Valley of Death Attack (06:28)

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Learn how a misinterpreted message resulted in the British Light Brigade charging Russian guns in October 1854. Hear war correspondent William Russell's account of their suicidal mission.

Celebrating British Bravery (03:10)

The British Light Brigade was immortalized as heroes at home—despite its defeat at Balaklava. Hear Lord Tennyson's poem and learn how painter William Simpson was censored in his depiction of events.

Battle of Inkermann (06:18)

Learn details of the Russian surprise assault on British troops near Balaklava. Hear a French officer's account the battle and its aftermath; casualties overwhelmed medical personnel.

Florence Nightingale (05:43)

Hear an officer's wife's account of inadequate British medical facilities. Learn about Nightingale's efforts to improve hygiene at Scutari Hospital.

Crimean War Nurses (02:09)

As Nightingale worked to improve Scutari conditions, Russian medical personnel set up a field hospital at Sevastopol. Hear accounts of hygiene issues and surgical operations.

Balaklava Camp (04:08)

A hurricane destroyed British and French ships in the harbor in November 1854—with them winter clothing and medical supplies. Hear accounts of unhygienic living conditions.

Russian Weather Advantage (04:02)

British bureaucracy prevented supplies from reaching Balaklava in winter 1854, leading to starvation and death from exposure. Hear a nurse's description of frostbite cases.

Failed British Bureaucracy (05:02)

British soldiers starved and froze at Balaklava because Raglan had failed to provide supplies. A London Times' report on aristocratic mismanagement helped defeat the government in 1855.

Crimean Railway Line (03:31)

After the Commissariat had failed to supply Bakalkava, British civilian engineers built a railroad to Sevastopol in spring 1855. Hear Roger Fenton's account of photographing construction.

Siege of Sevastopol (03:18)

Hear Leo Tolstoy's account of Russian fortifications that repelled British and French attacks. Burial truces provided brief respites during trench warfare.

Sevastopol Reports (04:44)

As the Crimean War stalemated, British morale was low. Hear Fenton and Tolstoy's accounts of trench warfare during the siege, including a passage from Tolstoy's story "Sevastopol in May."

Credits: The Valley of Death: The Crimean War (00:41)

Credits: The Valley of Death: The Crimean War