Charge of the Light Brigade

On this day in 1854 the British Light Brigade, led by Lord Cardigan, made their famous charge into a Russian artillery battery during the Battle of Balaclava. Lord Raglan, the overall commander, intended for the unit to harrass a retreating artillery unit, but his vague orders were misinterpreted, and the cavalry attacked the wrong unit. Despite knowing the futility of a cavalry charge into a fortified artillery position, the soldiers gallantly rode forward. Losses for the Light Brigade were staggering, and they immediately retreated without any measurable gain.

But their valor will forever be remembered, for over 150 years later, who among us has not heard of the “Charge of the Light Brigade”?