Battle of Alma - Crimean War 1854

The Battle of Alma was the first major battle between the combined British-French army and the Russians during the Crimean War.
Join my Membership Channel to get exclusive videos (& more)
/ @thehistorychap
Follow me at:
www.thehistorychap.com
Instagram:bit.ly/3iySrAj
Facebook:bit.ly/37IUfkH
/ thehistorychap
My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or KZbin animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@JohnEboy73]

My Grandmother had an elderly Great Uncle who fought in the Crimean War. One of the reason why British Soldiers grew big beards was because they only had so much water provided to them. So wash, drink or cook with it but no shaving!

[@TheHistoryChap]

That's very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@chrisgibson5267]

And beards became fashionable in Britain. And let's not forget the Balaclava.

[@calvinferguson8588]

Again, Well Done! Especially listing the root causes of the conflict: Pan-Slavism, Colonial interests and religious frictions centered on Jerusalem. Interesting and informative!

[@johnroche7541]

@@chrisgibson5267 Also Lord Cardigan who had an item of clothing named after him.

[@alexanderjharper3549]

Interesting

[@11buster1000]

I lived in England for 6 years out side of Halifax, Yorkshire. My first part time job was at the Alma Inn, Cotton Stones. Witch lead me to an interest in the Crimean war.

[@TheHistoryChap]

That's a great connection. Thanks for sharing.

[@haalstaag]

Erm….95th? Sherwood Forsters? The 95th from 1803 was the Rifle Brigade

[@danielfernandez6872]

Thanks a lot for yours historiy, my name is Daniel. I'm from Argentina, but many years ago I ust to play polo i'm England. They Best part of my life. I really enjoy all what you tell.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad that you are enjoying.

[@maddog8621]

I used to live on Alma Rd. Frequented the Alma Tavern in Alma Vale. Also used to go to the Inkerman pub. Bristol is pretty Crimean

[@TheHistoryChap]

Blimey, that really is a collection!

[@philparrish8892]

My love of British Military history began with a Ladybird book I read at school in 1966 when I was 9, about Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War. That love of the history stays with me still. Thank you Chris, for your wonderful videos.

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching

[@Alex-fy7on]

I have to say Chris, I genuinely find you the most engaging and captivating of historians online - of which I follow and watch many! You earned me as a paid supporter from the first video I watched . Thank you for the effort and passion, it's infectious. Keep up the good work! All the best, Alex McCormick

[@TheHistoryChap]

Alex, so glad that you are enjoying my videos. Thank you for your kind words and your support.

[@the5thmusketeer215]

@@TheHistoryChap I fully endorse Alex’s sentiments… 🤝 Chris, I’ve been meaning to ask you… Are you a Subscriber to South African Historical raconteur, & occasional KZbinr, ROB CASKIE by any chance? His detailed accounts of the Battles of Isandlwhana, the desperate flight of the few surviving fugitives & the subsequent attack on Rorke’s Drift (as well as other, related events & themes) are told with an eye for detail & a visceral engagement with the dramatic events that took place, that are hard to match (aided by the fact that he has many years of residential experience, giving battlefield tours there & he only took to retelling these accounts via KZbin, when the Covid Pandemic with its resultant travel embargoes, deprived him of his Tourist dependent livelihood). ☹️ If you’ve not watched his KZbin videos yourself, on those subjects & more, I’m sure that you’d really appreciate & enjoy them, however - I’ve noticed that his list of Patreon Subscribers includes a “Chris Green” & so, out of sheer curiosity (& an enthusiastic desire to steer you in his direction if it’s NOT the case), I wanted to ask if that’s YOU, by any chance… 😊 With Kind Regards & my usual compliments on the excellence of yet another one of your fascinating & very informative Colonial Battle accounts. ~ LOUIS C. Ps. I was absolutely STAGGERED to hear you mention that the total casualties among the Crimean War participants totalled 500,000. 😧 As a particular conflict that I knew very little about, prior to watching your own compelling videos on the subject, I never realised just how costly a war it was…..

