'Expedition to Crimea' - the Diary of the First Man Killed in the Charge of the Light Brigade To Be Published for the First Time
Last updated: 21 April 2011
This personal journal written by a controversial figure of the Crimean War will be published for the first time by the National Army Museum. 'Expedition to Crimea' is the unexpurgated journal of Captain Louis Edward Nolan, the man who delivered the fateful order that launched the Charge of the Light Brigade. It provides a rare insight into the mind of a man who was at the centre of one of the most important controversies in the history of the British Army.
Captain Nolan had a privileged place in the British headquarters staff in the Crimean War, which put him in a good position to observe the conduct of the campaign. He had already written two books and the journal appears to have been the basis for a third, with the narrative of events and Nolan's personal commentary kept separate. Nolan's reflective views and proximity to key figures mean that 'Expedition to Crimea' provides important new information about the relationship between those on the front line of the Crimean War.
Perhaps the most important information revealed in the journal concerns the relationship between Captain Nolan and Lord Lucan, key figures in the Charge of the Light Brigade. Lucan was the commander of the cavalry, and Nolan was charged with bringing the order to advance to Lucan. When Lucan questioned where to advance, an exasperated Nolan flung out his arm but pointed in the wrong direction, towards a battery of Russian guns. 'Expedition to Crimea' goes some way to explaining Nolan's insubordination towards his senior officer by revealing that Lucan had previously failed to comply with orders to advance at the Battle of Alma. Nolan's unwillingness to spend time explaining to Lucan in which direction he was to move prior to the Charge of the Light Brigade now becomes much more understandable.
'Nolan's journal has been lost to history for over 100 years, ' said Dr Alastair Massie, the head of Archives at the National Army Museum and co-editor of 'Expedition to Crimea'. 'Although Nolan's journal only covers the first 28 days of the Crimean War and stops 13 days before the Charge of the Light Brigade, his reflective writing and access to key figures ensures that it has been worth the long wait to read what would have been the basis for his third book.'
'Expedition to Crimea' has been co-edited by the former director of the National Army Museum, Dr Alan Guy, and Dr Alastair Massie. It will be launched at the National Army Museum on 23 October 2010, marked with a free lecture by Dr Massie. The book will then be on sale in the National Army Museum Shop.
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Further press information
Book title: Expedition to Crimea
Editors: Dr Alan Guy and Dr Alastair Massie
Publisher: National Army Museum
Price: £16.99
Available from: 25 October 2010 at the National Army Museum Shop
[Source: http:/www.nam.ac.uk/press/expedition-crimea-diary-first-man-killed-charge-light-brigade-be-published-first-time (accessed 23.3.2013).]