<P> The Light Brigade set off down the valley with Cardigan out in front, riding Ronald, leading the charge . Almost at once Nolan was seen to rush across the front, passing in front of Cardigan . It may be that he then realised the charge was aimed at the wrong target and was attempting to stop or turn the brigade, but he was killed by an artillery shell, and the cavalry continued on its course . Captain Godfrey Morgan (subsequently 1st Viscount Tredegar), who was close by and saw what happened, later recounted: </P> <P> The first shell burst in the air about 100 yards in front of us . The next one dropped in front of Nolan's horse and exploded on touching the ground . He uttered a wild yell as his horse turned round, and, with his arms extended, the reins dropped on the animal's neck, he trotted towards us, but in a few yards dropped dead off his horse . I do not imagine that anybody except those in the front line of the 17th Lancers (13th Light Dragoons) saw what had happened . </P> <P> We went on . When we got about two or three hundred yards the battery of the Russian Horse Artillery opened fire . I do not recollect hearing a word from anybody as we gradually broke from a trot to a canter, though the noise of the striking of men and horses by grape and round shot was deafening, while the dust and gravel struck up by the round shot that fell short was almost blinding, and irritated my horse so that I could scarcely hold him at all . But as we came nearer I could see plainly enough, especially when I was about a hundred yards from the guns . I appeared to be riding straight on to the muzzle of one of the guns, and I distinctly saw the gunner apply his fuse . I shut my eyes then, for I thought that settled the question as far as I was concerned . But the shot just missed me and struck the man on my right full in the chest . </P> <P> In another minute I was on the gun and the leading Russian's grey horse, shot, I suppose, with a pistol by somebody on my right, fell across my horse, dragging it over with him and pinning me in between the gun and himself . A Russian gunner on foot at once covered me with his carbine . He was just within reach of my sword, and I struck him across his neck . The blow did not do much harm, but it disconcerted his aim . At the same time a mounted gunner struck my horse on the forehead with his sabre . Spurring "Sir Briggs," he half jumped, half blundered, over the fallen horses, and then for a short time bolted with me . I only remember finding myself alone among the Russians trying to get out as best I could . This, by some chance, I did, in spite of the attempts of the Russians to cut me down . </P>

Half a league charge of the light brigade