CARDIGAN, James Brudenell, 7th Earl (1797-1868). General; led the Charge of the Light Brigade.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Cardigan") to an unidentified correspondent, a strong letter of recommendation for Dr. [E.H.] Nolan, author of the History of the War with Russia.4 pages 8vo, Portman Square, 20 April 1857.

"I beg to state that I became acquainted with Doctor Nolan in consequence of his being the Author of the History of the War with Russia, being anxious to point out to him that he had received erroneous information with regard to some details of the conduct of the Cavalry. The publication of the volume . . . written by himself is a proof of his literary acquirements, and I found Doctor Nolan remarkably courteous in his manner and very obliging. I believe therefore that he would be particularly well qualified to fill the situation which he is anxious to obtain."E.H. Nolan's two-volume illustrated history of the Crimean War was published in 1857. There is no doubt that safeguarding the reputation of the cavalry was of paramount importance to Cardigan. Bitter accusations had flown between Cardigan and his brother-in-law Lord Lucan over the responsibility for the disastrous charge of the Light Brigade, the culmination of their enmity. Cardigan was later to challenge Lucan to a duel for supporting a writer who cast aspersions on his courage; the duel never took place due to a series of misunderstandings and missed encounters. Other writers on the Crimean war endured numerous letters in Cardigan's very difficult hand. Doctor Nolan was evidently fortunate to have, eventually, earned Cardigan's approbation.

Stock Code: 9691