[PB: Introduce, summarise and reference source.]
The following is a copy from the original letter which was sent by one of the survivors to his uncle in Englnad, the morning after the charge:"Balaclava, Oct. 26th 1854,
My dear Uncle,
We were yesterday attacked in our rear by the Russians. They had 15,000 infantry, 5,000 cavalry, and about ten guns. Early in the morning firing had commenced upon the Turks; it lasted about two hours, when they cut like cowards and their guns were taken. The Russian cavalry then advanced.
The Heavy Cavalry charged and drove them back, the Russians did not fight more than ten minutes; they must be awful cowards. The Light Cavalry was then on a hill as a reserve and could not get down in time to pursue, which was fortunate for them, as few would have escaped.
Some little time after this, Lord Raglan, who had been told the wrong position of the guns that had been captured, ordered the Light Cavalry to charge and retake them. We had our orders and we had to obey them, although we saw it was a forlorn hope, and not one of us expected to return. There never was such a charge on record.
Accordingly we formed up into two lines, first, the 13th and the 17th Lancers, second, the 4th, 8th, and 11th. We were drawn up at the end of the valley, the guns being at the other; on each side of the valley was rising ground — on our right, batteries of some twenty guns, on our left, batteries of six guns, and these were flanked by cavalry. Infantry and rifles were also formed on our right.
We had to go over a mile-and-half of ground before we could reach the guns. Directly we advanced they had all commenced firing, and so did the infantry when we were within a hundred yards of them. I must tell you the guns we charged were twelve-pounders, so you can imagine the way we were mown down by the cross-fire.
As we reached the guns a hussar regiment, 800-strong, retreated, so we could only succeed in cutting down the gunners, as having no support it was an impossibility to take a man, let alone a gun.
We pursued the cavalry as far as we could to a river, when they suddenly turned on us. At that time there were not more than twenty of our men together. Imagine our surprise in returning, to find a regiment of Lancers, one of Hussars and another of Cossacks, formed up in our rear. We rallied as many men as we could — and then with a right British cheer, rode straight through them and most of us got back to our lines.
My horse was wounded in the leg and side before I reached the guns — and in attacking a dismounted gunner, who, to prevent me from cutting him down, ran his sword into my horse's leg — and it was with the greatest difficulty that I could get a trot out of him, but with the help of God, I managed to get myself back, but not without fighting, as you may suppose.
When I had fought myself well through, and thought myself safe, three Cossacks seeing, I suppose, the disabled state of my horse came after me. I guarded the first fellow's point, and gave him a slight point, and he went on. The next ran his lance through my pouch-box, which is of silver, and so saved me. The third caught me in the ribs, the point broke the skin.
So you will see from this little tale that I have had a lucky escape. I had, before that, other fortunate escapes of being cut down — only I was too sharp for them. My revolver was of great use to me.
The 17th Lancers went into the battle 145 strong. When we mustered, we had only 30 horses not wounded, 99 were killed, 79 men killed and wounded; seven out of ten officers killed and wounded. We have now only three officers. Thank God, I am one. The 13th went in 125 strong and only mustered 29 horses.
In the Light Brigade I hear there were 24 officers killed and wounded. I have been obliged to destroy my horse, poor beast. He had a large piece of shell in his side, and a ball in his right leg. We still have a large force of Russians in our rear, but we do not fear them.
Believe me,
Your affectionate nephew,
Archibald Clevland.
17th Lancers."
[Source: Check this transcription against the one by Dr Douglas J Austin, 2004, of "The Balaklava Anniversary Festival at the Alexandra Palace (25th October, 1875)", first published by the Daily Telegraph, September and October 1875, pp.23 - 4. Was this the first/only place the letter was published?]