[@andrewstrongman305]

Your channel deserves to be used as a reference in secondary education. I wish something like this existed back when I was in school.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Andrew, that's very kind of you. Thanks.

[@billsandford3901]

Having served with 2RCR here in Canada, 2RCR was formed out of the deactivated Black watch &each year each platoon compete for the Alma cup which we inherited from the Black Watch.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Bill, that's a great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@BrianSmith-ow9gy]

I wonder what lessons the American army generals fighting the US Civil War barely 10 years later, drew from the conduct of the Crimean War? And particularly the impact of the Minie rifles of the British on frontal charges by infantry? Looking at the way they went about their battles, it would seem, at first glance, that they didn't learn very much?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Brian, that would actually be a great research topic (not like I don't have enough on my plate!). One day...

[@BrianSmith-ow9gy]

@@TheHistoryChap Thanks for replying. I'm no expert whatsoever but the conduct of the US Civil War was so abysmal with shocking levels of incompetent leadership on both sides, I just wonder whether they paid any attention to the Crimean War and its obvious lessons, at all.

[@chriscann7627]

Another excellent film! Interesting to note the bizarre behaviour of Lord Raglan at the Alma - moving ahead of the initial advance, he and his increasingly alarmed staff rode through the British lines, across the river and up a gorge, until they reached a prominent knoll actually BEHIND the Russian lines. Raglan watched the battle from here, with, in effect, a Menschikoff-eye-view of the battle.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Chris, you are right. Was going to cover that but thought I could end up confusing some folk. Bizarre behaviour indeed.

[@nathanappleby5342]

Very brave of him! It's a good thing he escaped death at the hands of the Russians later on, that would have been disastrous!

[@TheBlueCream]

@@nathanappleby5342 the war got him in the end

[@richardthompson9836]

A fascinating look into our history Chris. Once again my thanks for a superb presentation. You are painting images for the "theatres of our minds".

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for those kind words.

[@richardthompson9836]

@@TheHistoryChap Just a side note Chris. During the First Battle of Bull Run 21 July 1861 during the American Civil War, civilians (as at Alma) came out from Washington DC to watch the Confederate route. Carriages, women and men on picnic blankets etc. became exposed. It was they who were routed in panic as the Confederates won the day. Have you ever heard of this type of "spectator sport" before?

[@timgodderis1918]

"You are painting images for the "theatres of our minds"" what a marvelous expression. (i m not a native English speaker) And it is very accurate indeed.

[@richardthompson9836]

@@timgodderis1918 Hi Tim. At night, before going to sleep, I always say to myself "Well, lets see what's playing at the Dream Land Theatre?"

[@timgodderis1918]

@@richardthompson9836 Images and words, as always ... Don't get pulled under :)

[@paekman63]

All these names are familiar to me. I live on Inkerman street, in the Melbourne suburb of Balaclava, and Alma road runs parallel to Inkerman. It's all fascinating to know the history behind these names.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I find it fascinating to hear just how many Crimean War reminders are all over Australia. Obviously a major event in the lives of people settling in the country at that time.

[@brettbunn2065]

Always wondered about the name Alma. We have one here in Ontario Canada as well.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad I could be of help. Thanks for watching.

[@lineinthesand663]

Thank-you. In CapeTown as a student in the early '90, I lived on an Alma St.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching.

[@johnbeven9600]

Keep it up.....enthusiasm with real facts....RMA Sandhurst would be proud of you.... ex Scots Grey's officer. Thank you very much.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks, John. Please do subscribe to my channel (if you haven't already!).

[@georgerowe3036]

Great explanation as to the details of the battles you cover in your videos. The crimean war leaves a big gap in my military history knowledge and as a junior light cavalry officer in the British Army I am eager to hear more!

[@TheHistoryChap]

George, I am so glad that you are enjoying my videos. I have a secret ambition to speak at RMC Sandhurst one day :)

[@jfh9219]

Always wanted more background and here you provide it. Thank you! Great work!

[@TheHistoryChap]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@Harperslj]

A fantastic video Chris. I’ve only just found your channel and have been watching it all day! Really looking forward to seeing what else you have in store for us and watching your channel grow.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks for your support.

