156 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. CHAP. I. Major Bhate. Captain Hunt. Position of the squadron. Major Shute's orrler. The charge of Hunt's squadron of the Inniskil- lings. manded one of the troops. The other troop was commanded by Sergeant-Major Shields.* Major Shute was an officer of a high order of ability ; and Captain Hunt, the squadron-leader, had not only prowess of that quiet and resolute kind which most inspires trust and devotion, but had also that priceless qualification for the wielding of cavalry which is gained by experience of war. At the moment of the surprise, as we know, this squadron of the Inniskillings had been farther advanced on the road towards Kadikoi than any other of Scarlett's troops ; and it resulted that the position of the squadron at the time when the
- three hundred ' had wheeled into line, was in the
direction of Scarlett's right rear. The squadron was so placed as to be fronting, not full, but obliquely towards the enemy's left flank. When the Russian left wing had not only dis- closed the intent to wheel inwards, but even had effected good progress in the execution of the manoeuvre, Major Shute ordered Hunt to charge it. Free from the camp impediments which had obstructed Scarlett's 'three hundred/ and after- wards the 5th Dragoon Guards, the interval which divided this squadron of the Inniskillings from the enemy was all good galloping ground, and Hunt moving forward at the head of his squadron, and then rapidly increasing, and still increasing, its swiftness, attained, before the moment of im- pact, to a full charging pace. The roar of the
- I learn that Sergeant-Major Shields received seven wounds
and that three of those wounds were severe ones.
