THE TORNADO AT BALACLAVA--THE ALLIED CAMPS--RUSSIAN CAVALRY AND
HIGHLANDERS--THE FLYING TURKS AND THE HIGHLAND WIFE--CHARGE OF THE HEAVY
BRIGADE--"INTO THE VALLEY OF DEATH RODE THE SIX HUNDRED!"--DEATH OF
CAPTAIN NOLAN--AFTER THE BATTLE--TOM AND ARCHIE PROPOSE TO LEAVE THE
NAVY FOR THE ARMY, BUT THINK BETTER OF IT--THEIR VISIT TO THE GUARDS'
CAMP--THE STERN REALITIES OF WAR--ATTACKED BY THE RUSSIANS--THE
MIDSHIPMEN IN THE THICK OF THE FIGHT.
The _Tornado_ had been ordered to proceed to Balaclava. She entered
that landlocked harbour, on the southern end of the Crimea, on the
evening of the 24th of October. As she was to remain there the whole of
the next day, Jack resolved to take the opportunity of paying a visit to
his brother Sidney, and seeing what was going forward before Sebastopol.
There was no time to set off that evening; he, however, landed with his
second lieutenant and some of his younger officers, including Tom and
Archie, to have a look at the country, and to engage horses for the next
day.
Steep hills rose on either side of the harbour, on the right of which
the little town was situated, with steep, narrow streets leading down to
the water's edge. Above it was a line of defences, garrisoned by the
bluejackets forming the naval brigade, and the marines of the fleet. To
the left, across the Chersonese, ran the road to Sebastopol; while
directly in front, connected by a gorge with the harbour, was a broad
valley, called the South Valley. Beyond this rose a ridge known as the
Causeway Heights, on which were situated six redoubts, garrisoned by the
Turks, to whom had been committed what formed the outward defences of
Balaclava; along this causeway ran the Woronzoff Road. At the eastern
extremity of the valley there was a knoll between five and six hundred
feet in height, joining the Kamara Hills to the right by a neck of high
ground, the knoll jutting out over the valley, as a promontory does over
the sea. This knoll, on which Number 1 redoubt had been thrown up, was
called by the allies Canrobert's Hill. On the western extremity of the
valley was the Col, or gap through which the road passed to Sebastopol.
Eastward of Canrobert's Hill were the village and heights of Kamara;
completely overlooking it. On the farther side of the Causeway Heights
was what was called the North Valley, with a range of heights rising out
of it on the opposite side, denominated the Fedoukine Hills.
Jack and his party, having ascended from Balaclava to the height of
Saint Elias, could look down into the South Valley, at the left end of
which they saw the tents of the heavy and light cavalry, with their
horses picketed about them, while just below them were encamped Sir
Colin Campbell's Highlanders. Horses, mules, carts, and vehicles of all
sorts were making their way from the harbour along the well-beaten road
to the allied camps. Not a foe was in sight; some of the officers in
command of the marines and bluejackets, who garrisoned the lines
extending from Saint Elias to the sea, whom Jack met, told him, however,
that there were rumours of the Russians not being far-off, and that they
should not be surprised if before long they were attacked.
"You'll lick them, of course," said Tom; "but I should think they had
enough of fighting on the Alma."
"I am not so certain of that," was the answer; "the Russians are brave
fellows, and they would like to drive us into the sea if they could."
After spending some time with his friends, Jack returned on board,
having arranged to start at daybreak the next morning. Tom and Archie
again accompanied their commander. They turned out before daylight, and
Jack, who was anxious to see as much as he could of the operations
before Sebastopol, was ready to go on shore directly day broke. Their
horses were sorry steeds, but would save them fatigue, and enable them
to get over the ground faster than they could on foot. Remembering how
acceptable were the provisions they had before taken to Sidney, Tom and
Archie each carried a couple of baskets full of different articles of
provender, from which they might also supply themselves when they got
hungry.
Jack had promised to call upon another officer who had been sleeping on
shore in the marines' quarters, and who had undertaken to act as their
guide. As they were mounting the hill, the loud thunder of guns broke
on their ears. "I suppose those are the siege guns," observed Tom;
"they begin work pretty early."
"No; they came from the direction of Canrobert's Hill, to the eastward,"
answered Jack; "away on our right. They must be the Turkish guns in the
redoubts."
They hurried up the height, whence they could look down on the South
Valley and across the line of redoubts held by the Turks. They were
quickly joined by Jack's friend, who, riding up, exclaimed, "We shall
have some warm work before the day is over. Look, look! there come the
Russians in great force over those distant heights. They evidently
intend to attack the redoubts. Yes, I was sure of it; see, their
leading division has already commenced the assault on Canrobert's Hill."
One of the first objects which had caught the eyes of the naval officer
was the English cavalry already mounted and drawn up in front of their
camps. A general officer, accompanied by other horsemen, probably his
staff, went galloping by from the direction of the harbour.
"There goes Lord Cardigan to join the cavalry," observed their friend;
"he has been sleeping as usual on board his yacht; a pleasant way of
campaigning, eh, Rogers? However, he is no carpet knight, and if the
Russians come into the valley, we shall see what he and his cavalry can
do."
