---
title: "Charge of the Light Brigade"
year: 1854
country: "Russia"
canonical: "https://recap.at/1854/charge-light-brigade"
slug: "charge-light-brigade"
recapType: "global_event"
startDate: "1854-10-25"
---

# Charge of the Light Brigade

> The British cavalry's fatal charge during the Crimean War became a defining symbol of military sacrifice and the human cost of miscommunication in modern warfare.

## Summary

The Charge of the Light Brigade was a military action undertaken by British light cavalry against Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War, resulting in many casualties to the cavalry. On 25 October 1854, the Light Brigade, led by Lord Cardigan, mounted a frontal assault against a Russian artillery battery which was well-prepared with excellent fields of defensive fire. The charge was the result of a misunderstood order from the commander-in-chief, Lord Raglan, who had intended the Light Brigade to attack a different objective for which light cavalry was better suited, to prevent the Russians from removing captured guns from overrun Turkish positions. The Light Brigade made its charge under withering direct fire and reached its target, scattering some of the gunners, but was forced to retreat immediately.

## Sources

- [Charge of the Light Brigade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_of_the_Light_Brigade) - Wikipedia

---
Canonical: https://recap.at/1854/charge-light-brigade