The Charge of the Heavy Brigade – as seen by William Simpson – was led by General James Yorke Scarlett. The scene shows the obstruction to the charge caused by the remnants of the Light Brigade camp

THE Charge of the Light Brigade has seared itself in our historical memory, a glorious, bloody defeat that reflects the bravery of the British Army.

This landmark disaster in the Crimean War of 1854, which saw the Brigade attack Russian positions in a valley covered by enemy guns, quickly attained legendary status in the public’s mind.

What isn’t so well known is the story of the Heavy Brigade, who fought alongside the Light Brigade: and how their general, James Yorke Scarlett, won a great victory during the same battle at Balaklava.

Instead, Scarlett’s success has been overshadowed by the failures that happened on the same day.

The story of James York Scarlett is told by his great-great-great-nephew, historian Martin Sheppard.

Using an archive of the general’s letters to his wife, siblings and friends, that have been passed down through generations of his family, he has written a biography that casts a light on the Georgian and Victorian period through the eyes of a successful professional soldier.

“It was prompted by curiosity,” says Martin, who lives in Primrose Hill. “Old letters are fascinating. I did not know about their existence until my mother died and I found them. I found them so personable.”

Martin studied History at Oxford and dealt antiquarian books before setting up a publishing firm that printed 300 historical titles.

After selling the business, he took on research to write books of his own. Previous tomes include histories of Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, and a volume based on letters between his great-great-great-great-grandparents.

Martin began the process of transcribing the letters and tracing Scarlett’s life.

“The first is written from Trinity College, Cambridge, to his brother and it is sensible letter – he offers some sage advice, and comes over very well,” he says. “You get a real sense of what he was like.”

Previously references to Scarlett are usually about his role at Balaklava: physically, he is described as being “stoutish, bewhiskered, ruddy-faced, short-sighted, 55-year-old who had never been previously engaged in battle,” and despite his contemporary fame, no biography has been written.

Born in 1799, he was the son of a barrister and grew up in Guildford Street, Holborn.

He studied at Eton before reaching Cambridge and then Sandhurst. He married Charlotte Hargreaves in 1835, and while serving in the Army, he was elected as the Tory MP for Guildford in 1837, a seat he was to lose four years later.

“One factor in his decision for an Army career may have been that James was an outstanding horseman,” writes Martin and kept stables of well-bred horses.

General James Yorke Scarlett

“One of the best riders in his regiment, and delighting in the chase, his own stud was always conspicuous for their performances in the field.”

Before the Crimea, he led the Fifth Dragoons, serving in the UK and Ireland. His letters from this time reveal what the personal life of a successful officer was like. They do not discuss military matters, rather a domestic and social world.

“Staying at the homes of the Irish aristocracy, and joining in the pleasures of hunting, fishing and racing, with balls and country house parties, was the soft side of the cavalry’s important role in keeping law and order in Ireland and the seats of the Ascendancy safe,” writes Martin.

“It clearly brought the Scarletts into contact with a variety of eccentrics, including the Marquess of Waterford, who originated the term painting the town red by literally doing so in Melton Mowbray, and a parson who travelled with two nightingales and a spoonbill.”
Scarlett paid close attention to issues such as rations, lodgings and equipment.

“He was popular with the soldiers,” adds Martin. “There was no need for common punishments like flogging.”

Such an approach continued when he was promoted to general and fighting in the Crimea. When privates asked permission to grow their beards to both help keep out the cold and to save time, officers were not impressed. Scarlett instead grew his own as a sign of support.

In 1853, Scarlett had served 35 years but had not fought a battle. There had been nearly 40 years of relative peace post-Waterloo and Britain’s power lay in its naval strength, not its small standing army.

Russia, under the expansionist Nicholas I, had one million men under arms. As they moved southwards, Russian forces were met by the Western powers.

Scarlett and his troops were at the Battle of Balaklava on October 25, 1854 – and Scarlett’s recollections of that day is of particular interest.

“This previously unpublished document is a letter to Colonel James Chatterton, and written six weeks after the battle, describes what happened and his experience in great detail,” reveals Martin.

In the morning of the battle – before the Light Brigade’s entry – Scarlett’s men were attacked by a hugely superior Russian force of 20,000.

Scarlett rallied 300 horsemen and set off at a canter up a hill, charging forwards into battle with his soldiers racing after him.

His attack was a resounding success, and cut the Russians off from reaching the vital Balaklava seaport.

Yet his triumph, though feted at the time, has since long been overshadowed by the Light Brigade’s disaster.

“The concentrated attention on the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava has led to a false perspective on the battle,” writes Martin.

As well as casting fresh light on the Crimean War – whose memory remains in streets of Kentish Town, named after battles and the generals who fought them – we learn of a person who was profoundly moved by his experiences.

“The letters display an unfailing interest in the people and places around him combined with a sense of humour,” writes Martin.

“He was well respected,” says Martin. “‘He has no enemies except the Russians’, it was said of him by his friends.”

Scarlett died in 1871 and his funeral in Burnley saw 60,000 people turn up, a measure of the high regard a nation held him in.

• General Sir James Scarlett: The Life and Times Of The Commander of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava. By Martin Sheppard, Pen and Sword, £25