Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/256

 234 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. chap. Lord Cardigan insists that lie was not the origi- 1_ nator of the high speed which they reached in this part of their onset ; whilst some, on the other hand, say that the squadrons never ceased from their duty of studiously watching the leader, and that the swiftness of Lord Cardigan was the cause which hurried forward the line. The truth, per- haps, is intermediate ; for it seems not unlikely that the rapid pace of the leader, and the eager- ness of the squadrons behind him, were causes which acted and reacted alternately the one on the other ; but with whomsoever originating, and whether dictated by a sound warlike judgment, or by mere human instinct, the desire to move more and more swiftly was not unwarranted. Even at the cost of sacrificing military order for the moment, it was seemingly wise, after all, in the straits to which our squadrons had been brought, to let every man close upon the battery with all the speed he could gather.* Alone, in a sense, though close followed, and with no regimental labour on his hands, Lord Cardigan had more leisure for thought than the chief part of those he was leading ; and for that reason simply, if not for any other, there is an interest in hearing him say how it fared with him mentally at the time of undergoing this trial. He side, and to people following Lord Cardigan tin- 'white stocking' behind was, of course, the one which most caught the eye. by officers most competent to judge.
 * This I understand to be an opinion now recognised as sound