Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/444

This page needs to be proofread.

422 APPENDIX. NOTE VIII. Papers relating to the Kecall of Lord Lucan. Balaclava, October 26, 1854. Dear General Airey, — I enclose a copy of the order hauded Lie- -by Captain Nolan yesterday, as desired by Lord Eaglan. When his Lordship is enabled to give it his attention, I anxiously hope that he will not still think ' I ' lost the Light Brigade ' in that unfortunate affair of yesterday. — Believe rue, &c. (Signed) LUCAN, Litut.-Gen. The Quartermaster-General. Lord Raglan to the Secretary of State, October 28, 1854. — Extract. As the enemy withdrew from the ground which they had momentarily occupied, I directed the cavalry, supported by the Fourth Division under Lieutenant-Geueral Sir George Cathcart, to move forward and take advantage of any op- portunity to regain tfce heights ; and not having been able to accomplish this immediately, and it appearing that an attempt was making to remove the captured guns, the Earl of Lucan was desired to advance rapidly, follow the enemy in their retreat, and try to prevent them from effecting their objects. In the meanwhile, the Russians had time to re-form on their own ground, with artillery in front and upon their flanks. From some misconception of the instruction to advance, the Lieutenant-Gen eral considered that he was bound to attack at all hazards, and he accordingly ordered Major- General the Earl of Cardigan to move forward with the Light Brigade.