Letter from Fitz Maxse to his Mother

RYS Yacht Dryad, Balaklava Harbour, 28 October 1854

My dearest Mum

I am writing this laying down so I do not trust myself with ink — I hope the pencil will last — De Burgh has just told me that a post goes out directly . . . I just drop you a line to say I am quite all right and that my wound is nothing at all.

The papers will tell you of our affair of the 25th inst. Our loss is fearful. I will scrawl you a short account. The Russians attacked (about 25000 strong) Balaklava on the morning of the 25th — they took all the Turkish batteries and 7 of our guns lent to the Turks immediately. The Turks deserted their guns almost at the first shot. They were pursued — by clouds of Russian Cavalry between 2 & 3000 strong who came right up to our tents — The Heavy Brigade about 800 strong charged gallantly and routed them — An order was sent to Lord Lucan for Lord C to attack with light Brigade — he sent me to Lord Lucan to say that there spot we were ordered to attack was ¾ of a mile off that there were batteries on each side and a heavy battery in front also that the hills were lined with riflemen — Lord Lucan said he could not help it & we must attack. Lord C dropped his sword and led the way 20 yards in front of the Brigade — The plan below and the statement of our loss will show the tremendous fire we were under. It thinned us like a sickle through the grass — Lord C led gallantly right through the battery — a gun going off between his horse’s legs — I was struck on the foot by a spent round shot — or a bit of shell and though I managed to get on 40 or 50 yds past the batteries — I was obliged then to cling to my horses mane and was nearly fainting — I managed to re-cross that terrible cross fire still playing in the valley — and a French surgeon kindly dressed my foot for me — We cut down the gunners at their guns and broke the cavalry beyond — and then every body had to fight his way out. It was a most brilliant but useless waste of life. Our Loss 270 Men killed and wounded and 24 Officers — My brother ADC poor Lockwood is killed or taken prisoner — I am too tired — to write more dearest Mum .