THE TRAINING OF CAVALRY
REMOUNT HORSES
Captain Nolan
PARKER SON & BOURN, London, 1860
The very rare 1860 edition of Captain Louis Nolan's Training of Cavalry Remount Horses, published by Parker Son and Bourn. First published in 1852, this new and revised edition was issued posthumously, after Nolan's death during the Crimean War. Nolan took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava on 25th October 1854. Having delivered the order to advance against the Russian guns, Nolan was out in front of the Light Brigade when he was struck in the chest by a shell splinter and killed. He would later be blamed for the misunderstanding surrounding the order to charge, and the controversy about his role in the disaster continues to this day. Nolan was an experienced cavalry officer - in both the Austrian and British army - and an acknowledged expert on cavalry horses and cavalry tactics. The two books he wrote on the subject were very influential at the time. This volume is a detailed examination of the training of horses for cavalry service, covering a wide range of topics - from how to fall safely from a horse, to equipment, training, and riding lessons. The book is well illustrated with full page plates of horses and their riders.
Captain Louis Nolan (1818–1854) was a British Army officer and cavalry tactician best known for his role and death in the Charge of the light Brigade during the Crimean War. Born to a minor diplomatic official and his wife, Nolan was educated at the Austrian Pioneer School at Tulln, where he was noted as an enthusiastic horseman and military theorist. After early graduation he was commissioned as a subaltern in the 10th Austrian Hussar regiment, serving in Austria, Hungary and on the Polish frontier, where he again became known for his horsemanship and was promoted to senior lieutenant. Nolan then transferred to the British Army as a Cornet in the 15th Light Dragoons. Deployed in India, Nolan was eventually made the regimental riding master and an aideide-camp to General Berkeley, commander-in-chief in Madras, accompanying him on horse trials to evaluate the use of geldings as cavalry mounts rather than stallions, and was made a captain in 1850. Returning to Great Britain in 1851, he toured continental Europe and wrote two books on horsemanship and cavalry theory, Training of Cavalry Remount Horses and Cavalry: Its History and Tactics, which was universally acclaimed and led to the adoption of a Nolan-designed saddle by the British Army. A trusted voice on cavalry matters, Nolan was dispatched to the Middle East in the early days of the Crimean War to hunt for appropriate mounts. After returning he was attached to the staff of General Richard Airey, and in this role delivered the order that led to the Charge of the Light Brigade. Forty percent of the Light Brigade's soldiers were killed, wounded, captured or rendered unfit for service, including Nolan, who was the first casualty of the charge. Contemporary accounts blamed Nolan for failing to properly communicate the order, either accidentally or deliberately, while some modern historians apportion the blame not only to Nolan but also Lord Raglan, commander of the British forces in the Crimea, and the cavalry commander, Lord Lucan.
Condition:
In good condition. The boards are in good condition, with general signs of wear and some marks. The binding and hinges are secure. The text plates, and illustrations are in very good condition, with a few marks.
Published: 1860
Blue boards with gilt titling
Dimensions: 145mm x 230mm
Pages: 61 (plus plates)