[@robg5958]

Thank you once again Chris. Your channel is the best thing I have discovered on KZbin. Keep up the good work!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks Rob. So pleased that you are enjoying.

[@stigg333]

Thank you Chris for all your hard work producing these great history videos which are brilliant, I just can't get my head around seeing 600 of these great ships off the coast!!!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks you so much for your kind words & support.

[@adrel1001]

Great work Chris, love this period of British history keep up the great work, you have set the bar high on you tube

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying and thank you for your kind words of support.

[@Alex-pu5lz]

Hi Chris, I just want to thank you for all the effort you put in into making these great videos!

[@TheHistoryChap]

It's my pleasure Alex. Thanks for watching.

[@nigelcowie6883]

I only found your videos a few weeks ago, but they, including this one, are really interesting - and I learned a lot - that doesn't happen so much on social media!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Nigel, thanks for watching & I'm glad that you are enjoying them.

[@cameronbrown9080]

Yet again a great video thanks for the video Chris

[@TheHistoryChap]

Cameron, thanks for watching and for your continued support.

[@geo.m1639]

Great vid keep the Crimean war battles coming

[@TheHistoryChap]

Will do. Glad that you are enjoying them.

[@freelancebush]

I used to live on Alma road in St. Kilda in Melbourne, Victoria. It ran adjacent to Inkerman st and Balaclava road. In the suburb of Preston in Melbourne, there is Raglan street.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing another Crimea - Australia link.

[@richardiervolino8281]

Fantastic , I do love these series

[@TheHistoryChap]

I'm so pleased you are enjoying. Thanks.

[@theblackbear211]

Another fine video. Thanks very much.

[@TheHistoryChap]

M

[@rich_john]

Great episode

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching.

[@nigeldeforrest-pearce8084]

Fascinating!!! Thank You!!!

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching.

[@perrydowd9285]

The Crimean War is a bit of a mystery to me. I've never looked into it much. So this is my big chance. Thanks Chris. See you again soon. 👍

[@TheHistoryChap]

Perry, I'm glad that you are enjoying. As I said at the end plenty more Crimean War videos to come.

[@perrydowd9285]

@@TheHistoryChap I've already checked out The Battle of Balaclava. 👍👍

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Check out the book, "Flashman at the Charge." Its a really good historical fiction account of the battle of Alma and Charge of the Light Brigade.

[@harryshriver6223]

It is so interesting to learn the history of the battle of Alma, which means soul in Spanish. I enjoy the way you animate history, so a person wants to learn more. Well done, amigo 👏 kudos to you, I plan to watch all of your videos one by one! 😊

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you very much!

[@Richard-dp4fl]

what a lovely bloke you are sir... and really enjoy the way you share your knowledge ... nice one mate 👍🇬🇧✌️

[@TheHistoryChap]

Richard, thank you for your kind words. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss my next talks.

[@Richard-dp4fl]

excellent idea Chris...done 👍

[@fredazcarate4818]

Marvelous tale of grit and fortitude. Once again Sir kudos for producing another jewel of a video. 🤔👍👊👏

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks. Glad that you enjoyed.

[@timfenton5153]

Like hearing the story's of what happened to the soldiers after they left the army and how they coped with civilian life, thanks

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for your support, Tim.

[@leedsleedsleeds1747]

I really enjoy your video's and can't get enough of them 😂

[@TheHistoryChap]

Tim, that's very kind. I'm glad that you are enjoying them.

[@russbarker2727]

Yet another great story. Any chance you could do a presentation on the English Maori wars 1845-1872? About the same time as the Crimea, and VC winners to boot!

[@TheHistoryChap]

it is on the cards but I need to do a bit more research first.

[@LLACEM]

GREAT STUFF ITS OUR HISTORY AND I AM PROUD OF IT

[@TheHistoryChap]

I'm glad you enjoyed.

[@thunderK5]

Great stuff, very well done. One request I would make is for a video about the French side of the Siege of Sevastopol, about which I know very little.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I will include it (with the caveat that I might ruin the French language!)

