Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/236

 214 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. chap, regiments comprising the third line were in charge L of Lord George Paget. Each of these regiments stood extended in line two deep. The Light Cavalry was to be supported by Scarlett's victori- ous brigade; and with two of Scarlett's regiments — that is, the Greys and the Eoyals brought for- ward in advance of the other regiments of Heavy Dragoons — Lord Lucan determined to be present in person. We shall have to learn by-and-by that there occurred a conjuncture — and that too at a cardinal time — when the link which connected the two brigades was haplessly suffered to break ; but nevertheless it should be understood that the advance of not only our Light Cavalry but also our Heavy Dragoons was meant to form one operation. We shall find that both of the brigades (though not in anything like the same degree) were exposed to the trials and the losses which the nature of the onslaught involved* Lord car- Lord Cardigan placed himself quite alone at a uf staff. distance of about two horses' lengths in advance of his Staff, and some five horses' lengths in ad- vance of the centre of his first line. When once a body of cavalry has been launched upon a course which is to end in attack, it has to dispense lor a while with reliance upon full, ex- the not unnatural tendency to concentrate attention upon that part of the operation which w:is performed by the Lighl Brigade Besides the casualties in the I ^visional Staff which accompanied the Greys and the Royals, those two regiments, as we shall sec, sustained no inconsiderable losses whilst engaged in the duty of supporting the Light Brigade.
 * The above observation seems to be rendered necessary by