![]() Bertie says that the poem has helped make the bravery of the Light Brigade famous for all time. Listen out for the galloping rhythm and smell the gunpowder.Īnd that was ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson. His verses celebrate the heroism of the soldiers, but of course do not mention the stupidity of the commanders who caused the catastrophic blunder. He was Queen Victoria’s Poet Laureate and it was his job to commemorate events of national importance. Six weeks after the Charge of the Light Brigade, Alfred Tennyson published his verses about the event. Cardigan somehow survived, and that evening he ate a fine dinner washed down with champagne. Most of the brigade was blown to bits, but a few reached the guns at the end of the valley before retreating. ![]() The insanely brave soldiers galloped into a valley with 50 Russian guns positioned on three sides. Lord Nolan rode out in front of him, trying to call out that he was going the wrong way, but he was quickly killed. Presumably he did not want to show any trace of fear in front of the relative whom he despised.Ĭardigan led the Light Brigade in a mad, death doomed charge. He did not hesitate or question it, even though to carry it out was suicidal. As he did so, he pointed in the wrong direction, towards a different group of Russian guns that were dug in and ready for a fight.Ĭardigan received the order. Lord Lucan passed on the order to his brother- in-law. He wrote down this order and gave it to a messenger who took it to Lord Lucan, who was lower down and unable to see the whole battle. He wanted the Light Brigade to pursue a group of Russian gunners who were already pulling their cannons away from the battle. They wore little body armour, but looked splendid in their red uniforms and gold braid, especially when they sat astride their galloping horses.Īt the Battle of Balaclava, the overall commander, Lord Raglan, could see the lie of the land from his position on a hill top. In this war, he was commanding the Light Brigade, lightly armed, and fast moving cavalry who were suited to chasing down the enemy with sabres and lances. He was well known for his wealth, extravagance, smartness, snobbery, and incompetence. Two of them, Lord Cardigan and Lord Lucan, were brothers-in-law who detested each other heartily.Ĭardigan was 57 years old. When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wonder’d.The British Army was led by a group of aristocrats who were not known for their intelligence. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley’d and thunder’d Storm’d at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro’ the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. Flash’d all their sabres bare, Flash’d as they turn’d in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wonder’d: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro’ the line they broke Cossack and Russian Reel’d from the sabre-stroke Shatter’d and sunder’d. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley’d and thunder’d Storm’d at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade!" Was there a man dismay’d? Not tho’ the soldier knew Some one had blunder’d: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. ![]() "Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!" he said: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. ![]()
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