CRIMEAN WAR. Lt-Colonel E.C Hodge, 4th Dragoon Guards. LS requesting leave for an injured Cornet.

CRIMEAN WAR. Lt-Colonel Edward Cooper Hodge, 4th Dragoon Guards. Commander of the 'Charge of the Heavy Brigade' at Balaclava on October 25th 1854. Letter signed, Camp before Sebastopol, 28th November 1854. 1 page, 16cm x 20.5cm.

"Sir
I have the honour to request that you will forward to Brigadier General Scarlett, this very application for leave of absence for Cornet Fisher of the 4th dragoon Guards from the 30th of Nov'b till the 30th Dec'b 1854 that he may there receive medial treatment of which he is in need.
The certificate of his call has been forwarded in the usual manner.

I have the honour to be
Sir/Your most obed't Servant
(signed) Edw'd C Hodge
Lieut Col. Commanding 4th Dragoon Guards"

Hodge was the son of Major Edward Hodge (1782–1815) of the 7th Hussars, who was killed at the head of his squadron in a charge against Napoleon's Polish Lancers at Genappe the day before the battle of Waterloo.

As a Lieutenant-Colonel, Edward Cooper Hodge commanded the 4th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Dragoon Guards. He commanded the 4th throughout the Crimean War and led the regiment in the immortal "Charge of the Heavy Brigade" at Balaclava on 25th October 1854, which took place the morning of the "Charge of the Light Brigade".

He was subsequently placed in command of the 5th Dragoon Guards and later rose to General.