Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/116

 lil THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. CHAP, had first given his parting instructions to Lord _ Cardigan, the commander of the Light Brigade, and had then ridden off at speed in the track of Scarlett's left column. When, upon overtaking the squadrons, he found them moving in column of troops with their left flank towards the enemy, he believed that this operation (though in reality, perhaps, it had resulted from Scarlett's second order to take ground to the right) was a continu- ance of the march towards Kadikbi. He there- fore conceived that, to save time in what he took to be a pressing emergency, it was his duty at once, and in person, to give such directions to the troops as he judged to be needed, without first apprising General Scarlett, and conveying the orders through him. Accordingly, therefore, by his personal word of command, he directed the troops to wheel into line ; * and it seems that he was heard and obeyed by the Greys, but not by the Inniskillings ; for that last regiment received no orders except those which came from the lips of General Scarlett. It is evident that, at such a time, any clashing of the words of command which proceeded from the two generals might have been dangerous ; but in their actual result, livered in succession the same three orders that were given by Scarlett — i.e., orders to wheel into line, to take ground to the right, and (for the second time) to wheel into line. In my judgment, any dispute as to which of the two generals was the first to give the orders would be too trivial to deserve public attention ; but if there be a military reader who thinks other- wise, he will probably perceive that the truth can be deduced from the facts stated iu the t«xt.
 * Indeed, if Lord Lucan's impression be accurate, he de-