
lines, the flanks of which have been brought forward with the intention
of overlapping us. Another line of the same formation is charged
through, and, close in the wake of their leaders, follow with like
success the detachments from the other three regiments, and in an
instant afterwards the Russians were in full retreat, leaving great
numbers of their cavalry dead on the field, while the number of our
killed did not exceed six, and our wounded about thirty.
It is the custom in our army for heavy cavalry to break the line, and
the light cavalry to dash in, pursue, and sabre the enemy right and left
while they are all in confusion, and before they have time to re-form.
Accordingly, we galloped up, and pursued the enemy for a short distance,
when the "recall" was sounded, and we returned to the point from whence
we had started to wait for further orders. Finding they were not
pursued, the enemy retired, cavalry, infantry, and artillery, in the
direction from whence they came, and formed as if they expected a
general attack from all our available forces, with their field-batteries
in front extending across the vale; behind these were squadron after
squadron of cavalry, burning with a desire for revenge; and in rear of
these, a dense mass of infantry.
On the steep hill-side, beneath whose shelter they formed (a perfect
army in position), were placed numerous field-guns; and within range of
the captured redoubts (still in their hands), were stationed several
divisions of infantry ready to defend them. The redoubts themselves
were well manned, and also within the reach of the field-guns before
mentioned. By whose orders the "recall" was sounded while we were in
pursuit of the disorganised cavalry, after the "heavys" had broken them
up, I know not; but it afterwards appeared that either Lord Raglan or
General Airey considered that we had been recalled too soon--in fact,
that we ought to have pursued the enemy beyond the redoubts, and retaken
the guns. Be that as it may, after considerable time had been lost in
allowing the enemy to collect their scattered forces, and dispose them
so as to protect the redoubts, Captain Nolan galloped up with an order
from Lord Raglan, and handed it to Lord Lucan, who appeared not rightly
to understand it. Captain Nolan held out his hand in the direction of
the enemy, by which (I was told by a sergeant who was near) Lord Lucan
at last understood he was to pursue the enemy still further, and
re-capture the guns as well. It must be remembered, that the main body
of the Russian army was completely hid from view, having only retired,
as it were, to draw us into a trap; and, at the time when they were
disposing their forces in order of battle within the mountain gorge,
there is no doubt but our generals imagined them to be in full retreat,
and, therefore, that no serious difficulty would be encountered in
re-taking the guns, of which we had been deprived ere the proceedings
well began. The order was handed to Lord Cardigan; what he _said_, or
what he _thought_, I know not.
Placing himself at the head of the brigade, without waiting for any
supports, he commanded the trumpeter to sound the "advance," which we
did, in two lines, as we were formed before the order was given. We
galloped on for more than half-a-mile before we came within range of the
enemy's guns, which we now found raked the valley by an oblique fire
from guns posted on the hills, as well as from those planted across the
valley.
Onwards we dashed at an increased pace, men and horses tumbling dead at
every bound, thus sadly impeding our progress. At length, however, we
reached the guns, and could see the whites of our enemy's eyes through
the smoke. They met us with a horrible yell, and we answered with a
ringing cheer. I felt still unhurt, although bespattered with blood. A
forest of bayonets was behind the guns; but neither looking on my right
nor left, I pressed my legs to my gallant horse (a powerful, three-parts
bred chestnut); he rose beautifully, cleared the field-piece in front of
him, and dropped with a crash that I shall never forget, on the other
side. Simultaneous with my horse's leap, three hundred more of my
comrades had jumped their horses over the guns, and dropped among the
Russian infantry. Others had managed to get through the narrow spaces
between each gun; and now we were fighting, with little more than five
hundred men, a whole army, hemmed in on every side by artillery,
infantry, and cavalry. There was little or no smoke; and, beyond an
occasional shot from an officer's revolver, firing had ceased; but the
carnage was extraordinary. Still we rode on, cleaving our way through
solid blocks of human flesh: the sabre cuts one and two, with the
corresponding points, were most used. Every cut told a horrible tale,
and every point extinguished a life. The shrieking infantry, unable to
fly, thrust their bayonets up to the musket muzzles into our horses'
breasts, and down the noble animals fell, in quivering heaps; the rider,
clearing his stirrups as he fell, would sometimes drop on his legs, and
fight like a demon until cut to pieces.
Many such scenes I saw; still I felt unhurt, and strong as a lion. I
distinctly remember seeing Lord Cardigan on my right front, his tall
form towering higher than the heads of many around him. His head was
bare, and his thin light hair was dishevelled in the breeze caused by
the rate at which we had galloped over the valley. I saw but little
more, for the enemy had now opened fire upon both their own troops and
ourselves. The retreat was sounded; I had already fought my way back,
side by side with three or four of the 17th Lancers, and was once more
near the guns we had jumped over in our advance. Here my horse was hit
on the near side, and falling heavily on his off side, my leg was wedged
so fast under him that I found I was quite unable to extricate myself,
and in this position I remained lying on my back for at least a minute,
the enemy's lancers and dragoons all around me, and falling every
instant from their own fire. One miscreant made three distinct cuts at
me as I lay, and in putting my hands up to save my head, I was so badly
wounded in both, that I could make no effort whatever to release myself.
I was also wounded by a sabre cut across my left thigh, my cheek was
lacerated with a lance, and I had given myself up to die. In another
minute a remnant of the 11th Hussars came up. Luckily I had strength to
call out: three of them instantly dismounted, some of the 4th were at
hand, and among them I was released, and assisted on a loose horse; my
hands were terribly lacerated, but he required no steering. Now we
heard coming to our relief the cheers of the heavy brigade and some
French light dragoons, the Chasseurs d'Afrique, who covered our retreat
and kept the enemy at bay, but failed to carry off our wounded, who were
left on the field with the dead. I got safe to camp, where my wounds
were dressed, but I was incapacitated for further service, and shortly
afterwards was discharged.
Captain Nolan was killed soon after we got within range of the
field-guns. Lord Fitzgibbon and Colonel Shewell, of the 8th Hussars,
were badly wounded, and soon after died. In all, 13 officers were
killed and 21 wounded, 156 men were killed and 197 wounded, 394 horses
were killed and 126 wounded. I have put down all the men and horses as
actually missing, to the list of killed. Those that I put down wounded
returned to camp, but such as were left wounded on the field would no
doubt be massacred by the Russians as they lay.
In the next chapter I shall detail the services of the 8th Hussars in
India, whither they were sent on the breaking out of the mutiny, and
took part in all the important battles with the rebels. These details
have been supplied to me by a comrade, who served throughout both the
Crimean and Indian campaigns.