In 2008 a letter was auctioned written by Private James Olley who was 16 years of age when he participated in the Charge
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Charge of the Light Brigade
finnegansword — 15 years ago(July 18, 2010 04:18 PM)
In 2008 a letter was auctioned written by Private James Olley who was 16 years of age when he participated in the Charge of the Light Brigade. He survived the action suffering terrible wounds including the loss of an eye. On quitting the Army he had to beg for a living in Norfolk until some public spirited persons contributed sufficient funds for him to start a small business. He died at the age of 80 in 1920. I reproduce a transcript of his account of the engagement which was written in superb copperplate handwriting.
"I was outposted to see an army of Russians - I rode into the main body of the Guard and gave the alarm.
'We retired leaving the Turks
'We went and joined our Regiment which was lying on the Plains of Balaclava - every man was called to his horse.
'All the Light Brigade were soon in their saddles ready to do their duty or die- order was given to advance and back up the Turks.
'We then received orders to take our position at the mouth of the next valley after we had done so, we could see the Russians forming up at the other end of the valley
'We had not gone far before we received the order to charge and take the Guns, which were placed across the valley - about halfway down the man that was riding next to me was shot and fell onto my right leg.
'A little further on my horse was shot down - I caught one of the horses, which was coming back without its rider who had been shot out of his saddle.
'I turned it round facing the enemy - I mounted it and rode down to the Guns, when I was attacked by a Russian Gunner who I cut down with my sword.
'I received a severe wound on my forehead which went through the skull bone.
'The man I cut down - we cleared the Guns of the enemy.
'After a time we prepared to return when, to our surprise we found that we were overpowered by the enemy.
'Just as we saw the Russians a bullet from the enemy took away my left eye - I still rode on and fought through the lines of the enemy.
'When we got through we rode into our encampment what few there were left of us."
For further info, and a picture see the link below:-
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1083002/The-Charge-Light-Brigade-boy-rode-jaws-death-lived-tell-tale.html
This link may be of passing interest also:-
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-323345/Charge-Light-Brigade-remembered.html