Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/169

 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. 147 to be assailed by our supports, it was convenient chap. to begin with the regiment on our extreme left ; '__ but it must be understood that these movements of the 4th Dragoon Guards took place at a time somewhat later than that which might appear to be assigned to them by the order they have in the narrative. The Eoyals had received no order to leave their The itoyak position under the steeps of the Chersonese ;* but from the ground where the regiment stood posted, the preparations for the then impending fight could be easily seen ; and apparently it was as- sumed that the fact of the regiment being left without orders must have sprung from mistake. At all events, the Eoyals moved rapidly off to- wards the scene of the combat. In its approach to the scene of the fight, this regiment was coming on past the south of the vineyard when Scarlett's ' three hundred,' having already delivered their charge, and being part buried in the column, the right wing of the enemy was all at once seen by the Eoyals to be folding inwards as though it would envelop the Greys. The sight of the enemy's cavalry deliberately wheeling in upon the rear of a British regiment, kindled so vehement a zeal in the hearts of the Eoyals, and so eager a desire to press instantly order for the movement towards Kadikbi extended to only eight. This difference, I take it, was the cause of the Royals having been left without orders ; but the emergency created by the sudden appearance of the Russian cavalry was regarded as a full warrant for the movement.
 * The brigade comprised ten squadrons, whilst Lord Raglan't