Order of battle for the Balaclava campaign facts for kids

The Battle of Balaclava was a famous battle during the Crimean War in 1854. This article explains the "order of battle," which is like a detailed list showing all the different armies, their main commanders, and the military units that fought on each side. It helps us understand who was where and who was in charge during the battle.

Who Fought in the Battle of Balaclava?

The battle involved two main sides: the Allied Army and the Russian Army. The Allied Army was made up of soldiers from Britain, France, and Turkey.

The Allied Army's Forces

The Allied Army included troops from Britain, France, and some Turkish soldiers who were working with the British.

British Army Units

The British Army was led by General Lord Raglan. He had several important officers helping him.

• Headquarters
  • Commander: General Lord Raglan
  • Key Staff: Lieutenant-General Sir John Burgoyne (on staff), Brigadier-General Richard Airey (Quartermaster-General), Brigadier-General James Estcourt (Adjutant-General).
  • Artillery Commander: Brigadier-General Thomas Fox-Strangways
  • Engineers Commander: Captain John William Gordon

• Cavalry Division
  • Commander: Lieutenant-General Lord Lucan
  • Total Strength: About 1,500 horsemen (called sabres) and 6 field guns.
  • Heavy Cavalry Brigade: Led by Brigadier-General James Scarlett. This included units like the 4th Dragoon Guards and 2nd Dragoons.
  • Light Cavalry Brigade: Led by Major-General Lord Cardigan. This brigade had units such as the 4th Light Dragoons and 17th Lancers.
  • Royal Horse Artillery: This unit, led by Captain George Maude, provided artillery support for the cavalry.

An image showing how the Allied forces were organized for the Balaclava campaign.

• 1st Infantry Division
  • Commander: Lieutenant-General Prince George, Duke of Cambridge
  • Total Strength: About 4,000 soldiers.
  • 1st Guards Brigade: This brigade included famous units like the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, and Scots Fusiliers Guards.
  • 2nd Highland Brigade: This brigade was known for its Scottish soldiers, including the 42nd Highlanders and 79th Highlanders.
  • Royal Artillery: Two field batteries provided cannon support.

• 4th Infantry Division
  • Commander: Lieutenant-General Sir George Cathcart
  • Total Strength: About 5,000 soldiers.
  • 1st Brigade: Included regiments like the 20th Foot and 21st Foot.
  • 2nd Brigade: Included units such as the 46th Foot and the 1st Battalion The Rifle Brigade.
  • Royal Artillery: One field battery supported this division.

• Balaclava Defences
  • Commander: Major-General Sir Colin Campbell
  • Total Strength: About 4,000 soldiers and 35 naval and field guns.
  • Key Units: The famous 93rd Highlanders (known as the "Thin Red Line"), a Battalion of Detachments, and the Royal Marine Brigade.
  • Artillery: Five batteries of Royal Marine Artillery and one field battery.
  • Attached Turkish Army forces: Eight infantry battalions and artillery, led by Lewa Rustem Pasha, also helped defend Balaclava.

French Army Units

The French Army was commanded by General François Canrobert.

• 1st Cavalry Brigade
  • Commander: General d'Allonville
  • Total Strength: About 1,500 horsemen.
  • Key Units: The 1st and 4th Chasseurs d'Afrique (African Hunters), who were light cavalry.

• Corps d'Observation
  • Commander: General Pierre Bosquet
  • 1st Infantry Brigade: Included the 7th Line Infantry Regiment and the 1st Zouaves (a type of light infantry).
  • 2nd Infantry Brigade: Led by General Joseph Vinoy, with about 4,000 soldiers. It included the 20th and 27th Line Infantry Regiments.

The Russian Army's Forces

The Russian Army was commanded by Prince Aleksandr Menshikov. They had a total of about 25,000 soldiers and 78 guns.

• Cavalry
  • Commander: Lieutenant General I.I. Ryzhov
  • Total Strength: 3,000 horsemen and 16 guns.
  • Key Units: The Kiev Regiment, Ingermanland Regiment, and Ural Cossacks.

• North Column
  • Commander: Colonel A.P. Skiuderi
  • Total Strength: 4,000 soldiers and 12 guns.
  • Key Units: The Odessa Regiment and Don Cossacks.

• Left Center Column
  • Commander: Major General K.R. Semiakin
  • Total Strength: 5,000 soldiers and 10 guns.
  • Key Units: The Azov Regiment and Dnieper Regiment.

• Right Center Column
  • Commander: Major General F.G. Levutski
  • Total Strength: 3,000 soldiers and 8 guns.
  • Key Unit: The Ukraine Regiment.

• South Column
  • Commander: Major General S.I. Gribbe
  • Total Strength: 3,000 soldiers and 10 guns.
  • Key Units: The Dnieper Regiment, Composite Uhlan Regiment, and Ingermanland Regiment.

• Forward Reserves
  • Commander: Major General O.P. Zhaboritski
  • Total Strength: 5,000 soldiers and 10 guns.
  • Key Units: The Vladimir Regiment, Susdal Regiment, and parts of the Ingermanland Regiment and Don Cossacks.

• Reserves
  • Total Strength: 2,000 soldiers and 12 guns.
  • Key Units: Parts of the Ukraine Regiment, 4th Rifle Battalion, and Composite Uhlan Regiment.