THE PATH OF GLORY LEADS BUT TO THE'—WORK-HOUSE.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 374, 1 December 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE PATH OF GLORY LEADS BUT TO THE'—WORK-HOUSE.

THE CHARGE OF THE HEAVIES AT BALACLAVA. John LoUDON, who with (he gallant General Scarlett, was one of the first men to draw Russian blood in the memorable chargo of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava, is an inmate of St. Puncras Work.-housi 1 . Loudon. It was he who sounded the charge of the " Heavies" on that glorious morning when a mora handful of Conceal Scarlett's men mowed down "the o'erlapping Russiau lines" after the manner of n reaping machine. " I had au interesting interview,'' writes a Daily Chronicle representative, with Loudon in the St. Pancras Workhouse. He is OS years of aye, but is upright and active still, and very intelligent. When I was introduced to him in his ward he was dressed in a bine, serge suit, and was wearing a " Trilby " hat. But the clothes belonged to the ratepayers of St. Pancras. However, he looked as happy as auy old wairior could under the circumstances. It was animating to find ourselves chatting with General Scarlett's trumpeter, and to hoar how, when he was introduced to the Queen in 1890 by Field Marshal Si'- Patrick Grant, who told her Majesty lint it .was Loudon who sounded the charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava, the Queen said sin was greatly pleasod to. s;e one of tho old brigade.

" Yes," replied Loudon, feelingly, " Her Majesty spoke to me so kindly and graciously—just like a mother would. She asked mo several questions, but I forget them for the moment. Not having a relation alive, it was so' soothing and cheering—even to a hard-hearted old warrior—to be spoken to so kindly by the Queen."

" But to come to the awful collision between General Scarlett's Three Hundred and the Russian line of thousands?

'• Well, I sound the charge, and we then went for tho Russians like tigers. 1 was stirrup to stirrup with the gallant Genotal Seirlett when wo plunged into the enemy's lines. It" was a neck and neck race between four of us to see which of us would have the honour of the first onslaught. But goodness only knows who unhorsed the fmt of the enemy. I know that General Scarlett was on a very speedy charger, ana I believe he won an exciting race by decapitating tho first Russian. A moment before we crashed through the line I dropped my bugle by my s'do, and then I had to use the sword in earnest. I was woundtd at the time. For a few minutes we were scattered like a flock of sheep ; ttill we moved away, now to the right, again to the left, twisting and turning, thrusting and slashing. We made several avenues in the enemies' lines, through which we rode to tho rally. Soon after the rally we henrd tho "Lights," were going to have a " go." •* I suppose you had a good view of the charge F" "Ob, yes until the ''Lights" disappeared into a gulf of smoke from the Russian cannon. I was alongside General Scarlett when he gave the order, " The Heavy Brigade will support the Lights." These were, I believe, his exact words. The Lights had then broken into a gallop, and wore close to the " Valley of Death." 1 sounded, and soon myself and General Scarlett were some 30 yards in front of the advancing squadrons. Suddenly he" turned round in his saddle and exclaimed. " Why, tho Heavies are rptiring. Have you sounded " Retire!-" He was yery much excited. I replied, " No, General." We galloped baok n.'d met Lord Lucin. It was he who had stopped tho Heavies. As near as I can recollect Lord Lucan said to General Scarlett, " We've lost the Light Brigade and must Bave the Heavies."

" Had the Heavies not been stopped by Lord Lucan, what do you think would have bct-n the upshot?"—" Oh, undoubtedly we would hav«i shared the same fate as the Litfhts, but we wouldn't have troubled about that. We were just in tho humour for another charge."

Loudon holds several letters from famous warriors. " Every 2oth of October," said he proudly, " until the day of his death 1 was always reminded of the charge by a letter from tho gallant General Scarlett. When General Soailttt died I lo>t the best friend I ever had. 1 have not a fiiend leit now, {aud here 1 am at last in St. Pancras workhouse," sighed the old fellow. So ho is ending his days with a peusiau of !)d per day—or, at least tho St. Pancras guardians get it instead.