The Charge of the Light Brigade1

Question

Does the light brigade mean a troop of cavalry soldiers?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Yes.

Light Lightly armed ones. The heavily armed ones were 'the heavy brigade'.

Brigade A larger group of soldiers than a troop.

Clive

Coloraday · Answer

Thanks

Avangi · Answer

A brigade would not necessarily be cavalry (mounted on horses), light or heavy.

Coloraday · Answer

You mean a light brigade can also be infantry?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

In modern armies, a brigade is larger than a regiment and smaller than a division. A large brigade might have 5,000 soldiers. Have a look here for how an army can be organized.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_organization

A brigade can indeed be infantry, although in the poem by Tennyson they were cavalrymen.

Cavalry with horses is no longer a meaningful part of modern armies. Their role is now performed by tanks. We still speak of 'a light tank' or 'a heavy tank'.

Best wishes, Clive

Avangi · Answer

coloradayDoes the light brigade mean a troop of cavalry soldiers?

coloradayYou mean a light brigade can also be infantry?

Yes, I see the article can be important here. My apologies.

Your first question, with the definite article, should be taken as referring to the poem.

Your second question, with the indefinite article, could be taken as general.

- A.

Coloraday · Answer

AvangiYour second question, with the indefinite article, could be taken as general.

mustn't it be the light brigade or the light brigades or light brigades to show generality?
Thanks

CalifJim · Answer

The poem is about a specific charge of a specific brigade historically, so it's referred to as the charge of the light brigade. the is not used to show generality here.

CJ

Avangi · Answer

coloraday
AvangiYour second question, with the indefinite article, could be taken as general.
mustn't it be the light brigade or the light brigades or light brigades to show generality?

Interesting question.

We'd usually say that "THE light brigade" refers to some particular light brigade which has been previously mentioned. We'd use the indefinite article for a general comment about "light brigades," such as "A light brigade is so called because its armament is light in comparison to some other brigades."

But it's often the case that the previous mention refers to a class of brigades, as in the case of Clive's remarks on the subject.

If someone asks, "What is the difference between a light brigade and a heavy brigade?," the reply would be correct with either article:

"The light brigade carries lighter armament than the heavy brigade," or, "A heavy brigade carries heavier armament then a light brigade." Here we're referring to specific classes of brigades, not to specific bodies of soldiers; and it would be accurate to say that the definite article is sometimes used in a general statement.

As in your current example, it's also fine to omit the article.

Coloraday · Answer

CalifJimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_of_the_Light_Brigade

The poem is about a specific charge of a specific brigade historically, so it's referred to as the charge of the light brigade. the is not used to show generality here.

CJ

Yes of course but I was talking about Avangi's post.

The Charge of the Light Brigade1

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