The immortalized charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War was likely the result of a miscommunication. The charge was supposed to be down an adjoining valley, not the “valley of death” where it actually occurred.
“The immortalized charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War was likely the result of a miscommunication. The charge was supposed to be down an adjoining valley, not the “valley of death” where it actually occurred.”
I have read it was two brothers-in-law who disliked each other intensely that caused the attack on the wrong target.
Lt General George Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan, was the overall commander of cavalry and the brother-in-law of Major General James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, commander of the Light Brigade. The two men could barely stand to be in the same country, much less in the same chain of command.
Supposedly when Bingham gave the order for the charge he gave no specifics. When Brudnell asked for specifics Bingham was said to made a sweeping gesture, said “the enemy is there” and stalked off.
The rest we know.