2-913-973 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Action at Balaclava, October 25 - First Charge of Heavy Cavalry, 1854. Crimean War. 'The Russian cavalry, about 4000 in number, cantered down the hill...The glittering helmets and weapons and varied uniforms of our fellows as they pressed forward to the charge, with sabres raised and lances levelled, made the mere spectacle beautiful...The solid earth shook and reverberated with a sound like thunder, as a thousand horses, spurred to their utmost speed, went tearing up the hill, scattering the turf and grass...behind them. The enemy were nothing loth to accept the challenge, and, indeed, they had little reason, for their numbers were as nearly three to one. In a line of two-thirds of a mile they swept down from the hill upon our men, meeting them about half-way up. The dull heavy noise with which they closed could be heard at a mile, and made the listener's blood run cold'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.