The consequence was they never arrived at a charging speed. The command began to cheer and could be heard all over the South Valley, the Light Brigade helping them to cheer with faces pale with rage at having to sit on their horses and not be allowed to give their brave comrades a helping hand. General Scarlett led his command about the centre of the Russian column, going straight through it, and re-found what was left of his command the other side of the column. Just as General Scarlett was entering the column, Colonel Hodge advanced around the east end of the vineyard with the 4th Dragoon Guards in column of troop at a brisk trot. On they advanced, clearing the Russians column right flank 40 yards. Colonel Hodge then gave the word of command “right wheel into line” and ordered the charge to be sounded. Already at a trot, they got into charging speed at once, going through the Russian column, scattering them in all directions, the Light Brigade cheering with them till the 4th Dragoon Guards came out of the Russians left flank. General Scarlett’s command had rallied and charged back through the Russian scattered column. After receiving these three charges in rapid succession the Russian column was so disorganised that we could see them wheeling about, and almost before General Scarlett’s command had got through the Russian column a second time it began to retire at a trot back over the Causeway heights leaving their killed and wounded. Kinglake says, 78 of the Heavy Brigade were killed and wounded all by the sword. I consider Colonel Hodge proved himself the best cavalry officer in the division. Had Lord Cardigan assisted with the Light Brigade, the balance of the Heavy Brigade not engaged would have given a helping hand. It would have been one of the most crowning victories in the annals of Cavalry History. When the Russian column had retreated over the Causeway height and down the North Valley, Lord Cardigan mounted Lord Paget’s command, advanced the Light Brigade in column of troops from the right at a trot, making a circle of a mile in the South Valley below the battle ground, arriving back at the Light Brigade camp. We were then dismounted.