from the commander of the skirmishers where the British Cavalry was in position. He immediately marched his column to the top of the Causeway heights, advancing toward the Light Brigade. The Russian General saw the Heavy Brigade assembling at the end of the Vineyard, which was nearer to his command. He made an oblique movement at a trot toward General Scarlett, advancing down the Causeway heights through the camp ground of the Heavy Brigade that had only just been removed out of danger. I believe Lord Cardigan never saw the Russian skirmishers or the Russian columns crown the heights. But Captain Morris commanding 17th Lancers did, and like a flash he ordered the 17th forward. As we were advancing toward the Russian column, Lord Cardigan saw the 17th Lancers moving, halted us, and ordered us back, wishing to know where we were going, and who ordered us to move. The consequence was, we never did attack the Russians. When the Russian column arrived within 50 yards of the vineyard, the Russian General saw he had to cross a large ditch, extending on the side of the vineyard, and that he had also to advance through the Light Brigade camp, with picket ropes standing with sick and lame horses tied to the ropes before he could attack the heavy Brigade. The Russian General thought he was being led into a trap. He then halted his column with his right flank exposed toward the Light Brigade. Then Lord Cardigan had the opportunity to attack and cover himself with glory. No General had or ever will have a better or more favourable opportunity. He had the ground in his favor, and not 500 yards to advance to the Russian Cavalry column, and part of the Heavy Brigade mounted only 50 yards from the Russian column to assist. But no, he would not attack, and how he could sit on his horse, and see the Heavy Brigade fight such great odds, and never attempt to give them a helping hand, passes understanding. The Russian column, and not more than 50 yards away General Scarlett’s few hundred in line of battle, stood looking at each other. Kinglake says, Lord Lucan told Scarlett to take the four squadrons to attack the Russian column (it was only three squadrons however.) General Scarlett ordered all he had assembled under such trying circumstances to advance to the attack. In passing through the Light Brigade camp, standing together with sick and lame horses still tied to the picket ropes, two officers’ horses fell over the ropes and camp utensils, one being seriously hurt, to say nothing of a trooper falling in clearing the camp. The command had to jump a wide ditch at the end of the vineyard which so scattered them that they were nearly in single line, and not more than 30 or 40 yards from the Russian column. In five seconds officers and men were in their places. General Scarlett then ordered his trumpeter to sound the charge. It was repeated by the other trumpeters. They had to advance up the slope of the Causeway heights.