![\"9780805079357_p0_v1_s260x420\"](\"http:\/\/njipms.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/9780805079357_p0_v1_s260x420.jpg\")
By Terry Brighton\nReview by Martin Quinn
\n(Henry Holt Publishers, 2004)<\/p>\n
By Terry Brighton
\nReview by Martin Quinn
\n(Henry Holt Publishers, 2004)<\/p>\n
Even those with a passing knowledge of poetry, history or literature know at least some of the words: \u201cTheir’s not to reason why, Their’s but to do and die\u2026Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them\u2026Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred\u201d. The words are from Tennyson\u2019s immortal poem, The Charge of the Light Brigade, written shortly after the event that inspired them – The Battle of Balaclava, which took place on October 25, 1854.<\/p>\n
What started as a dispute between Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian sects over control of Christian holy places in the Ottoman Empire escalated into Czar Nicolas I declaring himself the protector of ALL Christians in Turkish lands. That, in turn, led to the Russian encroachment of the Turkish lands \u2013 again, under the pretense of \u201cprotecting Christians\u201d – which led to a clash of arms between Russia and the Turks. After the Russian Black Sea fleet annihilated a Turkish fleet in November, 1853, the die was cast, and Britain felt she had no recourse but to go to war to check the southern expansion of the Russian Empire. Thus began the Crimean War.<\/p>\n
Part of the British Calvary Division, the Light Brigade was commanded by Lord Cardigan, one James Brudenell. As was the norm at the time for some officers, he had bought his commission. The Calvary Division \u2013 consisting of both the Heavy and Light Brigades – was commanded by George Bingham, the Earl of Lucan. Lord Lucan had also purchased his commission. Additionally, Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan were related by marriage \u2013 and fierce enemies who were inclined not to speak to each other. This situation would have disastrous consequences.<\/p>\n
After a hazardous journey east, one which resulted in multiple stops and the loss of almost 60 horses, the Light Brigade arrived in the Crimea in September, 1854. The British and French objective was the of capture Sevastopol and the elimination of the Black Sea Fleet.<\/p>\n
Moving on Sevastopol from the north, the Allied and Russian armies clashed briefly at the Alma. After the Russians were repulsed, the Allies continued onto Sevastopol, which was undefended. However, the Allies didn\u2019t realize this, and wishing to avoid casualties, they circled around to take the city from the South, which they thought would be the more lightly defended approach. Once they had circled to the south, the Calvary Division encamping at a place called Balaclava. The rest, as they say, is history\u2026into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred.<\/p>\n
Most of what people considered to be \u201ctrue\u201d about the Charge of the Light Brigade is taken from Tennyson\u2019s poem. Brighton\u2019s book looks at the Charge and tackles the prevailing myths \u2013 what happened that day, why it happened, and the historical view of the success or failure of the ride. At the end of the book, he also takes a hard look at the other legend to come out of the Crimean War \u2013 that of Florence Nightingale.<\/p>\n
I had this book in my stash of things to read for almost a year before picking it up \u2013 once I started it, I was sorry I didn\u2019t read it sooner. The Charge of the Light Brigade was an event that never should have happened \u2013 it was one of the biggest \u2013 and most widely celebrated \u2013 blunders in military history. Brighton does a nice job of bringing the characters, the background and the story to life. I found it a fascinating read, and highly recommend it.<\/p>\n
The Charge Of The Light Brigade
\nby Alfred, Lord Tennyson
\nMemorializing Events in the Battle of Balaclava, October 25, 1854
\nWritten 1854<\/p>\n
Half a league half a league,
\nHalf a league onward,
\nAll in the valley of Death
\nRode the six hundred:
\n‘Forward, the Light Brigade!
\nCharge for the guns’ he said:
\nInto the valley of Death
\nRode the six hundred.<\/p>\n
‘Forward, the Light Brigade!’
\nWas there a man dismay’d ?
\nNot tho’ the soldier knew
\nSome one had blunder’d:
\nTheirs not to make reply,
\nTheirs not to reason why,
\nTheirs but to do & die,
\nInto the valley of Death
\nRode the six hundred.<\/p>\n
Cannon to right of them,
\nCannon to left of them,
\nCannon in front of them
\nVolley’d & thunder’d;
\nStorm’d at with shot and shell,
\nBoldly they rode and well,
\nInto the jaws of Death,
\nInto the mouth of Hell
\nRode the six hundred.<\/p>\n
Flash’d all their sabres bare,
\nFlash’d as they turn’d in air
\nSabring the gunners there,
\nCharging an army while
\nAll the world wonder’d:
\nPlunged in the battery-smoke
\nRight thro’ the line they broke;
\nCossack & Russian
\nReel’d from the sabre-stroke,
\nShatter’d & sunder’d.
\nThen they rode back, but not
\nNot the six hundred.<\/p>\n
Cannon to right of them,
\nCannon to left of them,
\nCannon behind them
\nVolley’d and thunder’d;
\nStorm’d at with shot and shell,
\nWhile horse & hero fell,
\nThey that had fought so well
\nCame thro’ the jaws of Death,
\nBack from the mouth of Hell,
\nAll that was left of them,
\nLeft of six hundred.<\/p>\n
When can their glory fade?
\nO the wild charge they made!
\nAll the world wonder’d.
\nHonour the charge they made!
\nHonour the Light Brigade,
\nNoble six hundred!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Terry Brighton Review by Martin Quinn (Henry Holt Publishers, 2004) Even those with a passing knowledge of poetry, history or literature know at least some of the words: \u201cTheir’s not to reason why, Their’s but to do and die\u2026Cannon … Continue reading