As far as the eye could reach Jack saw masses of Russians, some
advancing southward, others apparently turning off to the right along
the North Valley, when they were hidden from sight by the intervening
ridge. Besides the Turks, the only troops to oppose them were the
cavalry at the west end of the valley, the 93rd Highlanders, under Sir
Colin Campbell, and the marines and naval brigade on the heights above
Balaclava, with a battery of field-guns. Some little way from the foot
of the hills, and almost directly in front of the gorge leading to the
harbour, in which stood the little village of Kadikoi, was a long, low
hillock running east and west, and inside it--that is to say, to the
south of it--was the Highland camp. On this hillock the gallant 93rd
was drawn up.
An officer had been observed galloping at full speed towards Sebastopol,
evidently to inform the commander-in-chief of the appearance of the foe.
Jack at once abandoned all idea of visiting Sidney, as he was sure that
the chief part of the fighting, if there was to be a battle, would not
be far-off. The Russians, who had for some minutes been assaulting the
first Turkish battery, now pushed forward in overwhelming numbers. In
vain the Turks fought to defend the post committed to them; the enemy
swarmed over their entrenchments, while at the same time another equally
large body assailed the second redoubt. For some time the fight raged
fiercely, the Turks were defending themselves with their accustomed
bravery--a few hundred men against the seemingly countless hordes led to
the attack.
"If they can but hold out till the arrival of the succour Lord Raglan
will certainly send them, it will be a great thing, but the odds are
fearfully against them," observed Jack.
Scarcely had he made the remark when one or two figures were seen
leaping over the trenches and descending the hill; more followed, "as
fast," Tom declared, "as sand runs out through the hole in the bottom of
a bag;" and then came others, till all the survivors of those who had
garrisoned the fort were in full flight. In a few minutes the Turks in
Number 2 battery, also taking to flight, came scampering down the side
of the hill, making their way across the valley. Jack could only hope
that the remainder of the batteries might be held till relief could
reach them. As it proved, he was disappointed; presently the Turks in
all the other batteries, seeing the fate of their countrymen, broke away
from their posts, and, rushing at headlong speed down the hillside, were
seen crossing the valley to Balaclava, those who were escaping from the
two first batteries being followed by Cossack cavalry spearing all they
overtook. Had not the English light cavalry made a demonstration as if
about to charge, many more would have been killed. Meanwhile the
Russian artillery poured down upon them the fire of their guns. As they
approached, a naval officer who had hurried to the ground did his best
to rally them, but though he succeeded with some, nothing could stop the
rest till they reached the neighbourhood of the harbour.
Jack and his party hurried down to assist the officer, who, with cheery
voice and gestures, was endeavouring to rally the Turks and induce them
to form up on the right of the Highlanders. Having done all they could,
the party rode up to higher ground, whence they could better witness
what was going forward. In the far distance, to the north of the Col,
Jack could distinguish through his glass a group of officers whom he
guessed must be Lord Raglan and his staff, who had hastened up to direct
the coming battle, while the heads of French and English columns were
observed marching from the direction of Sebastopol. Soon after this,
Jack and his companions, who were watching the English cavalry,
expecting to see some of them sent in pursuit of the Cossacks, greatly
to their surprise observed the whole of them moving away to the
northward over the ridge till they were lost to sight, summoned,
apparently, by one of Lord Raglan's aides-de-camp, thus leaving
Balaclava without any other defence than the Highlanders and the battery
of field-guns.
At this juncture a large body of Russian cavalry appeared in the
direction of the third and fourth redoubts, having come thus far up the
North Valley. Just then the English batteries on the edge of the
Chersonese opened on them; this turned them, and they came moving over
the causeway, as if about to descend into the South Valley, while the
Russian artillery, which had advanced over the ridge, opened fire on the
Highlanders and Turks, who were posted at the foot of Balaclava heights.
Sir Colin, therefore, ordered them to move back to the foot of a
hillock which they had before crowned, and to lie down under shelter.
Directly afterwards four squadrons of the Russian cavalry, detached from
the larger mass, came shaping their way across the southern valley
towards the gorge which led to the harbour, the defence of which had
been confided to the Highlanders, who were now supported by a hundred
invalid soldiers, marched up from Balaclava. Directly the Russian
cavalry were seen, the greater number of the Turks, thoroughly
disorganised by their previous defeat, again took to flight, and rushed
off towards the harbour, shrieking out, "Ship! ship! ship!" as if their
only hope of escaping was to get on board the vessels in the harbour.
The Highlanders, who were still lying down, watched them with
contemptuous looks, and not a little merriment, as they observed the
frightened expression of their countenances. Within sight, behind them,
was the Highlanders' camp. As the terror-stricken Osmanlis were
scampering away past it, some even attempting to find shelter within,
there issued forth a tall figure with a thick stick in hand, who, by her
dress, was seen to be a female of Amazonian proportions.
Shouting loudly in Gaelic, she ordered the fugitive Turks to return to
their ranks, but her voice being unheeded, she placed herself before
them and attempted to drive them back with her cudgel. Her efforts
being still of no avail, after striking at several on either side, she
rushed at a big, burly-looking Turk who was coming headlong towards her,
and, seizing him by his jacket, began belabouring his back and head with
a fury which was likely to prove as effective as the shot of the enemy,
from whom he was trying to escape, in sending him to enjoy the bliss of
Paradise.
Shouts of laughter burst from her friends in the distance as they
witnessed her exploit. The Osmanli on whom she had seized roared out
for mercy, till at length she let him go, giving him a shove towards the
position he had deserted, while she kept flourishing her club behind him
till he returned to his post. Whether or not she added materially to
the strength of Sir Colin's force may be doubted, but the incident had a
good effect upon her Highland countrymen; reminding them that they had
not only their own lives to defend, but hers and others in the camp in
their rear. In spite of the serious state of affairs, Jack and those
around him could not help bursting into fits of laughter, though they
themselves were not free from danger, for occasionally a round-shot came
flying towards them from the Russian guns, but with not sufficient
frequency to make them shift the advantageous ground they occupied for
witnessing what was going forward.
Sir Colin was now left, exclusive of a small body of Turks who still
kept their ground, with scarcely six hundred men to defend the approach
to Balaclava.
The veteran general felt the gravity of the occasion; but his stout
heart did not quail, for he knew well that the brave men under him would
stand firm. Riding down the line, he exclaimed to them, "Remember,
there is no retreat from here, men; you must die where you stand."
"Ay, ay, Sir Colin, we'll do that," cried the Highlanders. The four
squadrons of Russian cavalry, amounting to not less than six hundred
men, now approached over the northern side of the valley, making direct
for the gorge; apparently ignorant that a body of English troops were
ready to bar their way, and evidently hoping to seize one of the
batteries on the side of the passage. Sir Colin allowed them to come
within long-musket range of the hillock, when he gave the word to his
Highlanders, who, springing up, in an instant afterwards crowned the
whole length of the ridge, forming a line only two deep; Sir Colin,
confiding in their muscular power and the nature of the ground they
occupied, not deeming it necessary to throw them into square. When they
saw their enemy before them, they exhibited the greatest desire to rush
down into the plain and charge the cavalry with their bayonets.
"Ninety-third! Ninety-third!" cried the old general fiercely; "none of
that eagerness." Sir Colin's stern voice checked the men, who now
opened their fire. The Russians, evidently taken by surprise, wheeled
to the left and swept round, apparently intending to attack the
Highlanders on the right flank. Immediately the Grenadier company of
the 93rd brought its left shoulder forward to show a front to the
north-east, and, pouring in a rattling fire, compelled the Russian
squadron again to wheel to the left, and retreat much faster than they
had come. On this the English battery opened fire, considerably
scattering the horsemen, as they galloped back across the valley to the
north to join the main body, which was seen coming over the ridge,
increasing every moment in size. It looked, indeed, more as if the
whole surface of the earth was moving, so compact was the dusky mass of
the several thousand units which composed it.
Onward it advanced, as if about to descend into the South Valley. Now
was the Russian general's opportunity. As far as he could then see, he
had only a weak battery and six hundred infantry opposed to his enormous
band of horsemen. By making a sudden dash across the valley he might
annihilate the 93rd before the still distant infantry of the allies
could come to Sir Colin's relief.
"Matters look serious," observed Jack. "We can scarcely dare to hope
that the Highlanders will be able to withstand the charge of that
prodigious body of cavalry; and if they give way, the Russians will
quickly be into Balaclava. We ought to be on board to fight the ship or
to get her out of the harbour, though I don't like to leave the ground
while there is the chance of a turn in the state of affairs."
"They'll not venture on it," answered his friend. "See! see!"
As he spoke, the cavalry halted on the side of the hill to the east of
Number 5 redoubt. The Russian commander had indeed some reason to
hesitate, for, besides the English battery posted in his front on the
side of Kadikoi, which would play upon him as he advanced, he might have
seen the leading files of a French column appearing through the Col, and
which might, before he could overthrow the little band of Highlanders,
attack him on the flank.
Just then also Jack distinguished, coming round from the north end of
the ridge, several squadrons of English dragoons, their burnished
helmets and breastplates glittering brightly in the rays of the sun.
These were the Scots Greys, the Inniskillings, and two regiments of
Dragoon Guards. They moved along at some distance from each other,
riding carelessly, as if not aware of the near vicinity of the enemy.
The rough nature of the ground had hitherto hidden the Russians from
their view, and prevented the latter from seeing them. Scarcely,
however, had their leaders caught sight of the foe than their decision
was made. While one party came between the two cavalry camps, the
larger body formed up to the north of the light cavalry camp, directly
in front of the head of the Russian squadron.
"I do believe our cavalry are going to attack the Russians!" exclaimed
Jack.
"No doubt about it," answered his friend. "That is General Scarlett at
their head, with his aide-de-camp--and see, that must be Lord Lucan who
has ridden up to him."
What was to be done could only be judged by the movements of the
squadrons. About three hundred British horsemen, composed of
Inniskillings and Scots Greys, were forming in line with as much care as
if they were on parade. Another body of cavalry, the Dragoon Guards,
were moving to the right; while two others farther off, also Dragoon
Guards and Royals, formed more to the north. The arrangements were
speedily made. Lord Lucan came galloping back towards the
Inniskillings; and General Scarlett, accompanied by three other persons
on horseback, was seen to place himself at the head of the Scots Greys
and a squadron of the Inniskillings. The enemy's cavalry had now halted
on the slope of the hill. General Scarlett giving the order to advance,
his sword glittering in the rays of the sun, he, with his three
companions, dashed forward, followed by the gallant troop of cavalry,
their horses' hoofs shaking the ground as they rushed towards the
enormous body of Russians.
