The Heavy Brigade at Balaclava

[OB]

I have been reading Captain Temple Godman’s letters about the Heavy Brigade action at the Battle of Balaclava.  He was serving in the 5th Dragoon Guards at the time.

Godman has lots to tell us and his letters really do illuminate what happened.  So much so that I have written an article on my blog.  Part 1 is now available.

If you are interested in the Crimean War or cavalry actions in general you might enjoy reading what Godman had to say.

http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

[vtsaogames]

Excellent. I await the second installment.

[OB]

Thank you, much appreciated.  I the whole thing is going to run to 4 blog posts.  I blame Captain Nolan's book.

[Harry Faversham]

Great read, I too look forward to the next episode.

[OB]

Thanks Harry.

[OB]

The second part of my piece on Captain Godman’s letters from Balaclava is now on my blog. It explores why there was such a disparity of casualties between the British and Russians.

If it is of interest here is the link:


http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

[vtsaogames]

Other cavalry fights I've read about (in way less detail) often involve the losing side suffering ~50 losses vs. the winner losing 10 or less. The Heavy Brigade action is a larger action, but no mention is made of the number of wounded, just the dead. I figure multiply the dead 3 or 4 times to get the number of wounded.

Once infantry or artillery is involved, the casualty list soars.

The account of the Heavy Brigade charge in The Destruction of Lord Raglan mentions Russian sabers not getting through British greatcoats.

[OB]

There is mention of the wounded of both sides in Godman's account-just no numbers.  We do have a number for lost British horses, 17 if I remember right.  I'm not sure if that is for the Brigade or just the 5th.

3 or 4 times wounded to killed is reasonable I think .  So far I just don't know real figures.  Also, I think the action was very short and the pursuit curtailed.

Artillery is well on its way to being the dominant killer.

The destruction of Lord Raglan is Cecil Woodham-Smith? or is it Hibbert? I have a copy somewhere and of The Reason Why. 

I have frequently come across mentions of British sabres not getting through Russian greatcoats.  That's not surprising as the metal scabbards blunted the edge.  The same problem occurred in the Peninsula and India.

Russian sabres having the same problem is new to me.

[vtsaogames]

Christopher Hibbert. I first got the book some 40 or 50 years ago and haven't read it recently, so my memory may well be deficient.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

My memory is also lacking but I recall reading - I believe in Mark Adkins’ book on the charge of the Light Brigade - of a British pistol bullet fired in the late stages of the charge failing to penetrate a Russian gunner’s or infantryman’s greatcoat. They don’t make them like that anymore.

[vtsaogames]

My memory is also lacking but I recall reading - I believe in Mark Adkins’ book on the charge of the Light Brigade - of a British pistol bullet fired in the late stages of the charge failing to penetrate a Russian gunner’s or infantryman’s greatcoat. They don’t make them like that anymore.

Might also be bad powder or a skimpy powder charge, if the trooper didn't load carefully.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

True. One definite memory lapse I remember from that book is that Lord Cardigan carried a new revolver, which he failed to draw during the fighting because he had forgotten he had it. I feel that a ‘cardigan’ would be as apt a term for a brain fart as for the once fashionable menswear item His Lordship gave his name to, no doubt much to the latter’s relief.

[OB]

The third part of my look at Captain Godman’s Balaclava letters on the charge of the Heavy Brigade.  It considers the tactical decisions of the British and Russian Brigadiers involved.

If it is of interest here is the link:

http://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

[vtsaogames]

Excellent, thank you.

[OB]

Much appreciated Vincent.  I tried to emulate the Brent Nosworthy approach to Captain Godman's letters.