Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/222

 200 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. CHAP, which opened to him that opportunity was one occurring after the battle ; * and the question we now have to treat is the meaning of the few written words which Nolan delivered. After applying to those simple words all such know- ledge as I have of the relevant facts, I remain unable to learn how Lord Lucan could read the fourth order without seeing that it directed him to attempt an advance against he head of Li- prandi's column — against the head of the column then occupying those same Causeway Heights where the English guns had been taken. That the order thus interpreted was one which Lord Eaglan had most perfectly adapted to the exi- gency of the hour, we shall by-and-by see valid proof. ^ri Lord Lucan, however, had no sooner read this recepuon of order, than there was awakened in his mind that the order. S pj r jfc f hostile criticism which so marred his usefulness as a subordinate. He proceeded to sit in judgment upon the command of his chief, and at once, without mercy, condemned it. His own account declares that he ' read the order with ' much consideration ' — ' perhaps consternation,' he says, ' would be the better word — at once ' seeing its impracticability for any useful purpose ' whatever, and the consequent great unnecessary ' risk and loss to be incurred.' The formation of this strangely decisive opinion upon the merits of an order sent him by his Commander-in-Chief, was rendered the more inappropriate by the fact,
 * This will be shown in a later page.