68 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. CHAP, down two out of his five infantry divisions for the defence of Balaclava. The 1st Division, under the Duke of Cambridge, and the 4th Division, under General Cathcart, were accordingly des- patched upon this service. The order to the Duke of Cambridge was in substance apparently to descend into the south valley by a line some way to the right of the Woronzoff road ; and at all events, Lord liaglan was well satisfied with the way in which H.K.H. obeyed the command. With respect to Cathcart, it was otherwise, and a detailed statement is necessary. On observing the flight of the Turks, Lord Eaglan at once called to him a staff-officer, and desired him to proceed as quickly as possible to Sir George Cathcart, and to request him to move his Division immediately to the assistance of Sir Colin Campbell.* The officer was just starting, when General Airey came up to him and said, ' Kemember you are on ' no account whatever to conduct the 4th Divi-
- There was, I think, some ambiguity in this order, for it
might either mean that the 4th Division was to make straight for the immediate front of Balaclava, or for that part of Sir Oolin's ground from which the Turks had just fled ; but the very able staff-officer entrusted with the mission had no doubt that the first of these objects was the one meant, and as a cir- cumstance favouring that view it should be borne in mind that Balaclava was then in danger of an attack from the east as well as from the north. My impression is, that the second of the two objects was the one < "litemplated by Lord Raglan ; but even on that supposition — for recourse to the Woronzoff road was strictly and rightly prohibited — the route by the Col (which was practicable for artillery) was probably the besl thai could be taken by a force inarching from Cathcart'B camp.
