Balaclava was a sea port which was part of the overall plan to capture the Russian fleet's port at Sevastapol: 
Battle of Balaclava was October 25, 1854. It was cold, and so begat the balaclava: 
The British were commanded by Lord Raglan. He lost his arm at Waterloo, and the mitered sleeve made it easier to get his jackets on. You can even see the mitered seam peaking out under the epaulettes. 
And the day was ended after the final Allied cavalry charge, after a mis-heard or mis-interpretted order from Raglan, sent Lord Cardigan on what became The Charge of the Light Brigade. 
Today is also St. Crispin's Day!
Battle of Balaclava was October 25, 1854. It was cold, and so begat the balaclava: The British were commanded by Lord Raglan. He lost his arm at Waterloo, and the mitered sleeve made it easier to get his jackets on. You can even see the mitered seam peaking out under the epaulettes. And the day was ended after the final Allied cavalry charge, after a mis-heard or mis-interpretted order from Raglan, sent Lord Cardigan on what became The Charge of the Light Brigade. Today is also St. Crispin's Day!
Actually, my great great great great grandfather (not the Macdonald, a William Hardman) fought in the Crimea before being pensioned out of the army to guard convicts en route to Australia. 
