We started back off the field at a gallop with the mounted cannon, and were near the place where I had seen Lord Cardigan, when a large body of Cossacks charged, who appeared from behind a hill and surrounded our group. I was riding on the right of the gun, the direction in which the Cossacks attacked us. In the melee I got through the wrong end and had to ride back again down the valley. I was pursued by seven of them until they fairly chased me into a body of Russian Cavalry with its back to me. There was no alternative but to ride through or surrender to the Cossacks. I put spurs to my horse and bolted into the line. I got through with a knock on the head from a Russian officer, that would have wounded me but for my dress cap, which I eventually lost, but the lines saved it. More members of the Light Brigade were riding about—some of them wounded—fighting as best they could. Corporal Hall, of my own troop, had his lance trailing about and covered with blood. I told him to throw it away and wanted to pick it up myself, as I needed one, but there was no time. Hall was captured and died of amputation of a leg. During the melee, about 40 stragglers of the Brigade were driving a line of Russian Hussars down the valley in close column. I rode in the rear of them and began to order the men back. I ordered Private Clifford of my own troop to halt, instead of which he charged into the solid column and was cut and pierced to death before my eyes. The column came to a trot, and walk, and then wheeled about. I turned my horse about and saw a line of Lancers marching down the valley and instantly thought they were the French Lancers, as they carried flags on their lances. I rode to them, and when within 30 yards they fired at me. I then saw their long grey cloaks and knew they were Russian. It was in fact the Jeropkine Lancers just formed in close line across the valley, cutting off our retreat. I turned back to my scattered comrades, who were riding about like myself in all directions, not seeing which way to go. I raised my sword and shouted to them to fall in. They galloped to me from all directions, and I hastily formed them in lines, putting those with lances in front. I believe there were eight of the 17th Lancers in the front rank, with members of other regiments forming a second line. The Russian Lancers were not more than 40 yards from us when I ordered them to cheer and charge. The Brigade of Russian Hussars were marching up the valley about 50 yards behind and there were Cossacks on each flank. The Russians must have thought we were assembling to surrender, and when we yelled and charged into the centre of their line, they seemed to be paralysed.