Transcribed by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org Many thanks to Trish Gurney for lending her copy of original so that this transcription could be made. [Picture: The graphical cover of the booklet] THE CAUSE OF THE CHARGE OF BALACLAVA [Picture: Graphic of man on horse, shield with skull and crossbones etc.] OCT 25th 1854 _by_ _Thomas Morley_ 17TH LANCERS The Man of the Hour Entered at Stationers Hall. All Rights Reserved. The Man of the Hour! (_SEE 19th CENTURY_, _MAY_, _1892_.) [Picture: Drawing of Thomas Morley] THOMAS MORLEY, Late Sergeant of 17th Lancers, Captain of Cavalry through American Civil War. INTRODUCTION. THE charge of the Light Brigade, one of the most magnificent assaults known in Military annals, and one of the greatest blunders known to military tactics, has never yet been properly described. This may be accounted for by the party bias which has colored all accounts of the battle according to the views entertained by the various writers. Having seen so many of these accounts for the last forty four years in various newspapers and Magazines, and having been interviewed myself many times I have felt impelled to write what I know about the action, and to give a plain unvarnished account of the same without indulging in any fine language or in technicalities, but using only soldiers’ phrases and giving the details “with malice toward none” and the truth about all. The British Cavalry in the Crimea consisted of five heavy regiments, called the Heavy Brigade, commanded by General Scarlett, and five light regiments called the Light Brigade, commanded by Lord Cardigan. Attached to the cavalry was one troop of the Royal Horse Artillery comprising six guns, commanded by Captain Maude. This Cavalry Division was commanded by the Earl of Lucan who had his headquarters at Balaclava Harbour, his command being in camp about two miles nearer to Sebastopol. Their duty was to defend Balaclava, which was the depot of supplies for the British Army engaged in the siege of Sebastopol. * * * * *