Overview of Stuff You Should Know — "The Charge of the Light Brigade"
This episode of Stuff You Should Know (iHeartRadio) tells the story behind the famous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War (1853–1856). Hosts walk listeners through the political origins of the war, the lead-up at Sevastopol and Balaclava, the miscommunication that produced the infamous charge, and how the event became a lasting symbol of both military blunder and battlefield bravery — immortalized in William Howard Russell’s reporting and Tennyson’s poem.
Key takeaways
- The Crimean War (1853–56) pitted Russia against an alliance of Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire; it began partly over control of Christian holy sites and Russian moves into Ottoman territory.
- Sevastopol (on the Crimean Peninsula) was the strategic target because of Russia’s Black Sea fleet; allied landings in 1854 led to a prolonged siege.
- The Battle of Balaclava (October 1854) produced the Charge of the Light Brigade, a result of vague orders, poor communication, and bad leadership rather than enemy strength alone.
- The Light Brigade’s charge was both a tactical disaster and a demonstration of courage: of ~670 cavalrymen, roughly 110 were killed, ~160 wounded, and ~375 horses lost — yet they reached and temporarily captured some Russian guns.
- The event became an early example of modern war reporting (William Howard Russell) and inspired Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem, which celebrates the soldiers’ obedience and bravery despite the blunder.
- Broader legacies: the war exposed appalling medical and logistical failures (many deaths from disease), elevated Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole for their medical work, and left many veterans in poverty.
Timeline & sequence of events
- 1853–54: Political/religious friction in Ottoman territories escalates; Tsar Nicholas I occupies Moldavia and Wallachia, provoking Britain and France.
- 1854: Allies land on Crimea (Sevastopol their objective). After the Battle of the Alma, allied commanders take a long approach; this allows Russians time to refortify Sevastopol.
- Siege of Sevastopol: Allies set up base at Balaclava (10 miles south of Sevastopol). Control of the supply road between Balaclava and Sevastopol becomes critical.
- Battle of Balaclava: Russians seize artillery positions on Causeway Heights and push toward Balaclava; British Highlanders (93rd Sutherland) turn back a Russian cavalry assault (the origin of “thin red line” reporting).
- Charge of the Heavy Brigade: a prior British cavalry charge that had success against a larger Russian cavalry force.
- Charge of the Light Brigade: a confused, misdirected order leads the Light Brigade to charge down the “Valley of Death” into concentrated Russian artillery and flank fire; they break some positions but suffer heavy losses on the return.
People to know
- Prince Alexander Sergeyevich Menshikov — Russian commander in the theater.
- Lord Raglan (FitzRoy Somerset) — British commander, veteran of Waterloo; issued the order that set events in motion from an elevated position.
- Earl of Lucan (George Bingham) — Cavalry commander on the ground; subordinate to Raglan.
- Earl of Cardigan (James Brudenell) — Commander of the Light Brigade; disliked by Lucan; known for aristocratic rank and poor relations with peers.
- Captain (later) Lewis Nolan — delivered Raglan’s order; pointed at the wrong enemy batteries and was killed during the charge; his motives (mistake vs. malice vs. eagerness) remain debated.
- William Howard Russell — Irish war correspondent whose vivid dispatches brought the battle to public attention.
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson — Poet Laureate who memorialized the charge in verse; his poem amplified the legend and raised public sympathy for veterans.
- Florence Nightingale & Mary Seacole — notable figures in Crimean War nursing; Nightingale’s reforms dramatically reduced mortality in field hospitals (reported drop from 41% to 2% in the episode).
The miscommunication (short version)
- Lord Raglan issued a brief order: cavalry should “advance rapidly… try to prevent the enemy carrying away the guns.”
- Raglan observed from a ridge and could see the guns he referred to; Lucan and Cardigan in the valley could not.
- Captain Nolan, rushing the message and pointing at a heavily fortified Russian battery in the middle of the valley (not the poorly defended guns Raglan meant), urged the Light Brigade forward.
- The Light Brigade charged into a valley flanked by artillery and forced to ride past multiple Russian positions — heavy casualties followed.
Casualties & results
- Light Brigade strength: ~670 cavalrymen (figures vary slightly across accounts).
- Losses: ~110 killed, ~160 wounded; ~375 horses killed.
- Tactical result: despite expectations, the Light Brigade reached and disrupted Russian guns/positions (and some guns were captured temporarily), but the charge was strategically pointless and costly.
- Long-term: the charge became a symbol of both military incompetence (senior mismanagement, poor communications) and stoic courage under fire.
Cultural impact & legacy
- Reporting and poetry: William Howard Russell’s frontline reporting and Tennyson’s poem (“Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die — / Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred”) cemented the episode in public memory.
- Literary/artistic echoes: inspired later poems (e.g., Kipling’s “The Last of the Light Brigade”), films (1936 Errol Flynn version; a 1968 satirical film), and debates about honor vs. futility in war.
- Language & artifacts: “balaclava” (the headgear) comes from the battle/region; the “thin red line” phrase originated from reporting on the Highlanders; the Cardigan sweater is named after the Earl of Cardigan.
- Social consequences: many Crimean veterans were abandoned and impoverished; fundraising efforts (including Tennyson’s) had limited success.
Notable quotes from the episode (highlights)
- William Howard Russell (reporting): “From 30 iron mouths, a flood of smoke and flame, through which hissed the deadly balls. Their flight was marked by instant gaps in our ranks, by dead men and horses…”
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson (famous stanza quoted): “Forward, the Light Brigade! / Was there a man dismayed? / Not though the soldier knew / Someone had blundered. / Theirs not to make reply, / Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die — / Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred.”
Why the Charge still matters
- Military lessons: classic case study in how vague orders, poor situational awareness, and interpersonal enmity among commanders can produce disaster.
- Ethical/political lessons: illustrates tension between obedience, personal courage, and the responsibility of command.
- Historical memory: shows how press reporting and poetry can shape public perception, elevating acts of bravery even when they accompany strategic failure.
- Human cost: underscores the terrible non-combat mortality of 19th-century warfare and the inadequate care/aftercare for veterans.
Suggested follow-ups (from the episode)
- Read Tennyson’s “The Charge of the Light Brigade” and William Howard Russell’s dispatches for firsthand style.
- Read on Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole for the medical/ethical aftermath of the Crimean War.
- Watch dramatic portrayals: the 1936 Errol Flynn film (romanticized) or the 1968 satirical take (criticizes Victorian aristocracy and the motives for war).
- For broader context, read histories of the Crimean War and reporting (Tolstoy wrote early front-line dispatches; the war is often cited as an early example of modern war journalism).
This summary condenses the episode’s narrative and key insights so you can understand the event, its causes, how the charge unfolded, and why it endures in military and cultural memory.