"They must be swallowed up and annihilated," exclaimed one of Jack's
companions.
"They have no intention of letting the Russians do that to them,"
answered Jack; "though I fear the general and his comrades will be cut
to pieces before the rest of the men overtake them."
There was but little time, however, for making many remarks. Onward at
full gallop went that gallant band of horsemen, their leaders still
fifty yards in advance, while a shower of bullets poured from the
Russian ranks. Every moment it was expected that the Russians would
charge, but still motionless they stood awaiting their foe. Now, like a
thunderbolt, Scarlett and his three hundred horsemen hurled themselves
on the Russian cavalry, he and his companions still keeping the lead,
and appearing like a sharp point of the mighty wedge of red which was
clearing its onward way amid the dark-grey mass of Russians, the swords
of the British troopers flashing as they whirled them right and left, or
pointed them at the foe; the clash of steel and the muttered roar of the
combatants being heard far away across the valley. On and on went those
daring horsemen, till the greater number seemed engulfed, though not
overwhelmed; for still the red coats and those flashing blades could be
seen ever surging onward amid the surrounding mass of grey.
The Russians had thrown out a wing on their left flank; and
notwithstanding the prowess of the British horsemen in their midst,
there were no signs of their giving way. The spectators on the heights
watched the combatants with a burning anxiety, expressed by the broken
ejaculations they now and anon uttered. Still the tall horsemen,
towering above their dark-coated antagonists, moved here and there,
cutting their way as best they could amid the mass, who yielded as they
advanced, only to close again. Anxiety for the fate of those who had
thus hurled themselves amid numberless foes continued to increase, when
the regiment of Inniskilling Dragoons on the English right went
thundering down on the Russian left flank, while the Dragoon Guards
dashed forward to attack their front. The Royals next advanced at the
gallop towards the squadron sent out on the Russian right flank, and
another regiment of dragoons which had just appeared on the ground,
keeping close under the hill, assailed the enemy on the same flank;
while numerous other horsemen, among whom was a butcher in his
shirt-sleeves, and several without helmets or breastplates, were seen
galloping up from the camp to join in the fight.
Scarcely had the last-arrived squadron of Inniskillings cast itself at
headlong speed on the Russians than their deep-serried ranks began to
relax. Many an eye was watching the gallant leader of the charge, who,
fighting his way round to the right, with a portion of his troopers, at
length emerged on the left flank of the Russians, shortly afterwards
followed by the colonel of one of the regiments; who immediately ordered
the trumpeter to sound the rally, the other officers also quickly
re-forming their men.
The whole mass of Russians had by this time begun to heave upwards
against the slope of the hill; the horsemen on the outside were first
seen breaking away, and the next instant the whole of the vast body
began to disperse, retreating, and endeavouring to save themselves by
flight, followed by some of the victorious troopers; who were, however,
as speedily as possible recalled, to save them from being exposed to the
fire of the Russian artillery, which would have opened on them from the
opposite heights. As the enemy were seen in flight, the 93rd, which had
been among the most eager of the spectators, greeted them from afar by a
loud cheer; while Sir Colin Campbell, his countenance beaming with
delight, was seen to gallop forward, and, taking off his hat, to
compliment the Greys on their gallantry. Long as the time had appeared
during which this strange combat had taken place, Jack, on pulling out
his watch, discovered that but eight minutes had passed from the time
when General Scarlett at the head of his three hundred threw himself at
his foes till they were in full flight up the hill.
Jack and his naval companions, who freely criticised all that occurred,
had been watching with astonishment the Light Brigade, to the number of
nearly seven hundred, who all this time, drawn up on the side of the
hill, had been spectators of the fight without attempting to take the
least part in it. "I suppose we shall hear all about it," said Jack,
"but to me it seems one of the most surprising things; and I suspect
that the fellows themselves must have chafed not a little at being thus
kept back, when they would have done such good service by following the
enemy, and rendering their overthrow even more complete than it has
been."
As there appeared to be no more chance of seeing any fighting where they
then were, the party of naval officers directed their course towards the
high ground on the Chersonese, whence they could look up the North
Valley, at the eastern end of which it was evident the greater part of
the Russian army was posted. As they rode along, they passed two French
brigades, which had hitherto been watching the South Valley. The French
officers greeted them in a friendly way, one and all expressing their
admiration at the gallant exploit just performed by the Heavy Brigade.
They caught sight directly afterwards of an English brigade, which they
learned was General Cathcart's, coming down from the Chersonese.
Trotting on, they themselves were about to climb up the heights on their
left, where Lord Raglan and his staff were stationed, when some of the
party proposed that they should turn to the right along the Woronzoff
Road, in the direction of the redoubts now occupied by the Russians.
"We shall be able to beat a timely retreat, if necessary," said Jack;
"and we shall, from one of the higher points, have a view of what is
going forward in the North Valley as well as in the South."
Without further discussion as to the wisdom of their proceeding, they
trotted on eastward along the Woronzoff Road, keeping a bright look-out
ahead, in order that they might avoid getting under the fire of the
Russian riflemen who might be advancing along the causeway. Before
leaving the hills of Balaclava, they had observed that the Russians had
not got farther west along the causeway than Number 3 redoubt, known as
the Aratabia redoubt. On they went, till they reached a height a little
to the west of Number 4 redoubt, whence they had an excellent view up
and down the North Valley, as well as across it to the Fedoukine Hills,
where they saw that the Russians were strongly posted.