[@timarmes2207]

Hello Chris. Thank you very much for this excellent and engaging explanation of the Battle of Alma - due to work commitments I've only just found the time to watch it. I can't imagine what it was like to march up that slope towards the Russians - brave men indeed. In Kentish Town there are still roads named Alma and Inkerman - though the Alma pub has, very sadly, closed. Thank you very much again.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Tim, thanks for taking the time to comment and supply the links to roads in Kentish Town. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Plenty more in the pipeline!

[@timarmes2207]

@@TheHistoryChap Chris please don't mention it as it's the least I could do - after all it was my suggestion. I've been fascinated by the Alma since seeing as a boy The Charge Of The Light Brigade with Trevor Howard, John Gielgud et al. Thanks again and have a great weekend.

[@FishBarney]

Excellent, as ever.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks. Glad you enjoyed.

[@alexanderjharper3549]

Lov this channel

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very kind of you. Thanks.

[@malcolmbolton1473]

There is a Alma road & Inkerman street in the country town I live here in in Tasmania also,great video,great history,Victorian Endland has been my favourite period of history ever since I was a kid,if there a period in history I could have gone back & lived in,this era appeals to me most,keep up the great videos,cheers

[@TheHistoryChap]

Malcolm, thanks for your kind words.

[@Arian1912wasright]

Thanks Chris as a Scotland born and bred it’s good to here the history of our boys who served there and a video suggestion on the Jacobite I find it would be a great video

[@TheHistoryChap]

As my gran was a MacEwan, I am more than happy to sing the praises of the Scots. Jacobite Rebellions are on my list.

[@cliffgriffen623]

Thank you very much absolutely great

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@denniswhite9721]

Great Chris, for all my longtime fascination with the poem and the Hollywood movie version (big Flynn fan here, but I'd love to know your opinion of the 1968 Tony Richardson film, if you're familiar with it), I've never looked into the origin of the war. Love the British still wearing their bearskins and kilts going into battle in the 1850's! Thanks Chappie!

[@johnroche7541]

The History Channel a number of years ago had a fantastic series called "Line of Fire" which featured the prominent battles from history. One series was dedicated to the Battle of Inkerman.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for making me aware. And others aware too!

[@HootOwl513]

I saw the1968 ''Charge of the Light Brigade'' film as an antiwar film -- fashionable during the Viet Nam era -- almost as a black comedy. Trevor Howard's Lord Cardigan pushed the envelope of satire. The folly of pompous men and the futility of war were its themes.

[@Indigenous-English-Man]

LOVED IT

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks.

[@sean380]

Thank you

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching.

[@gerrypowell2748]

Interesting again👌

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks Gerry.

[@osvaldoruiz3826]

Excellent

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for watching.

[@davidraine8446]

Well presented very factual Well done

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure. Thank you for watching.

[@jon9021]

Interesting hearing about roads called Alma. Lots here in Canada with Wolfe in the name.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Ah, and that will be for another video.

[@jon9021]

@@TheHistoryChap Huzzah! (dont forget to mention the 78th Fraser Highlander's!)

[@beachboy0505]

excellent video 📹 plevna Road in Edmonton, North London?

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks. With regards to Plevna Rd, I am not sure. Although the Russians and Ottomans fought another war in the 1870's where there was a siege/battle of Plevna, so it could be named after that. Just a suggestion.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for another great presentation. It seems that the area covered by Lord Raglan 's army up to the Alma river is quite close to the Russian and previous Ukraine military bases in the current war.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I think they might be...although I haven't looked too closely.

[@MarkDenson-ld8bf]

I didn’t know about the name Alma very interesting and the connection to your family home Thank you again for your videos

[@TheHistoryChap]

My pleasure

[@alexanderjharper3549]

These Empire battles are amazing ,full of heroes and daring ,brave men ,hand to hand fighting ,brilliant

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying them.

[@AndrewCastlemaine]

In the Melbourne (Australia) suburbs of East St Kilda and Caulfield, there are Alma Rd, Inkerman Rd and Balaclava Rd all running East-West through the suburb

[@TheHistoryChap]

Australia seems to be Crimean War mad!

