PolarBear
Major
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2007
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During the battle of Balaclava (October 25, 1854) at the beginning of the Crimean War, the 93rd (Sutherland) Highlanders made an heroic stand against a massive attack by Russian cavalry. The 93rd was part of a British force sent to the Crimea to squelch Russia’s imperial ambitions in the Balkans and recent incursions into Turkey. Balaclava was the supply depot and support garrison for the British forces laying siege to the Russian naval base at Sevastopol and therefore, needed to be defended at all costs.
Two companies of the 93rd under the command of Major Gordon were stationed on the heights overlooking Balaclava along with 800 marines supporting redoubts garrisoned by Turkish forces. The remaining six companies under Lt. Colonel William Ainslie were formed atop a hill near the regimental encampment guarding the road to Balaclava. After redoubt No. 1 was overrun by Russians, Sir Colin Campbell, commander of the Highland Brigade, ordered Major Gordon’s companies to fall back and join Ainslie and the rest of the regiment on the plain. The 93rd was supported on either flank by Turkish battalions that fled when the 5000 Russian horsemen began their attack on the “Thin Red Line” of the 93rd. The Sutherlands stood their ground, however, and formed into a double line, firing off two volleys that took their toll on the enemy causing them to disperse and retreat in disarray. Major Gordon in doublet and bonnet overseeing the battle on horseback is the subject of Collectors Club figure 50029C the latest release in the W. Britain’s Crimean War series.
Two companies of the 93rd under the command of Major Gordon were stationed on the heights overlooking Balaclava along with 800 marines supporting redoubts garrisoned by Turkish forces. The remaining six companies under Lt. Colonel William Ainslie were formed atop a hill near the regimental encampment guarding the road to Balaclava. After redoubt No. 1 was overrun by Russians, Sir Colin Campbell, commander of the Highland Brigade, ordered Major Gordon’s companies to fall back and join Ainslie and the rest of the regiment on the plain. The 93rd was supported on either flank by Turkish battalions that fled when the 5000 Russian horsemen began their attack on the “Thin Red Line” of the 93rd. The Sutherlands stood their ground, however, and formed into a double line, firing off two volleys that took their toll on the enemy causing them to disperse and retreat in disarray. Major Gordon in doublet and bonnet overseeing the battle on horseback is the subject of Collectors Club figure 50029C the latest release in the W. Britain’s Crimean War series.
the new mounted Redcoat of Major Gordon is excellent I received mine yesterday & got him straight into my thin red line of 93rd Highlanders!
