<P> All the survivors of the Light Brigade were now behind the Russian guns in the valley, yet the turning point of the action was the realisation that Lucan and the Heavy Brigade was not following in support . Russian officers, noticing how vastly superior their numbers were, managed to halt their retreat near the Chernaya, and edge forward their men . The Russian lancer regiments waiting on heights were now ordered down into the valley to form a line behind the British (the 13th, 17th, and 8th on the right of the valley, the 11th and 4th on the left) and block their route of escape . Those watching with Raglan thought the Light Brigade completely lost, but unexpectedly the two groups of survivors managed to break through the Russian trap . Still far from the British line, however, they once again came under fire from the guns and marksmen on the Causeway Heights . "The truth must be told," recorded Lieutenant Koribut Kubitovich, "that this fire hit us just as it did the enemy," but admitted that, "The English fought with astounding bravery, and when we approached their dismounted and wounded men, even these refused to surrender and continued to fight till the ground was soaked with their blood ." </P> <P> Most of the survivors were back at the British lines by 12: 00; the whole affair had lasted no more than 20 minutes . For those that returned there was a mixture of elation and anger, and questions as to what had happened to the Heavy Brigade . "And who I ask is answerable for all this?" wrote Troop Sergeant Major George Smith of the 11th Hussars . "...it was not unlike leaving the forlorn hope, after storming a town, to fight their own way out again instead of pushing on the supports . We cut their army completely in two, taking their principal battery, driving their cavalry far to the rear . What more could 670 men do?" But as they thought over what had occurred, the recriminations between Raglan, Lucan, and Cardigan had already begun . </P> <P> The loss of the Light Brigade had been such a traumatic event that the allies were incapable of further action that day . Of the 666 men known to have ridden in the charge (sources vary slightly), 271 became casualties: 110 killed (less than 17%), 129 wounded, plus another 32 wounded and taken prisoner . Additionally, 375 horses were killed . Raglan could not now risk using his infantry divisions in any attempt to move Liprandi's forces from the Causeway Heights . Even if the redoubts were retaken, they would have to be defended by men whose priority was the siege of Sevastopol, and he dared not expose his supply base at Balaclava to further Russian attacks . The British 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions, therefore, returned to the plateau, the former without its Highland regiments who were ordered to remain in the valley under Campbell's command . </P> <P> To the Russians the Battle of Balaclava was a victory and proved a welcome boost in morale--they had captured the British redoubts (from which seven guns were removed and taken to Sevastopol as trophies), and had gained control of the Worontsov Road . The loss of the outer ring of defences severely restricted Allied movements and confined them to a narrow area between Balaclava and Sevastopol . Nearly all officers received awards . General Semyakin received the Order of St. George of the 3rd degree . Gribbe and Levutsky became the cavaliers of the Order of St Stanislav of the 1st degree, and Colonel Krudener was promoted to Major General . General Liprandi was awarded a golden sabre encrusted with diamonds, and inscribed' For Bravery' . Semyakin wrote home with news of the action at Balaclava, and what he considered a great success--"Many Turks and English were killed by our Russian bayonets, and many English were pierced with lances of our Uhlans and Cossacks, and by sabres of our Hussars...God grant that the heart of the Tsar rejoices ." </P>

How many british soldiers died in the battle of balaclava