11th Hussars in the Crimea

By the 7th of September the Allied Fleet had left Varna and at 8.30 a.m. on the 16th of September the landing in the Crimea had begun.

On the 18th of September a troop of the 11th Hussars was sent on a short march into the country for a reconnaissance prior to the main march being made.

On reaching the valley of the Bulganak on the afternoon of the 19th September, Cardigan sent forward the 11th and the 13th Hussars to ascertain the strength of the enemy in that direction. Going forward, they were fired on by a large force of some two thousand Russian cavalry supported by six thousand infantry and some artillery. In bringing up other troops Lord Raglan now had the task of retiring without it provoking an action and the probable loss of his valuable cavalry troops. This was carried out at a walk, two squadrons facing and always showing a front to the enemy.

The enemy guns firing over the heads of the cavalry at the British horse artillery caused Pte. William Pennington to remark later, "I recall how some of us more nervous fellows were bowing our heads over our horse's manes" and how angry and indignant was the tone of Major Peel's remonstrance, "What the hell are you bobbing your heads at."

It was at the Bulganak that Captain Cresswell died of cholera, having been taken ill whilst on piquet on the night of the 18th of September and was buried in the regiment's bivouac area before the action described took place. On the 22nd of September, one officer, a Troop Sgt. Major, two corporals and three privates were taken ill with cholera and all were dead by the 28th.

From then until the 15th of October the regiment was attached to the 3rd Division under Sir Richard England and later under Sir Lacey Evans and engaged on out-post and foraging duties.

The 15th of October saw them back with the Cavalry Brigade, now lately strengthened by the arrival of the Heavy Brigade from Varna, and were occupied on out-post duties and furnishing letter-parties to Divisional Headquarters.