Messenger of Death: Captain Nolan and the Charge of the Light Brigade

by David Buttery

Captain Louis Nolan delivered the order that produced one of the most famous blunders in all military history - the Charge of the Light Brigade. Nolan's conduct and the Charge itself have been the subject of intense, sometimes bitter debate ever since. Yet there has been no recent biography of Nolan. He remains an ambiguous, controversial figure to this day. In this fresh and perceptive study, David Buttery attempts to set the record straight. He reassesses the man and looks at his military career, for there was much more to Louis Nolan than his fatal role in the Charge. This sympathetic account of his life throws new light on the Victorian army and its officer class, and on the conduct of the war in the Crimea. It also offers the reader an inside view of the most notorious episode of that war, the Charge at Balaklava on 25 October 1854.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 24, 2008

Reviews

[Michael Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic piece of research on a much misunderstood (and occasionally maligned) historical figure. There has been a lot of debate about the message Nolan delivered before the action taken by the Light Brigade on that fatal day. Yet, very few books have offered up a detailed biography of Captain Nolan himself. The author uses every resource at his disposal to craft a clear picture of his life, career, and beliefs. The book is also packed with footnotes to back the biography. Truth be told, there will never be a definitive explanation for the charge. This is part of the allure and mystery. Yet, Buttery has added another decisive chapter to the debate.

Highly recommended for those with an interest in the Crimean War and the History of English Calvary.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding biography about the life of a soldier, who despite all his achievements previously, is only remembered for the last few minutes of his life. Buttery provides us with a variety of sources including accounts concerning Nolan's youth in Austria, extracts from his own book, Cavalry it's History and Tactics, as well as his journal in the Crimea to help us get a better understanding of the man and his principles.

Buttery's analysis of the charge and who was responsible also seems fair when compared to other previous accounts which claimed that Captain Nolan was mostly, if not solely, responsible for the blunder that occurred on that fateful day. He does not leave any stone unturned when analysing his professional career. Sadly there is not a lot of information concerning Nolan's personal life but this is not the fault of the author, as there is so little information about it anyway.

This is a fantastic book about an incredibly underrated historical figure who (at least in my opinion) deserves much greater recognition for his work in horsemanship and as an overall person.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a lot about the Crimea, and would like to watch the film again, to compare events and outcomes, the book gives the reader a clearer understanding of the battle of Balaclava, where the regiments and batterries were placed, and how the messages were relayed and possibly misunderstood in the heat of battle, no doubting the bravery of any of the participants.