The Light Brigade had by this time moved from its former position down
into the western end of the North Valley, where also the heavy cavalry
regiments were drawn up, as well as the magnificent body of French
cavalry, under General Maurice. Far-off, at the distance of a mile and
a half, they could see a large battery of Russian guns, supported by
enormous masses of cavalry. Jack and his companions continued their
comments on all they saw.
"To my mind," observed Jack, "the first thing to be done would be to
retake the redoubts and prevent the Russians from carrying off the guns
they captured from the Turks. I suppose that is what General Cathcart
will do when he reaches the causeway, though he is a long time coming;
and if I were Lord Raglan, I should be in a considerable rage with him.
I only wish we had a few hundred of our bluejackets; we should very
soon, I suspect, be masters of one or more of the redoubts the Russians
have got hold of."
"See, see!" cried Tom; "here comes an aide-de-camp from Lord Raglan; for
my part, I believe that the cavalry will do the work if General Cathcart
does not come up in time."
Just as this remark was made, the English infantry were seen descending
along the Woronzoff Road. As they marched on they left some troops in
the two western redoubts deserted by the Turks; and the naval officers
had to move down the hill a little way to allow them to pass on to
Number 4 redoubt, close to which General Cathcart halted his troops. As
he did so, a cloud of skirmishers were seen advancing along the causeway
towards the Russians in front of the Aratabia. Here the general
appeared to have made up his mind to remain, instead of advancing and
driving the Russians before him, as Jack thought he would do. Having
got clear of the English infantry, the naval officers again took up
their post on the top of the hill, whence they could look directly down
on the Heavy and Light Cavalry Brigades, near which they distinguished
Lord Lucan, the general commanding them.
"I wonder nothing is being done," exclaimed Jack at length; "if they
don't look sharp about it, those Russians will carry off the Turkish
guns in spite of them."
"Here comes an officer, at all events, from Lord Raglan, in hot haste;
he must be a first-rate horseman," exclaimed one of the naval officers,
"or he would break his neck coming down that steep hill."
As he spoke, he pointed to the side of the Chersonese, down which an
aide-de-camp was seen galloping at a speed on which few horsemen over
such ground would have ventured. Though every moment it seemed that his
horse must come down and crush him as it fell, he continued his course
in safety, and then came galloping up to Lord Lucan.
"He's saying something pretty strong, if we are to judge by his
gestures," observed Jack; "see, he is pointing with his sword up the
valley. No, it must be at the Russians on the causeway. He's ordering
the cavalry to do just what those infantry fellows ought to have done
long ago; and so they would have done it if they had had their will."
"I know that aide-de-camp," remarked one of the party; "he is Captain
Nolan, he belongs to General Airey's staff."
Directly afterwards Lord Lucan was seen addressing Lord Cardigan, who
immediately galloped forward towards where the light cavalry were drawn
up.
"See, the regiments of light cavalry are forming line; they are going to
attack the Russians near the redoubts, after all," exclaimed Jack. "The
heavy cavalry is preparing to support them; they will drive away the
Russians as chaff before the wind."
After this, few remarks were made by any of the group, so deeply
interested were they in watching what was going forward. Lord Cardigan
was seen to place himself at the head of the light cavalry, while Lord
Lucan came closer to them. All eyes, however, were riveted on Lord
Cardigan and the light cavalry; he could easily be distinguished by his
commanding yet slight figure, as he sat upon his tall charger at a
distance of some five horses' lengths in front of the line, which now
began to advance. The spectators expected to see the light cavalry
wheel with their left shoulders forward towards the Russians on their
right front, whom it was supposed they were about to attack. Instead of
doing so, Lord Cardigan, sitting in his saddle, with his face down the
valley, galloped on straight before him. Scarcely had he gone a hundred
paces, when a figure, recognised at once as that of Captain Nolan, was
seen to dash out from the left of the line and to gallop diagonally
across the front. The aide-de-camp was waving his sword, pointing
eagerly towards the Russians on the right, who were engaged in
endeavouring to carry off the guns captured from the Turks.
He had just passed Lord Cardigan when a shell burst close to him, and
his horse, wheeling suddenly, dashed back towards the advancing ranks.
At the same moment, his sword falling from his hand, while his arm
remained extended, a fearful shriek, unlike anything human, burst from
him, and his horse passing between the 13th Light Dragoons, he at length
fell to the ground a lifeless corpse. If, as it seems certain, his
object had been to point out the direction the cavalry were to charge,
Lord Cardigan took no notice of it, but continued on right down the
valley towards the Russian guns and masses of Russian horsemen at its
eastern end.
"Good heavens! they will be annihilated!" exclaimed Jack. "Where are
they going?"
Well might he have said that, for in a short time from the heights on
either side the Russians began to pour down showers of shot and shell
and rifle balls upon the devoted band. Many were seen to drop;
riderless horses came galloping back, some falling in their course,
others uttering cries of agony from the wounds they had received. Here
and there human forms could be distinguished, some lying in the quiet of
death, others writhing on the ground or endeavouring to drag themselves
back up the valley.
