THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. 145 Captain Forster was able to see General Scarlett chap. — he could distinguish him by the blue frock- ' coat and the glittering helmet— still fighting in the midst of the column, and some way in front of his men. The men of the 4th Dragoon Guards had been advancing with their swords in their scabbards ; * but at sight of a combat going on, though they still were divided from it by a distance of some hundreds of yards, the men instinctively drew. In exact accordance with the design of Lord Lucan, Colonel Hodge at once determined to at- tack the column in nank.f As soon as he had cleared the south of the vineyard he changed direction ; and, despite the close presence of the enemy, he boldly continued to advance in what may be called marching order ; for, still keeping his regiment in open column of troops, he began to move up the hillside by the somewhat narrow space that there was between the easternmost fence of the vineyard and the (proper) right flank of the column. He said to Captain Forster, who com- manded his right squadron, ' Forster, I am going ' on with the left squadron. As soon as your 1 squadron gets clear of the vineyard, front, form, ' and charge.' Hodge went on in person with his left squadron ; and soon, both that and Forster's squadron were wheeled and formed up with their
- Colonel Hodge, I believe, had a theory that the practice of
marching with drawn swords was only fitted for peace-time. t I do not say in obedience to the order, because I cannot undertake to say that it had yet been received. VOL. V. &
