Of the two cavalry brigades, the Light was still fresh and untouched by the events of the day. The Heavy Brigade, as we have seen, had already done splendid service in routing the Russian cavalry. The turn of the Light Brigade had come, although, unhappily, the task entrusted to it was hopeless, foredoomed to failure from the first.
It stood close by, proudly impatient, its brigadier, Lord Cardigan, at its head.
To him the divisional general imparted Lord Raglan's order.
"You are to advance, Lord Cardigan, along the valley, and attack the Russians at the far end," was the order he gave.
"Certainly, sir," replied Lord Cardigan, without hesitation. "But allow me to point out to you that the Russians have a battery in the valley in our front, and batteries and riflemen on each flank."
"I can't help that," said Lord Lucan; "Lord Raglan will have it so. You have no choice but to obey."
Lord Cardigan saluted with his sword; then, rising in his stirrups, he turned to his men, and cried aloud in a full, firm voice—
"The brigade will advance!"—to certain death, he might have added, for he knew it, although he never quailed. But, settling himself in his saddle, as though starting on a promising run with hounds, and not on a journey from which there was no return, he said, with splendid resignation, as he prepared to lead the charge—
"Here goes for the last of the Brudenells!"[2]
[2] The family name of the Earls of Cardigan was Brudenell.