Charge of the Light Brigade, 1854. During the battle of Balaclava (25 October 1854) Lord Raglan ordered Lord Lucan to advance his cavalry to stop the Russians removing captured cannon from the Causeway Heights. Confusion led to Lucan mistakenly sending the Light Brigade to attack strong Russian positions at a different location, North valley. About one-third of the 673-strong brigade, commanded by Lord Cardigan, became casualties. Thanks partly to Tennyson's poem, the action has become a symbol of military stupidity and blindly obedient courage.

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