[@xne1592]

Brilliant, thanks. It would be interesting to learn about the chap who built you childhood home. We have an Alma public house locally....

[@TheHistoryChap]

I think the man who built my childhood home might have been in the Staffordshire regiment but that is making some giant leaps with the scant information that I have.

[@xne1592]

@@TheHistoryChap thank you. Look forward to your next video....

[@trickysam04]

St Albans eh? I used to live in Albert Street! Another good presentation Chris.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing and for your support.

[@petegbailey6231]

My great grandfather was there he retried from the army and became the first copper in Southland with his land grant

[@TheHistoryChap]

Great story. Thank you for sharing.

[@whyyourewrong]

The 33rd and 76th regiments of foot amalgamated to form the Duke of Wellington's regiment in 1881. This was amalgamated in 2006 to form the Yorkshire Regiment. A company of the 4th Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment is called Alma Company due to the 33rd and 76th in Crimea.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing

[@dongoldney]

Andy amazing

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks.

[@foxman1546]

Great narrative. 👍 I believe its worthy to point out the Crimean war was the first British war to be photographed in parts. War artists were still the main illustrators for newspapers.

[@TheHistoryChap]

You are correct. Also first time that there was a War Correspondent for a newspaper.

[@foxman1546]

@@TheHistoryChap Good point, I didn't know that.

[@longyx321]

Quite a few Alma streets in South Wales.. a terrible loss of life from that period..

[@TheHistoryChap]

Amazing just how many Crimean War references there are if you look for them.

[@glynprice3815]

Alma and inkerman roads in Southampton. The alma pub still in Bishop Waltham nearby

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing more Crimean streets and pubs.

[@positivemartyn7609]

Have you done any research on battles from the 1700s like Quebec in 1759 and other battles of that period 🤔

[@jona826]

Here in Liverpool I had to check if we had an Alma Road and we do, in the district of Aigburth.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing, Jon.

[@simonkevnorris]

That was interesting to watch. The French were not shown to be in action at Alma in the 1960s movie The Charge of The Light Brigade.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks Simon. And don't forget that the French were in action at the Charge of the Light Brigade too (see my video on that event).

[@Chiller01]

I live in Guelph, Ontario. There is an Alma Street in the city.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing.

[@MrNegativecreep07]

Odd how we think of history as of constant warfare, but there was 40 years between this and Waterloo, and would be another 50 until WW1.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very good point. Thanks for making it.

[@cliffbird5016]

Royal artillery depot at Woolwich Arsenal had inkerman troop. My troop was Colenso troop. forgot what the other troops were called.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Interesting how they all have a back story.

[@adrian.debeauvais5911]

Very interesting. I am no novice on the subject of this war. Your presentation and enthusiasm generate interest for people who are seeking clarity and knowledge of this very important defining chapter in British military thinking. I do not believe all the blame should be attributed to Lord Raglan it was a war enacted in a rapidly changing world of mechanisation and acted upon by a military as you quite correctly state was untried since Waterloo that it had been engaged in small colonial wars does not detract from this. The success must be put on the long suffering ordinary private, gunners, trooper etc. The winning combination of good discipline, pluck and musquetry and the fantastic hitting power of the miníe rifle which was verified as being able to go through 3 Russians in one go, troops still used baker rifle made famous in peninsula war and TV series Sharpe, the later 3 band Enfield rifle was the penultimate development but came much later in war.The only thing to emerge from this bitter nasty war was provision of an army medical system, the institution of a better logistics system and the dispensing of purchasing commissions under the cardwell reforms. Musquetry a name that existed to and through these times and used in 1914 1918 war was made priority to all arms and was very evident in operations in the early part of 1914 to great and devastating effects on the German heer .The establishment of a staff college also alleviated incompetence in general service officers. Finally well done love your production. I love the painting on intro. I have a copy widely available to all it depicts the Scots fusiliers ( guards) with captain Lindsay holding regimental colour aloft shot through many times and I believe in guards museum London? Lindsay got one of the few victoria crosses awarded many years later after the actual battle along with Lord Henry Algernon percy of Grenadier guards for the attack and defence of the kitspur in battle of inkerman .

