Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 5, 1897

THE UELTIU MUisTHLV.
231
COTS
ElMiiiKii^^
JOHN MACKAY, CE,jp.
HF REFORD
Part XVI. — (Continnc-d from page 20S).
The Crimea — Balaclava.
^JU^ T (ir.st the Russians seemed in no liaste, .
(XJ^st '^"t' by and liy they perceived an
<&^ advantage before them. The backward
movement of the cavalry had uncovered the
position where Sir Colin stood with his handful
of troops. They consisted of 550 men of the 93rd
Highlanders and two Turkish battalions from
Kadikoi. The Highlanders were drawn up in
line two deep at the foot of a slight acclivity.
A certain stir and movement became perceptible
among the Russian forces. Field batteries were
advanced and began to play upon the 93rd.
Sir Colin promptly withdi'ew them from
exposure to the first swell of the rising ground,
no more than a hillock, causing them to lie
down for better protection, leaving the Russian
balls and boniljs to tear up the ground where
they had stood. The Russian cavalry came on
in one grand line, charging in towards Balaclava
Campbell calls his men, who stand up and
crown the summit of the slight ascent. The
Russians gallop forward, gathering speed at
every stride. The ground flew beneath their
feet, they dashed on towards that " thin red
line tipped with steel." The Turkish battalions
fire a volley at 800 yards and run. As the
Russians came within 600 yards down went
that line of steel in front, and out rang a volley
of Minie musketry. The distance was too
great, the Russians were not checked, but still
swept inwards through the smoke, with the
whole force of man and horse, here and there
knocked over by the shot of our batteries above
their flank, without in the least checking their
speed! With breathless suspense everyone
awaited the bursting of the wave upon the line
of ''Gaelic Rock,'' but ere they were within 2oO
yards another deadly volley flashed from the
levelled rifles and carried terror among the
Russians. They wheeled about, opened files
right and left, and fled faster than they came.
"Bravo! Highlanders! well done!" shouted
the excited spectators (Russell). Events
thickened ; the Highlanders and their splendid
front were soon forgotten in another event, in
which the Russians were even more conspicuously
and decidedly worsted. Men had scarcely had
a moment to think of the fact that the 93rd had
not altered their formation to receive that tide
of horsemen. " Ko," said Sir Colin, "I did not
think it worth while to form them even four
deep!" ']"he ordinary British line, two deep,
stern and steady, was that day as it had been
on previous occasions, quite sufficient to'repel
the attack of hostile cavaliers.
Lord Raglan perceiving the Russian advance,
and that its intention was to attack I'alaclava,
sent orders to Lord Lucan for eight squadrons
of his heavy horse to move down to support Sir
Colin Campbell's little force, and cover the
approaches to Balaclava. Brigadier General
Scarlett commanded the men sent fortl. on this