Duke of Sir Cambridge R. England +-----+ +-----+ +---------+ |1st. | |3rd. | | Baggage | _Black |Div. | |Div. | | | Sea_ +-----+ +-----+ +---------+ Earl of Sir Cardigan G. Cathcart Forey +---------+ +-----+ +---------+ +-----+ | Cavalry | |4th. | | Baggage | |4th. | | | |Div. | | | |Div. | +---------+ +-----+ +---------+ +-----+ +-----+ |Turks| | | +-----+ DIAGRAM OF FRENCH AND ENGLISH ARMIES] The strength of the British Army was approximately as follows: Officers and men Cavalry 1,200 Artillery 60 guns 2,000 Infantry 25,000 ------ Total 28,200 The French were rather stronger in infantry, but had no cavalry. The division of Turks was about 6,000 strong. The troops were in excellent spirits at the prospect of immediate action. The country was open and undulating; the distant smoke of burning villages, and the occasional appearance of a few Cossacks hovering about on the flank, were the only evidences that we were in an enemy's country. The arrival in the afternoon at the small fresh stream of the Bulganac was most welcome to the men and horses of the allies, who for days had suffered from a scanty supply of indifferent water. Late in the afternoon the enemy's cavalry showed in considerable force, at a distance almost out of range, beyond the stream, and Lord Raglan with his staff moved to the front, accompanied by the Light Cavalry under Lord Cardigan. Suddenly a Russian battery opened fire and a round shot passed through the Light Cavalry, taking off a man's leg, and bounding like a cricket ball over the heads of the staff. That was the first shot of the campaign in the Crimea. Two batteries of Horse Artillery were at once sent forward, and on their coming into action the enemy fell back out of range, covered by a cloud of skirmishers. Our loss was four troopers severely wounded. It was almost dusk, and Lord Raglan, being anxious to inform Prince Napoleon of what had occurred, as he was with his division about a mile distant, directed Colonel Count Lagondie, the French military attaché, to ride over and give him the necessary information. The French colonel was riding a fat Flemish mare which he called 'Medore,' and as he cantered leisurely off the remark was made, 'If Lagondie does not move a little faster it will be a long time before he comes back.' He never did come back, as will be explained presently.