Now the guns in front sent forth their deadly missiles, filling the air
with dense clouds of smoke, into which the cavalry charged with headlong
speed.
While the Light Brigade was thus rushing on apparently to utter
destruction, the heavy cavalry was advancing, following Lord Lucan.
"Can he be going to lead them to the destruction to which he has
consigned the light cavalry?" exclaimed one of the naval officers.
"Thank Heaven, no," observed Jack; "they have had a taste already of
what they would have to go through. See, they've halted; though why he
does not lead them up to attack the Russians on his right I cannot make
out."
The heavy cavalry had already lost several men under the withering fire
to which they had been exposed during the few minutes their advance had
lasted, and they were now compelled to remain inactive while the action
was going forward, as their brethren of the light cavalry had been in
the morning. It was pretty evident that Lord Lucan could not be aware
of the enemy on his right, or he would at once have found ample work for
his heavy horsemen. At this juncture a portion of the French cavalry,
the famous regiment D'Allonville, was observed to be moving forward,
sweeping round the western base of the Fedoukine Hills, up which they
charged, rushing forward as fast as the uneven nature of the ground
would allow them at the Russian infantry and artillery which had so long
been posted there. As they approached, the artillery limbered up and
galloped off to the eastward, while the infantry quickly retreated,
though not till many of the gallant Frenchmen's saddles had been
emptied.
Several minutes of awful suspense had passed away since the last of the
red line of light cavalry had been seen rushing into the cloud of smoke.
The guns which had dealt death into their ranks had ceased to roar; but
what had become of them or of the brave horsemen it was impossible to
say. At length here and there a single horseman was seen moving slowly
back, he or his charger sorely wounded. Now more and more appeared,
several, alas! being seen to drop as they retired; the whole centre of
the valley, as far as the eye could reach, being strewed with the bodies
of men and horses. As the cloud of smoke cleared off, a dark mass only
could be discerned in the distance, the glitter of sword-blades and the
confused murmur of voices which came up the valley alone indicating that
the fight was still raging, sounds ever and anon of musketry being added
to it.
At length the numbers of those who were coming up the valley increased;
among them appeared the tall form of their leader, he and his horse
uninjured. Then came larger parties, followed again by single horsemen
and men on foot, still exposed to the fire from the causeway. Presently
a number of Cossacks came galloping after the fugitives, spearing some
and taking others prisoners; but just then the Russian guns on the
Causeway Ridge again opened, and the Cossacks were compelled to abandon
the pursuit, many of those whom they had surrounded making their escape.
The naval officers now rode back to the slope at the foot of the
Chersonese, on which considerable groups had assembled, and towards
which the gallant men who had come out from amid that valley of death
were now collecting. The officers were speaking eagerly together;
surgeons who had hurried down were attending to the wounded; several
parties were on their way into the valley to endeavour to bring in those
who were on the ground still, unable to move.
Among the last to come in was an officer on a weary horse, which could
scarcely drag itself up the valley; numerous persons went forward to
meet him. "That is Lord George Paget," said one of the naval officers.
He had, with Colonel Douglas, led out the remnant of the 4th Light
Dragoons and a portion of the 11th Hussars; not only had the brigade,
though separated into several bands, broken through the guns, but,
driving the Russian horsemen before them, and finally breaking through
all opposition, had made their way again up the valley, passing directly
in front of a large body of Russian Lancers, and once more, under a fire
of shot and shell, they returned to the foot of the Chersonese. The
naval officers could not, naturally, tear themselves from the scene.
For some time stragglers and riderless chargers were coming in, and then
there was the numbering of horses, and afterwards the melancholy
roll-call. Of the gallant brigade, which half an hour before had
numbered nearly 700 horsemen, not 200 now remained fit for duty. A
hundred and thirteen men had been killed, 134 wounded; while close upon
500 horses were killed or rendered unfit for service.
Now came the sad work of searching for the slain who could be reached
and brought in for burial; but numbers still lay where the fire of the
Russian batteries commanded the ground, as they could not be interred
till a cessation of arms was agreed on for the purpose. Many a gallant
trooper hurried forward notwithstanding to search for his wounded
officers or comrades, and several were thus saved from perishing on the
battlefield.
Another scene took place, trying to many a trooper who had managed to
bring his wounded steed out of the fight. The farriers went round to
examine those which had been rendered unserviceable by their hurts.
Some of the men pleaded hard for those that were condemned, in the hopes
that they might recover, but the farriers knew well that they would
never again be fit to carry their riders in the fight.
"Shure, it's myself would rather have been wounded than the poor baste,"
exclaimed an Irish trooper, throwing his arm round his horse's neck;
"you wouldn't have shot me, at all events. Just be after letting him
live for a few days, at laste, and I'll see what I can do to doctor
him."
"I'm obeying orders, Pat; I tell you, if he gets stiff he'll never carry
you fifty yards, much less the mile and a half you galloped over this
afternoon," was the answer.
Poor Pat, whose hacked blade showed the deadly work he had been doing,
burst into tears, as the farrier led off his well-beloved horse to the
spot appointed for its execution, where, with upwards of forty others,
it was shot.
