This day in history - October 25
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:06 am
1863 - The disastrous charge of the Light Brigade took place during the Crimean War.
The British cavalry unit called the Light Brigade was ordered to stop Russian forces from removing artillery from a particular location that the Russians had captured. The orders were transmitted orally, and the commander of the brigade, Major General the Earl of Cardigan, led the attack on the wrong battery of guns.
Over 600 mounted soldiers rode straight into Russian artillery, resulting in the deaths of 118 men and 335 horses. Another 127 men were wounded and many captured by the Russians.
In the aftermath, the military brass and Parliament engaged in what we would call a whitewash, and much of the blame fell on Captain Louis Edward Nolan, who had died in battle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_of_ ... ht_Brigade" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Jim
The British cavalry unit called the Light Brigade was ordered to stop Russian forces from removing artillery from a particular location that the Russians had captured. The orders were transmitted orally, and the commander of the brigade, Major General the Earl of Cardigan, led the attack on the wrong battery of guns.
Over 600 mounted soldiers rode straight into Russian artillery, resulting in the deaths of 118 men and 335 horses. Another 127 men were wounded and many captured by the Russians.
In the aftermath, the military brass and Parliament engaged in what we would call a whitewash, and much of the blame fell on Captain Louis Edward Nolan, who had died in battle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_of_ ... ht_Brigade" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Jim