The Thirteenth Hussars in the Great WarDurand, H. Mortimer (Henry Mortimer)
History
The Thirteenth Hussars in the Great War
Durand, H. Mortimer (Henry Mortimer)
Great Britain. Army. Hussars, 13th; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
During the next ten years and more the Thirteenth served in the United
Kingdom, and there is little to record of their doings. In 1852 they
formed part of the troops who followed the funeral of their old chief,
the Duke of Wellington, and in the next year they attended the first
camp of exercise held in England. The Duke had originated the idea. The
camp was a success, and proved to be the precursor of many more such
gatherings. But something more than camps of exercise was now before
the Regiment. In 1854 came war with Russia, and the Thirteenth were
warned for service in the field. By the middle of May they had sailed
for the East. It is memorable that they were now once more commanded
by a Lieut.-Colonel Doherty.
[Illustration: OFFICER OF THE 13TH LIGHT HUSSARS
(_undress_)
1830-1836]
The Regiment had some rough work in European Turkey before going on
to the Crimea; but in September 1854 it landed at Eupatoria with
the Allied forces, and on the 19th of that month it marched towards
Sebastopol as part of the Light Brigade under Lord Cardigan. The
opening day of the march brought the Thirteenth under fire, and they
had a few casualties, which were, it is said, the first in the British
army. The enemy withdrew with some loss, and on the following day the
whole of the Allied armies, British, French, and Turkish, advanced to
the banks of the Alma.
Every one knows the story of the battle which ensued--how the Allies
attacked the Russian troops holding the heights across the stream, the
British redcoats on the left, the dark masses of the French and Turks
on the right; and how, after some stubborn fighting, the Russians were
driven off the heights upon the plain beyond. The Light Brigade had
little to do during the attack. Their position was on the left front of
the British army, where they remained all the afternoon, watching the
development of the struggle, and facing large bodies of Russian Cavalry
and guns which threatened the flank of our advance. They never did more
than threaten, and the Light Brigade had no fighting, though there was
some slight loss from Artillery fire. When finally the Russians were
driven off the heights, the British Cavalry was sent in pursuit, and
crossing the stream at a gallop, pressed up and over the hills, to see
below them the beaten enemy in full retreat. Some prisoners were made,
and the Russian rearguard was watched as long as daylight lasted, but
nothing of much importance occurred. The battle had been won, and the
Russians had suffered heavily, but the bulk of their troops maintained
some order, and there was no general rout. The Thirteenth spent the
night in bivouac, on ground which had to be cleared of many dead.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account