Chapter 3 Summary

The war, pitting Britain and France against Russia to protect Turkey, proceeds without direction. Patriots demand blood, someone suggests attacking Sevastopol, the cabinet agrees, and Flashy informs Raglan. Reaching cholera-ridden Varna, Flashy and Willy find the commanders bickering. Flashy is horrified by the calm discussions and wishes, in retrospect, that he had killed Raglan in his sleep to prevent the invasion. After a month of confused preparations, some 60,000 troops, half too sick to fight and under-supplied, cross the Black Sea. During five days ashore, the men foul the beach and cholera spreads. Raglan orders Flashy and Willy to ride to the rear and advance guards with word to commence their picturesque march. When Cossacks appear on the crest, the advance is sounded, and Flashy has to take enthusiastic Willy in hand to keep him from wandering.

The Battle of the Alma is exaggerated...