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THE LIVES OF OUR HEROES OF THE CRIMEA

FORE-EDGE PAINTING THE LIVES OF OUR HEROES OF THE CRIMEA Ryan, George Published by James Field and Co, London, 1855 The Charge of the Light Brigade Bound in full red hard grain Morocco extra gilt 408pp frontice piece very good condition Book plate on front paste down of William Waldergrave, another prominent family in the history of England. George Ryan, a writer otherwise highly critical of Lord Cardigan, estimated that he spent about £10,000 (equivalent to £1,000,000 in 2021) a year towards remounts and distinctive uniform for his troops.[36] In purchasing brilliant new uniforms for his men, Cardigan caused resentment among his professional officers; they had to match the men's attire with even more costly uniforms (a Hussar officer's jacket, for example, cost £40 equivalent to £3,900 in 2021) and officers had to buy their own. He wished his officers to be as aristocratic, flamboyant and stylish as he was himself and as a consequence, he had no time for those men "Indian officers" who had learnt their profession over many years of service with the 11th during its long posting to India. This attitude was particularly in evidence in the mess: Cardigan had forbidden the serving of porter, a popular beverage among the professional officers, and when at a formal mess dinner, a visitor had requested Moselle wine, which was served in a "black bottle" similar to that of porter, he decided that the "Indian" Captain John Reynolds, who had ordered it for the guest, was defying him. Reynolds was arrested and in due course received a strongly worded reprimand from Lord Hill, who although privately believing that his misgivings about Cardigan had been well founded, felt that, in the interests of good order and discipline, a public demonstration of support was necessary. FORE EDGE PAINTING - The Charge of the Light Brigade This Fore-Edge painting is an inviting scene from the charge showing the soldiers, horses and cannons amidst the battle field. Lord Cardigans most notorious exploit took place during the Crimean War on 25 October 1854 when, as a Major-General, in command of the Light Cavalry Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava, he led the Charge of the Light Brigade reaching the Russian guns before returning unscathed, in a manoeuvre that cost the lives of about 107 out of the 674 men under his command who took part in the charge (although others may have died of wounds later on). The extent to which Lord Cardigan was to blame is unproven since he attacked only after expressing his doubts and receiving a direct order in front of the troops from his immediate superior Lord Lucan, commander of the Cavalry Division. The two men were barely on speaking terms as Lucan was married to one of Cardigan's sisters and, as Cardigan believed, did not treat her well. The order had been conveyed by Captain Louis Nolan, who died in the charge, and both Lucan and Cardigan blamed him for passing on the order incorrectly. Cardigan's first action on his return from the charge was to report the undisciplined behavior of Captain Nolan (whom he did not now to be dead) in riding ahead of him at the start of the attack.