Viscount Hardinge to the Duke of Newcastle

Horse Guards, Jan. 26, 1855

Lord Lucan, in his Letter of the 30th of November, objects to the Terms used by Lord Raglan in his public Despatch, that his Orders for the Light Brigade to charge were given under a Misconception of the written Order, &c. He declines to withdraw that Letter, and adheres to the Construction he has put upon the Order, that it compelled him to direct a Charge.

The Papers having been referred by your Grace to me, I concur with Lord Raglan that the Terms he used in his Despatch were appropriate; and as a good Understanding between the Field-Marshal commanding the Forces in the Field and the Lieutenant-General Commanding the Cavalry Division are Conditions essentially necessary for advantageously carrying on the Public Service, I recommend that Lieutenant-General Lord Lucan should be recalled; and if your Grace and Her Majesty’s Government concur in this View, I will submit my Recommendation to Her Majesty, and take Her Majesty’s Pleasure on the subject.

I have, &c
HARDINGE

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle