Sheppard, Martin General Sir James Scarlett. The Life and Letters of the Commander of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava

The morning of the Battle of Balaklava, on 25 October 1854, saw a desperate charge against a greatly superior Russian force. Epitomized by the reckless courage of the British cavalry in the face of heavy odds, the charge was a complete success, putting the Russians to flight. This charge was not that of the Light Brigade, which took place later the same day, but that of the Heavy Brigade, under the command of General James Scarlett. Caught by surprise, Scarlett dressed the three hundred men nearest to him, placed himself well ahead of them and charged uphill to an extraordinary and unlikely victory. The Charge of the Heavy Brigade, a resounding success, has unjustly been overshadowed by the blunders that led to the heroic defeat of the Charge of the Light Brigade. James Scarlett himself has also been unfairly ignored due to the focus on the enmity between the Earls of Cardigan and Lucan. The strategic significance of the Heavy Brigades victory, preventing the Russians capturing the key British base, the port of Balaklava, has been overlooked, as has General Scarletts decisive part in thwarting Russias best chance of winning the Crimean War. Although his heroic leadership at Balaklava was undoubtedly the most important event in James Scarletts life, he had a long and distinguished military career before and after the Crimean War. Based on his own previously unpublished letters, including a long description of his day at Balaklava, "General Sir James Scarlett" is the first book focused on a remarkable soldier.

Scarlett was taken by surprise, quickly rallied the three hundred or so men closest to him and charged uphill with them to an extraordinary and improbable victory. The charge of the Heavy Brigade, a resounding success, was unfairly overshadowed by the mistakes that led to the heroic defeat of the Light Brigade's charge. James Scarlett himself has also been wrongly ignored, as the focus has been on the enmity between the Earls of Cardigan and Lucan. The strategic importance of the Heavy Brigade's victory in preventing the Russians from capturing the key British base at Balaklava harbour has been overlooked, as has the crucial role General Scarlett played in thwarting Russia's best chance of victory in the Crimean War. Although his heroic leadership at Balaklava was undoubtedly the most important event in James Scarlett's life, he had a long and distinguished military career before and after the Crimean War. This is the first book about a remarkable soldier to be based on his own previously unpublished letters, including a long description of his day at Balaklava.