THE BATTLE OF BALACLAVA. 91 nquadron of the Inniskillings, which was in front, c n a p 1. and the two squadrons of the Greys which brought up the rear. Those three squadrons were the force which constituted ' Scarlett's three hundred.' Scarlett conceived at this time that the 5th Dragoon Guards would form up in prolongation of his front on the left of the Greys ; and, to leave a clear front for the regiment thus supposed to be coming into line, he found it necessary that the ' three hundred ' should move some way east of the vineyard before commencing their onset. He there- Ground fore gave an order to 'take ground to the right.' tL^ght The 5th Dragoon Guards had not yet so closely The eth approached as to be ready to align with Scarlett's Guards. ' three hundred ; ' and it seems that Elliot, the Brigadier's aide-de-camp, delivered to the regiment an order which was regarded as directing it to act in support of the Greys.* The position which the 5th Dragoon Guards actually took up was on the left rear of the Greys. On the right of the 5th Dragoon Guards, but divided from it by a considerable interval, there stood the 1st squa- dron of the Inniskillings. The 4th Dragoon Guards and the Eoyals were The 4th approaching; so altogether, besides the first line, Guards there were seven squadrons which might ulti- Royals af >. mately take part in the conflict, though not until after the moment when the foremost ' three hun- ' dred ' would be already engaged.
- I believe General Scarlett has no recollection of having sent,
this order ; hut the proof of the words given in the text seems irresistibly strong
