At Balaclava Jeropkine's four squadrons of Russian uhlans tried to cut off the remnants of the British Light Brigade from retiring back down the valley to the safety of the Heavy Brigade.

There was some uncertainty as to the identity of these lancers in the British ranks. Major Low to Colonel Paget, "I say, Colonel are you sure those are not the 17th?" To which Paget replied, "Look at the colour of their flags." It would seem that the lances on both sides had pennons flying on this occasion.