THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. 211 which was devolving upon him. From the way chap. in which his brigade was fronting at the time, he L considered that an indefinite order to advance was an order to advance down the valley against the far distant guns and black masses of cavalry which were seen to be drawn up across it ; and whatever were the words really used, Lord Cardi- gan certainly understood that without assailing either of the enemy's two protruded columns he was ordered to run the gauntlet between them for a distance of more than a mile, with the purpose of then charging the battery which crossed the lower end of the valle}^, and charging it moreover in front. Understanding that he was thus instructed, Lord Cardigan judged it right to point out the true import of an order to advance down the valley. So, on hearing the words of his Divi- sional General, he brought down his sword in salute, and answered, ' Certainly, Sir ; but allow ' me to point out to you that the Eussians have ' a battery in the valley in our front, and batteries ' and riflemen on each flank.' * Lord Lucan, after first expressing his concurrence in what he gathered to be the tenor of Lord Cardigan's observation, went on to intimate — he shrugged his shoulders whilst speaking — 'that there was no choice but to obey.' t
- Lord Lucan's belief is that Lord Cardigan's warning pointed
only to the forces on the Fedioukine Hills, and not to those in front or those on the right flank. t He said, according to Lord Lncan, 'I know it, but Lord ' Raglan will have it. We have no choice but to obey.' Ac-
