Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 5.djvu/380

 358 THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. CHAP, specially (in the absence of exceptional circum- stances) to the leadership of his first line ; the principle apparently being that, by reason of the impossibility of transmitting verbal orders to a distance in the midst of a cavalry charge, the movements of the first line are in the nature of signalled directions, which offer a continuous guidance to the squadrons advancing in their rear. The General does not of course cease to be in the actual and effective command of the whole force engaged in the charge, but he exerts his authority over the squadrons advancing in support first by giving them anticipatory direc- tions, and afterwards by showing them through the means of their eyesight and without any further words the way in which he leads his first line.* If, in short, he gives proper instruc- tion to his supports before the commencement of the charge, and then proceeding to lead his first line, takes care to lead it efficiently, he has done all that in ordinary circumstances could be re- quired of him. There is a defect in the argument by which Lord Cardigan applies this theory to his own case ; for as soon as he had determined that (without first riding off a great way to the rear) there was nothing for him to do towards rallying within proper bounds, it seems to be based upon the necessity of the case, and to be, for that reason, sound ; but I observe that infantry officers are at first much startled when they hear it propounded as a justification for leaving the supports tc themselves.
 * Supposing the application of the theory to be eoniined