[@TheHistoryChap]

Many thanks for contributing your in-depth thoughts and knowledge.

[@Deppel57]

Chobham common has a memorial to Victoria who reviewed the troops assembled and rehearsing for the Crimea campaign.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for sharing.

[@mch12311969]

This explained the causes of the war far better than my undergraduate survey course on Russian history even tried to do.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Ha ha, I'm glad that it worked for you. Thanks for watching.

[@docplec]

How about a talk on Sergeant Luke O’Connor? 23rd of foot. Who was the first soldier to receive the VC. Ended his career as a Major General. Not bad for an orphan Irish commoner. As an ex RWF, I remember him from our regimental history lessons.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Steve, thanks for the vote for Sgt. O'Connor. I will add him to my (ever-growing) list.

[@docplec]

@@TheHistoryChap watched your battle of Alma and was suddenly reminded of him.

[@derekstocker2071]

I am becoming a fan old boy. Listening between the you tube test match coverage, eng v south Africa. your commentary easy to follow, maybe a tad too fast.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Glad you are enjoying and feedback noted. Thanks.

[@aleccap5946]

My great grandfather was there, he joined the 38th Staffordshire 1st of foot in 1855, he also saw action in India

[@TheHistoryChap]

Alec, thanks for sharing your family story.

[@chrisbaxter3597]

Sherwood Foresters- many pubs in Nottingham once called the Foresters - most gone now - replaced by dross called such names as The Hipsters Arms

[@TheHistoryChap]

Made me chuckle on a Monday morning :)

[@Zara-jl5zw]

From Yorkshire in the village you could once start at the anchor then move on to the Alma

[@TheHistoryChap]

Another Alma pub! Thanks for sharing.

[@Zara-jl5zw]

@@TheHistoryChap there was a third pub long gone balaclava .the Alma is half way up the hill over looking the valley 👍

[@softturd]

great stuff

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for watching.

[@foxman1546]

Interesting to learn that we used Minie Rifles/bullets in Crimea. The Americans always claim their Civil War was the first war with modern weapons and photography.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Yes Minie rifles, photography, special war correspondents...there were quite a lot of innovations.

[@infoscholar5221]

The civilian spectatorship you mention isn't odd, for the time. This began, as I understand from historical sources, as early as the late middle ages. The nobles viewed the battles as jousting on a larger scale. Wealthy people were still packing picnic lunches and viewing the carnage as late as the battel of first Manassas/Bull Run. Some say Antietam. Please do tell us more. Take care.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Really interesting to hear about those events from the American Civil War. Plenty more history videos in the pipeline. Watch this space!

[@leeboy26]

Live on a street called Alma Square. Yep, the pub is called The Alma.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Great to hear. Thanks for sharing.

[@gamortie]

Watching this on 20th September!

[@TheHistoryChap]

I should’ve put a reminder out

[@rule3036]

2 Alma pubs in Worcester ( well there was in the 90s . 1 at least is still open)

[@TheHistoryChap]

I will need to check them out next time I'm down there.

[@yehyawi]

7000 Egyptian troops under the command of Sulayman ''The Albanian'' Pasha who commanded the two-regiments brigade in the battle. They were the very first force to pass the alma river and attack russian positions alongside a 400 strong Albanian battalion. The overall casualties of the Egyptian brigade was 507, the lowest of both the british & the french.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for sharing

[@klikklakis]

There is also a street named Alm in Vancouver B.C. Canada.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Blimey, they get everywhere! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@davidwhelan1545]

2Alma pubs in Kent, that I drink in.

[@alenmcculloch7823]

Presumably a strong incentive to the soldiers of the Brigade: fail to go forward towards the enemy, and your name will be posted in your Parish Church back home, so folk there will know! Not a spur to fighting spirit we might use nowadays, but it does give an insight as to the significance of Parish Churches then.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Very interesting observation. Once again thanks for sharing your perspective.

