Lessons in leadership: the Battle of Balaklava, 1854

Military Review,  March-April, 2008  by Anna Maria Brudenell

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[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Unlike Raglan, Lucan could not see the Russians attempting to remove the Turkish artillery from the redoubts on the Causeway Heights. He could only see guns on the Fedioukine Hills and in the north valley. However, the captured guns in the redoubts had been firing at his troops all morning, so Lucan was certainly aware of their existence, even though he was unaware of the Russians removing them. The order had stated, "troop horse artillery may accompany." What was meant by "may"? Was it that Lucan could use them if he wished? Was it that Raglan was not certain whether or not the horse artillery would accompany. "French cavalry is on your left." What was the significance of that part of the order? had they been told to accompany Lucan's forces? Was Lucan expected to ride over half a mile to the French cavalry and check for himself? finally, there was the word "immediate." If Lucan were to ride over to the French, it would take time and "immediate" obviously ruled out that possibility.

On receiving Raglan's order, Lucan began "to urge the uselessness of such an attack and the dangers attending it." The only enemy guns which he could see were those on the Fedioukine Hills and in the north valley. Lucan asked Nolan, "attack, sir! Attack what? What guns?" Where are we to advance to?" (15) Nolan, with his arms outstretched towards the Russian cavalry position behind its guns at the far end of the north valley, replied "there are the enemy, and there are the guns!" (16)

It can be argued that Lucan, as the commanding officer of the cavalry, should have interrogated Nolan and ascertained Raglan's intent. The fact that he failed to do so resulted in a considerable amount of blame for the outcome of the subsequent action being apportioned to him. It is possible that Lucan thought there might be some overriding reason why Raglan wanted him to send the Light Brigade down the north valley, since he knew that Raglan, being on an elevated position, had a better view of the battlefield than he did.

However, it is probable that Lucan did indeed know what he was meant to attack. This is suggested by the fact that two days later he stated in a report to Lord Raglan, "The Division took up a position with a view of supporting an attack upon the heights when being instructed to make a rapid advance to the front to prevent the enemy carrying away the guns lost by the Turkish troops in the morning. I ordered the Light Brigade to advance in two lines, and supported them with the Heavy Brigade." (17) This suggests that Lucan was aware of which guns he should retrieve, namely those on the Causeway Heights. This being so, why did he order the Light Brigade to charge down the north valley?

Lord Cardigan later wrote, "the Light Cavalry Brigade was suddenly ordered to mount; and Lord Lucan then came to our front and ordered me to attack the Russians in the valley--I replied, 'Certainly Sir but allow me to point out to you that the Russians have a Battery in the Valley in our front and Batteries and riflemen on each flank'--Lord Lucan said 'I cannot help that, it is Lord Raglan's positive order that the Light Brigade attacks immediately.' ... We advanced directly upon and in face of the Battery which directed a murderous fire on the whole Brigade advancing.'" (18) So why did Nolan not correct anybody when it became clear that the wrong guns were about to be charged? after all, he was within earshot of Cardigan when the latter received his orders. Was this because the excitable Nolan wished "to lead the charge out," as he had admitted within earshot of Brigadier-General Rose?