As it was too late by this time to go on to the Guards' camp, Jack
considering it his duty to sleep on board, and having had the
satisfaction to hear that Sidney was well, and of sending him a message,
he and his party returned to Balaclava. Tom and Archie were full of the
exploits they had witnessed, and so excited did they become in
describing them to their messmates, that they declared they would give
up the service, and try and get their friends to obtain them commissions
in the cavalry.
"Which means that your friends are to buy you commissions, which will
cost them some thousands to begin with, besides finding you five or six
hundred a year to enable you to live like the rest of your brother
officers," observed the assistant-surgeon. "I should just like to have
the fortune which is lost to his family by each of the poor fellows who
bit the dust this afternoon in yonder valley of death. I'd quit the
service, you may depend on that, and buy a good practice on shore, with
enough to set up my carriage at once." The next morning Tom and Archie
had changed their minds, and had resolved to continue serving their
Queen and country afloat.
Jack, finding that he could not sail till the evening, went on shore,
taking the two midshipmen with him, to make another attempt to visit
Sidney. Having obtained the steeds they had ridden the previous day,
they took the way to the Col, halting on the first high ground they
reached. They saw that the Russians still retained in considerable
force the redoubts they had won from the Turks.
"They seem unpleasantly close to our lines," observed Tom to Archie;
"our fellows must keep pretty wide awake, or they will be taking us by
surprise some fine morning."
"Trust Sir Colin Campbell for that," answered Archie; "we Highlanders
are not men to be found napping in the face of an enemy."
They had not gone far when they met Lord Raglan and some of his staff,
and presently afterwards Sir Colin Campbell came up, when an earnest
conversation took place between the two generals. Jack was moving on
with his two midshipmen, when an aide-de-camp overtook him, from whom he
heard that it was in contemplation to abandon Balaclava, that the ships'
guns and stores not in use were to be embarked, and that all the vessels
not required were to go out of the harbour, or to be moved lower down
towards its mouth. Disappointed again, Jack had to return on board to
carry out his orders. He, however, gave the midshipmen leave to go as
far as the Guards' camp, with directions to return immediately they had
communicated with Sidney.
In high glee they rode on, determined, if possible, not to be again
stopped. Having passed through the Col, they skirted the edge of the
Chersonese to the right, when a windmill, for which they were told to
steer their course, appeared in sight. After going about two miles they
reached the Guards' camp, on some level ground at the top of the
plateau. Sidney was seated in his tent, unwashed and unshaven, wrapped
in his greatcoat, looking very unlike the trim Guardsman Tom had
hitherto seen him. He had just come in from the trenches. Having
thanked the two midshipmen for the welcome provisions they brought him,
he made them sit down, one on a portmanteau turned sideways, the other
on his only spare camp-stool.
"So you have come to witness the glories of war, Tom," said Sidney, with
a faint smile; "for my part, I confess I wish we could have another
stand-up fight, and get over the work in the trenches. I can tell you
it is not very pleasant to stand out in the cold for hours together,
with the chance of being shot at any moment."
"Archie and I couldn't help wishing that we were dragoons, with the
chance of charging the enemy in the magnificent way we saw General
Scarlett and his heavy cavalry do yesterday," said Tom.
"Such a chance doesn't come more than once in a campaign, and you
wouldn't exactly wish to perform the feat the unfortunate light cavalry
had to go through yesterday, from what I hear," answered Sidney. "Stick
to the navy, lads; you have the best of it."
Luncheon was scarcely over, when a rattling fire was heard, followed by
the sound of heavy guns. "There's something going forward," cried
Sidney, going out of the tent. In an instant the whole camp was astir.
The bugles sounded, and the brigade of Guards fell in, orders having
been received to march northward along the heights, in the direction of
Inkerman. The midshipmen, forgetting the caution they had received to
return immediately to Balaclava, hurried forward, taking their way
somewhat to the left of the line on which the Guards had marched, who
were thus on their right.
"Push along!" cried Tom; "we haven't much time to lose, and we must see
some of the fun at all events."
The direction they had taken led them along a high spur of the hill,
past a small body of soldiers, some of whom called to them; but, not
hearing what they said, they went on; when, coming to the extreme end of
the spur, they saw a deep glen before them. Plunging into it, they
quickly climbed up on the other side, when they again found themselves
on high ground. Just as they reached it, the loud rattle of musketry
saluted their ears, and they caught sight of a large body of Russians
making their way over another hill on their right, their advance opposed
by some English light troops who were skirmishing in their front. On
looking back, somewhat to their right, they caught sight of a brigade of
English troops drawn up, and apparently standing at their ease,
spectators of the fight. They could make out, however, in front of
them, two or three batteries of guns. On came the Russians; every
moment it seemed as if a general battle would begin.
"I wish we had rifles," cried Tom, "we'd go and join those brave
fellows, and help to keep the Russians back."
"No, no," answered Archie, "that isn't our duty; the soldiers can do
very well without us."
"Well, then, let's go to our left, where I see some bluejackets," said
Tom, who had been looking through his telescope; "to my mind we ought
then to be about-ship, and find our way to where we left our horses, or
we shall be getting into a scrape."