[@stevewixom9311]

Really enjoyed the video. In mho the worst thing the British Army suffered from was it's top leadership. It was just to old and way past their prime years. War especially back then needed younger for vigorous men. They weren't able to look at a battlefield from a camera on a drone they needed to actually go all over on horse back and see it first hand in order to formulate the best attack plan. And second was the miserable job done in keeping the troops healthy but that would require too much typing here. Sorry for getting so long winded.

[@nathanappleby5342]

Without a doubt. However, Lord Raglan was a veteran of the Naploeonic Wars 40 years before and was a prodigy of the Duke of Wellington, Britain's best field commander at the time and learned a lot from him, lessons he would later apply in the Crimean War. He was definitely not the best commander the British had at the time of the war, but he was the right one. Do not forget, even those who are past their prime can still put up good fights. He displayed bravery and competent leadership at Alma, attempted to rescue the guns at Balaclava, and sent aid to the defenders at Inkermann. In regards to what the British Army went through in the Crimean War on the battlefield and elsewhere, it is possible Raglan got more blame than he deserves. The blame primarily falls on his subordinates. He does deserve points for trying.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Steve, thanks for making those points. I am planning a video about the medical provision in Crimea. Watch this space!

[@TheHistoryChap]

Good points, Nathan. What is actually points to is Raglan's weakness at managing his subordinates (more egos than a team of premiership footballers!).

[@charlieross-BRM]

There are a lot of Crimean War memorials in Ontario, Canada. Frequently they are grouped names of the fallen, incorporated into memorials for the rest of the wars that followed in the 20th century. Look up a map of Campbellford Ontario and there is a whole enclave of roads: Raglan, Alma, Balaclava, Pellissier, Inkerman. Other road names in that corner I may not recognize as being associated. I have no conjecture on how so many streets were so named. I don't spot a memorial in town that stands out. I'm more familiar with the Boer War involvement of Canada; men taking their own horses to South Africa and how many men died of disease, not battle. The regiment I was in participated. The senior reserve regiment in Canada.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share.

[@roytompkins6773]

I had a relative who fought at the battle of Alma. The soldiers who fought agreed to call the first born in the families to be named Alma. I was a first born and I inherited the name Alma I’m a male something I had live with for 81 years

[@TheHistoryChap]

Fascintating. Thanks for sharing.

[@andrewegan7011]

Picnics akin to Waterloo!

[@davidwhelan1545]

If we'd have consolidated our relationship with the Eastern Orthodox church, the world would look very different now!

[@stephenfinn3937]

My gg grandfather Patrick Finn b1830 Thurles Co Tipperary Ireland fought at the battle of Alma with the 33rd regiment of foot he wad shot in the left temple charging up the hill attacking the Russian position he survived and was medically discharged 6 months later….He is in the list of casualties which is online…,

[@TheHistoryChap]

Wow, what a great piece of research. Thanks for sharing.

[@theblackbear211]

The last I checked, the fistfights between different sects of Christians in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher are still happening in the 21st century.

[@TheHistoryChap]

I think they do kick off from time to time.

[@andrewemery4272]

Regards from The Crimea 🇷🇺

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thank you for taking the time to comment

[@dewiowen4538]

Nit picking, but the 23rd were Royal Welch Fusiliers not DWR. It's one of their greatest battle honours.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Not picking is allowed but what I actually said was " Consisting of the Rifle Brigade and Major-General Codrington’s 1st Brigade - the 7th, 23rd and 33rd (Duke of Wellingtons), regiments of foot." Sorry for any confusion.

[@geraintthatcher3076]

Having Civillians watch a battle also happened in the American Civil War at the 1st Battle of Bull Run. Its nuts

[@TheHistoryChap]

It doesn’t seem a bit mad, but you’re correct. It happened on a pretty regular basis.

[@geraintthatcher3076]

@@TheHistoryChap For other videos, will you ever cover any of the War of 1812 battles like Cryslers Farm or Lundys Lane ?

[@strummincedric]

My grandma born in 1903 was called Alma.

[@TheHistoryChap]

Thanks for sharing.