The Russian gunners on the Fedioukine Heights were manning the six 12 pounder guns and four 18 pounder howitzers of No 1 Position Battery, 16 Artillery Brigade. It was not altogether ideal for them - smoke soon obscured the target, which was moving, so the guns needed traversing, and their field of fire of around 800 yds gave them a maximum 3 and a half minutes at an average range of 900 yds but they were not under any form of attack and managed to get off around 70 rounds at the Light Brigade. The effect as described by Sgt Major Loy Smith of the 11th Hussars, was devastating.
"The round shot passed through us and the shells burst over and among us, causing great havoc. The first man of my troop that was struck was Private Young, a cannon ball taking off his right arm. I being close on his right rear, fancied I felt the wind from it as it passed me. I afterwards found I was bespattered with his flesh. To such a nicety were the enemy's guns elevated for our destruction that, before we had advanced many hundred yards, Private Turner's left arm was also struck off close to the shoulder and Private Ward was struck full in the chest. A shell too burst over us, a piece of which struck Cornet Houghton in the forehead and mortally wounded him." At that rate, they could only be thankful that many howitzer shells were observed to be bursting too high.
The First Line had quickened their pace under fire, and although Cardigan was doing his utmost to hold them back with sword outstretched to the side, he was obliged to accelerate to keep ahead of them. The Support Line had never formed properly, largely because no one had told Paget that the 11th were dropping back. So he was unsure whether he should be level with them or behind - as such he stayed around 50 yds behind. On his right, Colonel Shewell kept his own pace for the 8th - a steady even paced trot which kept him behind Paget and inclining away from the guns to the right. So the Support Line was echeloned back from the Left. Paget struggled to keep within some sort of effective support distance of 200 yds or so, but the First Line was getting away from him.
Lucan following behind with his staff, and with the Heavy Brigade behind him, saw how the Charge was opening out and leaving the Heavies far behind. He galloped ahead trying to catch up and nearly lost his whole staff in a hail of fire. His nephew and ADC Capt Charteris was killed at his side - horses were going down and he himself took a bullet in the thigh. Additionally the First Line of the Heavies had come into range of the Fedioukine Battery and the Greys in particular were starting to take heavy casualties. Turning to Lord Paulet he took an instant decision. "They have sacrificed the Light Brigade" he said "They shall not have the Heavy if I can help it". He ordered their withdrawal to No 4 Redoubt, where they stayed out of range of hostile fire, taking no further part in the action.