To reach the spot at which Tom pointed they had again to descend into
another valley, and to climb up some steep height; but this was a feat
they easily performed. Scarcely, however, had they got there than they
caught sight of a body of redcoats farther down the glen, firing rapidly
as they retired before a dense mass of Russians. The English soldiers
they made out in a short time to be Guardsmen, who, though retreating,
were doing so with a definite object, and were certainly not running
away. The midshipmen soon saw, a little in the rear of where they were
standing, a trench towards which apparently the Guards were making their
way. Archie suggested that they also should get behind the trench, and
there do their best to help the Guards in resisting the enemy. Tom
agreed that it was the wisest thing they could do. Scarcely had they
got behind it than the English soldiers, numbering no more than sixty
men, who had hitherto been retreating, came to a halt; and, getting
behind the trench, stood shoulder to shoulder, as if determined to bar
the farther progress of the Russian column. In vain the Russian
officers endeavoured to get their men to advance; whenever they did so,
they were met by a rattling fire, and a bristling line of bayonets.
Thousands might have been in their rear, but they could make no
impression on the gallant little band.
Scarcely had the Guards come to a halt than from the very midst of the
Russian column two persons sprang out, and were received in their midst
with a shout of joy. They proved to be one of their captains and a
sergeant, whom they supposed had been taken prisoners or killed by the
Russians. The officer advised the midshipmen to go, as they could do no
good where they were.
"But before we wish you good-bye, sir, may we ask how you managed to get
out alive from among so many Russians?" inquired Tom.
"In a very unexpected manner," answered the officer. "I had gone on
with the sergeant to some distance ahead of the men, when, on turning an
angle, we found ourselves confronted by a whole mass of Russians
hurrying up at a great rate, apparently intending to effect a surprise.
The first men we saw fired at us, and, after we had retreated up the
hill, several followed, intending to make us prisoners, but we knocked
them over with the butts of our rifles. We then found ourselves hurried
along by the advancing masses of the enemy. As we had on our
greatcoats, the fresh men did not recognise us, and, by taking care not
to keep near the same persons longer than we could help, we were carried
on till we caught sight of our own men directly in front of us; and the
Russians thinking we were going to lead them against their foes, we were
able, without a blow aimed at us, to leap into the midst of our
friends."
"It was indeed a wonderful escape," said Tom; "but I wish you would let
us stop and help you; we could use our rifles as well as your men."
To this the officer would not consent, again urging them to make good
their retreat while they could do so without risk. After going a little
way up the valley, they began to ascend the steep side of the hill to a
place where they were protected from the shot which flew high over the
heads of the gallant band below. On reaching the summit, they saw
before them a battery manned by English sailors. They made their way
into it, and as it was upon high ground, they could see, on their right,
vast masses of Russians, who, having driven back the English
skirmishers, now crowned the top of a high hill. The enemy soon
afterwards, bringing up several field-pieces, began to fire at the
English brigade in their front. Scarcely had they begun to do so than
the English guns rapidly replied, their shot taking fearful effect upon
the closely-pressed body of Russians, which seemed rent and torn in
every direction by the iron showers hurled into their midst. For some
time the Russians stood their ground bravely, and, more masses coming
on, they threatened not only to cut off the gallant little band in the
valley below, but to surround the battery in which the midshipmen were
posted, and towards which several of the enemy's guns were now directed.
The shot came flying into and around it; the bluejackets who manned the
guns returned the fire with interest. But first one was struck, then
another and another, and there appeared every probability that the
battery would be overwhelmed.
Dangerous as was the position into which the midshipmen had got, they
were ashamed to retreat. Several more men had been killed, when a
sergeant hurried into the battery, ordering the naval officer in command
to spike his guns and retreat. "When my captain directs me to do so, I
will obey," was the answer. "In the meantime, this gun will be of
service." As he spoke, the Russians, who had been driven from the hill
on the right, were seen climbing up the sides of the valley, threatening
to take the battery in reverse. Not a moment was to be lost; by immense
exertion part of the parapet was thrown down. "Lend a hand, all of
you," cried the naval officer. His appeal was responded to. The gun
being slued round by the sailors and a few soldiers, the midshipmen
exerting themselves with hearty goodwill, it was fired directly down
upon the enemy with such effect that they immediately abandoned their
intention of making their way in that direction, and retreated with the
rest of the attacking force towards Sebastopol.
"Hurrah! we've done for them," cried Tom, unable to restrain his
feelings of satisfaction, while the gun continued to hurl its missiles
into the midst of the enemy as long as they were in sight.
The midshipmen, on their way back, fell in with the officer whose
acquaintance they had just before made, and found that he and his
gallant little band, with the aid of another small party, had not only
defeated their host of foes, but had succeeded in making several of them
prisoners. They now hurried back, under the guidance of a brother
officer of Sidney's, to the Guards' camp. Sidney himself soon after
arrived; and after rowing the midshipmen for having unnecessarily thrust
their noses into danger, and giving Tom a message for Jack, bade them
hasten back to Balaclava as fast as their steeds would carry them. They
got a slight glimpse of the field of Inkerman, on which, before many
days were over, a desperate battle was to be fought. From the high
ground on which they stood near the Guards' camp, they could look down
into a deep valley covered with brushwood, with a line of lofty hills on
the farther side.
By urging on their steeds they got back to the harbour before dark. On
reaching the ship, they heard that Lord Raglan had given up his
intention of abandoning Balaclava. Next morning the _Tornado_ sailed
for Constantinople with a number of sick and wounded men. Several poor
fellows died on the voyage, and the rest were carried to the hospital at
Scutari.